Top Train Journeys of India
India, a land of diverse cultures and breathtaking landscapes, offers some of the most picturesque train journeys in the world. Traveling by train is not only an efficient way to explore this vast country, but it also provides an opportunity to witness the country's soul through its ever-changing terrains. From the snow-capped Himalayas to the sandy deserts of Rajasthan and the lush green tea gardens of South India, each journey offers a unique experience. In this article, we will delve into the top train journeys of India that promise an unforgettable adventure.
1. Toy Train, Nilgiri
The beautiful journey by the Nilgiri Mountain toy train offers a real memorable experience. Travelling at a maximum speed of 33 km per hour, the train passes through 16 tunnels, forest-clad hills, and lush green tea plantations, and rumbles across tall girder bridges. The fresh clean air and the breathtaking views become part of an unforgettable memoir. Ooty, occasionally dubbed as the Queen of Indian Hill Stations, this little hill resort in Tamil Nadu nestles about 2,600 m above sea level, and has a pleasant climate all year-round.
The journey up begins at Mettupalayam and covers a distance of 46 km in 4 hours. Mettupalayam is on the railway mainline to Chennai. Coimbatore, 90 km away, is a major railhead.
The line is a meter gauge for the first four and a half miles to Kallar at the immediate foothills. As soon as the train leaves Kallar, the rack rails appear and the long climb begins. In the next 12 miles to Coonoor, the line rises approx. 4,363 ft. curving almost continuously as it crossing tunnels, the longest being 318 feet in length.
2. Himalayan Railway Darjeeling
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is one of the most well-known hill railways in the world...and a delight it is! The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) was built in 1881 and is over a century old today. It connects the plains of West Bengal at New Jalpaiguri with the popular hill station of Darjeeling (6812 ft), a distance of about 50 miles. It passes the most incredible scenery and climbs to a height of approx. 7400 ft. at Ghum (the highest station on JR and the 2nd highest station in the world), where on a clear day magnificent Mt. Kanchenehunga can be viewed.
The 80 km (seven and a half hours) long journey, on a 2ft wide track up the mountains, offers stunning and breathtaking views of the Himalayas - of roiling tea plantations and wild orchids. The rail doesn’t have a single tunnel, unlike most hill railways, but makes use of the unique system of loops and Z’s. It contains 3 loops and five Z-type reverses in it. Batasia Loop is the most famous of all loops, which is between Ghum and Darjeeling stations.
UNESCO has declared Darjeeling a World Heritage Sites in India, only the second railway in the world to get this honor. While special impetus has been given to the Darjeeling-Siliguri sector, the station building and the rolling stock have been restored, as far as possible, to the original facade.
3. Deccan Odyssey Train - Maharashtra
As the wind whispers through the halo of legends crowning the land of the mighty Marathas, a lone majestic whistle blows its salutation of honour as it gracefully traverses this land of incredible fantasy. Welcome to the mesmerizing Maharashtra experience aboard the luxurious Deccan Odyssey.
The weeklong Deccan Odyssey train tour includes several exotic destinations covering the vast expanse of Maharashtra and a pinch of Goa, Mumbai, Ganpatipule, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg Pune, Aurangabad, Ajanta, and Ellora Deccan Odyssey offers 44 suites in 11 cars and a total of 21 coaches in all. The decor offers a rich interior reflecting the face of Indian royalty. Air-conditioned rooms, foreign exchange facilities, and a small health spa, that offers a beauty salon, steam room, and massages facilities, are all on board to pamper the travelers. The dining room. serves a different selection every night and the chef is open to special orders. The Deccan Odyssey is much more than a mere luxury train cruise. It’s a ‘classical odyssey’ of time beyond the realms of the present. Welcome aboard!
4. Toy Train of Shimla and Kalka
The bravura Toy Train runs between Shimla and Kalka was built in 1903 at an altitude of 2076 meters offers a panoramic feast to experience the grandeur of the picturesque Himalayas. The train cruises its way through valleys and beautiful landscapes at an extremely slow pace making the entire journey enormously pleasant. It goes through places like Solan, Kandaghat, Dharampur, Barog, Salogra, Taradevi, Summer-hill, Tourism in Shimla and beyond up to the silvery snow line near the towering peaks of the majestic Himalayan range. The Toy Train is of two types - one is the normal multi coach train, and the other is the single-car train, which has a glass roof giving an enthralling experience throughout the voyage.
5. Palace on Wheels Luxury Train of Rajasthan
Experience Rajasthan through luxury trains India - Palace on Wheels on its superb and delightful royal journey through the long-gone era of the erstwhile Maharajas. Relish the lifestyles of the kings of yore on board the Palace on Wheels, while listening to the silent tales of glory and valour narrated by the majestic forts and splendid palaces of Rajasthan.
During the Palace on Wheels Tour, you will be immersed in the culture, history, wildlife and geography of each region included in the itinerary of Palace on Wheels - starting from Delhi and stopping at Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore), Chittaurgarh, Udaipur, Bharatpur, and Agra. The historic train stations built by the royals in the hinterlands of the Thar Desert add to the romantic adventure.
The exquisite and exclusive Palace On Wheels has luxurious cabins, wall to wall carpeting, a well-stocked bar, two dining cars, and very personalized service. The 14 plush cream salons of Palace on Wheels, adorned with fragrant flowers, are named after former Rajput states - Kota, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Alwar, Sirohi, Kishangarh, Bundi, Dungarpur, Bharatpur, Jhalawar and Dholpur - each evoking visions of those royal kingdoms. Each coach colors most reminiscent of the state and highlighted by its royal emblem.