Top 10 Train Journeys in india

Be it natural and geographical diversity or a population of more than a billion people – India is a land of too much and too many. A whopping surplus of many things characterizes the magnanimity of India as a nation, which is always ready to embrace an inevitable change. It applies to everything in India and same is the case with Indian Railways, which has 63,028 km of tracks, covering the length and breadth of the country, with over 1.376 million employees to take care of 14,300 trains, which operate on a daily basis.

Indian Railways is the lifeline of this country. Well, to run such an extensive network of trains, India is one of the few countries, which creates its own state budget especially for the Railways. These trains not only play the most important role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the country but also touch the heart of every Indian, in one way or another. In fact, they have also inspired innumerable authors and filmmakers. Obviously, anyone would agree that there is no better way to see India than taking a train ride to explore its mesmerizing landscapes, cultures and many other things. A rail journey across any part of India can be exhilarating, invigorating, and truly worthwhile. Whether you are a train-spotting enthusiast, ardent traveller or just another explorer, there are a few train rides in India, you must undertake to savour an experience of a lifetime.

Nilgiri Mountain Railway (Mettupalayam – Udhagamandalam)

Majestically chugging up the Blue Mountains or Nilgiri hills, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway has been running for over 100 years and meanders its way through rocky terrains, tunnels, bridges and verdant tea plantations. This steam locomotive takes you to Ooty by using a ‘rack and pinion technology.’ There is an old charm to it, which is related to its chuffing sound – a great reminder of the British Raj legacy. Its route has been further extended over the years from Coonoor to Udhagamandalam. Many people take up this trip only to enjoy the majestic views, which are the hallmarks of this journey.

The Konkan Railway (Ratnagiri-Madgaon-Honnavar-Mangalore)

Spanning over 738 kilometres across the states of Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka, The Konkan Railway actually connects the western coast of India with the rest of the country. This route passes through some of the most stunning and scenic places in this part of India. Complemented by rivers, verdant forests, tunnels, waterfalls, amazing curves and tremendous natural beauty, this is one of the most renowned and sought-after train experiences in the world. There is so much to experience along the way for a traveller on this train, as this part of India is adorned with an abundance of natural beauty and undulating sceneries to astound you.

Matheran Hill Railway (Neral-Matheran)

Matheran town is one of the few hill stations in India, which still has that old world charm.  The most beloved property of this hill station is Matheran Hill Railway, a heritage railway, which runs on a narrow gauge of 2 ft. This railway covers only a distance of around 21 km, but there is so much to experience on the way – from the large swathes of forests to verdant hillocks and mesmerizing waterfalls.

The Snow Sojourn (Qazigund-Srinagar-Baramulla)

Still at a construction stage, this project is a part of the Kashmir Railway and considered as the most ambitious and expensive project after the Konkan Railway Route. This route connects Jammu to Srinagar valley, which is further extended to Baramullah. On the way, this train offers some overwhelming  panorama of natural beauty. Presently, an unreserved DEMU train operates on this tour. Many people board this train, especially during winters, when the snowfall alters the views and further augments the beauty of this place. Once the project will be completed, then it would turn out as a refreshing ride through the beautiful Kashmir valley, overlooking snow-capped peaks and surrounded by Chinar trees.

The Kalka Shimla Himalayan Railway

This is the only mountain railway in India, which is used by regular commuters. The heritage railway runs between Kalka and Shimla track, which was built in 1903 by the British and passes through 864 bridges and 102 tunnels. This route is also registered in the Guinness Book of World Records for the steepest rise in altitude around 96 kilometres. Chugging along nicely amidst the Shivalik Hills, this train voyage offers some remarkable views on both sides of the track, which is built over viaducts, resembling the typical roman architecture. The entire backdrop is dotted with the pine, oak, and maple trees, which create some striking sceneries during this journey.

Dooars Voyage (Siliguri – New Mal – Hasimara –Alipurduar)

Recently converted from a small gauge to a broad gauge, this route passes through some notable wildlife sanctuaries, which are a treasure of flora and fauna. One can find oneself in the lap of nature while travelling through this route, which is brimming with forests and wildlife, while overlooking the gushing streams trotting down from the enthralling hills of Bhutan and Sikkim. Tea plantations and hills flank the entire landscape. This train route passes through various streams along with the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, Chapramari Forest, and Buxa Tiger Reserve.

Arakku Valley Railway (Vizag – Arakku)

This is a must-take journey for the nature lovers. With coffee plantations and thick forests on both sides, this route passes through some of the most beautiful landscapes of India. Earlier this route was used only for the transportation of iron ore from Chattisgarh to Vishakapatnam. Besides its tremendous natural beauty, Araku Valley is also known for its caves, waterfalls and tribes, which reside deep in the forests. This is one of the oldest hill railways of India, which has a broad gauge from the beginning.

The Travancore Railway (Kollam-Punalur-Sengottai)

The erstwhile Maharaja of Travancore flagged off the Travacore Railway for the first time in 1907. Regally complemented by the awe-inspiring Cardamom Hills on the both sides, this train journey is all about an overabundance of marvellous landscapes, which are present in the form of lush-green forests and some architectural marvels. Moreover, this route is famous for a 13-arched bridge, which was elegantly built by the engineers on this tough terrain. The entire route was converted into a wide gauge in 2013 and now it is the fastest railway link that connects Trivandrum to Chennai.

Aravalli Adventure (Himmatnagar – Udaipur/Mavli – Marwar)

This train journey, which starts from Ahmedabad and ends in Marwar takes you deep into the heart of the Aravalli Mountains Range. On this route, one can enjoy some majestic views of ancient folded mountains, which are comprised of some steep rocky ridges – created by the process of consistent erosion over the years. Passing through the interiors of Rajasthan, you become familiar with the grand history and culture of this royal state, which is also known for its warm hospitality.

Kangra Valley Railway

Chugging along through beautiful passes, valleys and rivers, the Kangra Valley Railway is part of the sub-Himalayan line in Himachal Pradesh. This route begins from Patahnkot in Punjab and ends in Jogindernagar in Himachal Pradesh, while covering around 164 kms. However, this train is one of the slowest in India; it gives you a great opportunity to savour the scenic wonders of the Kangra Valley, overlooking the snow-capped mountains of the Dhauladhar Range.

Luxury Trains of India: An Insight

Besides being the largest means of transport in India, trains also facilitate a traveller to explore the awe-inspiring landscapes and territories of such a vast country in the most interesting and engaging manner. There is an exclusive fleet of luxury trains in India to augment your overall travelling experience and give you an opportunity to savour the taste of Indian royalty. These rail journeys have been exclusively designed to take you through the various world heritage sites, palaces and forts. The history of India’s luxury trains traces back to the era of the erstwhile Indian Nawabs and Maharajas, who used to travel in these luxurious locomotives. The first luxury train for public in India, was introduced in 1982, as “Palace on Wheels” by the Rajasthan Tourism and Development Corporation. Taking a cue from the success of that luxury train, Indian railways consequently launched other luxury trains, which traverse across different parts and landscapes of India. Each train has been based on a particular theme and astutely furnished with all the modern amenities to fulfil all your luxury desires. Let us take a look at all these magnificent trains:

Palace on Wheels

This first pan-country luxury train has been voted as the fourth best luxurious train in the world. The “Palace on Wheels” made its first run on January 26, 1982. It was refurbished completely and re-launched in August 2009 with a new look and a host of modern luxuries. This luxury train takes you back in time, as you chug through the fascinating landscape of Rajasthan. There are 14 salons on the train with each named after the provinces of Rajasthan. Two lavish restaurants of this train are named as Maharaja and Maharani Restaurants and they truly justify their titles by offering the best in local cuisines amidst the utmost luxury. Other excellent luxury facilities include spa, exotic bar, live TV, seamless Internet connectivity, and music.

The Palace on Wheels Itinerary 

Schedule: The train runs from October to April every year.

Number of days: According to the itinerary, journey duration varies from 8 to 13 Days.

Destinations Covered: Delhi-Jaipur- Udaipur- Swai Madhopur- Chittorgarh- Jaisalmer- Jodhpur- Bharatpur- Agra-Delhi.

The Golden Chariot

The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) started the Golden Chariot train, which made its maiden run on March 10, 2008. This luxury train travels across the captivating landscape of South India, covering most popular tourist destinations in the states of Karnataka and Goa. It is named after the prominent world heritage site, the Stone Chariot in Hampi, the gem of Karnataka tourism. There are 19 coaches on the train and painted with purple and gold colours. Besides other modern facilities, there are two lavish restaurants, a lounge bar coach and a gym coach. It takes you across all the significant destinations of South India with a lot to savour in heritage, wildlife and natural splendour. One can explore the beauty and vastness of this part of India amidst excellent luxury and comfort.

Schedule: All these itineraries run from October to March every year.

The Golden Chariot Itinerary

Number of days: 7 Nights / 8 Days

Destinations Covered: Bangalore – Mysore – Hampi – Belur – Kabini – Badami – Goa – Bangalore

The Southern Splendour Itinerary

Number of days: 7 Nights / 8 Days

Destinations Covered: Bangalore – Chennai – Mamallapuram – Pondicherry – Tiruchirapalli – Thanjavur – Madurai – Thiruvananthapuram – Poovar – Kochi – Kerala Backwaters

The Maharaja Express

The newest member of India’s luxury trains fleet, the Maharaja Express made its first run on January 9th, 2010. It is a joint venture of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and the travel agency Cox and Kings in India. This luxury train has also won the prestigious World Travel Award as Asia’s best luxury train. There are all the requisite facilities on board with a magnificent dining coach, bar, lounge, and in-suite bathrooms. This train takes you through some exotic destinations across West and North India. Royal India and Classical India are two different itineraries of the same train.

Schedule: All these itineraries run from October to April every year.

The Maharaja Express Itinerary

Destinations Covered: Mumbai – Vadodara – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Bikaner – Jaipur – Ranthambore – Agra – Delhi

The Royal India Itinerary 

Royal India: 8 Days / 7 Nights

Destinations Covered: Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Bikaner – Jodhpur – Udaipur – Vadodara – Mumbai

The Classical India Itinerary 

Classical India: 7 Days / 6 Nights

Destinations Covered: Delhi – Agra – Gwalior – Khajuraho – Bandhavgarh – Varanasi – Lucknow – Delhi

Royal Rajasthan on Wheels

The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) runs the “Royal Rajasthan on Wheels” luxury train. Actually, it is an improvised version of the “Palace on Wheels,” runs on a similar route, and completes its journey in 7 days. This royal carriage is complemented by all the luxury facilities including restaurants, bar, fitness centre, spa and salons. Experience the best of luxury in the land of Maharaja and explore the marvellous heritage destinations of Rajasthan, Agra, Varanasi, and Khajuraho.

The Royal Rajasthan Itinerary

Royal Rajasthan: 8 Days/ 7 Nights

Destinations Covered: New Delhi- Jodhpur- Udaipur- Chittorgarh- Sawai Madhopur- Jaipur- Khajuraho- Varanasi- Agra- New Delhi.

Schedule: The train runs from October to March every year.

The Deccan Odyssey

The Deccan Odyssey is jointly run and maintained by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and the Indian Railways. It chugs across the various heritage sites of Maharashtra, Goa and Konkan route. There are 21 luxury coaches, equipped with two plush restaurants and a bar, a sauna, and a spa among other facilities. There is another luxury train in this segment, which is called The Indian Maharaja and it runs from Mumbai to Delhi, covering various heritage sites. The Heritage of Maharashtra is a different itinerary of the same train. It covers various heritage locations in Maharashtra.

Schedule: All these itineraries run from September to April every year.

The Deccan Odyssey Itinerary

Number of Days: 7 Nights/8 Days

Destination Covered: Mumbai-Ajanta & Ellora Caves-Udaipur Lake City-Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve- Jaipur – Taj Mahal at Agra -Delhi

The Heritage of Maharashtra Itinerary 

Heritage of Maharashtra

Number of Days: 7 Nights/8 Days

Destinations Covered: Mumbai-Sindhudurg-Goa-Kolhapur-Daulatabad-Chandrapur-Ajanta Caves-Nashik-Mumbai