The Maharajas' Express, travelling in a round trip from Delhi via Jaipur, Ranthambore, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, Orchha, Khajuraho and Varanasi, back to Delhi.

What meals are included?

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served onboard or at named venues each day, including dinner at Rambagh Palace Hotel in Jaipur, a Champagne Breakfast at Taj Khema in Agra, lunch at Taj Gateway Hotel in Varanasi, and dinner at Brij Rama Palace in Varanasi.

What optional excursions are offered?

Spa, City Palace and Jantar Mantar, or a local city tour in Jaipur; spa, Itmad-ud-Daula, Agra Fort, a local city tour, or the Mohabbat the Taj Show in Agra; and a Dances of India Show, spa, or Sound and Light Show in Khajuraho.

Worldwide Rail Journeys · Luxury train journey

Maharajas' Express - The Indian Panorama

7-day round-trip luxury train from Delhi to Varanasi and back

Worldwide Rail Journeys operates this 7-day, 6-night luxury train journey aboard the Maharajas' Express, travelling in a round trip from Delhi through Jaipur, Ranthambore, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, Orchha and Khajuraho to Varanasi and back to Delhi. A Guest Relations Executive accompanies the journey throughout. Each day follows a similar rhythm of arrival by train, a daytime tour of forts, temples or ruins, and dinner at a named venue or onboard before the train continues overnight, so guests wake in a new region without repacking. The route moves from Jaipur's Amber Fort on day 2 to a tiger safari at Ranthambore and the UNESCO site of Fatehpur Sikri on day 3, a Champagne Breakfast overlooking the Taj Mahal on day 4, the temples of Khajuraho on day 5, and a Ganges boat cruise to witness the evening Aarti in Varanasi on day 6. The trip suits travellers who want a guided tour of northern India's forts, temples and sacred sites without arranging their own transport between cities.

What to know before you look closer

The evidence for this trip lists no current departure dates or prices; confirm scheduling and cost with Worldwide Rail Journeys before booking.
The operator's highlights list also mentions a feast of royal delicacies from Lucknow, a city that does not appear in this itinerary's route; this description follows the day-by-day itinerary rather than the highlights list.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Onboard the Maharajas' Express (overnight at Jaipur)
Delhi - Jaipur
Welcome and check-in at Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station with a welcome drink and live instrumental music. The Maharajas' Express proceeds to Jaipur. Lunch onboard. Deboard to visit the City Palace galleries, including the Textile, Arms and Arts Museums and the Sterling Silver Vessels recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. Proceed for dinner at Rambagh Palace Hotel, built in 1835 and once residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur. Return to the train, which stays overnight at Jaipur.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (at Rambagh Palace Hotel)
Day 2railovernight: Onboard the Maharajas' Express (en route to Ranthambore)
Jaipur
Breakfast onboard, then deboard to visit Amber Fort, built by Raja Man Singh I in 1592, including the Chamber of Mirrors (Sheesh Mahal) and Hall of Victory via a short jeep ride. Return to the train for lunch, with optional spa, City Palace and Jantar Mantar (the Observatory), or a local city tour. Dinner onboard as the Maharajas' Express leaves for Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3railovernight: Onboard the Maharajas' Express (overnight at Fatehpur Sikri)
Ranthambore - Fatehpur Sikri
Early morning game drive safari at Ranthambore National Park, declared a National Park in 1973 and known for tiger, sambar, chital, nilgai and leopard sightings. Return to the train for breakfast as it proceeds to Fatehpur Sikri. Lunch onboard. Arrive and tour the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century. Return to the train for an 'Indian Evening' and dinner; the train stays overnight at Fatehpur Sikri.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4railovernight: Onboard the Maharajas' Express (en route to Orchha)
Agra
Arrive into Agra and visit the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for Mumtaz. Enjoy a Champagne Breakfast atop Taj Khema overlooking the monument. Return to the train for lunch, with optional afternoon activities such as spa, Itmad-ud-Daula, Agra Fort, a local city tour, or the Mohabbat the Taj Show. Dinner onboard as the train proceeds to Orchha.
Meals: Champagne Breakfast (at Taj Khema), Lunch, Dinner
Day 5railovernight: Onboard the Maharajas' Express (en route to Varanasi)
Orchha - Khajuraho
After breakfast, deboard at Jhansi Railway Station to visit the village of Orchha, including Orchha Fort (built in the 1500s by the Bundela rulers) and a village tour by Tuk Tuk. Return to the train, which continues to Khajuraho. Lunch onboard. On arrival, tour the Western Group of Temples at Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Kandariya Mahadev Temple. Optional evening activities include a Dances of India Show, spa, or the Sound and Light Show at the temple complex. Dinner onboard as the train proceeds to Varanasi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6railovernight: Onboard the Maharajas' Express (en route to Delhi)
Varanasi
Breakfast onboard, arriving into the holy city of Varanasi. Lunch at Taj Gateway Hotel (Taj Ganges Hotel). Visit the ancient ruins of Sarnath, where Buddha delivered his first sermon, and a silk weaving centre. Proceed for a boat cruise on the Ganges to witness the evening Aarti at the ghats. Dinner with a classical Kathak dance performance at Brij Rama Palace (built 1812, accessible only by boat), on the banks of the Ganges. Return to the train as it proceeds to Delhi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (at Taj Gateway Hotel), Dinner (at Brij Rama Palace)
Day 7rail
Delhi
Leisurely breakfast and lunch onboard as the train arrives into Delhi. Disembark at around 15:00 hrs at Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station as the journey ends.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

The moments this trip is built around

Day 3An early morning game drive safari at Ranthambore National Park is followed by a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Fatehpur Sikri.
Day 4Guests visit the Taj Mahal and enjoy a Champagne Breakfast atop Taj Khema, overlooking the monument.
Day 5At Khajuraho, the tour visits the Western Group of Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Kandariya Mahadev Temple.
Day 6In Varanasi, guests take a boat cruise on the Ganges to witness the evening Aarti at the ghats, followed by a Kathak dance performance at Brij Rama Palace.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?: Yes. The entire trip takes place aboard the Maharajas' Express, running from Delhi through Jaipur, Ranthambore, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, Orchha and Khajuraho to Varanasi and back to Delhi, a distance of 2309 km.
Is it escorted?: Yes. A Guest Relations Executive accompanies the journey.
Which train is used?: The Maharajas' Express, travelling in a round trip from Delhi via Jaipur, Ranthambore, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, Orchha, Khajuraho and Varanasi, back to Delhi.
What meals are included?: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served onboard or at named venues each day, including dinner at Rambagh Palace Hotel in Jaipur, a Champagne Breakfast at Taj Khema in Agra, lunch at Taj Gateway Hotel in Varanasi, and dinner at Brij Rama Palace in Varanasi.
What optional excursions are offered?: Spa, City Palace and Jantar Mantar, or a local city tour in Jaipur; spa, Itmad-ud-Daula, Agra Fort, a local city tour, or the Mohabbat the Taj Show in Agra; and a Dances of India Show, spa, or Sound and Light Show in Khajuraho.