Mumbai: Maharajas’ Express, one of the world’s most expensive luxury trains, is set to chug out early next year. Priced at Rs 1,29,700 or $2,500 per person per night, this will be the most expensive super luxury train in the country and among the top four luxury trains in the world.

The Maharajas’ Express is a joint venture between Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation and Cox and Kings India Limited (CKIL) called the Royale Indian Rail Tours Ltd. The train has a total of 23 coaches with a passenger capacity of 82.

 

Tariffs on Maharajas’ Express follow the highest in the business including Rovos, Orient Express and Blue Train. “It would be the world’s fourth most expensive train and offer the most luxurious presidential suites available on a luxury train,” sources said.

 

Peter Kerkar of CKIL compared this train to the best available internationally.

 

THE ITINERARIES

 

The Princely India Tour: This 7-night itinerary will follow the Mumbai-Vadodara-Udaipur-Jhodhpur-Bikaner-Jaipur-Ranthambore-Agra-Delhi route.

 

The Royal India Tour: This operates as the Princely India journey in the reverse with minor changes.

 

The Classical India Tour: This six-night trip will follow the Delhi-Agra-Gwalior-Khajuraho-Bandavgarh-Varanasi-Gaya-Kolkata route.

 

The Celestial India Tour: This operates as the Classical India Tour in the reverse with minor changes.

 

The tariff plan is as follows

 

• Deluxe Cabins – US $800
• Junior Suite – US $900
• Suite – US $1,400
• Presidential Carriage – US $2,500

(The tariff is on a per-person per-night basis and is valid up to April 2010. The tariffs include cost of travel, accommodation, meals, all house wines/beers/spirits and sightseeing including entrance fees, guides, tour managers and entertainment)