A Joy Ride to the Soul of India Aboard Maharajas’ Express

India has always attracted tourists from around the world, and all thanks to its diverse topography. With one foot swathed in history and another striding into the nuclear age, India can offer almost anything a traveler is looking for - be it the spectacular beaches, forts, temples and tombs, deserted cities, faded touches of the Raj, hill stations, amazing travel experiences or even a search for yourself. It’s often said that India is not a country but a continent. From north to south and east to west, the people are different, the languages are different, the country is different and different are the travel experiences.

Those wishing to visit this mystical land might get confused on what, how and where to visit. To ease this, the Indian Railways have come out with luxury train travels across the most prominent tourist destinations in the country. These luxury trains are best for those travelers who want to explore India but have limited time on hand and don’t want to take the risk of traveling all alone and unguided in the new land. The latest in entrant in the luxury trains’ sphere is Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation’s (IRCTC) Maharajas’ Express. The train went for its maiden voyage in October 2010. This season, the train is going to operate tours from late September this year to April next year. The train offers different itineraries to the travelers so that they have the freedom to pick and chose what suits them the best in accordance to their traveling preferences and time available.

The itineraries have been designed keeping in mind that the guests get to explore India’s best location in the limited time they have with them. The short itineraries – Treasures of India and Gems of India span over three nights and four days and cover Agra, Ranthambore and Jaipur. While the other three itineraries are weeklong each, taking the guests on a pan-Indian trip. These themed tours visit different parts of India and the emphasis is on covering Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Both these states are vast when it comes to the landscape, the cultures and the thrill they offer to the global tourists. If Rajasthan stands as the reminder of romance and royalty and a land of contrasts; Madhya Pradesh is often referred to as the heart of the incredible India owing to its geographical location and also because it has places that transport one to the world of entertainment, adventure, wildlife, nature, heritage and spirituality all at the same time.

The journey on board Maharajas’ Express becomes all the more exclusive with insider experiences like Champaign breakfast at Taj Khema overlooking the Taj Mahal, exhibition polo match in Jaipur, a royal lunch in an exclusive venue at Amber Fort, barbeque dinner on the sand dunes in Jaisalmer accompanied by a cultural programme showcasing Rajasthan’s dances, sumptuous lunch at Usha Kiran Palace in Gwalior, jungle safari in Ranthambore National Park and a visit to the Khajuraho temple fleet.

If you are still thinking about the facilities on board, let me put forth some of the features of the train that might help you to plan your next holiday in India. The facilities that guests get on board include luxuriously appointed sleeping cars, multi-cuisine restaurants, well stocked bar, sitting lounge, boutique, 24*7 butler service, internet connectivity and en-suite modern bathroom with running hot & cold water. For the travelers who wish to be treated by Kings and Queens, the Presidential Suite could serve them the best as it spans over an entire carriage and houses two separate bedrooms, a separate dining cum sitting area and two well studded bathrooms with bath tub in one.

We might embark on a journey for various reasons, but the sole purpose of every excavation is to make an unknown world known to us; and with Maharajas’ Express, this transformative journey from the unknown to the known becomes a pleasure hunt.