Highlights Of Northern India By Rail

Your Journey Begins in Delhi

Namaste! Welcome to India! Our representative will meet you in the arrival area of the airport and Transfer you to your hotel where you will check in for your stay. India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds - the ancient with the modern. Evening is at leisure to relax at Hotel. (Overnight Delhi)

New Delhi

After breakfast, proceed for the full day city tour of Old & New Delhi including visit of the 17th century Jama Masjid and enjoy normal rickshaw ride through the narrow, winding lanes of colorful and bustling Chandni Chowk. Also stop in front of the Mughal Empire’s most opulent fort, the Red Fort for a photo stop. Later Visit Raj Ghat where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. Afternoon proceed to New Delhi where you will be taken for the drive past of The Presidential Palace, the one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys, the India Gate, a memorial raised in honor of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war and a drive along the Rajpath past the Parliament House and secretarial buildings. Tour Highlight – Visit the Rail Museum (Closed on All Mondays). This unique museum has a fascinating and exotic collection of over 100 real size exhibits of Indian Railways. Afterwards visit Qutab Minar, the 12th century tower of victory built by a slave king and prototype of all minars (towers) in India. Also visit the 16th century Humayun’s tomb, a precursor to the Taj Mahal. Spend the evening at leisure. (Overnight Delhi) B

Meals: B

Delhi - Varanasi

Today is an early check out from the hotel for train to Varanasi a packed breakfast will be provided from the hotel. Transfer to station to board the Vande Bharat Express leaving New Delhi at 06.00 arriving Varanasi Junction at 14.00. Arrive Varanasi. Our representative will meet you on arrival at Varanasi railway station. Transfer to for your hotel where you will check in for your stay. The ‘eternal city’, VARANASI OR BENARES, is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India, and the Ganges, which flows through the city, is believed to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals. For the Satpious Hindu, the city has always been a special place, and it is considered a particularly auspicious place to die, ensuring an instant routing to Heaven. Later in the evening, watch the illuminated Aarti ceremony with boat ride that is performed at Dasahwamedh Ghat. The presiding priests stand on a wooden Chauki in the water. To the chant of Sanskrit mantras, and the clash of cymbals and drums, the river is worshipped with flowers, incense, sandalwood, milk and vermilion. First the blazing camphor lamp and then the many flamed aarti lamps are raised high and then arched back to the water, the dark river reflecting the golden flames as Ganges accepts the worship. It is the Ganges that gives Varanasi its spiritual resonance. (Overnight Varanasi) B

Meals: B

Varanasi

Discover India’s spirituality from another perspective, by taking an unforgettable sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, floating past ghats as worshippers begin to appear on the banks. Varanasi's unique culture is associated with the river Ganges, where life and death intermingle. The living flock the ghats to pray with the belief that bathing in the waters of the sacred river would result in the remission of their sins, while the ashes of the dead are scattered in the water to break the cycle of reincarnation and let the soul rise to enlightenment. Later, visit some of the other important sites in the city with your guide. Dotted with temples, the city's principle shrine is the Vishwanath temple, dedicated to Shiva. The temple was destroyed repeatedly during various invasions but was finally rebuilt in 1776 A.D. by Rani Ahilyabai of Indore. Afternoon take an excursion to the Buddhist city of Sarnath just outside Varanasi, the place Buddha chose to deliver his first sermon. Sarnath is as holy to the Buddhists as Varanasi is to the Hindus. Explore the ruins of an once flourishing Buddhist monastery and look around a museum with an interesting collection of Buddhist art and sculpture. The Ashoka pillar of Sarnath is the National emblem of India. (Overnight Varanasi) B

Meals: B

Varanasi - Agra

After breakfast, drive to Varanasi airport for flight to Agra once a small village on the banks of the Yamuna, it was transformed by two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and his grandson Shah Jehan into the second capital of the Mughal Empire – Dar-ul-Khilafat, or ‘seat of the Emperor’ in the 16th & 17th century. After check in visit of Agra Fort, which was originally started by Emperor Akbar in 1565, but his son, Jahangir, and grandson, Shah Jahan, later made valuable additions to it. Later in the afternoon, proceed for the sunset visit of the Taj Mahal (Closed on All Fridays) with your guide. (Overnight Hotel) B

Meals: B

Agra - Jaipur

Post breakfast drive to Fatehpur Sikri you will visit the once seat of Mughal legacy, which is an abandoned city glowing red under the sun, Fatehpur Sikri - the deserted red sandstone city built by the Great Mughal Emperor, Akbar, as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is just 37kms from Agra. Later your will be driven to Bharatpur railway station to board train for Jaipur. JAIPUR – the capital of Rajasthan province is known for its arts and crafts, jewellery, hand-painted fabrics and stone sculptures; it is one of North India’s finest examples of a planned city embodying the best of Rajput and Mughal architecture. Afternoon car at disposal to explore Jaipur markets – No guide. Spend the rest of the evening at leisure. (Overnight Agra) B

Meals: B

Jaipur - Jaisalmer

Start today with the morning city tour, visit the hilltop fortress at Amber. A jeep will spare you the trouble of reaching up to the fortress on foot. Once at the top, stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. En-route to the Amber Fort you will stop and see the `Palace of Winds’, otherwise known as Hawa Mahal. It is really an elaborate façade, extremely intricate in its pink sandstone carving. During the afternoon visit the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. Next visit Jaipur's Jantar Mantar the most famous of five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh in India. In the evening take the Delhi-Jaisalmer Express leaving Jaipur at 23:45 arriving Jaisalmer next morning. A packed dinner will be provided by the hotel for your journey (Overnight on Train) B D

Meals: B, D

Jaisalmer

Arrive into Jaisalmer at 11:55am where you will be transferred to your hotel to check in and refresh. Later depart for a full day tour of Jaisalmer, visit the Jaisalmer Fort also known as Sonar Qila (the Golden Fort), the Jaisalmer fort shimmers like a mirage amidst the desolate beauty of the hot barren deserts of Rajasthan. Built in 1156 by the Bhati Rajput ruler Jaisala and reinforced by subsequent rulers, the fort situated on the Trikuta Hill has been the scene of many battles. The city of Jaisalmer is also famous for its intricately latticed Havelis, built by wealthy merchants. These beautiful sandstone buildings are still in very good condition even today. Patwon-KiHaveli is one of the most elaborate and magnificent of all Jaisalmer havelis was built by Guman Chand Patwa, one of the wealthiest merchants of the time and took over fifty years to complete. Nathmalji ki Haveli is a late 19th century mansion that was built for Diwan Mohata Nathmal, then Prime Minister of Jaisalmer. Designed by two Muslim brothers Hathi and Lulu, the left and right wings of the haveli were carved out differently by the two brothers. Mighty tuskers carved out of yellow sandstone stand guard to the haveli while the entire façade is embellished with a slew of detailing - horses, elephants, soldiers, flowers and birds. The walls are dominated by beautiful miniature paintings. (Overnight Jaisalmer) B

Meals: B

Jaisalmer - Delhi

Breakfast at the hotel then you’ll have a car with driver at your disposal to explore Jaisalmer market – No guide. Later take the Runicha Express leaving Jaisalmer at 1715 and arriving at Delhi (old Delhi station) at 11:15 next morning. Packed dinner and breakfast provided for train (Overnight train) B D

Meals: B, D

Arrive in Delhi

Day of leisure (Overnight Delhi) B

Meals: B

Delhi - Kalka/Kalka - Shimla

In the morning you will be transferred to the railway station to board the train to Kalka with a packed breakfast. You will be met on arrival at Kalka and transferred together with a picnic hamper to the SHIMLA TOY TRAIN, a narrow-gauge line covering almost 100 km, where the top speed rarely exceeds 20 mph. On arrival in Shimla you will be transferred to your hotel for check in. Shimla is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh and lies about 343 km from Delhi at an altitude of 2,213 meters above sea level. Shimla was declared the summer capital of India in 1864, then after India’s independence from Britain Shimla became the capital of Punjab until 1966 when it came under Himachal Pradesh. (Overnight Shimla) B L

Meals: B, L

Shimla

Today starts by a visit to the Vice-Regal Lodge (Closed on Monday). This also happens to be the place where the partition of India into two parts India and Pakistan was planned on the world map. The British architecture here is amazing; the wooden work inside the building is kept alive as it was during the British rule. After the tour of this impressive building visit a Hindu temple containing shrines to the many and various Hindu gods. You then have free time for lunch before you can enjoy a leisurely stroll back along the Mall to Scandal Point. En route, it may be possible to have a quick look inside the Gaiety Theatre or Christ Church. Alternatively find a spot for refreshments whilst viewing the snow-capped Himalayan peaks (if weather is clear). (Overnight Shimla) B

Meals: B

Shimla

Today after breakfast, your day is free to explore the city or join one of our Optional Experiences: Day trip to Fagu & High Tea at Wildflower Hall or Day Hike to Seepur & Taradevi Taradevi is a pretty hill on the outskirts of Shimla and an ideal place to go for a small hike. This hill is situated in the front of Shimla city. On the top of hill there is a temple of Taradevi meaning Goddess of Stars. This is a good nature walk around Shimla starting from the top of the hill, and rewards walkers with fine views of the city backdropped by the gorgeous snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas towering around 4000 to 6000 meters. While walking down from the temple you walk on the jungle path surrounded by Oaks, Rhododendron & Pine trees. (Overnight Shimla) B

Meals: B

Shimla - Delhi

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. In the afternoon you will be transferred to Kalka railway station to board train to Delhi and a packed dinner is provided by the hotel. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for check in. (Overnight Delhi) B D

Meals: B, D

Your Journey Ends

Your tour has come to an end, and after breakfast you will be transferred to the International airport to board flight home or further afield. B Flash Sale Save Big on Rail Journeys Save up to $500 per couple on rail, hotels, and sightseeing when you book a vacation during the Railbookers Savings Event.