NEW DELHI: Come June, railways most luxurious Maharajas’ Express for the first time will traverse two new circuits in Southern India focusing especially on domestic travellers.
Lucrative offers to attract domestic travellers have also been planned. On the booking of the first adult on twin sharing at full cost, the second adult sharing the same cabin will be on complimentary Basis.
Another first introduced this time is that passengers can opt for breaking up the journey and can also book travel for one night trip.
The Indian Railway PSU, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) has decided to start two new circuits of their flagship luxury train Maharajas’ Express, this year.
These two new trips have been named as “Southern Sojourn” and “Southern Jewels” which will cover prominent destinations in West and South India. The Southern Sojourn will cover Goa, Hampi, Mysore, Ernakulam, Kumarakom and Trivandrum. The Southern Jewels will cover Chettinad, Mahabalipuram, Mysore, Hampi and Goa.
Maharajas’ Express is known for recreating the royal journeys of yesteryears. Though the regular trip of these two new journeys will take place in September 2017 for this year, however two new tour circuits with a view to cater especially to domestic travellers are being planned during monsoon period of June/July 2017.
Tariff in Indian Rupees has been introduced for the Monsoon Special itineraries. Moreover, a guest booking a Deluxe Cabin gets a chance to upgrade to a Junior Suite by paying only 50 percent of the difference in tariff between Junior Suite and Deluxe Cabin.
The Southern Sojourn – Monsoon Special shall start from Mumbai on June 24, 2017, and stop at Goa, Hampi, Mysore, Cochin, Alleppey before terminating at Trivandrum. The Southern Jewels – Monsoon Special shall depart from Trivandrum on July 1, 2017, and terminate at Mumbai covering Chettinad, Mahabalipuram, Mysore, Hampi and Goa. Each journey shall be of 8 Days/7 Nights duration.
In addition to visits to monuments and sightseeing at each destination under these trips, the guests shall have an opportunity to enjoy traditional cultural performances at Cochin, visit a Coir Factory and enjoy a cruise with lunch at Alleppey, savour traditional Chettinad Cuisine demo and much more on these fabulous journeys.
Maharajas’ Express commenced its operations in 2010, and since then the train has become the Leading Luxury Train of the World with comparisons to the Royal Scotsman and the Eastern and Oriental Express. The train is the recipient of the coveted Leading Luxury Train of the World Award for the last five years in a row since 2012.
The 23 coach long Maharajas’ Express, with a capacity of 88 guests, is a cut above other luxury trains in each aspect - the cabin experience, onboard dining, the excursions and events organized for guests.
The train has state of the art features with onboard water filtration plant, spacious cabin sizes with no bunk beds, two bars cum lounges, two restaurants and of course a well-trained onboard team to cater to global expectations.