THE MAHARAJAS’ EXPRESS: INDIA BY LUXURY TRAIN

THE MAHARAJAS’ EXPRESS: INDIA BY LUXURY TRAIN

THE MAHARAJAS’ EXPRESS: INDIA BY LUXURY TRAIN

Luxury train travel is enjoying a renaissance, offering travellers a slower, more immersive way to experience the world. While air travel delivers panoramic views and cruises reveal dramatic coastlines, trains provide an intimate perspective—one that unfolds at ground level, inviting travellers to connect with landscapes, cultures, and histories as they pass by. Few journeys embody this romance as completely as the Maharajas’ Express, India’s premier luxury train and consistently ranked among the top five luxury train experiences in the world.
For nine days, Helen Siwak, Editor-in-Chief & Publisher, and avid travel enthusiast, journeyed through seven provinces aboard this legendary train. “It was unlike any trip I have ever taken,” she recalls. “From the moment I stepped into my cabin, I felt transported into a different era of elegance, but with all the modern comforts I could ever want.”

A TRAIN OF SPLENDOUR
The Maharajas’ Express operates from October to April and accommodates only 88 guests per journey. It features 20 Deluxe Cabins, 18 Junior Suites, 5 Suites, and a singular Presidential Suite that spans an entire carriage. Each cabin offers climate control, en suite washrooms, and every modern convenience—Wi-Fi, electronic safes, wardrobes, and writing desks—all seamlessly blended with elegant Indian-inspired décor. The craftsmanship is meticulous, with polished woods, rich textiles, and thoughtful lighting that evoke the grandeur of India’s royal heritage.
Every carriage comes with its own valet, available day and night. “The valets were astonishing,” Helen shares. “They anticipated needs before I even thought of them—whether it was morning tea, adjusting the climate control, or arranging an impromptu excursion. The service was impeccable, discreet, and personal. It elevated the entire journey.”
Public spaces on the train are equally impressive. The Safari Bar offers an inviting lounge for cocktails and conversation, while the Rajah Club serves as a refined venue for relaxation. The atmosphere throughout the train is one of camaraderie, as fellow travellers—an eclectic mix of global guests, including royalty, entrepreneurs, and families—share stories of the day’s adventures.

DINING IN SPLENDOUR
Meals aboard the Maharajas’ Express are nothing short of regal. Guests dine in two resplendent cars: the Mayur Mahal, decorated with bronze peacock motifs and emerald accents, and the Rang Mahal, draped in ruby-hued brocades and intricate embroidery. Both dining cars combine opulence with intimacy, where every meal feels like a celebration.

“Chef John Stone was extraordinary,” Helen recalls. “He curated menus that reflected the flavours of each region we travelled through, but always kept inclusivity at the heart of the experience. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free—every request was met with creativity and enthusiasm. As someone who values dining that welcomes everyone, I was beyond impressed.”

Each day, fresh produce, spices, and specialty items were sourced from local markets and transformed in the train’s compact but highly efficient kitchen. The menus combined classic Indian dishes with international inspirations: fragrant biryanis beside Mediterranean salads, curries served alongside Italian pastas, and Caribbean flavours adding tropical zest. Desserts ranged from light sorbets to indulgences like tiramisu or hot gulab jamun, often paired with fine wines and spirits.
Off-train excursions brought equally elaborate spreads. Palace kitchens and catering teams set up lavish buffets and open bars in extraordinary settings. “One day you would be sipping champagne under the shadow of a fort, the next enjoying regional delicacies in a palace courtyard. It was dining as theatre, and it was unforgettable,” Helen says.

A KALEIDOSCOPE OF DESTINATIONS
The itinerary is carefully structured, balancing iconic sites with rare, lesser-known treasures. Over nine days, the train journeyed through:
Delhi – departure point and welcome aboard
Agra – sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal
Jaipur – Amber Fort and a painted elephant greeting at the Jai Mahal
Ranthambore – safari through the famed national park
Jodhpur – Mehrangarh Fort and bustling blue city markets
Udaipur – tranquil boat ride on Lake Pichola to the City Palace
Balasinor – Dinosaur Fossil Park, guided by Princess Aaliya herself
Mumbai – the final stop at Lokmanya Tilak Station
Each destination offered guided tours, but guests could also arrange private excursions. “That flexibility was such a gift,” Helen notes. “While others explored a fort, you could spend the day shopping, golfing, or indulging in a spa experience. It felt deeply personalized.”

OUTSIDE OF THE USUAL
Beyond the world-famous Taj Mahal and Rajasthan’s imposing forts, the itinerary also unveiled extraordinary moments rarely available to the public. In Balasinor, guests visited the Dinosaur Fossil Park, where they were welcomed by Princess Aaliya, who is both custodian and passionate advocate of the site. “Holding an intact dinosaur egg in my hands, while being guided by a member of Indian royalty, was surreal,” Helen says. “It was the kind of moment that could only happen on this journey.”
Equally unforgettable was the Ranthambore safari. At dawn, guests boarded open-air trucks for a rugged ride through the park, guided by conservationists who chattered over walkie-talkies. Along the way were langur monkeys clutching infants, marsh crocodiles basking in the sun, herds of spotted chital deer, Nilgai antelope, and the imposing sambar. The climax: a sighting of a Bengal tiger moving regally through the undergrowth. “It was exhilarating, raw, and one of the most moving wildlife encounters I have ever experienced,” Helen reflects.

CELEBRATION ON THE TRACKS
The journey ended in celebration. On the final evening, valets laid out traditional Indian outfits for every guest. The night unfolded with flowing champagne, canapés, and Bollywood dance lessons led by the kitchen staff. “It felt like one big family by then,” Helen says. “There was laughter, music, and a genuine sense of togetherness that only comes from sharing such an extraordinary journey.”

AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE
Disembarking in Mumbai, Helen reflected on her time aboard the Maharajas’ Express. “It is not just about moving across India,” she says. “It is about weaving yourself into the stories, history, and culture of the country, while being surrounded by luxury and care at every step. The Maharajas’ Express is more than a trip—it is a memory that stays with you forever.”