Board your Maharajas' Express Train amidst showering traditional welcome at Safdarjung Railway Station. After check-in and registration formalities, enter the most luxurious train in India and observe the minute detailing of this celebrated masterpiece where everything is epitomizes finesse and exquisite craft. Begin your overnight ride on Maharajas' Express Train. Dinner on board.

Highlights of Day 1 – Board The Indian Panorama – a Maharajas' Express presentation with the traditional royal welcome


Morning arrive into the capital royale, Jaipur. Built by Raja Jai Singh in the 18th century, Jaipur is a city planned as per Vastu Shastra, Indian architectural principles. Presently, the city is known for its magnificent and marvellous palaces, forts and temples. With your visit to the city, experience the royal welcome at the Jai Mahal Palace Hotel and watch the exciting Exhibition Elephant Polo Match. You can even sit on the back of royal elephants and be a part of the royal game. The royal welcome in the palace hotel is accompanied by the heart-thumping music of beating Nagadas and the royal military band. This will be followed by the match and Champagne Lunch at the Jai Mahal Palace Hotel. Post Lunch, move towards an excursion to the Amber Fort, overlooking city Jaipur in pride and valour. Set in the rugged hills, the fort is a fascinating way to explore royalty residing in this pink city. On completing the tour of Amber Fort, you will have the opportunity to shop in famous markets of Jaipur for finest jewellery, textiles and blue pottery. Besides this, you can also choose optional interest based excursions. You can stay back at the palace hotel for spa facilities OR enjoy golfing at Rambagh Golf Club OR visit to City Palace and Jantar Mantar (The Observatory). Breakfast and Dinner on board. Overnight on the Maharajas' Express.

Highlights of Day 2 - Exhibition Elephant Polo Match followed by Champagne Lunch


Begin day 3 early in the morning with a great safari towards Ranthambore National Park, the erstwhile hunting ground of the Maharajas'. It is now a protected National Park. This semi arid forest is best known for wonderful wildlife including tigers, nilgai, chital, chinkara, wild boar, hyena, sloth bear, jackal and leopard.

The breakfast will be served at Vivanta by Taj, following this rewarding wild excursion. Move further towards the ghost city of Agra, Fatehpur Sikri in The Indian Panorama luxury train. Lunch onboard. Fatehpur Sikri was the immaculately planned city of the Mughals. Built lavishly by Emperor Akbar as a dedication to Shaikh Salim Chisti, a sufi saint; the city was abandoned for water shortage and thereby known as a 'ghost city/town.' Famous structures of Fatehpur Sikri feature Jami masjid, Buland-Darwazah and tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti. Khass Mahal, Shahi-Bazar, Mina-Bazar, the Panch-Mahal, Khwabgah, Anup-Talao, Chaupar Diwan-i-Khass, and Diwan-i-Am are other attraction of this monument. Return to the train and continue your journey to Agra. Overnight on Maharajas' Express.

Highlights of Day 3 - Indulge in an exciting game drive to Ranthambore


Day 4 of this Maharajas' Express Train Tour brings you closer to the crowning glory of India, the world famous Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This monument is often considered as the most recognized and iconic monument of India. It took approx. 20,000 labourers hard work for 22 years which resulted in the pristine beauty of Taj. This marble poetry served the purpose of an ode by Emperor Shah Jahan in the fond memory of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. Observing this marvellous monument wrapped in the pleasant hues of the rising sun is a great experience accentuated by Champagne Breakfast atop Taj Khema. The special highlight of this morning meal will be gazing the magnificent Taj while relishing the lavish breakfast.

Post breakfast, return to The Indian Panorama train and continue your journey towards fort city of Gwalior. On arrival, experience a Royal Traditional welcome and move for Lunch at the Usha Kiran Palace.

Post lunch proceed on a tour of the magnificent Gwalior Fort. Gwalior Fort in Madhya Pradesh is one of the biggest forts in India. Standing on an isolated rock, this majestic fort overlooks the town and contains a number of historic buildings. Historical records state that Gwalior Fort was built in the 8th century. The fortress and the city have been integral to the history of the kingdoms of North India. First Mughal Emperor Babur quoted Gwalior Fort as 'The pearl in the necklace of the forts of Hind.'

Return to the main city to visit the Jai Vilas Palace Museum. The Museum exhibits a collection of antiques belonging to the Scindia reign. The most noticeable attractions of the museum are Two Belgian chandeliers weighing several tons, a glass cradle from Italy, silver train & dinner services and swords that were once worn by Aurangzeb and Shah Jahan are conspicuous.

Enjoy Hi Tea at the Jai Vilas Palace Compound.

Day 4 can be optionally planned with the post lunch spa session to relax the flexes at spa of hotel Usha Kiran Palace. Late evening return to the comfort of the train. Overnight on the Maharajas' Express.

Highlights of Day 4 - Feast of delicacies from the Royal kitchens of Gwalior


The onset of Day 5 brings you closer to Orchha. On arrival at Jhansi Railway station drive towards Orcha. Visit the Jahangiri Mahal, pass over Chaturbhuj temple & the Cenotaphs of Orcha Rulers lying along the Betwa river. Orchha's legacy is captured in stone. A tour through this medieval city includes exploring the palaces and temples built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries. The cenotaphs or Chhatries built by Raja Bir Singh are also of prominent importance in Orchha. Return to the train and continue onwards to the temple city of Khajuraho. Lunch on board. Upon arrival, proceed to visit the magnificent temples of Khajuraho.

Khajuraho Temples are a marvellous creation and a celebration of Indian architecture in stone. One thousand years ago, the 85 temples were carved and erected under the patronship of Chandela kings of Central India. Completed in a short span of 100 years, these temples depict the joys and creativity of human craftsmanship. The outer walls of Khajuraho Temples contain erotic art, making it earn the epithet of Kamasutra Temples. But, besides that there are other carvings that depict the everyday life of common Indians during the onset of medieval era. Some of the popular depictions show women putting on makeup, musicians, potters, farmers, and other folk.

Post sightseeing at Khajuraho, you have the option of enjoying spa facilities at a 5 star hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on Board. Overnight on the Maharajas' Express.

Highlights of Day 5 - Marvel at the sights of Khajuraho and Orchha


Day 6 brings you closer to your own self at Varanasi, the oldest continuing city of India and a prominent religious hub for Moksha. This city is known for its fine-quality silks, 'paan' and Benares Hindu University and Bhaang, the drink of lord Shiva. According to Hinduism, it is believed that those who die and are cremated here get an instant gateway to freedom from the cycle of births and re-births. Besides being a Hindu Hub, the city is also a gateway for Buddhist followers for Sarnath, one of the prominent Buddhist circuit sites known for Lord Buddha's first preaching.

Post breakfast, move towards tour to Sarnath ruins followed by a visit to Sarnath Museum.

Return back to the Maharajas' Express for Lunch. Post lunch visit The Silk Weaving Centre. Continue your journey towards the mesmerizing Ghats for a scenic boat cruise on The River Ganges. Witness the magical evening Aarti on the Ghats of the Ganges. Return back to the Maharajas' Express and continue towards Lucknow, the last destination of the Indian Panorama. Breakfast, Lunch & dinner onboard.

Highlights of Day 6 – Visit the city of lights and learning, Varanasi


Arrive into Lucknow, popularly known as "The City of Nawabs". Situated on the banks of the River Gomti, Lucknow is the capital of Uttar Pradesh. It was founded by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula. In the olden times, it served as the capital of the Nawabs of Awadh and it is one of the reasons why it is also called as the City of the Nawabs. The era of Nawabs conferred Lucknow with the courteous nuances and culture as well as mouthwatering delicacies and Awadhi cuisines for which it is famous today. Morning proceed on a sightseeing tour of Lucknow visiting Bara Imambara & The Residency.

The Bara or Great Imambara is an amazing monument of Lucknow dedicated to Shi'ite Muslim holy man. Built in 1784 by Asaf-ud-Daula, this grand structure features the large Asfi mosque, the bhulbhulayah (the labyrinth maze), and bawli, a step-well with running water. Two imposing gateways lead to the main hall.

Beside the Imambara, and built by Asaf-ud-Daula , is the imposing Rumi Darwaza. The British Residency of Lucknow is a famous historical landmark of this place. It is now in ruins and has been declared a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India. Return back to the train for Lunch. After a relaxed afternoon, evening proceed to enjoy the fabled hospitality of Lucknow at the Indian Night at the Residence of Local Nawab of Jehagirabad.

Highlights of Day 7- Relish food from the royal kitchens of Lucknow


After breakfast, disembark at Delhi and bid farewell to the luxurious Maharajas' Express Train.