The Indian Maharaja, India’s first privately managed luxury train, will leave from Delhi to Mumbai on its signature 168 hours mesmerizing rail journey, this year it is expected to run with good capacity. November also happens to be the beginning of peak season for tourism in India.

There is a huge demand in the travel segment and the luxury train travel segment has witnessed a huge upsurge in demand which is evident in the fact that Palace on Wheels is almost booked 3 months in advance and other trains are also expecting a good response for this season.

While flagging off the refurbished Deccan Odyssey from Mumbai, a luxury train service operating in Maharashtra, the tourism minister of Maharashtra Chagan Bhujbal also hinted that the train will earn profit for the first time since its inception in 2009. With foreign tourist arrivals at an impressive 8.1% per annum and the number of tourists crossing the 5.5 million mark, the luxury travel niche in India is only expected to grow.

Luxury train travel has witnessed a global revival and luxury trains in India are leading the way. Designed to cater specifically the international tourists, these trains offer whirlwind tours across some of the most fascinating destinations in India in unparalleled luxury. One of the Indian luxury trains, the Indian Maharaja train offers such a sumptuous journey which includes a dash of wildlife, royalty, heritage, spirituality, and contemporary during its 8 days long itinerary.

The Indian Maharaja was also adjudged Asia’s Best Luxury Train by the World Travel Awards for the year 2010. The train with a total passenger capacity of 88 offers two rail journeys. Whereas, one itinerary commences from Mumbai and covers Aurangabad, Udaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Jaipur, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, and Delhi the other one traverses the same course in reverse order.

The Indian Maharaja is designed to recreate the luxury and elegance of the personal carriages used by erstwhile princes of India. Equipped with state-of-the-art amenities such as restaurants, bars, WI-Fi internet, LCD televisions, and even a spa and fitness center, the Indian Maharaja offers a royal journey drenched in opulence.

Whereas the catering on board the train is managed by the Taj Group of Hotels, off-train excursions are managed by the TCI, operators of this luxury train. The cost of all off-train tours including transportation, and entry fees at monuments and guides are included in the fare. The only disappointment of this season in the luxury train segment seems to be the termination of an agreement between IRCTC and Cox & Kings. Their joint venture Royale India Tour Limited (RIRTL) was the operator of Maharajas’ Express dubbed the most luxurious train in Asia. Visit the website of Indian Luxury Trains for more details about luxury trains in India.