12 Nights / 13 Days Fully Guided Tours Private Car
Delhi - Ranthambore - Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi - Udaipur - Ranakpur - Jodhpur - Delhi
Before independence, the land now called Rajasthan was split into roughly two dozen royal kingdoms, every one with its own dynasty, citadel and courtly taste, far too many to do justice to in a single week. The Maharajas Express Indian Panorama with Royal Rajasthan starts with six nights on India's most celebrated luxury train, looping from Delhi through Jaipur, Ranthambore, Agra, Orchha, Khajuraho and Varanasi. Then, instead of heading home, you fly west to spend five private nights in the two great royal cities of the Rajasthan south and west: lakeside Udaipur and the desert stronghold of Jodhpur.
The two halves complement each other well. On the train, the days are tightly organized and the variety is enormous, from tiger country to Mughal tombs to the river of Varanasi. Afterward, the pace slows and the focus narrows, so you can take in the details: sunset from a hilltop palace above Udaipur, the forest of marble pillars inside the Ranakpur Jain temple, an hour in the gardens of a royal cenotaph in Jodhpur, or a slow walk through the market below Mehrangarh Fort. Hotels for these nights are chosen from the finest lake and palace properties, so the sense of royal living continues after you leave the train.
IRCTC operates the Maharajas' Express, whose trophy cabinet holds multiple World Travel Awards for the finest luxury train worldwide. Top Indian Holidays stands apart from the railway as a Ministry of Tourism recognized company rooted in Jaipur for more than two decades, and we put together the train booking, flights, private car and driver, local guides and hotels, and our team stays in touch by phone throughout. The ideal season is October to March, when days in Rajasthan are sunny and dry and nights in the desert are crisp. Train departures run on selected Sundays during that window.
After the long flight, a smooth start makes all the difference. Our representative meets you at the exit of Indira Gandhi International Airport and takes you by private car to a luxury hotel in central Delhi. The drive usually takes 30 to 45 minutes, though traffic in the evening rush can stretch it. If your flight arrives in the early morning, we will have arranged early check-in so you can sleep for a few hours, since the next day starts early with the train departure.
If you have the energy, an afternoon drive around the leafy boulevards of New Delhi is a pleasant introduction to the city. The Lodhi Garden is lovely in the late afternoon, with its fifteenth-century tombs set among lawns and old trees where locals walk, jog and practice yoga. Alternatively, the National Museum on Janpath houses an excellent collection of Indian sculpture and miniature painting. Most guests, however, prefer to take it easy, enjoy the hotel pool or spa and adjust to the new time zone.
In the evening, our team calls to confirm the pickup time for the following morning, usually around 06:45. Pack a medium-sized bag for the week on the train, with comfortable walking shoes, layers for chilly mornings, a scarf to cover your shoulders at religious sites and smart clothes for dinner at the palace hotels. If you are traveling with large suitcases, our team can take them on to Udaipur, where you will meet them again after the train. Have an early dinner and rest well.
You reach Delhi Safdarjung station by about 07:30, when check-in for the Maharajas Express Indian Panorama opens. The atmosphere is that of a private party, with musicians, a red carpet and flower garlands, while the train's staff handle your luggage and paperwork. Once on board, your butler shows you to your cabin and explains the facilities, from the safe to the room controls and the call button. The train departs at about 08:30 and heads south-west toward Rajasthan, leaving the city traffic behind within half an hour.
Your first midday meal comes in either the Mayur Mahal or the Rang Mahal, the train's pair of dining cars, both decorated in royal style. The chefs cook a mix of Indian and continental dishes, and the wine list includes Indian and international labels. After lunch, the train manager holds a short briefing in the lounge about the week's program, explaining timings, dress codes and optional activities. It is worth booking any spa treatments now, since slots in the onboard spa are limited and popular after the safari day.
At about 15:00, the train arrives in Jaipur, and you head to the City Palace for a guided afternoon visit. The palace, still home to the royal family, is a blend of Rajput and Mughal styles with arched gateways, painted courtyards and museums. The Mubarak Mahal displays royal textiles, including a robe made for a famously large ruler. The armory has jeweled swords and daggers, and the Diwan-i-Aam houses illuminated manuscripts. In the evening, dinner is served at Rambagh Palace, followed by a return to the train by about 20:30.
The morning begins at around 08:30 with a drive to Amber Fort, about 30 minutes north of the city. As the coach climbs into the hills, you see the long wall that snakes over the ridges, and the fort's warm yellow walls reflected in Maota Lake below. Jeeps take you up the steep approach to the Sun Gate, and your guide leads you into the first courtyard, where royal processions once assembled. The sun is gentle at this hour, and the stone is still cool to the touch.
The guide takes you through the Ganesh Gate, a richly painted entrance to the private palace, and into the Mirror Palace, whose walls and ceiling sparkle with inlaid convex mirrors. Small details are easy to miss, such as the marble panels carved with flowers that seem to change color depending on the angle of the light, and the ingenious system of water channels that once cooled the rooms. A visit of about two hours is enough to see the main areas before the midday heat and crowds arrive.
Back on the train, lunch is served, and the afternoon is free. Our team can arrange a private car and guide for shopping in Jaipur, which is famous for gemstones, jewelry, block-printed textiles and carpets. Alternatively, visit the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, whose honeycomb facade of nearly a thousand small windows allowed royal women to watch street life unseen. Some guests prefer a spa treatment or a quiet rest in the cabin. The train departs in the evening for Sawai Madhopur, the gateway to Ranthambore.
The day starts before sunrise with a knock on the cabin door and a hot drink from your butler. Bundled up against the chill, you climb into an open jeep for a dawn outing through Ranthambore National Park. Permits in the three coldest months cover roughly 07:00 until 10:30, with October and the late season starting half an hour earlier and finishing near 10:00. The early hours are cold, sometimes only 6 to 9 degrees Celsius, so gloves, a scarf and a warm hat are essential. Binoculars help a great deal.
The park covers a dramatic landscape of rocky hills, dry forest, open grasslands and lakes. The ruins of a medieval fort rise above the trees, and old pavilions stand at the edges of the lakes, where tigers sometimes cool off on hot days. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the park has a good record, and the experienced naturalists know how to read the signs. Even without a tiger, you are likely to see deer, crocodiles, wild boar, monkeys and a wide variety of birds, from kingfishers to crested serpent eagles.
Back on the train, breakfast is served, followed by lunch as the train travels east toward Agra. At about 15:30, you arrive at Fatehpur Sikri, the city founded by the emperor Akbar in the late sixteenth century as his capital, and abandoned soon afterward. Your guide explains the purpose of each building, from the Panch Mahal, a five-story pavilion of columns, to the private audience hall with its central carved pillar. In the evening, a themed dinner with music and entertainment is held on board.
Before dawn you leave the train for the short drive to the Taj Mahal, arriving at the gates in time for the sunrise opening. The monument is closed on Fridays, so the train schedule is designed to bring guests here on another day. Passing through the great gateway, you see the white marble tomb at the end of the long water channel, glowing softly in the first light. Your guide explains the symbolism of the gardens, which represent paradise, and the techniques used to build the dome.
After the visit, you go to a nearby property for breakfast with a direct view of the Taj Mahal. This is a moment to sit back, enjoy a coffee and watch the monument change color as the sun rises higher. Your guide can answer questions about the history of the Mughal dynasty, the craftsmen who built the tomb and the semiprecious stones used in its decoration. Photography is allowed in the gardens and on the platform, but not inside the tomb chamber, where the replica cenotaphs are kept.
Lunch is served on the train, and the afternoon is free. Many guests choose to visit Agra Fort, a vast red sandstone citadel on the bank of the Yamuna, where a succession of Mughal rulers kept their court across several reigns. From the white marble balconies of the Musamman Burj, you can see the Taj Mahal across the river, the view that Shah Jahan contemplated during his final years under house arrest. After dark the train pulls away from Agra, rolling south toward central India.
At about 07:00 the train reaches Orchha, a small town on the Betwa River that was once the capital of the Bundela kings. Its palaces, temples and cenotaphs are scattered across an island and the riverbanks, surrounded by forest. Your guide leads you through the Raja Mahal, with its colorful wall paintings of gods and royal life, and the Jahangir Mahal, built to welcome the Mughal emperor Jahangir during a visit. The views from the upper terraces stretch across the river and the forest, with domes and spires rising above the trees.
After the palaces, you take a short ride through the village to the riverbank, where a row of royal cenotaphs rises from the water's edge. These tall, domed structures, built in memory of the Bundela rulers, are home to several species of vultures. Orchha is a quiet, rural town with little traffic, and the morning visit offers a peaceful contrast to the busy cities. Return to the train for breakfast, as it continues south through the farmlands and forests of Madhya Pradesh to Khajuraho, a run of a few hours.
The afternoon belongs to the Western Group of the Khajuraho temples, inscribed by UNESCO and counted among the high points of the subcontinent's building tradition. Built by the Chandela dynasty a thousand years ago, the temples are covered with exquisite carvings of gods, goddesses, dancers, musicians, animals and scenes of love. Your guide explains the meaning of the sculptures and the architecture, designed to represent the sacred mountain of the gods. After sunset you can pick a recital of classical Indian dance or the illuminated history show staged among the temples.
Breakfast is served on board as the train approaches Varanasi, the ancient city on the banks of the Ganges and the holiest place for Hindus. After arrival, you go to the Taj Ganges hotel for lunch, then continue to Sarnath, about 10 kilometers away, where the Buddha delivered his first sermon. Here you see the Dhamek Stupa, the ruins of ancient monasteries and the museum, home to the lion capital of Ashoka, the national emblem of India. Allow about ninety minutes for the site, which is pleasantly quiet in the afternoon.
Next, you stop at a workshop where artisans weave the famous Varanasi silk brocades on hand looms. These fabrics, decorated with gold and silver threads, take weeks to produce and have been worn by royalty for centuries. You can watch the weavers at work and buy scarves, stoles or fabrics if you wish. The workshop can arrange shipping for larger purchases. The lanes of Varanasi are narrow and crowded, so comfortable shoes are recommended for the walk to the riverfront in the late afternoon, and a light shawl for the evening.
In the early evening, you board a boat on the Ganges in Varanasi for the river's nightly fire ritual, which in the cooler months gets under way close to 18:00. Priests in saffron robes perform a ritual with large brass lamps, incense, bells and chanting, while crowds of pilgrims gather on the riverfront steps. Small leaf boats with flowers and candles float on the river, creating a magical scene that many guests remember long after the trip. You return to the train for the farewell dinner as it begins the overnight journey back to Delhi.
Breakfast is leisurely, and the train glides into Delhi Safdarjung close to midday. A driver from our team waits by your carriage, takes charge of the bags and heads to Indira Gandhi International Airport for an afternoon flight to Udaipur, which takes about an hour and a half. Take some time on board before arrival to say goodbye to your butler and the train staff, and to settle any extra charges with the guest relations team. Our driver will already have your flight details, and the station is about 30 to 45 minutes from the airport.
On arrival at Udaipur's Maharana Pratap Airport, our local driver meets you for the drive of about 40 minutes to your hotel. The road passes through the green Aravalli hills, a welcome change after the plains of northern India. Udai Singh II, the sixteenth-century ruler of Mewar, established the city, which spreads around a series of artificial lakes, giving it the name the City of Lakes. The setting, admired by honeymooners and painters alike, is one of the most romantic in India, with whitewashed palaces reflected in calm water.
Your hotel for the next two nights is a lake palace or a luxury lakeside property, with views of Lake Pichola and the City Palace. Some hotels are reached only by boat, which makes arrival especially memorable. After check-in, relax on the terrace and watch the sun set over the lake, turning the palaces golden. Dinner can be served on a rooftop or by the water, with Rajasthani dishes such as slow-cooked lamb or lentil dumplings in yogurt gravy. Udaipur's evenings are pleasant in winter, around 15 degrees Celsius.
Once breakfast is done, your private guide walks you into the City Palace of Udaipur, a royal compound larger than any rival in the state. Raised across three centuries by the Mewar rulers, it rises above Lake Pichola in a series of towers, balconies and domes. Inside, you see the Peacock Courtyard with its glass mosaics, the Crystal Gallery and rooms decorated with miniature paintings and colored glass. The palace is busy by late morning, so starting early is wise. Allow about two and a half hours for the full visit.
Next, walk to the Jagdish Temple, a seventeenth-century temple dedicated to Vishnu, with intricately carved walls and a large bronze statue of Garuda at the entrance. Afterward, wander through Saheliyon Ki Bari, a pleasure garden laid out for a queen and her companions, with fountains, lotus pools and marble elephants. In the afternoon, return to the hotel to relax or browse the shops of the old city for miniature paintings, silver jewelry and textiles. Udaipur is known for its painting schools, where you can watch artists at work with very fine brushes.
In the late afternoon, take a private boat ride on Lake Pichola, passing the Lake Palace, Jag Mandir and the bathing steps of the old city. Then drive up to the Monsoon Palace, also known as Sajjangarh, on a hilltop about 5 kilometers west of the city. Built in the nineteenth century to watch the monsoon clouds, it offers panoramic views of the lakes, the city and the Aravalli hills. Sunset from here is spectacular. Return to the hotel for dinner, perhaps with a cultural performance.
After breakfast, leave Udaipur by private car for the drive to Ranakpur, about 90 kilometers to the north-west, which takes about two and a half hours. The road winds through the Aravalli hills, past villages, fields and forests, and you may see shepherds with flocks of sheep and goats, women in colorful clothes carrying water, and camel carts on the road. The scenery is some of the most beautiful in Rajasthan, especially in the green months after the monsoon, and there are good places to stop for tea along the way.
The Ranakpur Jain temple, built in the fifteenth century from pale marble, is one of the most remarkable buildings in India. It is famous for its 1,444 carved pillars, no two of which are said to be the same, as well as its domes, ceilings and sculptures of extraordinary delicacy. The temple is open to non-Jain visitors from about 12:00 to 17:00. Anything made of leather, whether belts, shoes or bags, stays at the door, and clothing should reach past the shoulders and knees. Visitors can borrow a recorded commentary at the ticket counter.
After the visit, enjoy lunch at a nearby resort, then continue to Jodhpur, about 170 kilometers away, a drive of about three and a half hours through the dry countryside. As you approach the city, the massive outline of Mehrangarh Fort appears on its rocky ridge. Check in to your palace hotel or luxury heritage property for the next two nights. Dinner can be served on the terrace, with views of the fort lit up at night. Jodhpur's evenings are cool and dry in winter.
Your private guide meets you after breakfast for a full day in Jodhpur. Start with Mehrangarh Fort, one of the largest and most impressive forts in India, rising about 120 meters above the city. Inside, the palace rooms are decorated with mirrors, gold leaf and paintings, and the museum displays royal palanquins, elephant saddles, weapons and costumes. The views over the blue-painted houses of the old city are extraordinary from the ramparts. Allow about two to three hours, and use the lift to save the steep climb.
Next comes Jaswant Thada, the cenotaph raised late in the nineteenth century to remember Jaswant Singh II, a ruler of Marwar. Its marble panels are shaved so fine that daylight seeps through them with a soft amber glow. The gardens and the small lake offer a peaceful place to rest. In the afternoon, visit the museum at Umaid Bhawan Palace, a grand Art Deco palace completed in the mid-twentieth century and still partly home to the royal family. Part of the palace is a luxury hotel, and the museum displays vintage clocks, photographs and royal memorabilia.
In the late afternoon, walk through the old city with your guide, from the Clock Tower market with its spice and textile stalls to the Toorji stepwell, a beautifully restored eighteenth-century stepwell surrounded by cafes. The blue houses, narrow lanes and friendly people make this walk a highlight. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a rooftop restaurant with views of Mehrangarh Fort lit up at night. Our team will confirm the time of your transfer to the airport for the next day, so there is nothing for you to arrange.
After a relaxed breakfast, the morning is free. You might visit the Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park, below Mehrangarh Fort, where trails lead through rocky landscapes planted with native desert species, or take an excursion to a Bishnoi village, where a community known for its care of nature and wildlife lives in traditional mud houses. Our team can arrange either excursion with a private guide. Check out of your hotel around midday and transfer to Jodhpur airport, which is only about 20 minutes from the city center.
The flight to Delhi takes about an hour and a half. On arrival, our driver meets you and takes you to your luxury hotel for the last night of your trip. Depending on your arrival time, you can enjoy an afternoon of shopping at Khan Market or Dilli Haat, where artisans from across India sell textiles, jewelry and handicrafts. Another option is Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the great Sikh house of worship whose community kitchen feeds thousands of people daily at no charge. Shoes come off at the entrance and heads must be covered.
For your farewell dinner, choose one of the capital's well-known dining rooms devoted to rich Mughal cooking, grilled skewers and northern Indian dishes. This is a good time to reflect on your journey: the royal train, the tigers of Ranthambore, the Taj Mahal, the temples of Khajuraho, the river of Varanasi and the palaces of Udaipur and Jodhpur. Pack your bags before bed, keeping your passport and travel documents to hand for the next day's departure. Our team will confirm the pickup time by message, and any purchases shipped from workshops will have been tracked for you.
Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel. If your flight leaves in the evening, the morning is free for a last walk, a swim or a visit to Humayun's Tomb, the elegant garden tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal. Most Delhi hotels expect rooms to be vacated near midday, so for a flight late at night we will reserve a room for the day where you can nap and shower before leaving. A final lunch at a garden restaurant near your hotel is a pleasant way to pass the last hours.
At the time fixed the evening before, your car arrives for the run to Indira Gandhi International Airport, which takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. We recommend arriving three hours before international flights, as security and immigration checks can take time. Guards at the terminal doors check a paper or on-screen ticket before letting anyone inside. Keep your passport, e-Visa and boarding pass together in your hand luggage for easy access. The airport has good lounges and shops for last-minute gifts such as tea and spices.
Over thirteen days you will have traveled across north and central India by luxury train, then toured the royal cities of Rajasthan at your own pace. Top Indian Holidays, the independent Jaipur team behind every booking on this trip, can be reached by phone right up to boarding and is always glad to hear your thoughts afterward. Returning guests often choose Kerala's waterways, the high passes of Ladakh or the great temple towns of Tamil Nadu next, and we would be happy to help with your next journey, timed for the best season in each region.
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