Rajasthan jointly launched the Palace on Wheels on 26 January 1982 as a special heritage tourist train for providing unique and memorable experience to the tourists visiting Rajasthan and Agra.   
This was the meter gauge train comprising of wooden carving saloons of the erstwhile rulers of the princely State of Rajputana, Gujarat, the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Viceroy of British India.  In 1991 a new air-conditioned meter gauge Palace on Wheels was launched making every attempt 

The gauge conversion brought another new air-conditioned broad gauge Palace on Wheels in 1995 and it has gained remarkable success and attained world wide acclaim and popularity including the PATA Gold Award in 1987. It has been noted as one of the top ten luxury trains by media from across the world. Leading TV channels like BBC, MTV, Zee TV, National Geographic, MDR of Germany and many other have covered the train and aired program 

FACILITIES  ON BOARD                                                                                                               
- Fourteen saloons with heritage ambiance/décor - Capacity 104 seats
- Two Restaurants - Maharaja and Maharani
- Well Stocked Bar cum Lounge
- Kitchen and service cars
- Each saloon has a capacity to accommodate eight guests in four bedrooms with two bathrooms on sharing basis.
·-Well-experienced staff in traditional uniform on board ready to serve variety of -cuisine including Rajasthani.
- Visit to Palace/Castle at lunch.
- Sight seeing by deluxe coaches and Jeep Safari at sanctuary.
- Well trained Guides.

 SKETCH TOUR ITINEARAY

HERITAGE ON WHEELS (Meter Gauge)
LUXRY TOURIST TRAIN
DURATION: 03 NIGHTS/04 DAYS
DEPARTURE ON: EVERY TUESDAY & FRIDAY

 Tariff:

The tariff is reasonably priced in comparison to Palace on Wheels thereby bringing luxury at a affordable price

Single Occupancy: USD 300 per person per night
Double Occupancy: USD 200 per person per night
Tripe Occupancy: USD 150 per person per night

Half fare for children of 5 years and above but less than 12   years. Children below 5 years are free
Service Tax will be charged extra as applicable. 

There will be a 10% surcharge levied on the tariff for the trips falling during Christmas (25th December) and New Year (1st January 

Tariff is inclusive of cost of travel and accommodation, catering (morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner), conducted sightseeing tours in deluxe coaches, entrance fee for monuments and palaces and cultural entertainment. Tariff does not include liquor, laundry, video cameras, and other items of personal nature. 

Reservation / Cancellation - Terms & Conditions

 Reservation
(1) 50% of ticket value at the time of confirming the booking.
(2) Remaining 50% of ticket value 60 days prior to departure

Cancellation

(a) In case of FITs

(1) 5% of ticket value 60 days prior to departure.

(2) 20% of ticket value 30-59 days prior to departure.

(3) 100% of ticket value between less than 30 days prior to   departure.

(b) In case of Group and Charter

(1) 10% of ticket value 60 days prior to departure.

(2) 100% of ticket value between 0 to 59 days prior to departure

 DETAILED PROGRAM

DAY 01 (TUE / FRI)
Check in at Jaipur Railway station  Reception at 18.30 hrs
Departure for Bikaner 19.00 hrs
Dinner on board at 20.00 hrs. 

DAY 02 (WED / SAT) BIKANER – HAAT – GAJNER
Arrive at Bikaner at 06.00 hrs
Breakfast on board 07.00 hrs
Departure for sightseeing of Fort 08.30 hrs

 Lying in the north of the desert state, the city is dotted with scores of sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval grandeur that permeates the city's lifestyle. More readily called the camel country, the city is distinguished for the best riding camels in the world and hence boasts of having one of the largest Camel research and breading farm in the world. The ship of the desert is an inseparable part of life here. A camel besides doing transportation duties, also works on wells. These are built on high plinths with slender minarets on each of the four corners and can be noticed even from a distance.

Departure for Haat at 11.00 hrs
Departure from Haat for Gajner 12.15 hrs
Arrive Gajner at 13.15 hrs
Lunch at Gajner at 13.30 hrs 

Gajner is an incomparable Jewel in the Thar. Built by the great Maharaja Ganga Singhji of Bikaner on the embankment of a lake with a generous dose of flora and fauna. Basically a hunting and relaxing lodge, the maharaja and the family shared their passion with their exclusive guests and hosted exotic holidays for them.

Around the palace is a thick forestation that attracts the guests to take up a simple walk around admiring the migratory birds in winters like imperial sand goose, antelopes, black bucks and the animal species that wander around in the form of Nilgais, chinkaras, deers etc. The hotel is spread in a large area, and the ambiance around is as raw and authentic as it was before.

Safari at 15.45 hrs
Arrive at Lalgarh Palace for Tea at 16.15 hrs

Lalgarh Palace, a architectural masterpiece in red sandstone, the palace was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh in the memory of his father Maharaja Lal Singh. The palace has beautiful latticework and filigree work. Sprawling lawns with blooming bougainvillea and dancing peacocks make it a not-to-be missed visual treat. Part of the palace has been converted into a luxury hotel and a museum known as Shri Sadul Museum. The museum covers the entire first floor of the palace and houses well preserved old photographs and trophies of wildlife. Timings 10.00 hr. to 16.30 hr  

The Shri Sadul museum covers entire first floor of the palace. The museum was established in 1076 and there's a reasonable collection of artifacts and personal pocessions of the Bikaner Maharajas and a brass vessel known as a tokna used to collect revenue which was transported by camel to Bikaner state treasury.

DAY 03 (THU / SUN) GAJNER – PADHIYAR – NAWLGARH
Arrival at Padhiyar Railway station at 04.00 hrs
Departure at 07.15 hrs
Arrive at Tal Chhaper and sightseeing at 07.30 hrs

 The Tal Chhapar wildlife sanctuary in Rajasthan, India is known for the black-buck that is a flat saline depression with its own ecosystem. A number of migratory birds visit this region especially the harries. These birds visit this region during the month of September. 

Departure at 09.00 hrs
Arrive Ramgarh at 11.00 hrs
Departure for Nawalgarh via Sikar at 11.15 hrs
Sightseeing of Ramgarh Havalis (Mahanser) at 11.30 hrs
Return and board train at 18.30 hrs
Dinner on board 20.00 hrs
Departure for Tal Chhaper at 23.30 hrs
Overnight on board train

This town was founded by the Poddars in the late 18th century. The Poddars left the town in discontent against the then ruler of Churu. Unlike the frescoes on the havelis in the other towns and villages of Shekhawati, the finest frescoes depicting scenes from the Ramayana in Ramgarh can be seen on the ceiling of a chhatri or cenotaph built to commemorate a Poddar scion.

 The Shani Temple, dedicated to the deity Saturn (or Saturday God) is devotedly painted with fine frescoes. The Ruia, Poddar and Bagaria Havelis are worth a visit. Ramgarh is also internationally-famous for wooden Shekhawati furniture and artistic tables, chairs, cupboards and items of everyday use are in great demand in India and abroad

 The area is surrounded by sand dunes and life is quite difficult around this town in the summer months Sightseeing of Mandawa Havalis and Cenotaphs at 12.30 hrs

Founded in the mid 18^th centurary, Manawa skyline today is dominated by an imposing image, like fort now a heritage hotel that is maintained in the classic medieval theme with the modern luxuries. The painted archway is painted with interesting forms of paintings of Lord Krishna and his cowherds. The sprawling architecture houses a different theme in different wings. The spacious rooms are adorned by intricate interior wall paintings and mirror work with open terrace that offers a panoramic view of the whole town. The women folks of the Mandawa family who lived in a royal style once used this floor. The ambiences of those years still linger around the rooms. The Mandawa family has a unique collection of their preserved paintings and antiques that adorn the main huge hall in the centre of the castle, originally the durbar hall and now an exotic lounge. The ceremonial costumes of the family collection and the precious arms with handle of jade and beautiful curios brought by the British as a gift for the nobles are well placed like a showcase of a museum. The hotel is well equipped with modern facilities in an ethnic set-up. A night stay is an experience in itself with thematic evenings and oriented and medieval cuisine. The warm hospitality is touching.

Lunch at Mandawa Castle at 13.30 hrs
Departure for Nawalgarh and sightseeing at 16.00 hrs region. A huge fort with colourful bazaar and numerous havelis with elaborate architecture makes it an interesting destination for a 1day / 1 night stay. There are a few prominent havelis like Anandilal Poddar Haveli, Aath Haveli, Hodh Raj Patodia Haveli etc., which are to be visited, and so are the two forts and the palace hotel Roop Niwas that is a beautiful heritage property and is renovated with modern facilities. The Palace offers spacious painted rooms modern facilities. The Palace offers spacious painted rooms, Luxurious interiors, graceful hospitality and great thematic evenings with sumptuous cuisine. The registered painting in their Art Gallery is a treat to the o visuals, Tea break at Nawalgarh 17.30 hrs

Return and board train at 19.00 hrs Dinner on board at 19.30 hrs Overnight on board train 

DAY 04 (FRI / MON) NAWALGARH - JAIPUR    ( HAPPY LANDINGS )

DESTINATIONS

BIKANER

The city was founded in 1486 AD by the Rathore prince, Rao Bikaji, hence the name Bikaner. Bikaji was son of Rao Jodhaji who had asked his son to establish a kingdom of his own. The challenge was accepted and Bikaji choose the wild country 'Jangaldesh' as his territory and thus the city of Bikaner came into existence.

A seven-kilometres wall with five entrances was built to protect the city from vagaries of the desert and any external aggression. The city flourished as an important trade centre between Gujarat seaports and West Asian countries. The unbroken line of descendants of Bikaji ruled Bikaner till India got Independence. Bikaner is known for good breed of riding camels, which are among the best in the world. The Camel Festival held every year is famous all over the globe. Bikaner has many magnificent buildings made of Reddish Pink sandstone that transcends the surrounding barren wilderness. Unlike other cities of Rajasthan, Bikaner has been able to preserve its traditional aura of the medieval era, which makes a visitor come here year after year.

Camel Festival
A lively and colourful event, the Camel Festival is organised by the Department of Tourism, Art & Culture, Rajasthan in Bikaner every year. January is just the right month for a desert spree, and Bikaner just the right place to see the Ships of the Desert.

Fort Museum - Bikaner
Ganga Mahal, the imposing halls added by Maharaja Ganga Singh, now houses the Fort Museum. It contains a fine collection of antique Rajput weaponry, jade handle daggers, camel hide 'dhals' (shields) and inlaid handguns and camel guns. Gold and silver 'howdahs', 'jhulas', 'palkis' and a First World War biplane are on view.

Ganga Golden Jubliee Museum
This small museum has a large collection of pre-Harappan, Gupta and Kushan pottery. The rich collection of pottery, carpets, paintings, armoury and coins make this museum one of the best in Rajasthan. The Bikaneri miniatures, which are displayed in a sepetrate section for local arts, makes visit to the museum a must.

Jambeshwar Fair
The Jambheswar Fair is held in the village Mukam of Tehsil Nokha, Bikaner District, twice a year on Phalgun Budi Amavasya and Ashvin Budi Amavasya, in memory of the founder of the Bishnoi sect Jambheswar ji.

Junagarh Fort
One of the most imposing forts of northern India-- Junagarh Fort-- has remained unconquered till date. This fort was built in 15th century by one of the most able and trusted generals of Akbar, Raja Rai Singh.

Kapil Muni Fair
The Kapil Muni Fair is the largest fair of Bikaner district held on Kartik Purnima at Kolayat -- originally Kapilayatan -- named after the sage Kapil who is believed to have done 'tapasya' (meditation) here for the redemption of mankind.

Karni Mata Fair
Karni Mata Fair is held twice a year at Deshnok, a small town near Nokha in Bikaner district. The first and larger fair is held in March-April during the Navratras from Chaitra Shukla Ekam to Chaitra Shukla Dashmi. The second fair is held in September- October, also during the Navratras, from Ashvin Shukla Ekam to Ashwin Shukla Dashmi.

Lalgadh Palace
Designed by a Britisher for Maharaja Ganga Singh, this palace displays a magnificent blend of Oriental and European style. The terraced lawns and the Bougainvillea bushes add beauty to the palace. Peacocks stroll around the palace, which has been partly converted into a hotel.

Excursions from Bikaner

Kalibanga  (205Km.)
Kalibanga is one of the major excavated sites of the Harappan civilisation. This place houses immense treasure of India's past and is of particular interest to archaeology enthusiasts.

Devi Kund (8Km.)
This is the royal crematorium with a number of cenotaphs. The 'chhatri' of Maharaja Surat Singh is most imposing. One cannot miss the spectacular Rajput paintings on the ceilings. 8 kms from Bikaner.

Gajner Wild Life Sanctuary  (32Km.)
32 kms on the Jaisalmer Road is located the Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary. Wooded hills and lakes surround the lush green forest. One can easily spot a Blue Bull, Chinkara, Black Buck or flocks of Sand Grouse and Wild Boar living in the sanctuary.

Kolayat  (54Km.)
54-km from Bikaner, it is a picnic spot.

Leisure - Bikaner
Shopping in Bikaner
A stroll down the King Edward Memorial road and inside Kote Gate will reveal the shopping pleasure in Bikaner. The purses, slippers made from the camel hide are worth a bargain. The camel skin also ends up as cushions and lacquered lampshades. The local carpets and the woodwork are very popular among the tourists. And who can forget the world famous Bikaneri Bhujias and sweets. Wide range of accomodation facilites are available to meet the requirements of tourists. There are Palace hotels like the Bhanwar Niwas, Karni Bhawan, Gajner Palace Hotel. Also, available are the small but cosy comfortable private hotels. The government approved Paying Guest system is very popular among the visitors.

GAJNER CITY INFORMATION 

Gajner is an incomparable Jewel in the Thar. Built by the great Maharaja Ganga Singhji of Bikaner on the embankment of a lake with a generous dose of flora and fauna. Basically a hunting and relaxing lodge, the maharaja and the family shared their passion with their exclusive guests and hosted exotic holidays for them. Around the palace is a thick forestation that attracts the guests to take up a simple walk around admiring the migratory birds in winters like imperial sand goose,antelopes, black bucks and the animal species that wander around in the form of Nilgais, chinkaras,  deers etc. The hotel is spread in a large area, and the ambiance around is as raw and authentic as it was before.

 Nawalgarh Cities Information

Located 30-km south-east of Fatehpur, founded in 1737 AD, by Thakur Nawal Singh, a warrior-statesman, whose name is enshrined in history and folklore, Nawalgarh boasts of some of the finest frescoes in the Shekhawati region. The town exudes an old world charm and the colourful bazaar has the largest number of painted havelis in Shekhawati. The fort, now a little disfigured, is yet worthy of attention. There are numerous havelis worth seeing. 

Nawalgarh Sightseeing Places

Ananadi Lal Poddar Haveli
This haveli, built in the 1920s, houses a school, but has many fine paintings. It is the only haveli in the whole Shekhawati, which has been restored by its owner. 

Nawalgarh Fort
The main building in this town is the fort, founded in 1737 AD but today it stands largely disfigured by the modern accretions. Now it houses two banks and a few government offices.

Roop Niwas Palace
About one km from the fort is the salubrious Roop Niwas Palace. The palace is enchanting with a well-laid garden and fountains. It has now been converted into a heritage hotel.

The Aath Haveli Complex
The complex consisting of the eight havelis is worth a visit

Mandawa Cities Information

The compact and busy little market town of Mandawa was settled and fortified in 18th century by the dominant merchant families of the region. The wealthy businessmen of the village constructed many havelis and baolis with colored painting adorning their walls. Later on, with the migration of these merchant families, their old settlements remained in total obscurity with no one to look after them. Despite the time lapse and ignorance about these visual and architectural extravaganzas, their attraction did not fade and today they are some of the major attractions for the tourists visiting Rajasthan.