The Maharajas’ Express – Indian Panorama

Your journey begins when you fly overnight from London to Delhi.

Upgrade to premium or business class for your journey.

Regional flights available

On arrival in Delhi you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. Choose between our 4* or 5* hotels on a B&B basis.

Enjoy your free day in Delhi, the colourful, busy, city with great historical importance. Visit a temple, walk through peaceful gardens, check out a tomb or two, and spend some time at the imposing red fort. As you wander around, try some of the city's best street food and don't miss some of the incredibly colourful markets. Alternatively, choose one of our optional excursions which are bookable at a supplement.

You'll join the Maharajas' Express in the morning, when you'll enjoy a welcome drink and settle into your surroundings. You'll then experience your first lunch onboard and meet your facilitators for a tour brief. At around 1500 hrs you'll leave the train to visit Jaipur's City Palace Galleries which include the Textile Museum, Arms Museum and Arts Museum. After your visit to the City Palace, enjoy an exclusive dinner at the Rambagh Palace Hotel. The Palace was built in 1835 AD and was the residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur from 1925 to 1957. Return to the station by 2030 hours and once again board the Maharajas' Express, where you'll spend your first night on this magical train.

You'll leave the train after breakfast this morning to visit the Amber Fort, a beautiful mix of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Made of red sandstone and white marble, the fort was constructed by Raja Man Singh I in 1592 and part of your tour includes a tour of the royal apartments. You'll visit the Chamber of Mirrors and the Hall of Victory, and you'll enjoy lunch aboard the train lunch. After the tour you'll return to the Maharajas' Express for dinner on-board.

Get ready for a safari to the Ranthambore National Park his morning, which was originally the private hunting ground of the Maharajas. Expect to see sambar, chital, nilgai, chinkara, wild boar, sloth bear, hyena, and jackal, on your safari drive, and if you're lucky tiger and leopard. You'll enjoy breakfast back on the train and continue onto the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri. The great Mughal Emperor Akbar built this red sandstone city as his capital in the late 16th century, and it's now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Following the tour you'll return to the train for an "Indian Evening", followed by dinner.

You'll arrive into Agra this morning, the jewel of India, and home to one of the world's great architectural wonders - the Taj Mahal. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his favourite queen Mumtaz. Constructed entirely from white marble this masterpiece of a building was created by approximately 20,000 of India's craftsmen. As part of the tour you'll enjoy a champagne breakfast from atop the Taj Khema with great views of the Taj Mahal. Return to the train for lunch and spend the afternoon exploring at your own pace. You'll return to the train for dinner when your journey continues to Orchha.

Following an early breakfast onboard, you'll stop at the village of Orchha where you can visit the Orchha Fort, built in the 1500s by the Bundela rulers, and take a short Tuk Tuk ride around the village. You'll return to the train for lunch as your journey continues towards Khajuraho. Built between 950 and 1050 AD, the temples at Khajuraho feature interesting engravings showing human emotions and relationships. See some of the greatest examples of Chandela art, including the Kandariya Mahadev Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, and return to the train for dinner.

Today you'll discover one of the oldest living cities in the world, Varanasi, which has a spiritual legacy of over 3000 years. This holy city is set on the banks of the sacred river Ganges and is a place of great pilgrimage. Lively bazaars, festivals, temples, mosques and palaces can all be found in this colourful city. You'll enjoy lunch at Hotel Taj Gateway and then visit the ancient ruins of Sarnath. After lunch you'll visit a Silk Weaving Centre, and enjoy a scenic cruise on the river Ganges. Dinner is held at Brij Rama Palace, which is situated on the banks of the holy river. Enjoy a classical Indian Dance performance, followed by a unique vegetarian dinner.

The train now makes its way back to Delhi while you enjoy a leisurely breakfast and lunch onboard. After arriving back at Delhi Railway Station, you'll transfer back to your chosen hotel.

Your journey ends today as you take your transfer back to Delhi airport for your flight back to the UK. If you're not ready to end your journey here, choose from one of our optional extensions which are bookable at a supplement.

Regional flights available