Rajasthan & the Maharajas’ Express

Suzanne Higman

We meet our group on arrival at our hotel in Delhi.Our ornate Club Room at the Taj Diplomatic Enclave is a contrast to the bustling streets just beyond the walls. Later, on foot, we discover a divergence of culture between a pleasant harmony of modern cafes and ancient architecture. A relaxed dinner this evening at our hotel is perfect chance to get to know our fellow travelers.

Jaipur, the Pink City, is a chaotic palette of rosy sandstone buildings. Here, we check into the Taj Rambagh Palace and enjoy an opulent dinner served in the palatial grounds of our hotel. Our discovery includes a visit to the Amber Fort, the Palace of the Winds and the World Heritage-listed Jantar Mantar before the red carpet is rolled out and we step aboard the Maharajas’ Express.

We embark on an early morning game drive at Ranthambore National Park, keeping our eyes locked on the jungle in the hope we may sight a tiger. Later, the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri commands our attention. In Agra, we are drawn to the unmistakable marble domes and lofty minarets of the Taj Mahal, toasting its beauty over a champagne breakfast in the light of the morning sun.

Looking up as we roam the halls of Jahangir Mahal, notice the building’s doorways are large enough to accommodate elephants who would once pad through the palace. Our train pauses in Khajuraho before arriving the next morning in the holy city of Varanasi. Visit Sarnath and observe the delicate practice of silk weaving. This evening, as we cruise along the Ganges, bear witness to an evening aarti.

We roll into Delhi and meet our flight to Udaipur. Arriving later at the edge of the city’s Lake Pichola, boats are waiting to sweep us across the waters to our hotel, the Taj Lake Palace. Our discovery of Udaipur includes the City Palace, the Jagdish Temple and the serene Garden of Maidens. By road, we make our way to Ranakpur then continue to Jodhpur, where we retire to the Umaid Bhawan Palace.

Survey the blue buildings of Jodhbur from Mehrangarh Fort then continue to Jaswant Thada memorial. We then follow a caravan of colour to the tiny rural city of Pushkar. Our visit here has been timed for us to take part in the bizarre celebrations of the annual camel fair. On a camel cart, we zig zag between ferris wheels, makeshift kitchens and dromedaries festooned in bells and beads.

Take in a selection of the city’s 400 temples and watch on as devotees dip themselves in the sacred waters of Pushkar Lake. Wander tiny laneways cramped with booths belonging to local families who tout items of all sorts. We drive to Jaipur then fly to Delhi where our journey comes to an end.