Gujarat >
Travelling
with the Spirits of Royalty : THE ROYAL ORIENT
India. A bewildering country. A surreal
symphony of a thousand different cultures. Inhabited by more than 800 million gentle
people... who speak more than one thousand languages and dialects... one of the world's
oldest civilizations... and home to some of its most valorous dynasties. Their rise to
glory and fall from grace...
We welcome you to an enchanted journey through Indian history. A journey through two of
India's most bewitching states.
Gujarat and Rajasthan-states rich with
dynastic and cultural history. The region that has seen some of the most ferocious battles
and courages kings in Indian history. For students of life, two universities of the past.
And for traveller, a close encounter with the oriental mystique. And the journey itself is
on a carriage from the past, to make your experience memorable throughout life. An
experience on The Royal Orient - the world's most extraordinary experience on rails.
The Royal Orient
Express recaptures for you the resplendence of the days of Kings & Queens replicates
their safaris and royal visits to neighbouring kingdoms. As a tourist you will
experience the mystic cultures of one of world's oldest civilizations, its colourful
customs, its bounteous nature, its enduring legends, its mysteries.-.and its spirits.
Luxuries of the present ethos of the past
The Royal Orient Express offers you seven days of
historic grandeur and regal self-indulgence with numerous sybaritic luxuries of the court
recreated in the saloons. The decor tinged with gold dust and an overpowering sense of
antiquity, the beauteous elements of traditional arts and crafts, the embroidered
elaboration of the curtains, the picturesque carpets, the delicate crockery, and the
liveried attendants specially trained to offer you royal service once enjoyed by Kings and
Queens... all combine to recreate the past for you. So that, for seven glorious days, you
will be Kings and Queens. However, human nature is such that while one might like to feel
like a King, one would also like to dine on one's own favourite dishes and desserts, and
drink one's favourite cocktail. That's why The Royal Orient Express offers an array of
continental. Western and Indian ethnic cuisines for you to choose from, at its quaintly
decored restaurant. Its bar, aptly named The Watering Hole', is well-stacked with all
known brands of liquor, and the in-house library stocks the latest in fiction and
non-fiction.
The Royal Orient
Express - The world's most exquisite rail carriage
The Royal Orient Express (TRO) is a luxurious, air-conditioned rail
carriage designed for medium and high budget tourists. TRO is a seven day package tour to
take a tourist through two of India's dreams -capes of history- Gujarat &
Rajasthan.
The Royal Orient has fourteen air-conditioned and
splendidly decorated saloons, and two dining cars. Each saloon has a lounge, a kitchenette
and four cabins. There is a well equipped toilet with hot and cold baths between two
cabins. Each cabin or coupe can accommodate three passengers. Generally two passengers are
accommodated in each coupe. There are two attendants on call for each saloon. And there's a
lot more. There is an emergency first aid kit on board. Doctor is available on call at the
nearest station.
The train manager arranges for emergency or otherwise
communication requirements through phone or fax. The train manager is accessible on
telecom at any hour of the day. The lounge to be used for sitting and recreation is fitted
with TV & VCR. Each cabin has music channel speakers. On demand one can listen to the
music of his/her choice through these channel speakers.
TRO has two restaurants which serve a mix of traditional
Gujarati, Indian, Chinese and continental food. Breakfast is served in the lounge or in
the cabin
itself. The snacks on the menu can be ordered
at any hour of the day in the cabin. The kitchenette is nothing but a modern pantry to
take care of the passenger's needs for vegetarian and non-vegetarian snacks and hot &
cold beverages.
The Watering Hole' is stocked with finest of Scotch and
Indian malt whiskies and liquors, wines, rum, and vodkas. Beer is also served in the bar
which can be ordered in the coupe or in restaurant.
Each saloon is named either after a lost dynasty or after a
historical creation of man or nature. Your guide on the train will be able to tell you the
interesting stories behind the names of these saloons.
The facilities on board match any three or five star hotel in
the international circuit. The train starts from Delhi and goes through all the important
places of Gujarat & Rajasthan in seven days and ends its journey in Delhi. It covers
Jaipur, Udaipur and Chittaurgarh in Rajasthan, and Junagadh, Veraval (Somnath), Sasan Gir,
Ahmedpur Mandvi, Diu, Palitana & Ahmedabad in Gujarat.
The journey starts on every Wednesday afternoon and ends on
next Wednesday morning. The train is functional between September to April every year.
There is no tour in the months of May, June, July and August due to summers and rains.
Travel Tips (General):
Winter Clothing (from October to February):
A Thick Sweater, a shawl and a scarf or muffler.
Summer Clothing (March and April)
Loose fitting Cottons.
Carry Along:
- Sufficient Film Rolls (freely available only in
Palitana, Ahmedabad and
Jaipur.
- Caps to deal with the oppressive heat.
