How much does it cost?

From £9,150 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $12,360 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

What is the Maharajas' Express?

A luxury train running Delhi to Varanasi via Jaipur, Ranthambore, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, Orchha, and Khajuraho. Guests stay in Deluxe cabins and most meals are included onboard.

Which hotels are included in Delhi?

Three nights at either the 4-star Oberoi Maidens or an upgrade to a 5-star hotel (The Claridges or The Oberoi, New Delhi) on a Bed and Breakfast basis.

Is this trip escorted or independent?

Independent rail holiday. You have free days in Delhi (Days 2-3) and free time in Agra (Day 7) to explore at your own pace; guided excursions are scheduled on other days.

What meals are included?

Breakfast in Delhi hotels, plus breakfast, lunch, and dinner aboard the Maharajas' Express for Days 4 to 9. Day 10 includes breakfast and lunch onboard.

Great Rail Journeys · Independent Rail Holiday

The Maharajas' Express - Indian Panorama

Luxury train journey through India: Delhi, Jaipur, tigers, Taj Mahal, Varanasi

Great Rail Journeys' Maharajas' Express Indian Panorama is an 11-day independent rail holiday combining stays in Delhi with six nights aboard the Maharajas' Express, one of the world's finest luxury trains. The journey spans 10 nights total, departing London and returning there after visiting India's most storied destinations. You begin with three nights in Delhi exploring temples, gardens, and street markets at your own pace. From Day 4 onward, the Maharajas' Express becomes your home, carrying you through the Golden Triangle (Jaipur and Agra), a tiger safari at Ranthambore National Park, the 16th-century desert city of Fatehpur Sikri, ancient temples at Khajuraho, and the spiritual heart of Varanasi on the Ganges river. Each day combines guided excursions, Amber Fort's Hindu and Mughal architecture, the Taj Mahal viewed over Champagne breakfast, a classical Indian dance performance in Varanasi, with time to wander. Meals aboard are gourmet; private transfers connect every hotel and attraction. The trip suits repeat rail travellers seeking a world-class luxury train experience, history lovers drawn to medieval forts and temples, and photographers capturing both timeless monuments and living Indian culture.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has held at £9,150 every time.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

This is an independent rail holiday with free time in some cities; it is not a fully escorted tour with daily guides throughout
No published single supplement price; confirm costs for solo travellers with Great Rail Journeys before booking
Delhi hotel is 'or similar' and choice between 4-star or 5-star; final accommodation depends on your selection

Day by day

Day 1
UK to Delhi
Fly overnight from London to Delhi, with the option to upgrade to premium or business class. Regional flights available.
Day 2overnight: Delhi (The Claridges or The Oberoi)
Delhi
On arrival, transfer to a chosen 4* or 5* hotel on a B&B basis. A free day in Delhi - visit a temple, gardens, a tomb, or the Red Fort, sample street food and markets, or choose an optional excursion at a supplement.
Day 3overnight: Delhi
Delhi
A further free day in Delhi to explore independently or join an optional excursion (Private Sightseeing Tour of New and Old Delhi, The Great India Wedding Tour, or a gastronomic tour).
Day 4railovernight: Maharajas' Express (Jaipur)
The Maharajas' Express
Join the Maharajas' Express with a welcome drink and a tour brief over the first lunch onboard. In the afternoon, visit Jaipur's City Palace Galleries (Textile, Arms and Arts Museums), then enjoy an exclusive dinner at the Rambagh Palace Hotel before returning to the train for the first night onboard.
Day 5railovernight: Maharajas' Express
Jaipur
After breakfast, leave the train to visit the Amber Fort, including the royal apartments, Chamber of Mirrors and Hall of Victory, with lunch aboard the train. Return to the Maharajas' Express for dinner onboard.
Day 6railovernight: Maharajas' Express
Tiger spotting in Ranthambore National Park
A safari drive in Ranthambore National Park, the former private hunting ground of the Maharajas, looking for sambar, chital, nilgai, chinkara, wild boar, sloth bear, hyena, jackal and, if lucky, tiger and leopard. Breakfast back on the train, then continue to the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, built by Akbar in the late 16th century. Return to the train for an 'Indian Evening' and dinner.
Day 7railovernight: Maharajas' Express
The Taj Mahal
Arrive in Agra and enjoy a champagne breakfast atop the Taj Khema overlooking the Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for Mumtaz. Return to the train for lunch and a free afternoon, then dinner onboard as the journey continues to Orchha.
Day 8railovernight: Maharajas' Express
Orchha & Khajuraho's Temples
An early breakfast onboard, then stop at Orchha to visit Orchha Fort (built in the 1500s) with a short tuk-tuk ride around the village. Lunch onboard as the journey continues to Khajuraho to see the 950-1050 AD temples, including the Kandariya Mahadev Temple, before returning to the train for dinner.
Day 9overnight: Maharajas' Express
Varanasi and The Ganges
Discover Varanasi, one of the oldest living cities in the world, with lunch at Hotel Taj Gateway, a visit to the ancient ruins of Sarnath and a Silk Weaving Centre, and a scenic Ganges river cruise. Dinner is held at Brij Rama Palace with a classical Indian dance performance and a vegetarian dinner.
Day 10railovernight: Delhi (The Claridges or The Oberoi)
Delhi
A leisurely breakfast and lunch onboard as the train makes its way back to Delhi. On arrival at Delhi Railway Station, transfer back to the chosen hotel.
Day 11
Delhi to the UK
Transfer to Delhi airport for the flight back to the UK. Regional flights available. Optional extensions can be booked at a supplement for those not ready to end the journey.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 4Board the Maharajas' Express in Delhi and visit Jaipur's City Palace Galleries, then dine at the Rambagh Palace Hotel, built in 1835
Day 5Tour the Amber Fort with its Hindu and Mughal architecture of red sandstone and white marble, including the Chamber of Mirrors and Hall of Victory
Day 6Safari in Ranthambore National Park, the former hunting ground of the Maharajas, with chances to spot tiger, leopard, and other wildlife
Day 7Champagne breakfast with views of the Taj Mahal in Agra, the UNESCO World Heritage mausoleum built by Shah Jahan
Day 9River cruise on the sacred Ganges in Varanasi and classical Indian dance performance with vegetarian dinner at Brij Rama Palace

Included

3 nights hotel accommodation in a 4/5-star Delhi hotel (Bed and Breakfast)
Deluxe cabin for 6 nights on the Maharajas' Express Train
Private transfers throughout
Return Flights between London and Delhi

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed on more than one site. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Railbookersfrom $10,789
Vacations By Railfrom $10,395

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £9,150 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $12,360 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
What is the Maharajas' Express?: A luxury train running Delhi to Varanasi via Jaipur, Ranthambore, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, Orchha, and Khajuraho. Guests stay in Deluxe cabins and most meals are included onboard.
Which hotels are included in Delhi?: Three nights at either the 4-star Oberoi Maidens or an upgrade to a 5-star hotel (The Claridges or The Oberoi, New Delhi) on a Bed and Breakfast basis.
Is this trip escorted or independent?: Independent rail holiday. You have free days in Delhi (Days 2-3) and free time in Agra (Day 7) to explore at your own pace; guided excursions are scheduled on other days.
What meals are included?: Breakfast in Delhi hotels, plus breakfast, lunch, and dinner aboard the Maharajas' Express for Days 4 to 9. Day 10 includes breakfast and lunch onboard.