New Bharat Gaurav trains to roll out in 2026: Here’s the complete list of places they will cover in Gujarat and Rajasthan

IRCTC’s new semi-luxury Bharat Gaurav train circuits offer all-inclusive, hassle-free heritage journeys through Gujarat and Rajasthan, combining top destinations, comfortable travel, and curated experiences in one package.

trainIndian Railways introduced the concept of operating tourist trains on theme based circuits under the banner of Bharat Gaurav Tourist Trains (Photos: Pixabay, IRCTC)

Attention travel enthusiasts! IRCTC is all set to launch two new tourist circuits, starting from January 2026, on its Bharat Gaurav deluxe AC tourist train. Garvi Gujarat will take the travellers to the best destinations of the lion-shaped state, while Padharo Rajasthan promises the colourful flair of the land of kings. Both train circuits will have one-stop itineraries, starting from Delhi’s Safdarjung railway station.

The idea behind these new semi-luxury Bharat Gaurav trains is to bundle travel, sightseeing, accommodation, meals, and transfers into a single package, saving passengers from the hassle of planning. Its all-inclusive packages will include onboard meals, offboard hotel stays where required, bus sightseeing, guide services, and travel insurance.

Garvi Gujarat is scheduled as a 9-night/10-day tour, while Padharo Rajasthan is structured as a shorter 5-night/6-day circuit, creating options for both long-haul and relatively quick holidays. The departure dates currently announced are January 13, 2026, for Garvi Gujarat, and January 24, 2026, for Padharo Rajasthan, subject to operational updates on the tourism portal.

train Both Rajasthan and Gujarat are very colouful states with a rich heritage, cultural legacy, and scrumptious delicacies (Photos: unsplash, pixabay)

Inside Bharat Gaurav deluxe train

The Bharat Gaurav deluxe AC tourist train comes wrapped in luxury. It is fully air-conditioned with three AC classes and a total capacity of roughly 250–270 seats. There are two sit-down restaurant-style dining cars, a modern flameless pantry car, cabins fitted with sensor-based washrooms, shower cubicles, electronic safes, infotainment systems and a limited number of foot massagers to reinforce the “semi-luxury” positioning.

All common areas will be under CCTV surveillance, with each coach having unarmed security personnel deployed. The packages are sold on an all-inclusive basis, usually covering onboard meals, offboard hotel stays where required, bus sightseeing, guide services, and travel insurance, though exact inclusions are detailed on the IRCTC tourism website for each package code.

Garvi Gujarat: Route and must-visit destinations

train The exterior of these trains showcases popular Indian monuments, sculptures, landmarks, and dance forms etc having a total capacity of around 600 – 700 seats (photo: twitter/irctc)

The Garvi Gujarat circuit focuses more on heritage- and devotion-based destinations. Some of the major stops and experiences flagged by IRCTC and tourism reports include:

  • Vadodara: Often called the cultural capital of Gujarat, this city is famous for the opulent Laxmi Vilas Palace, where the royal Gaekwad family of Baroda live.
  • Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its medieval Islamic and Hindu architectural remains.
  • Statue of Unity: World’s tallest statue at 182 metres, which pays tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, overlooking Narmada river. While here, don’t miss the viewing galleries, laser show, and valley walks.
  • Somnath: One of the 12 sacred Jyotirlinga shrines with gold-topped architecture.
  • Diu: Popular for 16th-century Diu Fort, old Portuguese quarters, quiet coastal promenades, and gorgeous beaches.
  • Dwarka: One of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites, popular for the Dwarkadhish Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna.
  • Ahmedabad: Gujarat’s capital and A UNESCO World Heritage City. While here, don’t forget to visit Sabarmati Ashram, Adalaj Stepwell, Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, Jama Masjid, Kankaria Lake, Law Garden Night Market, Calico Museum of Textiles.
  • Modhera: An 11th-century temple dedicated to the Sun God, known for its intricately carved Surya Kund, stunning mandapa pillars, and golden sandstone that glows under the sunlight.
  • Patan’s Rani Ki Vav: A UNESCO-listed stepwell with seven terraced levels, over 1,500 intricate sculptures, and temple-like underground architecture built as an ode to King Bhima I.
  • Vadnagar: The ancient town is popular for its historic temples, stepwells, archaeological sites, and the childhood home of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ticket prices for Garvi Gujarat on this train are currently advertised in roughly three slabs: around Rs 94,000–96,000 per person for AC I, Rs 86,000–88,000 for AC II and about Rs 67,000–69,000 for AC III, with variation depending on occupancy and the specific fare table referred to.

Padharo Rajasthan: Route and must-visit destinations

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The Padharo Rajasthan circuit compresses key “royal desert” imagery into a 5–6 day sweep. Here are some of the must-do experiences and destinations, for those who’ll be hopping onto this train.

  • Jaipur: The pink city offers a cocktail of grandeur, royal architecture, cultural ethos, and fascinating textiles. While here, don’t forget to visit the iconic Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal views. IRCTC packages might also include walks through traditional bazaars and cultural evenings at venues such as Chokhi Dhani.
  • Jaisalmer: The sandstone old town looks straight from the Arabian Nights. While here, don’t miss the iconic Jaisalmer fort — the only living fort of India where communities still live, socialise, and party. Another items in the checklist are Gadisar Lake, nearby Jain temples, thar bashing, camel rides, folk performances, and the iconic bhaang markets.
  • Jodhpur: Mehrangarh Fort is the hero monument, plus stepwells like Toorji Ka Jhalra, old-city markets and the blue-painted lanes that have become visual shorthand for the city.

For Padharo Rajasthan, indicative per-person fares cluster around Rs 66,000–68,000 for AC I, Rs 57,000–59,000 for AC II and Rs 50,000–52,000 for AC III, again varying slightly by source and occupancy assumptions. The shorter duration makes this circuit more accessible to travellers who cannot commit 10 days but still want a curated, heritage-focussed route.

At a glance: Garvi Gujarat vs Padharo Rajasthan

Aspect Garvi Gujarat (Bharat Gaurav) Padharo Rajasthan (Bharat Gaurav)
Duration 9 nights / 10 days 5 nights / 6 days
Departure (announced) 13 Jan 2026, Safdarjung 24 Jan 2026, Safdarjung
Core theme Temples, coast, stepwells, UNESCO heritage in Gujarat Forts, palaces, desert landscapes in Rajasthan
Key stops Vadodara, Champaner-Pavagadh, Statue of Unity, Somnath, Diu, Dwarka, Ahmedabad, Modhera, Patan, Vadnagar Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, cultural evenings and desert dunes
Indicative AC I fare ≈ ₹94k–₹96k per person ≈ ₹66k–₹68k per person
Indicative AC II fare ≈ ₹86k–₹88k per person ≈ ₹57k–₹59k per person
Indicative AC III fare ≈ ₹67k–₹69k per person ≈ ₹50k–₹52k per person


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