Maharaja Express
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The Maharaja Express is a luxury train operated on the Indian Railways from early 2010.[1] It is a joint venture between Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation.[2][3] The all-inclusive costs begin at $800 (£535 or INR 40000)per person per day, and can climb to $2,500 (£1,670 or INR 125000)per person per day.[4]
The Maharaja Express trains operate on four itineraries, all of which either begin or end in Delhi and include a visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra. Each morning, the train arrives at a different station for off-rail excursions, including visits to monuments, heritage sites, shopping, palaces, forts, and hotels.[5]
The trains include a 23-guest carriage train, designed to recreate the personal state carriages used by the Maharajas of India. Facilities include two ornate restaurants with decorative arched ceilings, an observation lounge and souvenir shop, and 43 cabins and suites starting at roughly 110 square feet in size.[6]
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[edit] History
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) and Cox and Kings India Ltd.,[3] one of the oldest travel companies in the world signed a joint venture and the Maharaja Express was conceived in 2010.[7] Together, the IRCTC and Cox & Kings set up Royale India Rail Ltd. (RIRTL) to oversee the functioning and management of the Maharaja Express.
The Maharaja Express is the most expensive luxury train in India.[8] It was named to the 2011 list of World's Top 25 Trains by The Society of International Railway Travelers and was praised for its onboard accommodation and dining facilities, service, and off-train excursion program after its review in the Fall of 2010.[7]
[edit] Facilities
Maharaja Express trains include amenities such as large LCD TVs, in-house direct dial phone, internet and live television and en suite bathrooms.
[edit] Carriages
The train comprises 24 carriages which include accommodation, dining, bar, lounge, generator and store cars. Accommodation is available in 14 guest carriages with total passenger capacity of 88. The accommodations on board are categorized as Deluxe cabins, Junior Suites, Suites and a Grand Presidential Suite that spans an entire carriage. Each guest carriage has been designed to recreate the opulence of Maharaja-style living.
The train also has an observation lounge called the Rajah Club with a private bar, two dining cars and a dedicated bar car. An onboard souvenir boutique offers memoribilia for passengers.
[edit] Guest cabins
14 carriages with 43 individual cabins provide seating and sleeping capacity for 88 guests. There are 20 Deluxe Cabins, 18 Junior Suites, 4 Suites and a Presidential Suite offering 5-star equivalent accommodation.[[9] LCD televisions, eco-friendly washrooms, direct dial phones, DVD player, internet, individual climate control and electronic safes are available in each guest cabin.[9]
There are 5 carriages in the category of Deluxe Cabin. A total of 20 cabins of Maharajas Express offer accommodation to a maximum of 40 passengers during each journey. To accommodate the guests, there are 15 Twin cabins (capacity 2, beds 1) and 5 double cabins (capacity 2, beds 2).[9] There are a total of 18 cabins in the category of Junior Suites, offering a maximum capacity of 36 passengers. There are 12 Twin Cabins and 6 Double cabins on the train.[9] Additionally, there are four Suite cabins available, and a Presidential suite built on an entire rail carriage. Incorporating a separate sitting-cum-dining room, bedroom and bathroom with shower and bathtub, the Maharaja Express Presidential Suite is the first of its kind in the world.[9]
[edit] Dining & Bar Coaches
There are two dining cars in the coach for onboard dining, each with a seating capacity of 42 guests at a time. Whereas wines and beers are a la carte, food offered is mostly table d’hôte (included in fare of the journey). The restaurants are named Rang Mahal and Mayur Mahal. Mayur Mahal (the Peacock restaurant) has peacock feather theme in its décor. Restaurant menus include traditional Indian cuisines along with Continental, Chinese and International cuisines.
A dedicated bar carriage, the Safari Bar, offers wines, liqueurs, spirits and beers along with snacks and starters.[9]
[edit] Itineraries
Maharaja Express offers four itineraries to its passengers.
- Royal India (8 Days / 7 Nights): Delhi - Agra - Ranthambore - Jaipur - Bikaner - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Vadodara - Mumbai
- Classical India (7 Days / 6 Nights): Delhi - Agra - Gwalior - Khajuraho - Bandhavgarh - Varanasi - Lucknow - Delhi
- Princely India (8 Days / 7 Nights): Mumbai - Vadodara - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Bikaner - Jaipur - Ranthambore - Agra - Delhi
- Royal Sojourn (8 Days / 7 Nights): Delhi - Jaipur - Kota - Ranthambore - Agra - Delhi
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Boler, Sandra (2010-04-03). "A carriage through India". The Independent.
- ^ Gupta, Jayanta (2010-03-19). "1 lakh a night on Maharajas’ Express". Times of India. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Rs-1-lakh-a-night-on-Maharajas-Express/articleshow/5700045.cms. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
- ^ a b Ghosh, Dwaipayan (5 October 2009). "For Rs 1 lakh a day, travel like a maharaja". Times of India (India). http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/For-Rs-1-lakh-a-day-travel-like-a-maharaja/articleshow/5088526.cms. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
- ^ India's Maharajas' Express rail journey,
- ^ "Maharajas' Express Train". http://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/travel/on-the-maharajas-express-your-carriage-awaits.
- ^ Ellwood, Mark (2010-05-09). "India's Maharajas' Express Train journey". Daily News (New York). http://articles.nydailynews.com/2010-05-09/entertainment/27063897_1_train-new-jersey-transit-europe-s-orient-express.
- ^ a b "Maharajas Express Flagged off by Mamta Banerjee". Royale India Tour Limited (RIRTL).
- ^ "Billed as Asia's costliest luxury train". Times of India. 2010-04-03. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-04-03/india/28135373_1_luxury-train-mumbai-vadodara-udaipur-jodhpur-bikaner-jaipur-ranthambore-agra-delhi-cox-and-kings. Retrieved April 03 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f - Train Details,
[edit] External links
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