The Palace on Wheels

The Palace on Wheels comprises 14 fully air-conditioned deluxe saloons, equipped with world - class amenities to enhance the pleasure of travelling. The 14 coaches are made up of 104 passenger berths in double - bedded cabins. The coaches are named after former Rajput states matching the aesthetics and interiors of the royal past. Each saloon has a mini pantry and a lounge to ensure availability of hot and cold beverages and refreshment and a place to relax and get together.

The train has two lavish restaurants "The Maharaja" and "The Maharani" with a Rajasthani ambiance serving palate tickling Continental, Indian and Rajasthani cuisine. The train also boasts of a well - stocked bar offering the choicest of spirits of Indian and International Brands. Each coach also offers a good collection of books to choose from.

In 1991, The Palace on Wheels has been refurbished to a great extent. The decor in the saloons, bar lounge has been changed, keeping in mind the traditional aesthetic yet modern. Toilets have been redone and are maintained sparkling clean. Each saloon lounge has been equipped with a color television and a CD player. A satellite phone is on the to make you communicate anywhere in the world from the train.

History of Palace on Wheels
The Palace - on - Wheels (POW) has graced the Rajasthan Tourism and the Indian Railway since January 1982. The Rajasthan Tourism Development Cooperation. The Indian Railways, the Tourism Development of Rajasthan and the Government of India launched POW as a special Heritage tourist train for providing a unique and memorable experience to the tourist visiting Rajasthan.

The Legend
These coaches were not being used by the Indian Railways after independence in normal passenger trains on account of very rich and traditional interiors. The Palace on Wheels started as a unique holiday train hauled by a steam engine with its inaugural trip on 2nd January, 1982. It started to roll on its regular operations from October 1982.

The Legend Conserved
In 1991 a new air - conditioned meter gauge Palace on Wheels, on the lines of the old heritage train, was launched 13 saloons, 2 restaurants, kitchen car, bar cum lounge and 4 service cars.

The Legend and the Modern
The Palace - on - Wheels has gained remarkable success and attained worldwide acclaim and popularity bagging the PATA gold award in 1987. The Palace - on - Wheels has been rated as one of the ten best luxurious rail journey in the world. The popularity of the train has been enhanced by the media. Famous TV Teams such as BBC, MTV, Zee TV, National Geograhics, MDR of Germany and many other have covered the train and shown it on their network.

It has carried 32264 tourist in 518 trips up to Feb. 2001. The eight days' and seven nights journey in royal splendor takes you to the territory of the Maharajas; the 'Pink City' of Jaipur; Jaisalmer, 'the jewel of the desert; the majestic stronghold of Jodhpur; Sawai Madhopur for the Ranthambhore National Park; the city of Chittorgarh with its countless tales of Rajput chivalry; Udaipur with its lakes and Lakes Palace; the red stone city of Fatehpur Sikri and; of course, the Taj Mahal in Agra - one of the seven wonders of the world; Bharatpur, with its remarkable bird sanctuary.