Day 01 Sunday Board the Maharajas’ Express in Delhi to Agra
Begin your journey at the Safardjung Railway station. On arrival, you will proceed towards the Maharajas’ Express and complete the pre-boarding formalities over a welcome drink. The Maharajas’ Express departs from Delhi to Agra in the morning. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Proceed to the Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565, it is a maze of courtyards and lavish private chambers which reflect the grandeur of the Mughal Empire. Visit the Diwan-e-aam (House of Commons) and royal pavilions like the Shah Jahani Mahal. Wander through lavishly decorated halls, courtyards and alcoves glimpsing the Taj Mahal in the distance. Head to the Taj Khema, a tableland overlooking the Taj Mahal where colourful ‘khemas’ (decorated tents) are set up for a romantic Champagne Lunch. You will be welcomed by colourfully attired dancers and musicians who escort you to the gardens.Continue on a visit to the Taj Mahal. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was built by Shah Jehan as a mausoleum for his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. Rejoin the train and continue your eventful journey to princely Gwalior. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 02 Monday Gwalior
Welcome to Gwalior. A city where many reigning dynasties have left indelible etchings of their rule on all its palaces, temples and monuments. These mementos of a glorious past have been preserved, giving Gwalior a timeless appeal. Head to the Gwalior Fort, the city’s most famous landmark. Enjoy a tour of the many temples and ruined palaces like the Man Mandir Palace, Gujari Mahal, Sas Bahu Ka Mandir and Suraj Kund. Continue for lunch to the Usha Kiran Palace to a true Gwalior traditional welcome. Enter this 120-year-old palace, which has played host to the King of England and is now a heritage hotel. Set amidst 9 acres of beautifully landscaped lawns, this regal palace is outfitted with artistic stone carvings and delicate filigree work. Following lunch, explore the Jai Vilas Palace and Scindia Museum. Although the current Maharaja still lives in a portion of the palace, a large part of it is now a museum. It displays royal memorabilia and a remarkable collection of artefacts from around the world. The crystal staircase, arched ceiling with stunning gold leaf work, two of the world’s largest chandeliers, each weighing over three tons are noteworthy artefacts found within the palace. Revisit the Usha Kiran Palace for Cocktails, following which, you will head back to board the train. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 03 Tuesday Khajuraho
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and get ready to explore the erotic architecture of the temples of Khajuraho.Located in Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is renowned for its architecture and exquisite sculptures. Built between 950 and 1050 AD in a truly inspired burst of creativity, the temples are superb examples of Indo-Aryan architecture. The highly sensual engravings depict the whole range of human emotions and relationships. Proceed on a tour of the magnificent temples of Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the Western group which constitutes some of the finest examples of Chandela art at its peak. Visit the Kandariya Mahadev Temple and the Chaunsath Yogini Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and the 64 Yoginis respectively. Continue to the Eastern group of temples. Visit the exquisite Jain Temples and admire some of the finest sculpture and carvings. Following lunch, familiarize yourself with the local culture and the rural lifestyle of the villagers on a guided Village Walk. Return to the comfort of the train and get ready for a thrilling ride into the wild. Dinner and Overnight on board.
Day 04 Wednesday Umaria (Bandhavgarh National Park)
Very early this morning, you will arrive into Umaria. Prepare yourself for an exciting drive to the Bandhavgarh National Park. With the highest known density of tigers, it was the former hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Rewa. Animals such as deers, langurs, sloth bears and exotic birds can also be found here. Watch them in their natural surroundings and we ensure the thrill more than makes up for the early wake up call. Following brunch, you will return to Umaria and continue the journey. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 05 Thursday Varanasi
Rise early and arrive into the legendary city of Varanasi. Following an early morning tea/coffee, get ready to witness a spectacular sunrise over the sacred Ganges. Begin the morning with a scenic cruise on the river Ganges. Watch the sunrise over the river amidst the sound of temple bells and religious chants. Witness the spectacle of pilgrims ritually bathing, holy men practicing yoga and invoking the dawn. Continue for a walk through the twisting alleys absorbing the hustle and bustle of the Old City. Return to the train for a leisurely breakfast. Later, visit the world famous Varanasi Silk Weaving Centre. You can even shop for some world famous Banarasi silk saris and brocades.
Following lunch, visit the ancient ruins of Sarnath, where Buddha delivered his first sermon expounding the principles of Buddhism. Visit the ruins, stupa and the Ashoka Pillar, whose four back-to-back lions have been adopted as India’s national emblem. Rejoin the train and head to your next destination. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 06 Friday Gaya
Another early morning arrival gets you into Gaya. Following breakfast, proceed to Rajgir, a place where Buddha held the first Buddhist council after he attained nirvana. Rajgir was also the capital of the Magadh Empire till it moved to Pataliputra (Patna) in the 5th century. Visit Ajatshatru’s fort and Venuvana which was built by King Bimbisara for Lord Buddha to reside. Also see the Swarna Bhandar and the Cyclopean Wall.Continue on a drive to Nalanda and on arrival, proceed for lunch. Later, enjoy touring Nalanda, an important seat of learning in ancient India. Its ruins indicate the presence of more than 2000 teachers and 10,000 students from all over the world. Return to Gaya and rejoin the train for your final night on board. Dinner and Overnight on board.
Day 07 Saturday Disembark in Kolkata
Following an early breakfast, you will disembark in ‘The City of Joy’, Kolkata. Bid farewell to the Maharajas’ Express and proceed to explore this vibrant city with its distinct imperial flavour. Enjoy a lavish lunch during the city tour, as your ‘Classical India’ journey comes to an end.
