The journey of a lifetime begins at the Delhi Cantonment station where the guests are accorded a warm, traditional welcome before the Palace-on-Wheels pulls out into the night for a week-long luxury cruise through fascinating Rajasthan.

Thursday, arrive Jaipur Rajasthan''s vibrant capital also known as ''pink city''. The root of the nickname is the visit of the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) in 1876 when Maharaja Ram Singh had the entire city painted pink, the traditional colour of hospitality, to welcome him. Your tour begins at the Hawa Mahal or the palace of winds. Actually little more than a facade remains of the remarkable fine-storey landmark in red stone built in 1799 by Maharaja Pratap Singh. Another Rajput masterpiece is the marvellous Amber fort, 8 kms away from the city, where rides on canopied elephants in pomp and royal style of ancient Maharajas takes you atop the fort. After indulging oneself in shopping at Rajasthali, the only Rajasthan Govt. Emporium for genuine handicrafts and souvenirs an exotic and sumptuous lunch awaits you at the majestic Palace Hotel. The home of the erstwhile rulers, the City Palace, now a museum, full of royal splendour and the amazing Jantar Mantar - astronomical observatory, are to be explored at leisure. In the evening the luxury coaches will take you back to Palace on Wheels around 6:30pm. The train departs from the pink city at 19:30 hrs the dinner is served on the board.

Friday, arrive Jaisalmer. The massive old sandstone fort of Jaisalmer with its 99 bastions continues to tower proudly over the city founded in 1156AD. The mood, the feel, the free soaring spirit of an entire age is reflected within the fort of Jaisalmer.The skilled craftsmanship of the stone carvers of Jaisalmer is evident all over the city. With their latticed windows, balconies, cupolas and distinctive carved facades, each of Jaisalmer''s many elaborate havelis is sheer poetry in stone. The Nathmalji-ki-haveli, Patwon-ki-haveli and Salim singh- ki- haveli are fine examples. Shop at Rajasthali emporium for the fine patter shawls, mirror work & embroidered articles, wooden boxes, silver jewellery etc. After lunch on board go for a camel ride to the giant Sam sand dunes, 42km from town spectacular is Sunset, when the Sun turns the almond white sand into deep gold, what sets the stage for a romantic dinner and a fascinating cultural show at a hotel in Jaisalmer. The train leaves Jodhpur at night.

Its time for you to visit yet another desert kingdom, Jodhpur, blue city. Once the proud capital of the princely desert state of Marwar, Jodhpur founded in 1459 AD. By Rao Jodha where he built the Meherangarh Fort on top of steep hill. Rated among the best in India, the magnificent fort and other monuments in Jodhpur are still full of colour and many precious heirlooms. Near the fort lies an impressive royal cenotaph known as Jaswant Thada. Built from pure white marble in commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant Singh, the cenotaph with its fine stone screens projects the superb hereditary skills of 19th century masons and stone carvers. After lunch at Umaid Bhawan Palace, return to the Palace on Wheels. While in Jodhpur shop for exquisite handicraft articles including the famous breeches, embroidered shoes, metal curios, silver ware, paintings and tie and dye fabrics. Late afternoon the train leaves for Sawai Madhopur.

The Palace on wheels arrive at 04:00hrs at Sawai Madhopur, a modern town near the prime Ranthambhor National Park. Right after breakfast its time for another highlight of the journey a wild life safari by jeep or canter in Ranthambhor, renowned for Tigers, more than 300 species of birds and other carnivorous population here. Return to the Palace on Wheels. You leave for Chittorgarh when one gets an opportunity to watch the colourful countryside passing by in day light. Arrive at Chittorgarh at 16:00hrs. Chittorgarh is India''s valorous fort, its history an unending saga of passion, chivalry and romance. Within its sprawling ramparts were beautiful palaces, but few of them remain. Lunch and dinner are served on board. The train departs for Udaipur at 20:00hrs.

Arrive at 07:30hrs at Udaipur, one of the most romantic cities in Rajasthan, founded in 1568 by Maharana Udai Singh. Udaipur''s magic are dream like marble palaces, the Jag Niwas - converted into luxury Lake Palace Hotel and Jagmandir which seems to rise from the deep blue Pichola Lake. After lunch at the palace hotel a boat takes the visitors across the lake to the majestic City Palace. Built in the 16th century the towering palace is acclaimed for beautifully carved balconies, arches and decorated pillars. After evening tea, journey continues to Bharatpur.

Arrive Bharatpur. A jat stronghold in the 17th and 18th centuries, Bharatpur today is a wonderland of birds. Its Keoladeo Ghana National Park, once the preserve of the Maharaja of Bharatpur, is now listed as a World Heritage site. More than 300 species of birds some flying as far as Siberia and China, have been sighted at Bharatpur. After visiting the sanctuary in the morning, visitors travel by coach to Fatehpur Sikri, the red stone town built by Emperor Akbar on a lavish scale, but which he had to abandon soon after because of shortage of water in 1571. Finally the Palace on Wheels reaches the chaotic Mughal capital Agra where India''s world wide best known attraction ''Taj Mahal'' is located. The Taj Mahal built in the memory of beloved empress by Emperor Shah Jahan. Ideally the visit of the stunning mausoleum in white marble is timed for Sunset. Before departure for Delhi there is time for shopping. Agra is well known for fine leather goods, jewellery and pietra dura works. Departure for Delhi.

The Palace on Wheels returns to Delhi. The next morning and let the pleasant memories of the past week linger on your mind for a long, long time.Journey ends here.