Maharajas' Express

The Maharajas' Express is a luxury tourist train owned and operated by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). It serves four routes across North-West and Central India, mainly centered on Rajasthan between the months of October and April.[1]

Maharajas' Express
Logo of the Maharajas' Express
Family nameLuxury Trains
Entered serviceMarch 2010 (2010-03)
Operator(s)Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation

The Maharajas' Express was voted "The World's Leading Luxury Train" Seven times in a row at The World Travel Awards from 2012 through 2018.[2] Maharajas' Express also received recognition from the Conde Nast Travelers Reader Choice Travel Award.

History

The luxury train service was started in March 2010. The IRCTC and Cox and Kings India Ltd.[3] entered a joint venture, setting up Royale Indian Rail Tours Ltd. (RIRTL) to oversee the functioning and management of the Maharajas' Express. This arrangement was terminated on 12 August 2011, and the train was then operated exclusively by IRCTC.[4]

Maharajas' Express halted at a railway station in Rajasthan and two ladies wearing traditional rajasthani dress, passing by.

Carriages

The train comprises 23 carriages which include accommodation, dining, bar, lounge, generator, and store cars. Accommodation is available in 14 guest carriages with a total passenger capacity of 84. The train also has a lounge called the Rajah Club with a private bar, two dining cars, and a dedicated bar car. The train is also equipped with a water filtration plant.[5] An on-board souvenir boutique offers that for passengers.

Maharaja's Express arriving at the railway station

Guest cabins

23 carriages with 14 individual cabins provide seating and sleeping capacity for 84 guests. There are 20 Deluxe Cabins, 18 Junior Suites, 4 Suites, and a Presidential Suite. All suites have a full bath.[5] The guest cabins are comparable to ones on cruise ships.[5]

There are five carriages in the category of Deluxe Cabins, a total of 20 cabins accommodating 40 passengers. There are a total of 18 cabins in the category of Junior Suites, accommodating 36 passengers. Additionally, there are also four Suites. A Presidential suite occupies an entire rail carriage, incorporating a separate sitting-cum-dining room, a master bedroom and bathroom with shower and bathtub, a twin bedroom and bathroom with shower,[6] similar to the private railroad cars that were used in the United States.

Dining and bar coaches

The train has two dining cars—named Rang Mahal and Mayur Mahal—designed for full fine dining service, served by a state-of-the-art kitchen car. Mayur Mahal (the Peacock restaurant) has a peacock feather theme in its décor.[6] The Rajah Club is a dedicated bar carriage. The Safari lounge and bar have a multilingual library.

Routes
Maharajas' Express
The Heritage of India
 Mumbai
 Udaipur
 Jodhpur
 Bikaner
 Jaipur
 Ranthambore
 Agra
 Delhi
The Indian Panorama
 Delhi
 Jaipur
 Ranthambore
 Fatehpur Sikri
 Agra
 Orchha
 Khajuraho
 Varnasi
 Delhi
Treasures of India
 Delhi
 Agra
 Ranthambore
 Jaipur
 Delhi
The Indian Splendour
 Delhi
 Agra
 Ranthambore
 Jaipur
 Bikaner
 Jodhpur
 Udaipur
 Mumbai

Maharajas Express operates Four Different Itineraries now every month from October to April,[7][5] of which two are short-term Golden Triangle (Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra) tours and the other three are week-long pan-Indian voyages:

NameDurationRoute
Heritage of India6 Nights/7 DaysMumbai – Ajanta – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Bikaner – Jaipur – Ranthambore – Agra - New Delhi
Treasures of India3 nights/4 daysDelhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Delhi
Indian Panorama6 Nights/7 DaysDelhi – Jaipur – Jodhpur - Ranthambore – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra – Gwalior – Orchha – Khajuraho – Varanasi – Lucknow – Delhi
The Indian Splendour6 Nights/7 DaysDelhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Bikaner – Jodhpur – Udaipur – Balasinor – Mumbai
  • A view of Maharajas' Express
    A view of Maharajas' Express
  • Interior of Maharajas' Express
    Interior of Maharajas' Express
  • Luxury Beds in the Maharajas' Express
    Luxury Beds in the Maharajas' Express
  • Foreign tourists at The Maharajas' Express
    Foreign tourists at The Maharajas' Express
  • Dining at Maharajas' Express
    Dining at Maharajas' Express
  • Decks of The Maharajas' Express (night view)
    Decks of The Maharajas' Express (night view)
  • The Maharajas' Express halted at A Railway station of Rajasthan
    The Maharajas' Express halted at A Railway station of Rajasthan

See also

References
  1. "Maharajas' Express Introduction". Archived from the original on 26 July 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  2. "World's Leading Luxury Train Award". Archived from the original on 8 September 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  3. Ghosh, Dwaipayan (5 October 2009). "For Rs 1 lakh a day, travel like a maharaja". The Times of India. India. Archived from the original on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  4. "Cox & Kings Lose Franchise To Maharaja Express". The Weekly Times. India. Archived from the original on 8 September 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  5. "Great Rail Journeys". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 15 November 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  6. "Rail Technology". Railway Technology. Archived from the original on 14 September 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  7. "5 Journeys of Maharajas' Express". Worldwide Rail Journeys. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
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