Joanna Booth joined a group of agents on the inaugural journey of India’s new luxury rail service. Here’s what they thought…
The Travel Weekly verdict
While the Maharajas’ Express is a stunning train, these aren’t necessarily trips just for rail lovers. In fact, compared to some luxury train journeys such as the Rocky Mountaineer, clients will spend relatively few waking hours on the train.
After breakfast, passengers disembark on sightseeing activities and don’t return until the afternoon, so little time is spent watching the world slide by the window. It’s important you tell clients that these are fairly active trips, with the main focus on sightseeing rather than relaxation.
However, the train does make the sightseeing experience a lot more restful. Clients don’t have to pack and unpack every night as they move to a different city. They needn’t spend bone-shaking hours bumping over India’s rural road network. And because they can travel at night, they can cover a great deal of distance in a relatively short trip, waking each day to a new area of India and a new range of things to see.
What the agents said
“Indian roads can be quite bad, and the distances very long, so travelling by train is the perfect way to get around. I’ve done the Golden Triangle by coach, and the train is a far more comfortable option. The staff were exceptional, and the ground arrangements second to none.” Moira Lumsden, Thomas Cook, Dundee
“I never felt unsafe or in danger in India – everyone was so friendly, from villagers we met to the staff members on the train. My butler, Pankaj, couldn’t do enough for me – the service is so genuine and helpful. I’d never really wanted to go to India, and now I can’t wait to return!” Joseph Rajkovic, 2J’s Travel, Somerset
“This train allows passengers to do in ten days what would usually take weeks, and in comfort and style. The communal aspects mean it’s suited to single travellers as well as couples, and the spas at the luxury hotel lunch stops provide an alternative afternoon pursuit if one partner isn’t quite as culturally involved as the other.” Marion Sutton, Future Travel, Cornwall
“This would be an ideal trip for second-time visitors, really getting under the skin of local culture. It moves at quite an energetic pace, but I was surprised by how manageable the heat was. From the air-conditioned coaches to refresher towels, cooled water, parasols and caps, the staff think of every conceivable comfort.” Jack Leaf, Travel Counsellor, London
“It was my first time in India, and the country really lived up to my expectations. The welcome ceremonies at each station were amazing – they gave a real flavour of local customs.” Lisa Rafferty, Robert Broad Travel, Lichfield
