A luxury train in India is a culmination of heritage,
history, traditions and hospitality of the land. These special tourist trains
take a traveller through the different amazing routes to royalty in the most
magnificent way.
The journey of a Luxury Train in modern India began in the
year 1983 with the launch of the Palace on Wheels, the first royal rail service
aiming to promote luxury tourism in Rajasthan. This train was conceptualized on
the royal historical background of the coaches, which originally served as the
personal railway saloons of the princely rulers of Rajputana, Gujarat,
Hyderabad and the Viceroy of British India. Presently, this is the only luxury
train upholding the legacy of the princely era in modern times. The coaches of
the train recently received a refurbishment in terms of featured décor and
services. The train tour completely concentrates on a weeklong trip through
royal attractions of Rajasthan. Over the thirty years of its successful
operation, the train got awarded with the PATA Gold Award in the year 1987 and
is also counted among the top four Luxury Trains in the World.
The launch of the Palace on Wheels luxury train and its
soaring popularity all over the world inspired the other Indian states to begin
their own luxury train tours based on their nature, culture and historical
heritage. The second luxury train, the Deccan Odyssey offers the luxurious
interpretation of the state’s Maratha royalty and trails around the Konkan
route. The train starts in Mumbai and travels to Sindhudurg, Goa, Belgaum,
Kolhapur, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad and Ajanta-Ellora before reaching a hearty
conclusion. The hospitality of the train is managed by the Taj Group of Hotels,
which is another exclusive facet of this luxurious joyride.
The third luxury train, the Golden Chariot Train is the glorious
take of Karnataka’s heritage etched royalty. To sum up the distant royalty of
the rich Karnataka, the magenta laced train trails through two routes. Pride of
South, the first itinerary begins its heritage trail in Karnataka and ends in
the soothing solace of Goan beaches. The Southern Splendour train on the other
hand begins its trail from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu and ends in God’s own
country, Kerala.
The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, the fourth luxury train is
another heritage laden trail exploring the cultural side of India in the
modernistic way. From Rajasthan, the train takes a route to the temples in
Khajuraho, spiritual side of Varanasi and amorous interpretation of Agra’s Taj
Mahal in its glorious route.
