Railways introduce Maharajas' Express monsoon special

In a first, the Indian Railways has introduced Monsoon special itineraries of Maharajas' Express to attract foreign tourists in India during June and July. Under the changed schedule, the Railways has allowed passengers to avail part of the total journey on a fixed price of Rs 33,250 per day per person on twin sharing basis.

In another major decision, the Railways Ministry has also decided to start two new circuits of their flagship luxury train from this year onwards. The two new trips have been named as "Southern Sojourn" and "Southern Jewels" which will cover key destinations in West and South India.

According to an official, the Southern Sojourn would cover tourist destinations like Goa, Hampi, Mysore, Ernakulam, Kumarakom and Trivandrum, while the Southern Jewels will cover Chettinad, Mahabalipuram, Mysore, Hampi and Goa.

As the regular trip of these two new trips would begin in September 2017, the monsoon trip would begin in June and July 2017. The Monsoon special of Southern Sojourn would start from Mumbai on June 24 and stop at Goa, Hampi, Mysore, Cochin, Alleppey before terminating at Trivandrum.

The monsoon special of Southern Jewels would depart from Trivandrum on July 1 and terminate at Mumbai covering Chettinad, Mahabalipuram, Mysore, Hampi and Goa. Each journey would be of 8 days and 7 nights duration.

The regular trip of Southern Sojourn will start from Mumbai on September 9 and Southern Jewels will start from Trivandrum on September 16.