Railways of the Raj: India

Revisit the Golden Days of the Raj* in 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’ll start in north-Bengal in East India, a state bordered by Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal. Against the stunning backdrop of the Himalayas you explore the region on the narrow-gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), a UNESCO World Heritage Mountain Railway including the famous Batasia Loop. High altitude towns were established as hill stations by the British, where they sought refuge from the heat of the plains during the long Indian summers. Access was often made easier by the construction of narrow-gauge railways. You’ll experience exclusive steam charters from the foothills of the Himalayas all the way up to famous Darjeeling.

Your second week begins in Shimla, the summer capital of British India in the days of the Raj, sited in the state of Himachal Pradesh, nestled in the Himalayas and famous for its abundant natural beauty. More narrow-gauge thrills await on the UNESCO listed Kalka Shimla Railway in Shivalik mountain ranges in our exclusive vintage Railbus.

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. Extension holidays are also available.

*The British Raj (raj means reign in the Hindi language) refers to the British rule in India between 1858 and 1947.

Saturday 16th November
Flight to India
You have an overnight flight from London Heathrow to Delhi to connect with an onward flight on Sunday to Bagdogra in North-east India.

Sunday 17th November   
Delhi to Siliguri
You arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi in the morning to be met in Arrivals by our local agent, after clearing immigrations & collecting your luggage. You then switch between arrivals & departures within the same terminal to board an internal flight in the early afternoon for the two-hour trip to 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)

Monday 18th November
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 rest 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)

Tuesday 19th November
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 range. 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)

Wednesday 20th November
Sightseeing visits to local landmarks
After a relaxed start and a leisurely breakfast, this morning you’ll visit You’ll also 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. (B D)

Thursday 21st November
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. (subject to clear weather).
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. Remainder of the day free to explore the exotic Darjeeling malls and bazaars. An optional excursion is 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)

Friday 22nd November
Darjeeling to Bagdogra airport; Flight to Delhi
You leave Darjeeling after breakfast travelling by road to Bagdogra airport. You stop at a hotel near the airport where you can purchase a quick lunch before boarding an internal flight to Delhi. Your overnight accommodation will be in a hotel. (B D)

Saturday 23rd November
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 return to Delhi Cantonment Railway Station by express service train Express. (B L D)

Sunday 24th November
Delhi city tour
After breakfast, we 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)

Monday 25th November
Delhi to Chandigarh by train
After an early cold breakfast in your hotel you transfer to New Delhi Railway Station to board the 12011 Kalka Shatabadi Express to Kalka. Tea, coffee, cereals with hot milk, omelette with bread, and jam/butter are available on board. 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 out hotel. (B, D)

Tuesday 26th November
Kalka to Shimla by vintage railbus
An hour’s road transfer in the morning from hotel to Kalka railway station narrow-gauge platform to board the exclusive Vintage Rail Car/Bus at noon. 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)

Wednesday 27th November
Viceregal Lodge, The Mall Road, Ridge, Christ Church…
After a leisurely breakfast, discover the most iconic residence of the former Viceroy of India during the Raj. Conducted tour of the building will provide a nostalgic touch to the existence of Shimla! Further, visit The Mall, Ridge, the Christ Church, Scandal Point, and the local arts and crafts. (B D)

Thursday 28th November
Shimla to Amritsar
An early transfer from the hotel to Shimla airport to board a short flight to Amritsar at 0845/0945 hrs.
We will have a city tour of Amritsar; a guided visit to the holy Sikh shrine of Harmandir Saheb, the famous Golden Temple, 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 site of the atrocity and see the memorial built to honour the hundreds who died. (B D)

Friday, 29th November
Full day tour of Amritsar
After breakfast, a leisurely guided visit to 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. Afternoon excursion to the Wagah border for the India-Pakistan gate closing ceremony. (B D)

Saturday 30th November
Flight to Delhi for onward connection
After breakfast, transferred to Amritsar airport to board flight for Delhi for further connection for London Heathrow. (B)

Extension to Ooty 

Saturday 30th November
Amritsar to Coimbatore
We transfer to the domestic airport terminal for a via Mumbai flight to Coimbatore arriving there mid-afternoon. On arrival we transfer to our hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. (B D)

Sunday 1st December
Coimbatore to Mettupalayam and Ooty by steam
Following breakfast we depart by road to Mettupalayam station (38 kms / 2 hrs) and then on board in 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, board the regular diesel service to arrive in Ooty by afternoon and transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation at a luxury colonial hotel. (B D)

Monday 2nd December
Ooty
This morning you have the option of riding on the diesel service from Ooty to Coonoor and return or spending 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)

Tuesday 3rd December
Return to UK
After breakfast in Ooty before we transfer to Coimbatore airport for the domestic flight to Mumbai before connecting with our return flight to the UK. (B)

Wednesday 4th December
Arrive UK
We arrive at London Heathrow mid to late afternoon.