Maharajas' Express
The Maharajas' Express is a luxury train in India owned by the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). The luxury train service was started in March 2010. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) and Cox and Kings India Ltd.,[1] had signed a joint venture to set up a company called Royale Indian Rail Tours Ltd. (RIRTL) to oversee the functioning and management of the Maharaja Express. This joint venture was terminated on 12th August 2011 and the train is now being operated exclusively by IRCTC.
The Maharaja Express is the most expensive luxury train in India.[2] 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.[3]
Facilities
The Maharajas' Express train has been equipped with modern amenities to offer comfortable on board experiences to the guest. Pneumatic suspension add to the comfort during overnight journey and stay. Some of the facilities available on the train include Wi-Fi internet, live television, attached bathroom, dining cars, bar, lounge and souvenir shop among others,
Carriages
The train comprises 23 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 a 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.The train is also equipped with a water filtration plant as well.
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.[4] LCD televisions, eco-friendly toilets, direct dial phones, DVD player, internet, individual climate control and electronic safes are available in each guest cabin.[4]
There are 5 carriages in the category of Deluxe Cabins, a total of 20 cabins accommodating 40 passengers (there are 15 Twin bed cabins and 5 double bed cabins). There are a total of 18 cabins in the category of Junior Suites, accommodating 36 passengers (there are 12 Twin bed Cabins and 6 Double bed cabins). Additionally, there are four Suites available, having large separate sitting and sleeping areas. A Presidential suite built on 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. The Maharajas’ Express Presidential Suite is the first such a rail carriage of its kind in the world for commercial use.
Dining and bar coaches
The train has two dining cars designed for full five dining service, each with a seating capacity of 42 guests at a time so that all the guests dine together. The train has a state of the one kitchen car designed to provide a range of cuisines. 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 and a lounge cum bar called the Rajah club offers an all day casual bar experience.
Itineraries
Heritage of India
Duration: 7 Nights / 8 Days
Destinations Covered: Mumbai - Ajanta - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Bikaner - Jaipur - Ranthambore - Agra – Delhi.
Treasures of India
Duration: 3 nights/4 days
Destinations Covered: Delhi - Agra - Ranthambore - Jaipur - Delhi
Gems of India
Duration: 3 Nights / 4 Days
Destinations Covered: Delhi - Agra - Ranthambore - Jaipur – Delhi
Indian Panorama
Duration: 7 Nights / 8 ays
Destinations Covered: Delhi - Jaipur - Ranthambore - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra - Gwalior - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Lucknow – Delhi
The Indian Splendor
Duration: 7 Nights / 8 Days
Destinations Covered: Delhi - Agra - Ranthambore - Jaipur - Bikaner - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Balasinor – Mumbai
See also
References
- ^ Ghosh, Dwaipayan (5 October 2009). "For Rs 1 lakh a day, travel like a maharaja". Times of India. India. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
- ^ "Billed as Asia's costliest luxury train". Times of India. 2010-04-03. Retrieved April 03 2010.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Top 25 train journeys". Society of International Railway Travelers. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
- ^ a b The Maharaja Train Info,
Official Website
====www.the-maharajas.com====[1]
- ^ [www.the-maharajas.com]