Desperate times need , desperate strategies! Believe it or not, but the ‘buy one, get one free’ marketing strategy has reached to most unlikely of places. At a time, when other illustrious luxury trains in the north are finding it difficult to sustain themselves, India’s premier luxury train Maharajas’ Express has come with this unique offer. And, that is not all. They have come up with a few more.
The Indian Railway PSU, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) has decided to start two new circuits of their flagship luxury train Maharajas’ Express, this year. These two new trips have been named as “Southern Sojourn” and “Southern Jewels” which will cover prominent destinations in West and South India. The Southern Sojourn will cover Goa, Hampi, Mysore, Ernakulam, Kumarakom and Trivandrum. The Southern Jewels will cover Chettinad, Mahabalipuram, Mysore, Hampi and Goa.
Maharajas’ Express is known for recreating the royal journeys of yesteryears. Though the regular trip of these two new journeys will take place in September 2017 for this year, however two new tour circuits with a view to cater especially to domestic travellers are being planned during monsoon period of June/July 2017.
Tariff in Indian Rupees has been introduced for the Monsoon Special itineraries. Lucrative offers to attract domestic travellers have also been planned. On the booking of first adult on twin sharing at full cost, the second adult sharing the same cabin will be on Complimentary Basis. Moreover, a guest booking a Deluxe Cabin gets a chance to upgrade to a Junior Suite by paying only 50 % of the difference in tariff between Junior Suite and Deluxe Cabin. For the very first time part journey has been introduced in the Monsoon Special itineraries of Maharajas’ Express. Passengers are allowed to avail part of the total journey on a fixed price of USD 500 / ₹ 33250.00 per day per person on twin sharing basis. On single occupancy basis the charges would be USD 800 / ₹ 53200.00. The prices are exclusive of taxes and limited to a maximum of 2 nights 3 days
The Southern Sojourn – Monsoon Special shall start from Mumbai on 24th June 2017 & stop at Goa, Hampi, Mysore, Cochin, Alleppey before terminating at Trivandrum. The Southern Jewels – Monsoon Special shall depart from Trivandrum on 1st July 2017 and terminate at Mumbai covering Chettinad, Mahabalipuram, Mysore, Hampi and Goa. Each journey shall be of 8 Days/7 Nights duration. The regular trip of Southern Sojourn will start from Mumbai on 9 Sep 2017 and Southern Jewels will start from Trivandrum on 16 Sep 2017. In addition to visits to monuments and sight-seeing at each destination under these trips, the guests shall have an opportunity to enjoy traditional cultural performances at Cochin, visit a Coir Factory and enjoy a cruise with lunch at Alleppey, savour traditional Chettinad Cuisine demo and much more on these fabulous journeys.
For Guests booking online or directly through phone, a special facility is being offered free of cost in the form of redeemable voucher of USD 250 (approx Rs. 16000/-) for each individual guest. Although the vouchers cannot be encashed they can be redeemed against all off-board optionals, liquor bills, on-board boutique purchases and laundry bills.
Maharajas’ Express commenced its operations in 2010, and since then the train has become the Leading Luxury Train of the World with comparisons to the Royal Scotsman and the Eastern and Oriental Express. The train is the recipient of the coveted Leading Luxury Train of the World Award for the last five years in a row since 2012.
Read: World’s leading luxury train
The 23 coach long Maharajas’ Express, with a capacity of 88 guests, is a cut above other luxury trains in each aspect – the cabin experience, onboard dining, the excursions and events organized for guests. The train has state of the art features with on-board water filtration plant, spacious cabin sizes with no bunk beds, two bars cum lounges, two restaurants and of course a well trained on-board team to cater to global expectations.
Brilliant post. I loved the way you wrote it. I believe the prices are bit steep for Indians. Last May I wrote on railways for the entire month and I covered luxury trains in India.
Thanks a lot Sharukh