About This Journey
Overview
The Maharajas' Express — operated by IRCTC and in service since 2010 — is India's most awarded luxury train, repeatedly voted the world's leading luxury train. Its 23 carriages carry just 43 cabins in four classes — Deluxe Cabin, Junior Suite, Suite and the Presidential Suite — with butler-trained cabin attendants, two fine-dining restaurants (Rang Mahal and Mayur Mahal), the Safari Bar, the Rajah Club lounge and an onboard spa. Four signature itineraries trace the royal circuits of North and West India: the Indian Panorama (6N/7D) looping Delhi–Jaipur–Ranthambore–Agra–Khajuraho–Varanasi; the Treasures of India (3N/4D) golden-triangle short break; and the cross-country Indian Splendour and Heritage of India (6N/7D each) linking Delhi, Rajasthan's desert cities and Mumbai. Journeys run each season from October to April, with off-train excursions led by expert guides, palace dinners, tiger safaris and the evening Ganga Aarti — all from the comfort of a private rolling hotel.
Duration
03 – 07 Nights · Choose Your Journey
Tour Type
Luxury Rail · Heritage · Wildlife · Cultural
Region
North & West India — Delhi · Rajasthan · Agra · Varanasi · Mumbai
UNESCO Sites
Taj Mahal · Agra Fort · Fatehpur Sikri · Khajuraho · Amber Fort
Onboard
43 Cabins · 4 Classes · 2 Restaurants · Spa · Lounge Bars
Season
October – April · Pre-booked cabins
Top Experiences
Highlights
Taj Mahal at Sunrise
Reach Agra before dawn and watch the sun rise over the white marble of the Taj Mahal — India's most iconic monument, seen at its most magical hour
Ranthambore Tiger Safari
Morning jeep safaris through Ranthambore National Park — one of India's finest places to encounter the Bengal tiger in the wild
Palaces of Rajasthan
Amber Fort and the Pink City of Jaipur, Mehrangarh at Jodhpur, Junagarh at Bikaner and Udaipur's City Palace mirrored on Lake Pichola
Varanasi & the Ganga Aarti
Sarnath's Buddhist stupas, the silk-weaving lanes of the holy city, and the fire-lit Ganga Aarti on the ghats at dusk
Khajuraho & Orchha
The UNESCO Western Group of Khajuraho's carved temples and the riverside cenotaphs of Orchha, linked by the royal circuit
Royal Cabins & Dining
Stay in suites up to the Presidential Suite and dine across two restaurants — Rang Mahal and Mayur Mahal — with the Safari Bar and spa on board
Visual Journey
The Royal Train at a Glance
What's Covered
Includes / Excludes
✓ Included
- Accommodation in your chosen cabin class — Deluxe, Junior Suite, Suite or Presidential Suite
- All meals — breakfast, lunch & dinner served in Rang Mahal and Mayur Mahal
- Afternoon high tea, evening canapés & onboard entertainment
- Complimentary mineral water, tea & coffee throughout the journey
- Sightseeing excursions with expert English-speaking guides
- Entrance fees, Ranthambore jeep safaris & cultural performances
- Porterage at stations, welcome reception & butler service in your cabin
- Pre/post hotel stays & airport transfers arranged on request
✕ Not Included
- Airfare / rail transfers to the boarding stations
- Alcoholic beverages (except in Suite & Presidential Suite)
- Optional spa treatments
- Laundry, telephone & other personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities & tips
- Anything not listed under inclusions
Day by Day
The Four Itineraries
Tour01
Indian Panorama
06 Nights / 07 Days · Delhi to Delhi
Delhi · Jaipur · Ranthambore · Agra · Khajuraho · Varanasi
- Day 1 — Board at Delhi: Welcome aboard at Safdarjung Station with a champagne reception; set off towards Jaipur; dinner and overnight on board.
- Day 2 — Jaipur: Visit Amber Fort, the City Palace and Jantar Mantar; evening royal dinner hosted at a palace hotel before rejoining the train.
- Day 3 — Ranthambore & Fatehpur Sikri: Early-morning jeep safari for tigers at Ranthambore National Park; afternoon drive to the abandoned Mughal capital of Fatehpur Sikri (UNESCO).
- Day 4 — Agra: The Taj Mahal at sunrise and Agra Fort; depart in the afternoon for Orchha.
- Day 5 — Orchha & Khajuraho: Explore Orchha's fort complex and riverside chhatris, then the UNESCO Western Group of Khajuraho temples with its celebrated sculptures; evening sound-and-light show.
- Day 6 — Varanasi: Sarnath's Buddhist stupas, a silk-weaving centre, and the fire-lit Ganga Aarti on the ghats at dusk.
- Day 7 — Disembark at Delhi: Return by rail and disembark after breakfast.
Tour02
Treasures of India
03 Nights / 04 Days · Delhi to Delhi — Golden Triangle
Delhi · Agra · Ranthambore · Jaipur
- Day 1 — Board at Delhi: Depart in the evening towards Agra; dinner on board.
- Day 2 — Agra: The Taj Mahal at sunrise and Agra Fort; set off for Ranthambore in the afternoon.
- Day 3 — Ranthambore: Morning jeep safari in the tiger reserve; continue to Jaipur in the afternoon.
- Day 4 — Jaipur & return: Visit Amber Fort and the City Palace; return to Delhi and disembark in the evening.
Tour03
Indian Splendour
06 Nights / 07 Days · Delhi to Mumbai
Delhi · Agra · Ranthambore · Jaipur · Bikaner · Jodhpur · Udaipur · Mumbai
- Day 1 — Board at Delhi: Depart towards the west; dinner and first night on board.
- Day 2 — Agra: The Taj Mahal and Agra Fort; continue onward.
- Day 3 — Ranthambore: Morning tiger safari; afternoon drive towards Jaipur.
- Day 4 — Jaipur: Amber Fort, City Palace and the Pink City's bazaars.
- Day 5 — Bikaner: Junagarh Fort; sunset at the sand dunes with folk entertainment.
- Day 6 — Jodhpur: The mighty Mehrangarh Fort and the clock-tower bazaars of the Blue City.
- Day 7 — Udaipur & Mumbai: Udaipur's City Palace and a boat ride on Lake Pichola; continue to Mumbai and disembark.
Tour04
Heritage of India
06 Nights / 07 Days · Mumbai to Delhi
Mumbai · Udaipur · Jodhpur · Bikaner · Jaipur · Ranthambore · Agra · Delhi
- Day 1 — Board at Mumbai: Depart from Mumbai (Lokmanya Tilak Terminus) towards Rajasthan; dinner on board.
- Day 2 — Udaipur: City Palace, the Crystal Gallery and a boat ride on Lake Pichola.
- Day 3 — Jodhpur: Mehrangarh Fort and the Old Clock Tower market.
- Day 4 — Bikaner: Junagarh Fort and evening activities at the dunes.
- Day 5 — Jaipur: Amber Fort and the City Palace.
- Day 6 — Ranthambore & Fatehpur Sikri: Morning tiger safari, then Fatehpur Sikri en route.
- Day 7 — Agra & Delhi: The Taj Mahal at sunrise; continue to Delhi and disembark.
Onboard Stays
Choose Your Cabin Class
Deluxe Cabin
Classic comfort — 3N+ journeys
Twin or queen berth, en-suite bathroom, personal climate control
Twin or queen berth, en-suite bathroom, personal climate control
Junior Suite
Extra space & style
Deeper cabins with a sofa area and larger picture windows
Deeper cabins with a sofa area and larger picture windows
Suite
Separate living & sleeping
In-cabin dining service, premium amenities and butler attention
In-cabin dining service, premium amenities and butler attention
Presidential Suite
The pinnacle of Indian rail
The largest suites with a luxuriant bath and personal butler
The largest suites with a luxuriant bath and personal butler
We will arrange and confirm your cabin class and berths as per the trip and budget — cabins are not fixed and can be customised to your preference. Contact us for details
Good to Know
FAQs
Which itineraries does the Maharaja Express run?
- This page covers the four signature journeys: Indian Panorama (6N/7D), Treasures of India (3N/4D), Indian Splendour (6N/7D) and Heritage of India (6N/7D). Occasional special departures (festival and Diwali runs) are also scheduled each season.
What cabin classes are available?
- The train carries 43 cabins across four classes — Deluxe Cabin, Junior Suite, Suite and the exclusive Presidential Suite — each with an en-suite bathroom and personal climate control.
When does the train operate?
- The season runs October to April each year with pre-scheduled departures and limited cabins per run — early booking is recommended, especially for Suites and the Presidential Suite.
Are meals and beverages included?
- Yes — all meals are served in the two onboard restaurants, Rang Mahal and Mayur Mahal, with afternoon high tea and evening canapés. Selected beverages are included in the Suite and Presidential Suite categories.
How do I book my journey?
- Message us on WhatsApp with your preferred itinerary, travel dates and cabin class — we will handle the reservation, pre/post hotel stays, transfers and any special requests, and confirm availability for your dates.
Where the Rails Run
The Royal Network