You reach the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station at 4:00 in the evening from where the staff of the train welcomes you graciously for your regal journey. A sumptuous feast of dinner is arranged for you. Enjoy your first night on board. The next station to halt is at Daulatabad in Aurangabad.
Aurangabad, built by throne
As the Maharaja Train reaches Daulatabad, you will be taken for a short trip to explore the famous Ellora Caves which is now a World Heritage Site. The rock cut temples and monasteries of Ellora dates back to 5th -10th century and are devoted to the popular religions of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. Return back to the train to have lunch. Rest of the day you can spend leisure time interacting with fellow passengers or exploring various facilities offered aboard.
On the third day train reaches Jalgaon. Post breakfast you can proceed to Ajanta which is even more captivating. They represent before the world the skilful art of Buddhism. Travelers from distant places come to pay a visit to these ancient caves devoted to serve Buddhism only. Later half of the day you will spend aboard Indian Maharaja where a scrumptious lunch awaits you.
You are greeted by the sunny breeze of Udaipur next morning. Post breakfast on the train you can go for a dazzling drive around the city visiting the highlights like City Palace, Balcony of the Sun, Jag Mandir Palace, Jagdish Temple and picturesque looking Lakes. Savor the traditional delectable cuisines of Rajasthan at a star hotel before you move on to your next stop.
Sunday is the day for exciting safaris. Early morning your train will arrive at Sawai Madhopur, a haunt of tigers is an extraordinary place to wander around. The Ranthambore National Park there has made the place a haven for tourists. The jungle safari is a pleasant ordeal. You can get all meals on the train.
On sixth day The Indian Maharaja reaches Jaipur in the morning. A day long city tour is prearranged for you. Sightseeing here is a pure blissful experience. The Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar (Observatory), other ornate forts, traditional markets etc make the trip anything but forgettable. You will be taken aback by the rich culture and traditions of the pink city Jaipur. Shopaholics will find a wide range of stuff to take back home with them.
The 7th dawn of your life as a Maharaja takes you to the most renowned bird sanctuary in Bharatpur which is a haven for rare and migrating birds. After that the train puffs of to Agra and there is a short break at Fatehpur Sikri, the city built by Akbar. The monuments are old and standing defying common notions of architecture. The sight of pearl white Agra dipped in crimson rays is certainly something of an eyeful and something to treasure for the rest of your life. You can have your supper onboard as the train trail to Delhi.
You reach the cosmopolitan capital quite early in the morning. You can have breakfast while on train after which you will be taken for short tour covering the major sites of Delhi lie India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament, Old Delhi, Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, and Lotus Temple etc. Enjoy your final eve on the train for you are heading back to Mumbai.
Note: An alternate itinerary is also available that covers the same destinations but in opposite direction i.e. from Delhi to Mumbai.