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Titan Travel · Escorted tour

Images of India by Rail and the Ganges

Escorted 16-day India rail journey from Delhi to Varanasi with Taj Mahal and Ganges

Illustration of Images of India by Rail and the Ganges

Titan Travel's 16-day Images of India by Rail and the Ganges is an escorted tour that begins in Delhi and ends in Varanasi, combining train travel with coach journeys and domestic flights. The tour manager and local guides accompany guests throughout. Day 2 provides a panoramic introduction to Delhi's landmarks, the India Gate and Parliament House, before a full day exploring Old Delhi's Chandni Chowk bazaar and Jama Masjid, plus New Delhi's Humayun's Tomb and the National Rail Museum. The route then travels by train and road through the Himalayas to Shimla, where guests ride the historic Toy Train to Taradevi, descends to Jaipur for palaces and the Amber Fort, detours into Ranthambore National Park for morning and afternoon wildlife safaris, and climbs back via the Vande Bharat Express to see the Taj Mahal at sunset and Agra Fort. The final leg is a dawn train journey across Uttar Pradesh to Varanasi, where the itinerary includes a boat ride on the Ganges, the Ganga Aarti ceremony, a visit to Sarnath, and a traditional Thali lunch. Thirty meals, 18 guided excursions, and porterage are included. This tour suits history lovers, photographers, and those seeking guided comfort with substantial local meal experiences.

What to know before you look closer

  • The tour includes domestic flights (Chandigarh to Jaipur and Varanasi to Delhi) in addition to four train journeys; train travel is about one quarter of the trip's transport
  • Accommodation standards vary: three of the six hotels are five-star, one is four-star, one is 3.5-star, and one night is in transit; Ranthambore is notably modest compared to other stops
  • Day 6 in Shimla is unguided leisure time; the Spineline Trail excursion is optional

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    UK - Delhi

    Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to Delhi.

  2. Day 2overnight: Novotel City Centre Delhi

    Delhi

    Arrive in Delhi, India's bustling capital where centuries of history blend with modern life. During the transfer into the city, take in its key landmarks on a panoramic tour: the towering India Gate, a First World War memorial, and drive past the imposing Parliament House.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Novotel City Centre Delhi

    Delhi

    Spend a full day discovering both Old and New Delhi. In Old Delhi, wander the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk and visit Jama Masjid. Pass by the Red Fort. In New Delhi, explore Humayun's Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, learn about India's railway history at the National Rail Museum, then visit Bangla Sahib Gurudwara.

  4. Day 4railovernight: ITC Welcomehotel Shimla Extension Hotel

    Delhi - Chandigarh - Shimla

    The day begins with an early morning train from Delhi to Chandigarh, a journey of around four hours. From Chandigarh, travel by road into the lower Himalayas, winding through pine forests and mountain passes en route to Shimla.

  5. Day 5railovernight: ITC Welcomehotel Shimla Extension Hotel

    Shimla

    Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of Shimla, taking in the Viceregal Lodge, Christ Church, and the Mall. The highlight of the day is a ride on the Shimla Toy Train to Taradevi. In the afternoon, visit Sankat Mochan Temple and the Indian Institute of Advanced Study on Observatory Hill.

  6. Day 6overnight: ITC Welcomehotel Shimla Extension Hotel

    Shimla

    Today is at leisure in the Himalayas. A vehicle remains available for anyone wishing to return to the mall or explore Shimla further. Alternatively, join the optional Spineline Trail excursion to nearby villages.

  7. Day 7overnight: Marriott Jaipur Hotel (5-star)

    Shimla - Chandigarh - Jaipur

    After a leisurely morning, travel by road to Chandigarh for an afternoon flight to Jaipur. Founded in 1727, Jaipur is renowned for its pink-hued architecture, lively bazaars, and majestic palaces.

  8. Day 8overnight: Marriott Jaipur Hotel (5-star)

    Jaipur

    A full day exploring Rajasthan's royal heritage begins at Amber Fort, continuing to the City Palace and the Jantar Mantar, an 18th-century astronomical observatory and UNESCO World Heritage Site, plus a drive past the Hawa Mahal. In the evening, enjoy dinner in the home of a local family.

  9. Day 9overnight: Ranthambhore Kothi (3.5-star)

    Jaipur - Ranthambore

    Travel by road into rural Rajasthan and Ranthambore National Park. In the evening, attend a Tiger Talk with a local naturalist.

  10. Day 10overnight: Ranthambhore Kothi (3.5-star)

    Ranthambore

    Today includes two safaris - one in the morning and one in the afternoon - by open-sided canter vehicles through Ranthambore National Park.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Courtyard by Marriott Agra (5-star)

    Ranthambore - Agra

    Travel by road to Sawai Madhopur station to board the Vande Bharat Express to Agra. Arrive in time to experience the Taj Mahal at sunset.

  12. Day 12overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Agra (5-star)

    Agra

    Agra Fort takes centre stage today, a red sandstone citadel constructed by Emperor Akbar. An optional evening excursion is available to attend the Mohabbat-e-Taj Show.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Taj Ganges - Varanasi

    Agra - Varanasi

    Begin the day very early to board the Vande Bharat Express, crossing the plains of Uttar Pradesh towards Varanasi. In the evening, head to the ghats for the Ganga Aarti ceremony.

  14. Day 14overnight: Taj Ganges - Varanasi

    Varanasi

    Explore Varanasi on a sightseeing tour. Visit Sarnath, where Buddha delivered his first sermon. Lunch is served as a traditional Thali.

  15. Day 15overnight: Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Dwarka, New Delhi (4-star)

    Varanasi - Delhi

    An early morning boat ride on the River Ganges. Later, transfer to the airport for the flight to Delhi.

  16. Day 16

    Delhi - UK

    Transfer to the airport for your flight home. Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: Explore Old Delhi's narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk and visit Jama Masjid, then tour Humayun's Tomb and the National Rail Museum in New Delhi
  • Day 5Day 5: Ride the Shimla Toy Train to Taradevi through the lower Himalayas
  • Day 10Day 10: Two safaris by open-sided canter through Ranthambore National Park with local naturalists
  • Day 11Day 11: Board the Vande Bharat Express to Agra and witness the Taj Mahal at sunset
  • Day 13Day 13: Travel by Vande Bharat Express across the plains of Uttar Pradesh to Varanasi and attend the Ganga Aarti ceremony at the ghats
  • Day 15Day 15: Early morning boat ride on the River Ganges as Varanasi comes to life

Included

  • 30 meals (14 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 12 dinners)
  • Accommodation: 14 nights in hotels and 1 night in flight
  • 18 excursions & visits, including: Panoramic tour of Delhi; Guided tour of Old and New Delhi (Jama Masjid Mosque, Humayun's Tomb, National Rail Museum, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara); Sightseeing tour of Shimla; Toy train ride; Visit to Amber Fort; Dinner at a local family home; Tiger talk with local naturalist; Morning and afternoon safaris in Ranthambore National Park; Visit to the Taj Mahal at sunset; Visit to Agra Fort; Ganga Aarti ceremony; Sightseeing tour of Varanasi; Visit to Sarnath; Traditional Thali lunch experience; Boat ride on the River Ganges
  • Transport from the UK: international and internal flights (based on return flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow), plus four train journeys - Delhi to Chandigarh, Sawai Madhopur to Agra, Agra to Varanasi, and a Toy Train ride from Shimla to Taradevi
  • Tipping (except tour manager, all drivers, coach assistant, naturalists and guides in Ranthambore)
  • Portable audio headset system on excursions
  • Porterage services
  • Nationwide return shared chauffeur service to/from the airport

Questions travellers ask

Is this tour escorted?
Yes. Titan Travel provides a tour manager throughout, and local naturalists and guides join excursions at each destination.
How many train journeys are included?
Four: Delhi to Chandigarh (approximately four hours), the Shimla Toy Train from Shimla to Taradevi, the Vande Bharat Express from Sawai Madhopur to Agra, and the Vande Bharat Express from Agra to Varanasi.
Which trains are used?
A regional service from Delhi to Chandigarh, the Shimla Toy Train (a narrow-gauge scenic railway), and two Vande Bharat Express trains, which are modern high-speed express services.
How many nights are in hotels?
Fourteen nights. Hotels include the Novotel City Centre Delhi (2 nights), ITC Welcomehotel Shimla Extension Hotel (3 nights), Marriott Jaipur Hotel (2 nights), Ranthambhore Kothi (2 nights), Courtyard by Marriott Agra (2 nights), Taj Ganges Varanasi (2 nights), and Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels Dwarka (1 night). One night is spent in flight.
What meals are included?
Thirty meals total: 14 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 12 dinners. These include dinner at a local family home in Jaipur and a traditional Thali lunch in Varanasi.
What level of walking and activity is required?
Titan Travel describes this as active traveller pace. Days include city walking tours in Delhi, Shimla, Jaipur, and Varanasi; safaris in open-sided vehicles in Ranthambore; and boat rides on the Ganges. No high-altitude or strenuous hikes are mentioned.

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