NEW DELHI: Welcome aboard the Maharajas’ Express.

The epic journey begins at the Safdarjung Railway station, where on arrival at 0830 hours approximately, complete your registration and check in formalities as you enjoy a welcome drink.

The Maharajas’ Express departs Delhi at around 1000 hours to Agra.

Agra, the jewel of India, is home to one of the world’s great architectural wonders - the Taj Mahal. With its spectacular monumental masterpieces and picturesque setting, Agra is a city glorified by time.

Proceed to the Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565, it is a maze of courtyards and lavish private chambers which reflect the grandeur of the Mughal Empire. Visit the Diwan-e-aam (House of Commons) and royal pavilions like the Shah Jahani Mahal. Wander through lavishly decorated halls, courtyards and alcoves glimpsing the Taj Mahal in the distance.

Head to the Taj Khema, a tableland overlooking the Taj Mahal where colourful ‘khemas’ (decorated tents) are set up for a romantic Champagne Lunch. You will be welcomed by colourfully attired dancers and musicians who escort you to the gardens.

Continue on a visit to the Taj Mahal. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was built by Shah Jehan as a mausoleum for his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. This incomparable marvel is constructed entirely out of white marble and is an architectural masterpiece with beautiful inlay work.

Enjoy shopping at Agra, famous for its marble and soapstone inlay work, as well as handicrafts, embroidered fabrics, leather goods, brassware, carpets, pashmina shawls, textiles, precious and semi-precious gems and exquisite jewellery.

Rejoin the train and continue your eventful journey to princely Gwalior.

Dinner and overnight on board.

GWALIOR: Welcome to Gwalior. A city where many reigning dynasties have left indelible etchings of their rule on all its palaces, temples and monuments. These mementos of a glorious past have been preserved, giving Gwalior a timeless appeal.

Head to the Gwalior Fort, the city’s most famous landmark. Enjoy a tour of the many temples and ruined palaces like the Man Mandir Palace, Gujari Mahal, Sas Bahu Ka Mandir and Suraj Kund.

Continue for lunch to the Usha Kiran Palace to a true Gwalior traditional welcome. Enter this 120-year-old palace, which has played host to the King of England and is now a heritage hotel. Set amidst 9 acres of beautifully landscaped lawns, this regal palace is outfitted with artistic stone carvings and delicate filigree work.

Following lunch, explore the Jai Vilas Palace and Scindia Museum. Although the current Maharaja still lives in a portion of the palace, a large part of it is now a museum. It displays royal memorabilia and a remarkable collection of arte facts from around the world. The crystal staircase, arched ceiling with stunning gold leaf work, two of the world’s largest chandeliers, each weighing over three tons are noteworthy arte facts found within the palace.

Enjoy Cocktails at the Palace Gardens, following which, you will head back to board the train.

Dinner and overnight on board.

KHAJURAHO: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board the train as she continues her journey through some of the most dramatic and picturesque environs towards Khajuraho.

Enroute you will enjoy a stop at the bejewelled town of Orchha. On arrival in Orchha, disembark and venture on tour of the quaint domain of the Bundela Kings. Visit the Jahangiri Mahal which is an excellent example of the Rajput Bundela architecture.Marvel themulti layered palace with its 132 chambers. A striking feature of the palace is the sandstone wallsembellished with lapis lazuli tiles and ornate jail screens. Catch a glimpse of some rituals being performed as you pass the beautiful temple of Chaturbhuj which is a unique blend of fort and templethe Orchha rulers lying along the Betwa River

Return to the train and continue onwards to the temple city of Khajuraho. Admire the rich landscapes you have lunch on board.

Khajuraho is renowned for its architecture and exquisite sculptures. Built between 950 and 1050 AD in a truly inspired burst of creativity, the temples are superb examples of Indo-Aryan architecture. The highly sensual engravings depict the whole range of human emotions and relationships.

On arrival proceed on a tour of the magnificent temples of Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the Western group which constitutes some of the finest examples of Chandela art at its peak. Visit the Kandariya Mahadev Temple and the Chaunsath Yogini Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and the 64 Yoginis respectively.

Continue to the Eastern group of temples. Visit the exquisite Jain Temples and admire some of the finest sculpture and carvings.

Experience the fascinating Son-et-Lumière spectacle, which evokes the life and times of the great Chandela Kings and traces the story of the unique temples from the 10th Century to the present day. Return to the comfort of the train and continue your journey to the Bandhavgarh National Park.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on Board. Overnight on the Maharajas’ Express.

UMARIA: This morning, as you enjoy breakfast the train rolls into Umaria. Disembark and prepare yourself for an exciting drive to the Bandhavgarh National Park. With the highest known density of tigers, it was the former hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Rewa. Animals such as deer, langurs, sloth bears and exotic birds can also be found here.

On arrival at the Bandhavgarh National Park enjoy a village tour where you will also have the opportunity to participate in the ‘Forests for Tigers’ program – this involves reforestation of Tiger habitat, an insight into the various projects, and interaction with a wildlife artist. Enjoy lunch at a wildlife resort in the company of a forest conservationist.

Later continue on a jeep safari into the park exploring the flora and fauna. The grasslands and sal forests are home to a rich variety of wildlife including the tiger. Wildlife in India cannot be compared to Africa and you are indeed fortunate if you spot the elusive tiger.

Later you will return to Umaria and board the train.

Dinner and overnight on board.

VARANASI: Rise early and arrive into the legendary city of Varanasi. Following an early morning tea/coffee, get ready to witness a spectacular sunrise over the sacred Ganges.

One of the oldest living cities in the world, Varanasi (also known as Kashi or Benares) has a spiritual legacy of over 3000 years. A place of pilgrimage, this holy city is set on the banks of the sacred river Ganges. Varanasi epitomizes the chaos and colour of India. Lively bazaars, exquisite and bright silks, festivals, temples, mosques and palaces – all can be found here.

Begin the morning with a scenic cruise on the river Ganges. Watch the sunrise over the river amidst the sound of temple bells and religious chants. Witness the spectacle of pilgrims ritually bathing, holy men practicing yoga and invoking the dawn. Continue for a walk through the twisting alleys absorbing the hustle and bustle of the Old City.

After breakfast, visit the world famous Varanasi Silk Weaving Centre. You can even shop for some world famous Banarasi silk saris and brocades.

Following lunch, visit the ancient ruins of Sarnath, where Buddha delivered his first sermon expounding the principles of Buddhism. Visit the ruins, stupa and the Ashoka Pillar, whose four back-to-back lions have been adopted as India’s national emblem.

Rejoin the train and head to your next destination.

Dinner and Overnight on board.

LUCKNOW: Enjoy traversing through the lush green agricultural belt of Uttar Pradesh as you relish your breakfast on board. Late morning, the Maharajas’ Express slowly pulls into the fabled ‘City of Nawabs’, Lucknow.

This morning you will explore the dramatic ruins of Imperialistic Lucknow as you visit The Residency, started by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daulla and completed by Nawab Sadat Ali for the British resident in 1800.Unravel the history of the Mutiny of 1857 at the Residency as you explore her ruins and visit themain Residency building which houses an interesting Museum displaying the original model of the Residency, old lithographs, photographs, paintings, documents and period-objects.

Experience the imperialistic splendour and mystical elegance of the Nawabs of Awadh as you visit their architectural wonders like the famous ‘Rumi Darwaza”, a beautifully ornamented gateway; the spectacular Bada Imambara considered to be the largest vaulted apartment in the world comprising of ornamental gateways, corridors and galleries.

Following lunch, you will return to the train and may join the Nawabi evening later. For those who wish to explore further, the bustling markets of this royal city will not disappoint.

This evening you will be transported into the glorious era of the Nawabs of Avadh as you experience the traditional hospitality typical to the Royal Houses, celebrating an ‘Indian Evening’. The mesmerising music, exquisite courtesan dance and the Royal Culinary Delights from the Nawabi kitchens – all combine to bring alive the elegance and charm of the Nawabi era.

Then return to the train and continue on your onward journey.

Breakfast on board; Lunch at a hotel; Nawabi Evening Dinner at a Private residence

Overnight on the Maharajas’ Express.

NEW DELHI: Early this morning the train pulls into New Delhi. Following breakfast on board you will disembark at Safdarjung Station at around 0830 hours.

Bid farewell to the Maharajas’ Express as your ‘Classical India’ journey comes to an end. The royal journey is over, but the memory of which, will live on forever!

You will be transferred to the airport to board your onward flight.