All aboard the Maharajas’ Express, India’s most luxurious train

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From Jaipur to Jodhpur, India’s northerly Rajasthan region is famous for its ancient forts, opulent palaces and gleaming marble monuments.

But why stop there? The “Land of Kings” is home to yet another regal travel experience: the Maharajas’ Express.

Billed as India’s most luxurious train, the opulent hotel-on-wheels winds around the countryside on its eight-day “Heritage of India” route, stopping at key destinations such as Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Ranthambore National Park and the Taj Mahal.

“The romance to it – I would recommend it to anyone for traveling around somewhere like (India) because you get to see so many places,” says Joanna Newman, a passenger from England.

“You feel as though you are part of it. You’re not flying over it, you’re not driving, you are just there.”

The royal experience

Chugging across Rajasthan’s parched desert landscape, the Maharajas’ Express aims to make guests feels like royalty.

Instead of crowded quarters, travelers will find opulent interiors, an on-board chef and a roughly 3:4 staff-to-guest ratio.

In addition to attentive service, the train also delivers opulent Indian aesthetics.

The "Heritage of India" route includes a stop at the Taj Mahal.

The dining rooms, for example, feature peacock motifs and rich fabrics, while bedrooms are kitted out with gold-hued drapes and linens.

Even with impressive interiors and attention to detail, there are a few drawbacks for first-time train travelers.

“There are some quirks when traveling by train,” says Newman.

“Getting used to sleeping at night (can be challenging due to) the different movements – the starting and stopping of the train.”

A hotel on wheels

On the Maharajas' Express, you go to sleep in one place and wake up in the next.

Still, traveling by rail has more pros than cons.

For starters, you can see various destinations without having to repack every few days.

It’s also a better way to meet other travelers and create relationships with staff members – an opportunity you might miss if jumping from hotel to hotel.

When it comes to guest rooms, the cabins start from a cozy 112-square-feet in size – each with modern amenities such as LCD TVs, king-sized beds and bathrooms.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Suite stretches across an entire train carriage, featuring two bedrooms, a private living area, bathtub and regal decor.

And with 23 carriages for up to 88 guests – including two dining cars, two bars and a lounge – the Maharajas’ Express has plenty of room to stretch out and relax.

But running what is essentially a hotel on wheels has its logistical challenges.

“India’s railway network is the biggest in the world. To operate such type of luxurious train in such a big network is a big challenge for us,” Hammond Kumar, the train’s general manager, tells CNN Travel.

“To leave the station timely, to board the train … it’s a big challenge.”

On the menu

A classic dining car on the train.

Naturally, delivering world-class cuisine is essential to the regal experience.

Luckily, the train has executive chef John Stone, who specializes in French cuisine but prepares a wide array of local and international dishes for guests.

“Ever since my early childhood I was very interested in traveling on the trains,” says Stone.

“I still remember vividly that, even during the night when you could not see anything through the window, I would still keep on peeping out the window.”

For Stone, cooking on a train was a challenge at first.

“I remember for the very first day the train actually went from track A to track B. There was a slight curve and all my pots and pans went (flying) …” adds Stone.

“But by now, I know precisely when we’re going to change tracks and where the curves are, so I hold onto my pots and pans.”

The right track

The “Heritage of India” route, running from Mumbai to Rajasthan to Delhi, is among the most popular journeys.

The itinerary includes a day in the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur – known for its salmon-colored buildings, heritage handicrafts and imposing Amber Fort.

The journey also includes stops in the Thar desert and in smaller villages, where travelers can experience a camel safari or traditional folk dances.

This is just one of seven of the train’s routes. A journey to the south, instead, would be a totally different experience.

The eight-day Southern Jewels route, for example, departs from Mumbai before traversing some of southern India’s most beautiful landmarks.

The itinerary highlights include the seventh-century temples of Mahabalipuram near the Bay of Bengal, temple complexes of ancient Hampi, beaches of Goa and the Ratnadurg Fort in Ratnagiri.

“It’s been a lifelong ambition to come to India,” guest Greg Newman tells CNN Travel.

“Trains have this wonderful ability to get you somewhere overnight and wake up the next morning in a different city … without having noticed you moved.”

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Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, Rajasthan: Built in 1799 as an extension of Jaipur's Royal City Palace, Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds, was originally designed to allow royal women to see street scenes without being seen.

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Agatti, Lakshadweep: Located 460 kilometers off the coast of Kochi, tiny Agatti Island is part of Lakshadweep -- India's smallest union territory. Its white sands, diverse coral reefs and turquoise waters make it the ultimate beach getaway, though tourists need to get a special permit to visit.

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Sam Sand Dunes, Jaiselmer, Rajasthan: Sam Sand Dunes, lying in the outskirts of Jaiselmer, is one of the most accessible parts of the Great Thar Desert -- or the Sahara of India. A camel-back tour during the golden hours -- either sunrise or sunset -- offers the best views and experience.

Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu: Picturesque Kanyakumari -- formerly known as Cape Comorin -- sits at the tip of the Indian mainland in the far south. It's home to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, located offshore on a small rocky island and dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, a holy saint.

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Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh: No list of beautiful places in India would be complete without the Taj Mahal. The ivory marble mausoleum was built in the 1600s by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who is buried there alongside Jahan.

Shekhawati, Rajasthan: Some of the best preserved havelis, India's lavishly decorated heritage mansions, can be found in Rajasthan's Shekhawati region. Once built as a means of boasting of one's wealth, the facades and interiors of havelis are covered with exquisite and colorful wall murals that depict everything from the owner's travel memoirs to folk mythology. READ: Wonder walls: Inside India's exquisitely decorated haveli mansions

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The Rock Garden, Chandigarh: Started as a secret project by self-taught Indian artist Nek Chand Saini, the Rock Garden of Chandigarh is now a sprawling 40-acre park drawing visitors from all over the world. Built over the course of 18 years, the park is decorated with sculptures made using recycled industrial and urban waste.

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Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar, Punjab: Harmandir Sahib is a holy complex for Sikhs that includes the signature "Golden Temple," which sits in the middle of a large lake. Reflections of its gold-encrusted dome shimmer in the clear water of the Amrit Sarovar (Pool of Nectar), which greets those who enter from the north gate. READ: 6 ways to experience India's Punjab region

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Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai: A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is Mumbai's main railway station. First opened in 1888, it's considered a perfect example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture.

Jodhpur, Rajasthan: Jodhpur's blue houses and the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort (in the backdrop) make Rajasthan's Blue City one of the most Instagrammable places in India.

Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh: This wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh is spread over 100 square kilometers and is home to more than 50 tigers. The park is open from October to June, but the best time to see tigers is from April to June.

Kerala backwaters, Kerala: The Kerala backwaters are made up of lakes, canals and rivers that stretch down the coast. Traditional houseboats are a great way to take in the local way of life. READ: How to experience the beautiful backwaters of Kerala, India

Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: The former summer capital of British India, Shimla sits in the Himalayan foothills. With views like this, it's easy to see why it remains a popular vacation destination today.

Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu: Also called "Ooty" for short, the town of Udhagamandalam offers easy access to the Nilgiri hills, which are filled with coffee and tea plantations. One of the best ways to experience the region is by rail. The stunning Nilgiri Mountain Railway connects Ooty and Mettupalayam.

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