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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

The Maharajas' Express, Golden Temple & Shimla

Luxury train journey through India: Delhi, Shimla, Amritsar, Jaipur, Agra, Varanasi

Illustration of The Maharajas' Express, Golden Temple & Shimla

Great Rail Journeys operates this 16-day escorted journey aboard the Maharajas' Express, one of the world's most luxurious trains, departing from and returning to London. The route unfolds across India's most celebrated destinations: from the Himalayan hill station of Shimla, reached by climbing aboard the UNESCO-listed Toy Train through the Shivalik Hills, to the spiritual city of Amritsar, where you witness the Palki ceremony at the Golden Temple and the Wagah Border Ceremony. Six nights are spent in deluxe cabins with butler service aboard the Maharajas' Express as it travels from Delhi through Jaipur and Ranthambore, where an early morning safari offers the chance to spot Bengal tigers, to Agra and the Taj Mahal, and finally Varanasi on the sacred Ganges. Hotel stays in five-star properties frame the journey in Delhi, Shimla, and Amritsar. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, and all meals (breakfast and dinner daily, plus eight lunches), guided tours, and internal transport are included. The pace is relaxed, with two-night stays at most locations and time to explore independently. This tour suits luxury-seekers, history-lovers, and travellers who prefer guided comfort with the signature experience of sleeping and dining aboard a heritage luxury train.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is substantial: from GBP 16,799 compared to GBP 9,799 per person for a double, more than one and a half times the double rate.
  • Six nights are spent aboard the train and eight in hotels; this is not an all-train journey. The final two nights are in the same Delhi hotel you occupy at the start.
  • The group size reaches up to 30 people, which is the larger end of escorted touring; confirm the actual group composition for your preferred departure.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: In flight

    Overnight flight from London to Delhi

    Meet the Tour Manager and travelling group at London Heathrow, ahead of a direct overnight flight to Delhi. The journey begins with an exploration of Shimla, Amritsar, and then the Maharajas' Express through Ranthambore, Agra, and Varanasi.

  2. Day 2overnight: The Oberoi, Delhi

    Time to unwind on arrival in Delhi

    Landing in Delhi, transfer to a five-star hotel for a free day to unwind and acclimatise. The hotel overlooks the forested Delhi Golf Course. Free afternoon to explore, visit the rooftop bar or swimming pools, before dinner with fellow travellers.

    Meals: Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: The Oberoi Cecil Hotel, Shimla

    Into the Himalayas aboard the UNESCO-listed 'Toy Train'

    Early transfer to New Delhi station with a picnic breakfast. Board AC Executive Class Shatabdi Express to Kalka (170 miles, ~4 hours). Then board the narrow-gauge Himalayan Queen 'Toy Train' (UNESCO-listed) through the Shivalik Hills to Shimla with picnic lunch. Check in to historic five-star hotel. Dinner at the hotel restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: The Oberoi Cecil Hotel, Shimla

    Exploring Shimla, the summer capital of the British Raj

    Author and historian Raaja Bhasin gives a talk about Shimla. Sightseeing tour including the Viceregal Lodge (summer residence of the Indian Viceroy), Him Chatterjee Art Gallery, Gaiety Theatre, and Scandal Point. Dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Taj Swarna, Amritsar

    By rail to the Punjab city of Amritsar

    Transfer down the Himalayan foothills after breakfast, stopping for lunch in Dharampur. Collect picnic dinner at Chandigarh, continue to Ambala and board AC Executive Class Vande Bharat Express to Amritsar. Arrive late evening, transfer to five-star hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Taj Swarna, Amritsar

    Wagah Border and Golden Temple Palki ceremonies

    Free morning, then coach to the Wagah-Attari border to observe the Beating Retreat Ceremony. Return to hotel for dinner. Evening visit to the Golden Temple to experience the Palki ceremony, the holy book carried in a golden casket from the Akal Takht to the main shrine.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: The Oberoi, Delhi

    Discovering Old Amritsar

    Sightseeing walk through Old Amritsar: Saragarhi Memorial, the Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh. Free afternoon, then check out and board train to Delhi, arriving late evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: The Oberoi, Delhi

    Encountering Delhi, India's bustling capital

    Guided sightseeing tour: Gandhi Smriti Museum, India Gate, presidential residence, Sundar Nursery, Jama Masjid, rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk bazaar. Evening seven-course dinner at Haveli Dharampura combining modern Indian and Mughal cuisine.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9railovernight: Maharajas' Express

    Boarding the Maharajas' Express with the red-carpet treatment

    Board the Maharajas' Express with red-carpet welcome and local musicians. Shown to deluxe cabins with butler service. Breakfast in the dining carriage as the train departs. Lunch en route to Jaipur. Afternoon visit to Amber Fort (UNESCO-listed). Dinner in the train's princely restaurants.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10railovernight: Maharajas' Express

    Uncovering the 'Pink City' of Jaipur

    Breakfast in the dining car. Morning exploration of Jaipur: City Palace and Palace of the Winds. Return to the Maharajas' Express for lunch. Free afternoon, relax in the Rajah Club lounge or Safari Bar. Exclusive dinner at the five-star Rambagh Palace hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Day 11railovernight: Maharajas' Express

    Morning tiger safari and the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri

    Early morning safari in Ranthambore National Park in open-topped vehicles with a naturalist guide, hoping to spot Bengal tigers, leopards, hyenas and more. Return to train for breakfast. Lunch on board as the train heads to Fatehpur Sikri. Guided tour of the perfectly preserved 16th-century Mughal capital.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  12. Day 12railovernight: Maharajas' Express

    Marvelling at the 'poetry in marble' of Agra's Taj Mahal

    Morning visit to the Taj Mahal (UNESCO World Heritage Site, New Seven Wonders of the World). Breakfast on the roof terrace of a hotel in Agra with views of the Taj Mahal. Return to the Maharajas' Express for lunch and a free afternoon. Optional excursions include a spa visit or Agra Fort.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  13. Day 13railovernight: Maharajas' Express

    Ancient temples at Orchha and Khajuraho

    Morning tuk tuk ride in Orchha to explore 16th-century temples and palaces. Breakfast and lunch on board the Maharajas' Express. Afternoon arrival in Khajuraho for a guided tour of the Chandela dynasty temples, including the Kandariya Mahadeva temple. Return to the train for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  14. Day 14railovernight: Maharajas' Express

    Spiritual Varanasi on the sacred Ganges

    Breakfast on board as the train continues to Varanasi. Lunch at a five-star hotel. Visit Sarnath and the Dhamek Stupa. Evening boat cruise on the Ganges, witnessing daily life and the magical aarti ceremony from the ghats. Dinner aboard the train, final night on the Maharajas' Express.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  15. Day 15railovernight: The Oberoi, Delhi

    Disembarking the Maharajas' Express in Delhi

    Journey concludes after breakfast as the train arrives at Delhi Safdarjung station. Return to nearby hotel. Free time to explore independently, Humayun's Tomb, Purana Qila, Lodhi Gardens or Khan Market. Lunch independently. Final dinner together at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  16. Day 16

    Homeward bound

    Early breakfast, check out of hotel and transfer to Delhi airport for direct flight to London Heathrow.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Board the narrow-gauge Himalayan Queen Toy Train, a UNESCO-listed heritage railway, climbing through the Shivalik Hills to the hill station of Shimla.
  • Day 6Witness the evening Palki ceremony at Amritsar's Golden Temple, where the holy book is carried in a golden casket from the Akal Takht to the main shrine.
  • Day 9Board the Maharajas' Express with red-carpet welcome and local musicians, shown to deluxe cabins with butler service as the train departs for Jaipur.
  • Day 11Undertake an early morning tiger safari in Ranthambore National Park in open-topped vehicles with a naturalist guide, hoping to spot Bengal tigers and leopards.
  • Day 14Cruise the Ganges at sunset in Varanasi, witnessing daily life along the ghats and the evening aarti ceremony, your final night aboard the Maharajas' Express.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 8 nights' 5-star hotel accommodation
  • 6 nights in a deluxe cabin aboard the Maharajas' Express
  • AC Executive Class rail travel
  • All rail, boat and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Direct return flights from London Heathrow to Delhi
  • Breakfast and dinner each day
  • 8 lunches
  • Group luggage transfers between all hotels
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes AC Executive Class rail travel on the Shatabdi Express (Delhi to Kalka), the narrow-gauge Himalayan Queen Toy Train (Kalka to Shimla), the Vande Bharat Express (Ambala to Amritsar), and six nights in deluxe cabins with butler service aboard the Maharajas' Express. All rail, coach, and boat travel is included.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from start to finish, and all guided tours and excursions are included. The group is escorted throughout.
What are the hotels?
Three nights at The Oberoi, Delhi; two nights at The Oberoi Cecil Hotel, Shimla; two nights at Taj Swarna, Amritsar; and six nights in deluxe cabins aboard the Maharajas' Express. All are five-star properties.
What is included in the price?
Direct return flights from London Heathrow to Delhi, eight nights in five-star hotels, six nights aboard the Maharajas' Express in deluxe cabins, breakfast and dinner daily, eight lunches, all guided tours and excursions, group luggage transfers, and the services of a Tour Manager. Cancellation and travel insurance are not included.
When does it depart?
Great Rail Journeys offers 11 departures between October 2026 and April 2028, running in January, February, March, September, October, November, and April.
How much walking is involved?
Expect guided walking tours in Shimla, Amritsar, Jaipur, and Delhi, plus an early morning tiger safari in Ranthambore in open vehicles and tuk tuk rides in Orchha. An evening Ganges boat cruise is included in Varanasi. No high-altitude hikes or strenuous activity.

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