Jaisalmer - The Desert City
By afternoon, you are back on the Palace on Wheels, ready to set off to the Desert City, Jaisalmer. After an afternoon siesta, relax the lounge watching TV, reading or chatting with the other guests. You can also make use of the gym or seek the help of the beautician to bring back the glow that a whole day's sightseeing might have dulled.
The sheer magic and brilliance of Jaisalmer can make you spellbound. The golden-hued fort that seems to rise out of the desert haze etched in yellow sandstone stands with its awesome splendor dominating the amber-hued city. It has enchanting cobbled narrow lanes dotted with intricately latticed havelis (mansions), beautifully sculptured Jain temples dating back to the 12th-15th century. After having lunch on board the train and some rest in the afternoon, you will depart by coach for Sand Dunes where exhilarating camel rides awaits you. Enjoy the evening with beautiful sunset, surrounded by camels, and a cup of tea - is anything more memorable than this. Dinner today would be in the desert under the stars with Rajasthani folk singers and dancers.
Jodhpur - The Forts and Palaces
Next morning, the train will take you to Jodhpur set at the edge of the Thar Desert. The city, one of the largest in Rajasthan, still maintains its medieval character. Founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha, the city is famous for the impregnable Mehrangarh fort with magnificent palaces within. Shopping in Jodhpur bazaars is a heady experience with its colorful display of handicrafts, tie-and-dye fabrics, embroidered slippers, silks, marble souvenirs and much more. After lunch at Umaid Bhavan Palace, an opulent edifice in stone, you would be taken on a tour of the palace and the museum.
Bharatpur - The Avian Paradise
The Palace on Wheel's next destination is Bharatpur, popular for its bird sanctuary. The Keoladeo Ghana National Park is a bird's paradise and nesting ground of exotic migratory birds from Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Tibet. Siberian cranes and bareheaded geese from China come here to escape the severe winter and breed till October - November.
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