Delhi - Jaipur - Chittorgarh - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Bikaner - Agra - Delhi
Rail travel takes on an entirely different character when the journey itself becomes part of the holiday rather than simply a way of moving between cities. This 8-day Maharajas' Express Rajasthan luxury train tour links Delhi with Jaipur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner and Agra while allowing guests to return each evening to their private cabin instead of packing and changing hotels at every destination. The programme is designed for travellers who want Rajasthan's royal cities and the Taj Mahal within a single premium rail itinerary.
The Maharajas' Express is a scheduled luxury train rather than a privately chartered train unless an exclusive charter has been arranged separately. Guests travel in individually booked cabins while sharing the train's restaurants, lounge facilities and scheduled excursions with other passengers. This distinction is important because the privacy comes from the cabin and the level of service, while sightseeing normally operates according to the railway journey's published programme and departure calendar.
Jaipur introduces the architectural scale of Rajasthan with its fortified royal heritage, followed by the historic fort of Chittorgarh and the lake city of Udaipur. The route then continues through Marwar to Jodhpur, where Mehrangarh Fort dominates the skyline, before moving towards Bikaner and the desert landscapes of north-western Rajasthan. Agra provides the final major cultural stop, placing the Taj Mahal near the end of the journey before the train returns to Delhi.
The appeal of a luxury train tour in Rajasthan is not limited to sightseeing. Cabins remain your base throughout the rail sector, meals are served on board according to the confirmed train programme, and long distances are covered while guests dine, rest or sleep. This removes a substantial amount of hotel check-in, road-transfer and luggage handling that would normally be required on an itinerary covering the same number of destinations.
Golden Triangle Tours can assist with the wider arrangements around the rail journey, including Delhi airport transfers, pre- or post-train hotel nights, private extensions and onward touring. Travellers arriving from overseas often benefit from spending at least one night in Delhi before boarding, particularly when international flight timings are uncertain. Extra nights can also be added after the train for Delhi, Varanasi, Mumbai, Goa or another part of India.
This package is best suited to travellers who value heritage, luxury rail travel and structured touring over a fully flexible road itinerary. Since train routes, operating days, excursion sequences and onboard services can be revised by the train operator, the final programme should always be matched with the departure date selected at the time of booking.
Your rail journey begins in Delhi, where guests report to the designated Maharajas' Express check-in point at the time stated in the final train documents. Registration and boarding procedures are completed before departure, and passports or other identification required by the operator should be kept easily accessible. Guests travelling internationally are strongly advised to arrive in Delhi before the train departure day rather than relying on a same-day international flight connection, since delays could result in missing the scheduled departure.
After the formalities are completed, you are welcomed aboard and shown to your assigned cabin. Cabin categories vary and may include different space, layout and service levels, so the exact accommodation depends on what has been booked and confirmed. Your cabin remains your principal room for the duration of the journey, meaning luggage does not need to be repacked every morning. Time is available to familiarise yourself with the train, onboard facilities and the practical arrangements for meals and excursions.
As the train leaves Delhi and begins travelling towards Rajasthan, the atmosphere changes from airport and road logistics to a much more settled form of touring. Dinner is served according to the train's operating schedule, and the onboard team normally provides information regarding the following day's excursion arrangements. Guests should keep comfortable walking shoes and suitable clothing ready for Jaipur sightseeing. Overnight aboard the Maharajas' Express while travelling towards Jaipur.
Arrive in Jaipur, Rajasthan's celebrated Pink City and one of the most important royal capitals on the route. After breakfast and the morning arrangements specified by the train team, disembark for the scheduled city programme. Jaipur combines imposing military architecture with planned urban streets, palace complexes and traditional markets, making it a strong introduction to Rajput history for travellers who have not previously visited Rajasthan.
A principal sightseeing stop is generally associated with Amber Fort, the fortified palace rising above the old settlement of Amer. Its courtyards, gateways, royal apartments and elevated setting illustrate the combination of defensive planning and courtly architecture that characterised major Rajput strongholds. The exact excursion structure may include additional viewpoints, cultural activities or palace-related visits depending on the confirmed Maharajas' Express programme for the selected departure.
The day also allows travellers to appreciate Jaipur beyond a single monument. The city's terracotta-coloured facades, royal quarter and commercial streets give it a visual identity very different from Delhi. Lunch, refreshments and other hospitality are arranged according to the official rail itinerary. After completing the scheduled programme, return to the train and settle back into your cabin before the next stage of the journey. Overnight aboard the Maharajas' Express.
The train continues into southern Rajasthan towards Chittorgarh, a destination whose scale and historical associations differ considerably from Jaipur's palace architecture. Chittorgarh Fort occupies a vast elevated plateau and is closely connected with the history of Mewar. Its defensive walls, gateways, towers, temples, reservoirs and ruined palace structures make it one of the most extensive fortified landscapes in Rajasthan.
During the scheduled excursion, guests are introduced to key sections of the fort according to the time available and the operating plan for the train journey. The site is best understood as a fortified city rather than a single palace building. Your guide provides historical context relating to Mewar's rulers, conflicts and court traditions while allowing time to see the architectural variety spread across the complex. Walking requirements can vary, so comfortable footwear is advisable.
After the fort programme, return arrangements are made according to the train schedule. The remainder of the day continues aboard the Maharajas' Express, allowing guests to dine, relax and avoid another hotel transfer. This is one of the practical advantages of a Rajasthan luxury train tour: large distances can be covered overnight while the cabin remains unchanged. Overnight aboard the Maharajas' Express while continuing towards Udaipur.
Wake as the journey reaches the Udaipur region, where the landscape is noticeably greener and hillier than much of northern Rajasthan. Udaipur developed as the capital of Mewar and is built around a series of lakes framed by the Aravalli Hills. After breakfast and disembarkation formalities, begin the scheduled sightseeing programme according to the train operator's confirmed arrangements.
The principal historical attraction is Udaipur City Palace, a large complex built and expanded by successive rulers. Courtyards, balconies, narrow passages and decorated chambers open towards sweeping views of Lake Pichola and the surrounding city. The palace provides useful continuity with the previous day's visit to Chittorgarh because both places are closely linked to Mewar, yet their physical character is very different: Chittorgarh is defensive and expansive, while Udaipur feels more ceremonial and lake-oriented.
Depending on the departure programme, the Udaipur visit may also incorporate time around the lake, a palace venue, dining experience or another organised activity. The exact details should be checked against the official itinerary applicable to your travel date rather than assumed from previous seasons. After the excursion, return to the train and continue westwards through Rajasthan. Overnight aboard the Maharajas' Express while travelling towards Jodhpur.
Jodhpur introduces the historic region of Marwar, where Rajasthan's landscape becomes drier and the architecture takes on a more rugged character. The city developed below the towering Mehrangarh Fort, which rises dramatically from a rocky hill above the old urban quarter. Your excursion is arranged according to the published Maharajas' Express schedule, with transportation and guide services coordinated as part of the day's programme.
Mehrangarh is among Rajasthan's most imposing forts. Its enormous walls protect a series of courtyards, palace rooms, galleries and viewpoints overlooking Jodhpur's famous blue-painted neighbourhoods. The fort's position helps visitors understand why it served as such an effective defensive stronghold. Inside, the architectural details and collections provide insight into the court culture of the Rathore rulers and the history of the former kingdom of Marwar.
Other Jodhpur activities may be included depending on the operating programme, potentially involving the old city or a curated cultural component. The important advantage is that the excursion remains part of a larger rail journey rather than requiring another road transfer and hotel change afterwards. When the scheduled visit is complete, return to the train for refreshments, dinner and the onward journey. Overnight aboard the Maharajas' Express while proceeding towards Bikaner.
The train next reaches Bikaner, a royal city situated closer to the desert regions of north-western Rajasthan. Historically positioned along important trading routes, Bikaner developed a distinctive architectural and cultural identity under the Rathore rulers. Its setting gives this stage of the trip a noticeably different character from the lake country of Udaipur and the rocky escarpments of Jodhpur.
A principal historical visit is commonly associated with Junagarh Fort, an impressive fortress complex containing courtyards, palaces and richly decorated interiors. Unlike many major Rajasthan forts built high on hills, Junagarh occupies comparatively level ground, creating a different defensive and architectural form. Your guide will explain the development of the complex and the decorative traditions visible in its royal chambers, although the exact sightseeing sequence remains dependent on the confirmed train itinerary.
Some Maharajas' Express programmes may pair Bikaner sightseeing with a desert-oriented or cultural activity, but these components can vary by operating season and departure. For that reason, specific dinners, performances or off-train experiences should only be presented as confirmed once they appear in the passenger documents. After completing the day's programme, return to the comfort of your cabin. Overnight aboard the Maharajas' Express as the journey continues towards Agra.
The final major sightseeing destination is Agra, where the architectural language shifts from Rajasthan's Rajput kingdoms to the Mughal empire. The city is home to the Taj Mahal, one of India's most recognised monuments and an appropriate cultural high point near the end of the journey. Arrival and excursion timings depend on railway movement and the official schedule, so guests should follow the onboard team's instructions for disembarkation.
Visit the Taj Mahal, commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of Mumtaz Mahal. Time at the complex allows you to see the formal gardens, gateways, marble mausoleum and decorative stonework while learning how the building fits into the broader tradition of Mughal architecture. Photography, security and visitor rules apply throughout the complex, and the Taj Mahal is normally closed to general visitors on Fridays, which is taken into account when train programmes are planned.
Depending on the scheduled Maharajas' Express itinerary, additional Agra activities, dining arrangements or heritage visits may also form part of the day. Once the excursion is complete, return to the train for the final night of the rail journey. Guests can use the evening to organise luggage and review onward transport arrangements for Delhi. Overnight aboard the Maharajas' Express while travelling towards Delhi.
The train returns to Delhi on the final morning, completing the 7-night Maharajas' Express Rajasthan journey. Breakfast and disembarkation procedures are handled according to the railway schedule, and guests should check their cabin carefully before leaving. Train arrival times can be affected by operational railway conditions, so international departures should not be booked with an unnecessarily tight connection after the scheduled arrival.
After disembarkation, your arrangements depend on the package booked through Golden Triangle Tours. A private transfer can be organised to a Delhi hotel, domestic airport or international airport. Travellers with a late-night international flight may prefer to have a day-use hotel room rather than spend several hours at the airport. Guests remaining in Delhi can also add private sightseeing, dining or shopping arrangements.
For travellers continuing within India, the rail programme can connect naturally with a Varanasi extension, Ranthambore wildlife tour, Golden Triangle extension, Mumbai stay or Goa holiday. Additional private touring can be planned without altering the core train reservation. Your Rajasthan luxury rail package concludes after the agreed Delhi transfer, having covered several of northern India's major royal and Mughal destinations without the frequent hotel changes of a conventional road itinerary.
We promise you a holiday where everything is taken care of from the moment you land. Trusted drivers waiting for you, handpicked hotels that fit your style, personalized itineraries designed just for your family, and a dedicated team on call 24/7. All you need to do is relax, explore, and create unforgettable memories, while we take care of every detail behind the scenes.
