The Maharajas' Express is owned and operated by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation and is the most expensive luxury train in the world. It runs on 5 circuits covering more than 12 destinations across North-West and Central India, mainly centred around Rajasthan between the months of October to April. The Maharajas' Express was voted "The World's Leading Luxury Train" twice, in a row at The World Travel Awards, 2012 & 2013. It is the most expensive luxury train in Asia. It was named to the 2011 list of World's Top 25 Trains by The Society of International Railway Travelers and was praised for its on-board accommodation and dining facilities, service, and off-train excursion program after its review in the Autumn of 2010. Maharajas' Express also bagged first runner up award in the Specialist Train Operators Category at Conde Nast Travelers Reader Choice Travel Award in 2011.
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The luxury train service was started in March 2010. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) and Cox and Kings India Ltd., had signed a joint venture to set up a company called Royale Indian Rail Tours Ltd. (RIRTL) to oversee the functioning and management of the Maharaja Express. This joint venture was terminated on 12 August 2011 and the train is now being operated exclusively by IRCTC.Maharajas Express was named to the 2011 list of World's Top 25 Trains by The Society of International Railway Travelers and has been internationally acclaimed for its on board accommodation and dining facilities, service, and off-train excursion programs. It is India's only train featuring a Presidential Suite spread over an entire carriage.
The Maharajas' Express train has been equipped with modern amenities to offer comfortable on board experiences to the guest, such as pneumatic suspension, live television, wifi, attached bathroom, dining cars, bar, lounge and souvenir shop. Larger cabins have roll-top baths and spacious sitting rooms.
The train comprises 23 carriages which include accommodation, dining, bar, lounge, generator and store cars. Accommodation is available in 14 guest carriages with total passenger capacity of 88. The train also has a lounge called the Rajah Club with a private bar, two dining cars and a dedicated bar car. An on-board souvenir boutique offers memorabilia for passengers.The train is also equipped with a water filtration plant.
- 5 Deluxe Cars
- 6 Junior Suite Cars
- 2 Suite Cars
- 1 Presidential Suite car
- 1 Bar car and 1 Lounge Car
- 2 Restaurant cars
- 1 Kitchen Car1 Staff Coach
- 1 Executive Managers & Tour Managers Coach
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Maharajas' Express - Suite. Image credit Simon Pielow
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Maharajas' Express - Mayur Mahal, dining. Image credit Simon Pielow
Maharajas' Express - Rajah Club. Image credit Simon Pielow
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Image credit Simon Pielow
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Bedroom with Double Bed on a Luxury Train. Image credit Simon Pielow
The Royal Logo. Image credit Simon Pielow
Source — Wikipedia
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