Experience luxury on the Maharaja Express, where indulgence meets sustainability on a journey through India's scenic landscapes. (Image by arrangement)
With eco-friendly travel holidays gaining prominence and sustainability paramount, many well-heeled travellers worldwide are opting for luxe train journeys and cruises instead of flights to cut down their carbon footprints. Be it the Venice-Simplon Orient Express, the Golden Eagle Danube or India’s Maharaja Express, Palace on Wheels, and the Deccan Odyssey, ‘slow travel’ travel on the world’s best luxury train routes has become the most sought-after experience.
Inspired by the famous Agatha Christie novels and movies like Murder on the Orient Express (1974, 2017), Harry Potter (2001, 2011), The Darjeeling Limited (2007), Tezz (2012), The Polar Express (2004), rich travellers want to see and experience the fine things in life.
It is a harmonious blend of elegance, sustainability, and the joys of slow travel. For those who can afford it,
luxury and sustainability go hand in hand. Not to forget the gourmet food, array of sparkling wines and lavish interiors. Imagine your very own palace on wheels traversing through the picturesque landscape of India, Europe, Russia, Africa, Scot-land or the trans-Siberian route bet-ween Moscow and Vladivostok.
luxury and sustainability go hand in hand. Not to forget the gourmet food, array of sparkling wines and lavish interiors. Imagine your very own palace on wheels traversing through the picturesque landscape of India, Europe, Russia, Africa, Scot-land or the trans-Siberian route bet-ween Moscow and Vladivostok.
Unlike air travel where you are lost in the clouds, luxury train journeys offer you diverse landscapes
from tropical rainforests and beaches to arid deserts and snow-capped mountains. Small wonder that ticket bookings are full and impossible to get.
from tropical rainforests and beaches to arid deserts and snow-capped mountains. Small wonder that ticket bookings are full and impossible to get.
Travel Like Royalty
Anju Sharma, an avid traveller and travel content creator says, “Travelers today are seeking more immersive cultural experiences that benefit local communities rather than contributing to over-tourism or exploitation of resources.” She points out that these luxury trains offer plush interiors and greener experiences. “Take for example the Maharaja Express or Deccan Odyssey. They incorporate energy-efficient technologies such as LED lighting, solar panels, and eco-friendly HVAC systems to help reduce energy consumption and cut down carbon footprints.”
The Local Connection
Not many know that these luxe trains act as a link between rural and urban economies and people. For starters, the gourmet meals served on these posh trains are cooked from locally sourced organic ingredients. The motto here is simple: support local farmers and reduce the carbon footprint. Travellers get to taste the best of both worlds. “This shift is more than just conservation or convenience — it’s about nurturing one’s bond with humanity and nature,” says Kamakshi Bhatnagar, a Lifestyle coach & Influencer.
Green Energy Journey
Modern trains in general, especially those that run on electric power seem to be far more energy-efficient than any other forms of travel. Be it planes, buses or cars. Trains that run on electricity often derive this power from renewable sources like wind or solar energy, further helping reduce the overall environmental impact.
Not just this, many of the luxe train routes are meticulously designed to minimize disturbances to sensitive ecosystems and wildlife habitats. They allow the travellers to indulge in an immersive experience in the lap of nature without harming it. “Many foreigners prefer travelling on the Deccan Odyssey train because the whole package and travel experience is worth it. One day you are exploring rock-cut temples and UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the next day you are rolling through the lush Ratnagiri-Goa coastline,” shares Sheetal Dev, a luxury travel advisor, who designs customised holidays in India and abroad. A perfect ‘track record’ worth every penny!
All On Board
Travelling by train is one of the best ways to cover a lot of ground in a single journey. Anju shares how the Maharaja Express includes planned visits to Ranthambore National Park which is known for its tiger population there. These trips allow travellers to consider visiting such habitats to get a blend of both, cultural interactions with local communities and a peep into vast expanses of the wildlife population.
The Local Connection
Not many know that these luxe trains act as a link between rural and urban economies and people. For starters, the gourmet meals served on these posh trains are cooked from locally sourced organic ingredients. The motto here is simple: support local farmers and reduce the carbon footprint. Travellers get to taste the best of both worlds. “This shift is more than just conservation or convenience — it’s about nurturing one’s bond with humanity and nature,” says Kamakshi Bhatnagar, a Lifestyle coach & Influencer.
Green Energy Journey
Modern trains in general, especially those that run on electric power seem to be far more energy-efficient than any other forms of travel. Be it planes, buses or cars. Trains that run on electricity often derive this power from renewable sources like wind or solar energy, further helping reduce the overall environmental impact.
Not just this, many of the luxe train routes are meticulously designed to minimize disturbances to sensitive ecosystems and wildlife habitats. They allow the travellers to indulge in an immersive experience in the lap of nature without harming it. “Many foreigners prefer travelling on the Deccan Odyssey train because the whole package and travel experience is worth it. One day you are exploring rock-cut temples and UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the next day you are rolling through the lush Ratnagiri-Goa coastline,” shares Sheetal Dev, a luxury travel advisor, who designs customised holidays in India and abroad. A perfect ‘track record’ worth every penny!
All On Board
Travelling by train is one of the best ways to cover a lot of ground in a single journey. Anju shares how the Maharaja Express includes planned visits to Ranthambore National Park which is known for its tiger population there. These trips allow travellers to consider visiting such habitats to get a blend of both, cultural interactions with local communities and a peep into vast expanses of the wildlife population.
The Deccan Odyssey, on the other hand, engages in planning similar itineraries including visits to a plethora of wildlife sanctuaries. This promotes sustainable tourism practices in regions otherwise left unexplored. “The Maharaja Express and Palace on Wheels engage in improved waste management methods as well. They rely
heavily on recycling, reducing plastic use and conserving water,” says Kamakshi.
heavily on recycling, reducing plastic use and conserving water,” says Kamakshi.
Explaining further that Indian railways working more towards electrifying tracks that would overall reduce emissions from diesel engines. Such initiatives are markers that stress the fact that luxury can coexist with sustainability.
Cost Of Luxury
While luxe trains offer a whole lot, they come with a whopping price tag depending on the route, the rooms, the duration of the journey and the places visited. It’s hard to digest, but you pay a bomb to taste a tiny bite of luxury. Anju says, “It can range from thousands of bucks to tens of thousands of dollars per person.” This implies that the pricing is kept high to cater to the needs of a niche travellers segment – mainly high-income individuals, celebrities, and rich folks.
Cost Of Luxury
While luxe trains offer a whole lot, they come with a whopping price tag depending on the route, the rooms, the duration of the journey and the places visited. It’s hard to digest, but you pay a bomb to taste a tiny bite of luxury. Anju says, “It can range from thousands of bucks to tens of thousands of dollars per person.” This implies that the pricing is kept high to cater to the needs of a niche travellers segment – mainly high-income individuals, celebrities, and rich folks.
Kamakshi says, “Well it is luxury travel so ‘by default’ it’s going to be expensive.” She hopes that in the future, sustainable travel and luxury will be made accessible to other people as well. But the fact is that across the world, luxury and exclusivity come at a premium cost!
Go Green
Go Green
With an effort towards engaging in greener ways, luxe trains are no longer limited to opulence or mere comfort. They have adapted themselves into an amalgamation of indulgence and responsibility. Prioritising energy efficiency, waste reduction and sustainable measures are nothing but glimpses of diving into a world of sustainability while travelling in style in the lap of luxury. So what if the ticket price burns a hole in your travel coat, after all not everybody can have the luxury of travelling in a palace on wheels!
Luxury Travel Guide
Maharaja Express: The Indian Splendour over 7 days-6 nights (Deluxe Cabin- Rs 6,51,000 to Junior Suite Rs 8,34,960)
Palace on Wheels: (Presidential Suite per night- Rs 2,67,509)
Deccan Odyssey: (For International Travelers Rs 7,21,136 starting)
Palace on Wheels: (Presidential Suite per night- Rs 2,67,509)
Deccan Odyssey: (For International Travelers Rs 7,21,136 starting)
"The Maharaja Express and Palace on Wheels engage in improved waste management methods, relying heavily on recycling, reducing plastic use, and conserving water.” — Kamakshi Bhatnagar, Lifestyle Coach & Influencer
Posh Track Record
Some of the most sought-after luxury trains in the world are the Maharaja Express, the Deccan Odyssey, The Glacier Express (Switzerland), the Venice-Simplon Orient Express, the Golden Eagle Danube, Belmond Royal Scotsman and the Golden Eagle Train trans-Siberian route between Moscow and Vladivostock.
"Travelers today are seeking more immersive cultural experiences that benefit local communities rather than contributing to over-tourism or exploitation of resources” — Anju Sharma, Travel Content Creator
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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