Hill Railways of India

Travelling on the best of Hill Railways of India on this timeless railway tour of the old British colonial outposts in Northern & North-Bengal in East India staying in lovely & charming hotels.

• You will start in India’s state of Punjab visiting Amritsar, the holy city of the Sikh community, The Golden Temple a tour highlight and on to the Kangra Valley Railway. A visit to Dharamsala, the Dalai Lama’s temple will also be enjoyed.
• A number of narrow-gauge thrills await including the UNESCO listed Kalka Shimla Railway and other historic railways of British India in the days of the Raj.
• You journey down to Delhi, India’s capital city where we explore both Old and New Delhi. A flight to north-Bengal in East India, a state bordered by Bhutan, allows us to explore the region on the narrow-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), a UNESCO World Heritage Mountain Railway.
• The final part of the holiday is based in the Ooty (extension to the main tour), including a trip on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway hauled by steam.
• Your tour is never far away from the stunning Himalayas, breathtaking scenery and the wide range of diverse Indian culture, cuisine and its people. A tour of a lifetime to immerse yourself in and remember forever.

Wednesday 18 March

Flight to India
You have an overnight flight from London Heathrow to Delhi to connect with an onward flight on Wednesday to Amritsar in North India.

Thursday 19 March
Arrival in Amritsar
On arrival in Amritsar in the morning hours, we will be welcomed at the airport and then assisted for transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is free to acclimatise. By late evening, we will have a guided visit to the holy Sikh shrine of Harmandir Saheb, the famous Golden Temple, to witness the beautiful ‘Palki’ ceremony where the holy book of Sikhism, ‘Shri Guru Granth Sahib’ is put to rest in a beautifully decorated palanquin (palki). The breath taking views of the golden shimmering views of the main shrine cannot be missed. (D)

Friday 20 March
Full day tour of Amritsar
After breakfast, a leisurely guided visit to Jallianwala Bagh, a garden which was the scene of a cruel massacre of innocent civilians in 1919 and a decisive event in the British rule of India. You’ll visit the garden memorial built to honour the hundreds who died. You can then walk up to the Golden Temple to visit this grand temple for a richer insight. It’s easy to be stunned with the massive volunteerism and service offered in the kitchen which is serving food 24 by 7 and 365 days a year. It’s free and open for all persons of any caste or religion. The temple is a source of positive energy and a feel-good vibe. We will then visit the Partition Museum, consisting of stories, materials, and documents related to the post-partition riots that followed the division of British India into two independent dominions: India and Pakistan. We then enjoy an afternoon excursion to the Wagah border for the India-Pakistan gate closing ceremony. (B D) 

Saturday 21 March
Experience a ride on the broad gauge and then Kangra Valley Railway (KVR)
This morning we’ll transfer to Amritsar Junction railway station to board our service to Pathankot Junction railway station. It’s a proper Indian Rail experience with open window carriages and plenty of lovely & friendly Indian fellow passengers to chat to. On arrival in Pathankot Junction we will switch over to narrow gauge platform to board the service to Kangra where we and our luggage transfer by road to our hotel. (B D)

Sunday 22 March
Full ride on the Kangra Valley Railway (KVR)
Today we have a full train riding day, continuing the service from where we left at Kangra to Palampur and then on to Baijnath. Enjoy the lovely views of the Kangra village life with the backdrop of Dhauladhar mountain ranges. It’s mainly a local commuter train and possibly you’ll be the only tourists on it. We will visit the popular and ancient Hindu Baijnath temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It has a rich history with a lovely setting with the mountains overlooking the temple. We then ride on the last stretch of the KVR from Baijnath to Joginder Nagar to the end of the line before the train turns around to return back to Baijnath. You will have plenty to photograph and watch the railway staff in action at level crossings, signal boxes, points etc.
We return to our hotel by evening. (B D) 

Monday 23 March
Tour of Dharamsala
A day’s excursion to Dharamsala by road of approximately 2 hours each way. We will visit the Dalai Lama Temple & museum, walk in the McLeodganj market and St John’s Church in the wilderness before returning to Palampur for overnight. (B D)

Tuesday 24 March
Journey to Chandigarh
After a relaxed breakfast, transferred to Dharamsala airport to board a short direct flight to Chandigarh to arrive by afternoon. Chandigarh, is a beautiful & well-planned city designed by the famous architect Le Corbusier. We will visit the popular Rock Garden and Sukna lake before checking in our hotel. (B D)

Wednesday 25 March
Kalka to Shimla by Vintage Railbus
After breakfast, an hour’s road transfer in the morning from Chandigarh hotel to Kalka railway station narrow-gauge platform to board the exclusive Vintage Rail Car/Bus. You’ll then travel the full length of the KSR from Kalka to arrive in Shimla, the summer capital of British India in the days of the Raj. This historic vehicle was originally used to transport notable travellers on the railway and so only has first class accommodation. Its glass roof and forward views let you fully enjoy the fantastic scenery as it passes by. You are now travelling through the state of Himachal Pradesh, in the lap of the Himalayas and famous for its abundant natural beauty. You ascend the foothills of the picturesque Shivalik Mountains to Shimla Railway Station. Lunch boxes will be served in the railcar today. On arrival in Shimla late afternoon, you transfer to a colonial hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Thursday 26 March
Viceregal Lodge, The Mall Road, Ridge, Christ Church
After a leisurely breakfast, we visit the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies (IIAS) or the former Viceregal Lodge to discover the most iconic residence of the former Viceroy of India during the Raj. We will enjoy a conducted tour of the building, which will provide a nostalgic touch to the existence of Shimla. Later, we will visit The Mall, Ridge, the Christ Church, Scandal Point, and the local arts and crafts. We then return to the hotel. (B D)

Friday 27 March
Shimla to Delhi
After breakfast, we transfer to Shimla railway station to board the service train to Kalka railway station where we’ll switch over to the broad-gauge platform to join the Shatabdi Express train service to New Delhi. You will be served dinner onboard the train and this is included. The Shatabdi Express trains are very popular fast train service connecting major cities and are day trains with cushioned armchair travel. We arrive New Delhi railway station late evening and a transfer to your hotel. (B D)

Saturday 28 March
Delhi city tour
After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a guided city tour of Old & New Delhi to include a visit to the Chandni Chowk in old part of the city on a cycle rickshaw. Visit to Raj Ghat gardens, Mahatama Gandhi’s resting place, Humayun’s Tomb of Mughal era, drive past President’s House, Indian Gate memorial, walk through Connaught Place. You may also like to enjoy a short ride on the Delhi Metro train for an experience (optional). (B, D)

Sunday 29th March
Steam train to Rewari Steam Centre; return by regular express train
After breakfast, you’ll have a short transfer to Delhi Cantonment Railway Station for the regular steam train to visit the Rewari Steam Centre. Your train will be hauled by one of India’s iconic steam locomotives, a *WP class Pacific built post-World War II for use on prestigious express trains. The once famous Rewari locomotive depot fell into ruin following the decline of steam traction but was restored and reopened in 2010. It now houses preserved broad and metre gauge steam locomotives. The site also includes a small exhibits museum, a steam crane and restored saloon carriage. The latter will be your venue for a specially arranged lunch. You board the afternoon service train from Rewari for Delhi Cantonment Railway Station to arrive by early evening and transfer to hotel. *WP steam loco operation is subject to fitness and permissions from Indian Railways. (B L D)

Monday 30 March
Delhi to Siliguri
After breakfast, we will make a visit to India’s finest National Rail Museum on the way to the airport for afternoon direct flight to arrive in Bagdogra. You then transfer to Siliguri, in the foothills of the Himalayas, where you check into your hotel. The remainder of your day will be free time to relax. (D)

Tuesday 31 March
Steam charter on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway to Kurseong
After an early breakfast, you transfer to the local depot of the famous narrow-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) in time to see a B Class steam locomotive being shunted to your specially chartered train. You depart to travel to the hill station of Kurseong. En-route, you pass Sukna Station where the landscape changes from flat plains to the wooded lower slopes of the mountains, and the gradient changes dramatically. You arrive at Kurseong by late afternoon. Kurseong is a quiet town and you’ll stay in an attractive colonial bungalow, now converted into a hotel. The DHR track runs through the length of this former town from the days of the British Raj. The early evening is free for you to discover the local natural sights and surrounding tea estates. (B D)

Wednesday 1 April
Steam train to Darjeeling via the Batasia Loop
This morning you travel by jeep to Kurseong Station again to board your steam train on the DHR. You’ll pass through the famous Batasia Loop en route and weather permitting, will be able to take photos of the train against the background of Mt. Kanchenjunga and the rest of the Himalayan ranges. This renowned spiral railway was commissioned in 1919 to lower the gradient of ascent of the DHR. You arrive in Darjeeling by lunchtime and transfer to the most iconic colonial hotel for overnight accommodation. (B D)

Thursday 2 April
Sightseeing visits to local landmarks
After a relaxed start and a leisurely breakfast, this morning around you’ll visit the famous Tibetan Refugee Centre in Darjeeling, where traditional handmade textiles and handicrafts can be seen, and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) there. This museum houses the collectibles of the legendary Sir Edmund Hillary and the local Sherpa of Darjeeling, Tenzing Norgay, who were of course the first conquerors of Mt. Everest. Also, you’ll visit the adjoining zoo that houses variety of Himalayan wild cats, including the Bengal Tiger, exotic birds and the famous Red Panda. We will plan to return back to the hotel at about sunset. You can also have a leisurely stroll down the main Mall road through Chowrasta. (B D)

Friday 3 April
Excursion Ghum Monastery and optional Joy Train to Ghum
A short walk behind your hotel will lead you to a viewing point where you can have exceptional and uninterrupted view the spectacular sunrise over Mount Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest mountain. As the sun appears the mountain changes colour; it’s an awe-inspiring sight and not to be missed. There are also views of Mount Everest in the distance, if the weather is clear. After breakfast, you visit the Yiga Choeling Monastery in Ghum, one of the oldest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the Darjeeling area and built in 1850. It boasts a 15-foot-high statue of Buddha known as the Buddha of the Future or the Coming Buddha. We will have opportunity to photograph the steam or diesel service up from Darjeeling to Ghum. *Optional (not included in main tour price): A ride on the ‘Joy Train’ to Ghum, with another opportunity to photograph the spectacular Himalayan Mountains when the train pauses at Batasia Loop. You stop at Ghum and visit the museum above the station before returning to Darjeeling. (B D)

Saturday 4 April
Darjeeling to Bagdogra airport; Flight to Delhi 
You leave Darjeeling after breakfast today travelling by scenic road to Bagdogra airport for an afternoon internal flight to Delhi for a further connection to the international terminal to board a return flight to UK. (B)

Ooty Extension
Price includes:

• 4 nights hotel accommodation
  and breakfast
• 3 dinners
• Transfers, visits and tours as detailed
  in the itinerary
• Steam charter ride from Mettupalayam
  to Coonoor
• Diesel train ride from Coonoor to Ooty
• Train travel Coonoor to Ooty (First Class)
• Local guide services in Ooty

Saturday 4 April
Darjeeling to Bagdogra airport; Flight to Delhi 
You leave Darjeeling after breakfast today travelling by scenic road to Bagdogra airport for an afternoon internal flight to Delhi for an overnight at Delhi airport hotel. (B D)

Sunday 5 April
Transfer to Coimbatore
We’ll transfer for a late morning flight to Coimbatore where we’ll transfer to a city hotel for an overnight stay. (B D)

Monday 6 April
Coimbatore to Mettupalayam and Ooty by steam
Following an early breakfast we depart by road to Mettupalayam station and then board our steam hauled special charter on the metre gauge rack and pinion Nilgiri Mountain Railway to Coonoor, where we visit the steam shed and is the end of the rack & pinion mechanism. We then travel on the regular diesel service to arrive in Ooty in the afternoon and transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation at a luxury colonial hotel. (B D)

Tuesday 7 April
Ooty
This morning you have the option of riding on the diesel service from Ooty to Coonoor and return or spend a free morning in Ooty. In the afternoon we have a visit to the Botanical Garden and Ooty Lake, with the option of a ride on the toy train/Garden Railway along the lake. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D)

Wednesday 8 April
Return to UK
After breakfast in Ooty we have the day at leisure until noon (rooms are subject to availability for late checkout). We then transfer by road to Coimbatore airport for the domestic flight to Delhi for further connection with our return flight to the UK. (B)

Thursday 9 April 
Arrive UK
We arrive at London Heathrow airport in the morning hours.