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Palace cities, tiger country, sacred rivers by rail.
The Maharaja Express is one of India’s most celebrated luxury trains, and Indian Panorama is its signature six-night, seven-day route. This itinerary links North India’s most resonant cultural landscapes—Jaipur’s royal artistry, Ranthambore’s wilderness edge, Mughal Agra, and the spiritual depth of Varanasi. It remains a defining option within India luxury train tours, shaped around iconic sites yet delivered with the quiet ease, comfort and pacing that only rail can provide.
We present this journey as the core Indian Panorama programme, with guests experiencing the train itinerary exactly as operated. While the route stands complete in itself, the most rewarding way to travel is often to tailor pre- or post-tour extensions around it—adding time in destinations beyond the rail circuit, or beginning and ending with private stays and guided experiences that suit your interests. We can arrange accommodation, touring and all transfers seamlessly as an added layer.
Read MoreGuests book through our Australian office and pay in Australia, with clear local accountability before and after the journey, making this one of the most seamless ways to approach luxury train holidays in India.
ningful encounters, this Golden Triangle tour India itinerary blends iconic monuments with intimate local stories, creating a graceful introduction to India’s heritage.
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Highlights at glance
- Travel aboard the Indian Maharaja Express on the Indian Panorama route, a flagship example of luxury train travel in India, combining heritage cities, curated excursions and refined onboard living.
- Begin in Delhi and step into a rail journey that removes logistical complexity, offering an elegant alternative to road-based touring across North India’s most storied landscapes.
- Explore Jaipur’s regal architecture and craft traditions, with time in the Pink City framed through palace culture, ceremonial detail and the distinctive rhythm of Rajasthan’s capital.
- Enter Ranthambore National Park for a wilderness interlude, where the landscape shifts from forts to forest, adding a rare safari dimension to luxury train tours in India.
- Visit Fatehpur Sikri, the Mughal ghost-city, where sandstone courtyards and imperial planning reveal a short-lived capital preserved in extraordinary architectural clarity.
- Spend time in Agra with the Taj Mahal as the emotional centrepiece, approached with the composure and pacing that defines luxury train trips in India at their best.
- Continue toward Orchha and Khajuraho, regions shaped by river kingdoms and temple artistry, offering cultural depth beyond the usual Golden Triangle narrative.
- Experience Khajuraho’s UNESCO-listed temples, where sculpture and symbolism unfold as one of India’s most remarkable artistic achievements in stone.
- Arrive in Varanasi, India’s sacred river city, and witness the Ganga Aarti ceremony—an atmosphere of devotion and timeless continuity unlike anywhere else on the route.
- Return to Delhi with the sense of having crossed a complete cultural arc, from royal Rajasthan through Mughal legacy to the spiritual heart of northern India.
- For travellers comparing India luxury train tours, this itinerary remains one of the most balanced and iconic luxury train travel India experiences available.
Night 1 : Jaipur | First Royal Night on the Maharajas’ Express
Tonight is the programme’s first overnight, with the Maharajas’ Express stationed in Jaipur—your initial full taste of rail-based luxury and calm pacing. After the Amber Fort visit, the evening settles into onboard comfort: attentive service, refined dining and the quiet pleasure of letting the journey unfold without road logistics. Jaipur’s presence is felt even from the train—Rajasthan’s royal mood, craft heritage and ceremonial identity forming the opening tone of the Indian Panorama. All meals today are arranged onboard, and the night is spent on the Maharajas’ Express, ready for Jaipur’s deeper cultural chapter tomorrow.
Your journey begins early in the morning at Delhi Safdarjung Station, where guests assemble around 07:00 for check-in formalities before boarding the Maharajas’ Express. The train proceeds to Jaipur, with breakfast served onboard and a tour briefing that introduces the facilitators and the rhythm of the days ahead. After lunch, disembark for a first royal immersion at Amber Fort—set in rugged hills and celebrated for its blend of Mughal and Hindu design. Ascend by jeep and explore the Sheesh Mahal and Hall of Victory before returning to the train.
Night 2 : En Route to Ranthambore | Onboard Calm After Jaipur
Tonight the Maharajas’ Express leaves Jaipur behind, travelling onward toward Sawai Madhopur and Ranthambore. After dinner at Rambagh Palace, the train becomes your quiet sanctuary again—cabins prepared, corridors hushed, and the soft motion of overnight rail replacing any sense of road fatigue. This rhythm is central to luxury train travel in India: grand cultural encounters by day, then seamless return to comfort and rest. By morning, you are positioned at the edge of tiger country, ready for the wilderness chapter that follows
After breakfast onboard, disembark for Jaipur’s great hilltop masterpiece: Amber Fort, rising above the Aravalli landscape in sandstone and marble. Explore mirrored halls and ceremonial courtyards before returning to the train for lunch. The afternoon is deliberately unhurried, with time at leisure onboard or the option to add a gentle city experience such as a market visit, spa interlude or Jantar Mantar observatory. As evening falls, enjoy an exclusive dinner at the Rambagh Palace Hotel, once a royal residence, before returning to the Maharajas’ Express as it departs late night for Sawai Madhopur.
Night 3 : Fatehpur Sikri | Sleeping Beside an Abandoned Imperial City
Tonight the Maharajas’ Express rests at Fatehpur Sikri, offering one of the journey’s most evocative overnight settings. After walking through the silent architecture of Akbar’s short-lived capital, the train becomes your sanctuary again—fine dining, calm service and the rare feeling of staying beside a UNESCO-listed Mughal city after most visitors have gone. This pause between wilderness and Agra’s grandeur is part of what defines luxury train travel in India: cultural immersion by day, seamless return to comfort by night. By morning, the Taj Mahal awaits.
Arrive early into Sawai Madhopur for a morning game drive in Ranthambore National Park, once a royal hunting ground and now one of North India’s most atmospheric wildlife landscapes. Return to the train for breakfast as the Maharajas’ Express continues toward Fatehpur Sikri, with lunch served onboard. In the afternoon, disembark to explore Akbar’s remarkable red-sandstone capital—courtyards, audience halls and gateways that blend Hindu and Islamic design. As evening settles, return to the train for dinner and an onboard night at Fatehpur Sikri.
Night 4 : Onboard to Orchha | Calm After the Taj
Tonight is spent onboard as the Maharajas’ Express travels toward Orchha. After the emotional intensity of the Taj at dawn, the evening becomes a gentle unwinding—cabins prepared, attentive service and the soft rhythm of rail restoring calm. This transition is one of the great pleasures of luxury train holidays in India: world-class heritage encounters followed immediately by comfort, privacy and rest without logistical effort. As you dine onboard and settle into the night, the route moves east into the heartlands of temple kingdoms and river-set palaces awaiting tomorrow’s exploration.
Disembark early for a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, India’s most enduring monument of Mughal artistry and symmetry. After time at the mausoleum and gardens, continue to Taj Khema for a relaxed breakfast with views back toward the domes. Return to the Maharajas’ Express for lunch, with the afternoon kept flexible—either quiet rest onboard or an optional visit to Agra Fort or local craft traditions. By evening, the train departs smoothly toward Orchha, shifting the journey from imperial grandeur into the quieter historic landscapes of central India. Dinner is served onboard as the rails carry you onward.
Night 5 : Khajuraho | Temple Landscapes After Dark
Tonight the Maharajas’ Express rests at Khajuraho, one of India’s most remarkable temple sites. After the afternoon’s exploration, the evening settles into a quieter register—dining, conversation and the sense of being positioned beside a landscape of sacred artistry that feels timeless. This overnight pause adds depth beyond the expected highlights of India luxury train tours, moving into central India’s historic heartlands with elegance rather than effort. Cabins are prepared for rest as the train readies for its final great cultural chapter: Varanasi and the Ganges, reached by morning rail.
Arrive into Orchha this morning, a former Bundela kingdom set beside the Betwa River, where cenotaphs and palaces rise in quiet symmetry. After a guided visit, return onboard as the Maharajas’ Express continues toward Khajuraho, with lunch served in comfort. In the afternoon, explore Khajuraho’s extraordinary UNESCO-listed temples, celebrated for their intricate sculpture and artistic mastery. The experience is cultural rather than hurried—time to absorb detail, symbolism and stonework. Evening brings a graceful cultural presentation before dinner onboard, closing the day with calm refinement.
Night 6 : Onboard to Delhi | A Composed Final Night
Tonight is spent onboard as the Maharajas’ Express travels back toward Delhi, completing the Indian Panorama. After the sensory intensity of Varanasi and the evening Aarti, the train becomes a quiet space for reflection—cabins prepared, service attentive, and the rhythm of rail restoring calm. This final night captures what defines luxury train travel in India: profound cultural encounters paired with effortless comfort and continuity. As you dine and settle into rest, the journey closes with a sense of completion—royal Jaipur, wilderness Ranthambore, Mughal Agra, temple Khajuraho and sacred Varanasi now held in one arc.
Arrive in-to Varanasi, India’s most spiritually resonant river city. Begin with an excursion to Sarnath, where the Buddha first preached, before returning to the atmosphere of the Ganges. Later, experience Varanasi’s riverfront life by boat, watching ritual, labour and devotion unfold along the ghats. As evening approaches, witness the Ganga Aarti ceremony—fire, chant and reverence creating one of the journey’s most memorable cultural moments. Return to the Maharajas’ Express for dinner onboard as the train begins its overnight journey back toward Delhi.
07th Day : Arrive Delhi | Journey Concludes
The train makes its final approach into Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station, where guests are scheduled to disembark at approximately 12:45 hrs, bringing the six-night Indian Panorama route to its close. Step off after breakfast with the feeling of having crossed a complete cultural landscape—royal Rajasthan, tiger country, Mughal masterpieces, central Indian temple artistry and the sacred life of the Ganges. Guests book through our Australian office and pay in Australia, with accountability and optional tailored extensions beyond the rail itinerary. If desired, we can arrange pre- or post-stays, touring and transfers as an added layer, with charges applied according to your chosen additions.
You may see the hotels which we have handpicked for you under each accomadation style. However, there are hundreds of other alternative properties for you to select if you wish to and you may mix and match hotels in different categories as well.
Modest
Accommodation
$ 12,150
1-2 persons
$ 12,150
3-4 persons
$ 12,150
5-6 persons
If you’re looking for a no-frills stay that’s easy on the wallet, and love to spend time with locals and explore the surroundings at your own pace, this is the perfect choice for you. This hotel style is wonderfully cosy, unique, mostly owner-run and provides you with a more personalised service.
Indian Maharaja Express – Deluxe Cabin
The Deluxe Cabin aboard the Indian Maharaja Express represents the most approachable way to experience luxury rail travel in India.
Plush
Accommodation
$ 15,500
1-2 persons
$ 15,500
3-4 persons
$ 15,500
5-6 persons
Indulgence without breaking the bank? Well, this is the category for you. Personalised and high-quality service, attention to detail, comfort and all modern amenities are hallmarks of this category, whilst being situated in some amazing locations.
Indian Maharaja Express – Junior Suite
The Junior Suite aboard the Indian Maharaja Express offers an upgraded level of space and comfort, designed for travellers who want a more relaxed onboard…
Dreamy
Accommodation
$ 22,550
1-2 persons
$ 22,500
3-4 persons
$ 22,550
5-6 persons
The absolute best in comfort and experience, these high-end properties will make your jaw drop! Unique designs, private plunge pools, personal butlers… the list goes on at these boutique properties. Luxury here is not about star ratings and amenities, it’s about being away from crowds and having authentic, personalised experiences.
Indian Maharaja Express – Suites & Presidential Suite
Suites and the Presidential Suite aboard the Indian Maharaja Express represent the most spacious and private way to experience luxury rail travel in India.
Everything you need to know about the tour
We’ve taken every possible measure to ensure your safety and comfort during this tour.
The hotels, tours, add-ons, guides and chauffeurs who are part of this programme are carefully vetted, so that you enjoy the highest quality standards and enjoy your tour with peace of mind. At any given point of the tour you will always be within reach of your guide or chauffeur, either physically or via phone (e.g: when you are out exploring on your own), for any assistance.
The important stuff:
- If domestic airfare is included in your quote, it reflects the best available average fare at the time of costing. Airfares fluctuate, so the final amount may increase or decrease at the time of booking. We will confirm the exact fare before issuing tickets.
- Standard check in time is 1400 hrs and check out time is 1200 noon at most of the hotels.
- Taj Mahal remains closed on every Friday.
Included:
- Accommodation onboard the Maharajas’ Express in your selected cabin category for the full 6-night Indian Panorama journey.
- All meals onboard, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, with Indian and international menus.
- Selected beverages served onboard, including house wine, beer and spirits, as per train service standards
- All scheduled off-train sightseeing experiences included as per the Indian Panorama itinerary.
- English-speaking guides during excursions, with all monument entry fees covered
- Curated visits in Jaipur, Ranthambore, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, Orchha, Khajuraho and Varanasi, delivered seamlessly within the rail programme.
- Air-conditioned road transfers for all included sightseeing movements, as operated by the train
- Enhanced private vehicle services available for Suite and Presidential Suite categories, as per Maharajas’ Express policy
- Dedicated tour management onboard throughout the journey, ensuring smooth handling at every stop.
- Butler service for Suite and Presidential Suite guests, providing additional personal support onboard.
- Guests book through our Australian office and pay in Australia, with clear accountability and support before and after the journey.
- Optional tailored pre- and post-tour arrangements outside the rail circuit can be arranged on request, with charges applied according to chosen extensions.
Not Included:
- International flights to/from India are not included.
- Indian tourist visa fees are not included and must be arranged prior to travel.
- Accommodation, touring or transfers outside the core 6-night Indian Panorama rail itinerary are not included unless separately quoted.
- Any optional tailored extensions before or after the train journey will be charged according to selected services.
- Personal items such as laundry, telephone charges, spa services and gratuities.
- Premium wines, special-order beverages or additional onboard purchases beyond included service offerings.
- Any increases due to government tax revisions, operational changes, currency fluctuations or route adjustments.
- Costs arising from events beyond operator control, including natural disruptions, political unrest, strikes or schedule delays.
Payment & Confirmation Notes | Luxury Train Tours India
• Bookings are confirmed only upon receipt of required documentation and the required deposit.
• Balance payment schedules apply depending on departure date and booking window.
• Cancellation fees increase closer to travel, consistent with luxury train travel in India operating conditions.
India Seasonality & Rate Variations:
India operates on distinct peak and off-peak travel windows, largely influenced by the monsoon cycle. The main season runs from October to March, when the weather is cooler, drier and ideal for sightseeing and wildlife safaris — which is why most national parks are fully open and hotel rates are generally higher.
The off-season (April to September) brings heat and monsoon rains that move across the country in phases. Travelling during these months is still very possible — especially if your itinerary does not focus on safari parks — but one must expect rain, humidity and occasional scheduling adjustments. The benefit, however, is access to more flexible pricing and lower crowd presence at monuments and cities.
To keep things simple, Experiential Journeys lists the lowest seasonal ball-park rate online, then provides the exact cost once travel dates are confirmed. Nothing is charged until the final price is agreed upon.
Experiential Journeys is Australian-based and prices in AUD, serving travellers from New Zealand, U.K., U.S.A., Canada & U.A.E.
Experience
Possible experience in this tour
Some of these experiences are already included in the tour you are looking at, either as a full length or time limited activity. You have the freedom to pick out the ones you want during your tour and the extent to how you want to experience it.
1-2 hours
Old Delhi Rickshaw Ride
Take a journey back in time with a rickshaw ride through the bustling streets of Old Delhi,
Delhi
3-5 hours
Jaipur Bazaars, Crafts & Culinary Trail
Step into the heart of Jaipur with an immersive walking tour that celebrates its vibrant bazaars, skilled artisans,
Jaipur
2 hours
Air Balloon Safari Over Jaipur
Take to the skies and discover Jaipur like never before. A hot air balloon safari offers a once-in-a-lifetime perspective
Jaipur
2-3 hours
Ranthambore Safari Experience
Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges, Ranthambore National Park spans 400 square kilometers
Ranthambore