Palace on Wheels

If you only have a week, the most exciting and convenient way to see Rajasthan is to board the Palace on Wheels. This train, which runs September through April, takes you on one of the most luxurious rail journeys in the world, through a region well known for its historical architecture, varied wildlife, and heady culture. Your eight days aboard this locomotive begin at Delhi, from where you travel to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, with its "pink" city, forts, palaces, and caparisoned elephants. From there, you travel across the desert to Jaisalmer, whose fort is a vision in sandstone, and to Jodhpur with its magnificent and well-preserved Meherangarh Fort. Then you continue on to Ranthambhore, where you can spot tigers in the wild, and Chittaurgarh—at the heart of chivalrous Mewar state. At Udaipur, the city of lakes, you have a chance to lunch at the famous Lake Palace hotel (the James Bond movie Octopussy was filmed here). The last leg of the journey takes you to Bharatpur, which you'll appreciate if you're a bird-watcher. You'll also go to Fatehpur Sikri, chosen capital of the Moghul emperor Akbar, and finally Agra, where the stunning, ethereal Taj Mahal is the crowning experience of a breathtaking week.

The destinations, however, are only half the fun. The train's 14 splendid coaches are replicas of those once owned by the rulers of the erstwhile princely states of Rajputana, Gujarat, and Hyderabad, and the Viceroy of colonial India. The plush accommodation allows you to sink blissfully into an unforgettable experience of India's sophisticated royal past while watching rural scenery through elegant, wood-framed picture windows. Bedchambers have private baths, whereas shared facilities include two dining cars and a lounge coach with a bar and library. Service is warm and attentive; each coach has a captain and an attendant. Your ticket on board this opulent train—$295 to $350 per person per night for double occupancy—covers all meals, including those taken off the train, entrance fees to every monument and national park, and cultural entertainment. Liquor is not included. If your time in India is limited, this train's well-planned route and thoughtful itinerary allows you to take in as much as you can in a week—and this is possibly more than you might have accomplished if you tried to reach the same destinations on your own.

(For reservations, contact TravBuzz, Inc., USA at 609/683-5018, Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation Bikaner House, New Delhi 11/2338-1884; or RTDC Swagatam Complex, Jaipur 141/220-2586.)