For king-size bash on new year, railways rolls out Maharajas' Express

ALLAHABAD: For New Year revellers planning to try out something new every time, railways has planned a special journey. Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation IRCTC will operate its premier luxury train, the Maharajas' Express, as a special and memorable trip to bring in the new year in style at Jaipur and the historic city of Taj - Agra along with safari at Ranthambhore.

The "Gems of India" trip has been scheduled for December 30 and will take travellers on a 3-night/4-day trip of Delhi-Agra-Ranthambore-Jaipur-Delhi.

This train has been redefining elegance and opulence, luxury and comfort, recreating lifestyle of the princely era and showcasing Incredible India for many years now.

For booking of tickets, the Maharajas' Express website has been enabled to accept online payments. Tickets can now be bought directly from its official website www.the-maharajas.com.

In addition, the Maharajas' Express has a special offer. You pay for your own ticket and your spouse/friend travels for free on a twin-sharing basis; provided you book tickets from the official website. "This is for the first time that IRCTC has launched a trip of its signature luxury train for celebrating the New Year in a grand style," said IRCTC chairman and managing director Dr AK Manocha.

Swathed in opulence, the train began its inaugural run in March 2010. Since then, it has been voted the world's leading luxury train for four years in a row. Known for its unmatched hospitality and off-train excursions, it runs on five circuits across north-west and central India, covering around a dozen destinations, mainly in Rajasthan, between the tourist months of October and March.

The tariff depends on the circuit, includes meals, house wines and spirits, sight-seeing and services of experienced guides. All the living cabins have been named after precious gems, such as Firoza, Moti, Manik, Panna and Hakik, in an effort to recreate the royal grandeur of the bygone era.