Palace on Wheels

Jaisalmer stands tall in the desolate beauty of the desert, proudly welcoming visitors to an enchanting world of fable, color, and history. The view of Jaisalmer Fort, first seen from a distance of 15 km is stunning. In the early morning the ramparts, bastions and the long stretching walls dazzle gloriously. The yellow sandstone fortifications look magnificent. It is one of the most exotic cities of the Orient, standing in the heart of the desert for centuries, weathering with fortitude the vicissitudes of fortune and furious onslaughts of nature. The sudden emergence of the 76-meter high rock in the flat desert country crowned by the most awe-inspiring fort makes a majestic sight.

Jodhpur is one of the most important stations on Palace on Wheels tour for obvious reasons. Rising majestically over the rocky and rugged terrain is one of Rajasthan's finest forts-the Mehrangarh Fort. It looks down protectively over the fascinating city of Jodhpur.

After eventful encounters with the rugged forts, palaces, and colorful men and women of Rajasthan, be ready for a sporty encounter with the wild variety. Palace on Wheels takes you to the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve named after an imposing, more than a thousand year old Ranthambor Fort. It is set atop a broad hill, 700 feet above the ground.

Chittaurgarh is a short but one of the most memorable stops on the Palace on Wheels tour. The story of Chittaurgarh is a saga of valor, tenacity and sacrifice. Chittaurgarh was sacked three times and its defenders had to make the supreme sacrifice. The Fort of Chittaurgarh is a treasure trove of history and offers to the traveler an insight into the life of the Great Rajput rulers, who laid down their lives fighting a superior enemy instead of leading a life of submission under them.

An important stopover on Palace on Wheels tour, UDAIPUR is also known as the "City of Palaces", a "Fairyland" and a "Vision in Dream". It is surrounded by hills, mountains, and its beautiful palaces are mirrored in the calm blue water of Lake Pichola. Udaipur, as the capital of Mewar, was created by Maharana Udai Singh in 1568. The lakeside city was built on a small wooded plain encircled by mountains, which was in direct contrast to the masculinity of Chittor and Kumbhalgarh. The houses and temples of the old city stretch out around the Lake Pichola in a pale honeycomb that makes Udaipur an oasis of colors in a stark and arid region like Rajasthan.

On your way to the final destination on Palace on Wheels tour, Agra, spend some quality time in Bharatpur - a renowned world sanctuary and the World Heritage Site. So great is the pull of the Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur, that people spare not a thought for the state that gave birth to it. This superb waterfowl habitat, one of the finest in the world, was actually created by a maharaja.

The final destination before you end you tour at Delhi is Agra - the city of Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal is the eternal symbol of love and will remain so for ages. More than being the mausoleum of the Mughal Empress Mumtaz Mahal and the labour of love by the Mughal emperor Shahjahan the Taj Mahal is the pride of India. The beauty of the "poem of internal love" has attracted people from the world over since long. The majestic monument on the banks of river Yamuna stands in all its magnificence as if to preach the world that love is the greatest gift of God. The masterpiece of art in white makrana marble has been worked on by several precious gems like jade, crystal, turquoise, lapis, lazuli, sapphire, coral and diamonds to add to the beauty. The tourists from the various parts of the globe visit this most visited and photographed monuments of the World. It is the respect for love that brings together people overcoming all other differences. The breathtakingly beautiful landscape will seem to add to the magic of the Mughal architecture. The Taj is the perfect holiday spot tobe at on a full moon night.