MAHARAJAS’ EXPRESS, India’s first pan-India super luxury train, was unveiled at ITB in Berlin in the presence of Sujit Banerjee, secretary, tourism, government of India; Rakesh Tandon, managing director, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC); and Peter Kerkar, managing director, Cox and Kings India Ltd (CKIL).

IRCTC and CKIL are joint venture (JV), partners for this premium luxury train and the JV is called the Royale Indian Rail Tours Ltd.

Speaking on the occasion, Tandon said, “This train will have many state-of-the-art features and the first to cut across state boundaries that would make luxury rail travel in India a pleasurable experience.’’

The luxury train has a total of 23 coaches with a passenger capacity of 82. It is the first luxury train that boasts of four distinct configurations. It has five deluxe carriages, each with four cabins; six junior suite carriages, each with three cabins; two suite carriages each with two suites and finally one presidential suite exclusively in one carriage.

Dining options include two fine dining restaurants that seat 42 persons in each at a time, so that everyone on board dines together. It has one exotic bar with the choicest collection of beers, wines and spirits. There is also one observation lounge with its own bar, game tables and comfortable club.

Commenting on this venture, Kerkar observed, “This train will compare with the best that’s available internationally and IRCTC, our JV partner has put together the finest talent to execute this project. We in turn will market it globally.’’

The unique aspects of the train, first of its kind in India, are as follows:

• State-of-the-art pneumatic and hydraulic suspension system ensuring smoother train ride.
• Passenger cabins that have micro processor based climatic control.
• Environment friendly toilet system - a first amongst luxury trains in India.
• Direct dial telephones from each cabin.
• First pan-India luxury train that cuts across state boundaries.

Maharajas’ Express will embark on its first commercial run on January 9, 2010.

Itineraries:

(a)  The Princely India Tour: This is a seven-night itinerary that will follow the Mumbai-Vadodara-Udaipur-Jhodhpur-Bikaner-Jaipur-Ranthambore-Agra-Delhi route.

(b)  The Royal India Tour: This operates as the princely India journey in the reverse with minor changes.

(c)  The Classical India Tour: This is a six-night itinerary that will follow the Delhi-Agra-Gwalior-Khajuraho-Bandavgarh-Varanasi-Gaya-Kolkatta route.

(d)  The Celestial India Tour: This operates as the classical India tour in the reverse with minor changes.

Tariff Plan:

1. Deluxe cabins: US $ 800.
2. Junior suite: US $ 900
3. Suite: US $ 1,400
4. Presidential carriage: US $ 2,500

The tariff is on a per-person per-night basis and is valid up to April 2010. There will be a supplement for Christmas and New Year departures. The tariffs include cost of travel, accommodation, all meals, all house wines,/beers/spirits and all sightseeing including entrance fees, guides, tour managers, and all entertainment.

About Royale Indian Rail Tours Ltd:

The Royale India Rail Tours Ltd is a joint venture between IRCTC and CKIL and will manage and operate Maharajas’ Express. It is a 50:50 joint venture and the first of its kind between the Indian Railways and a private sector partner to operate a luxury passenger train.