Traversing the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh on the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels - heralded as India’s most luxurious train - is bound to be a journey like no other. A joint venture between Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) and the Indian Railways, the train is as exclusive an experience as you can get while travelling. The swish train has on board such facilities as a spa, a gymnasium and two restro-lounges besides specials suites, deluxe saloons and comes at the steep price tag of Rs. 2, 14,760 (US$ 4,130) for the entire journey with an additional Rs. 83,200 (US$ 1,600) per day for special suite.

Royal Rajasthan on Wheels commenced on its maiden journey from Safdarjung railway station in Delhi on Sunday. The train has the capacity of ferrying 82 passengers within its 35 coaches and on Sunday, there were 61 tourists aboard, all of whom were foreigners. “So far, the service has been really good and the crew is really hospitable. It would be too early to say anything about the train as the journey has not even started yet,” an Australian tourist Kent Vodan was reported saying while the train was at Safdarjung station.

“The train will go to Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Khajuraho and Agra. And the journey will culminate in Varanasi,” RTDC chairman Pramod Sharma said. The entire journey would be completed in seven days. “This train is better than Palace on Wheels as it is more spacious and grander. It has every luxury which anyone would want,” Sharma added.