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Transindus · Tailor Made Tour

India by Rail

17-day journey across India by rail from Kolkata to Delhi with private guides

Illustration of India by Rail

Transindus operates India by Rail, a 17-day tailor-made tour that departs from Kolkata and ends in Delhi. This journey across North, Central, and Eastern India is structured around the country's rail network. You will travel on six named trains including the Darjeeling Mail and Rajdhani Express sleepers, the narrow-gauge toy train to Darjeeling, and the heritage Shivalik Express to Shimla. The itinerary balances time on trains with stays in named hotels: two nights in Kolkata, two in Darjeeling (with an early sunrise excursion to Tiger Hill), three in the holy city of Varanasi (including a dawn boat ride on the Ganges and evening ceremonial worship), two in Agra to visit the Taj Mahal and Red Fort, two in the hill station of Shimla, and two in Delhi. Private English-speaking guides accompany you throughout, and all internal transportation, daily breakfast, full board in Darjeeling, and site entrance fees are included. The tour suits first-time rail travellers seeking an authentic Indian train experience and history lovers drawn to imperial monuments and sacred sites.

What to know before you look closer

  • Hotel choices in several cities include options such as Gateway or Trident in Agra; your final accommodation depends on the tier and availability you select.
  • Multiple hotels offer supplements for upgrades (Oberoi Grand in Kolkata, Windamere in Darjeeling, Suryauday in Varanasi, Oberoi Cecil in Shimla, Imperial in Delhi).
  • The toy train from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling sometimes does not operate; in such cases Transindus provides transfer by car instead.
  • Transindus states that 'even in the better classes booked, standards do reflect' local travel norms on most trains.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    UK

    Fly to Kolkata via Dubai with Emirates.

  2. Day 2overnight: Fairlawn Hotel, Kolkata (or Oberoi Grand for a supplement)

    Kolkata

    Upon arrival transfer to the colonial and quirky Fairlawn Hotel (or the deluxe Oberoi Grand for a supplement) for two nights.

  3. Day 3overnight: Fairlawn Hotel, Kolkata

    Kolkata

    A relaxed morning boat ride on the Hooghly River allows for a different and intriguing perspective of the city. Later visit the Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, St Paul's Church and Mother Theresa's centre.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Aboard the Darjeeling Mail (air-conditioned first class sleeper)

    Darjeeling Mail

    The day is free to explore the city. In the evening begin your Indian railway experience at the busy Sealdah Station, travelling north towards the Himalaya on the Darjeeling Mail, in an air-conditioned first class sleeper carriage. The night is spent on board the train.

  5. Day 5railovernight: The Elgin Hotel, Darjeeling (or Windamere Hotel for a supplement)

    New Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling

    Arriving in New Jalpaiguri in the morning you change to the narrow gauge toy train bound for Darjeeling. Transfer to The Elgin Hotel for two nights (or the period Windamere Hotel for a supplement). If the toy train is not operating, as is sometimes the case, the transfer to Darjeeling is provided by car.

  6. Day 6overnight: The Elgin Hotel, Darjeeling

    Darjeeling

    Wake early for a spectacular sunrise vista over the Himalaya from Tiger Hill. Return to Darjeeling, stopping off at the quaint Ghoom Monastery. Explore the bustling town and visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Ganges View Hotel, Varanasi (or Suryauday Hotel for a supplement)

    Darjeeling, Varanasi

    Just after midday board the Rajdhani Express from New Jalpaiguri in an air-conditioned first class carriage. The ride crosses the alluvial plain of several Himalayan-born rivers including the Ganges towards the holy city of Varanasi. Stay three nights at the Ganges View Hotel (or upgrade to the Suryauday hotel for a supplement).

  8. Day 8railovernight: Ganges View Hotel, Varanasi

    Varanasi

    The morning is spent relaxing after the previous day's long train journey. In the afternoon take an excursion to Sarnath, the site of the Buddha's first public discourse.

  9. Day 9overnight: Ganges View Hotel, Varanasi

    Varanasi

    An early morning boat ride to see devotees at prayer along the ghats. The rest of the day is at leisure before witnessing the evening Ganga aarti (ceremonial worship).

  10. Day 10railovernight: Gateway or Trident Hotel, Agra

    Varanasi, Agra

    Take another day train to Agra. Upon arrival transfer to either the Gateway or Trident Hotels for a two-night stay.

  11. Day 11overnight: Gateway or Trident Hotel, Agra

    Agra

    Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Later take in the Red Fort, set on the banks of the Yamuna River, and the tomb of Itamud-ud-daula, an architectural precursor to the Taj Mahal. Possibility of returning to the Taj at sunset.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Aboard the Kalka Mail (air-conditioned first class sleeper)

    Agra, Kalka Mail

    Morning at leisure. This afternoon board the Kalka Mail, in an air-conditioned first class sleeper carriage, heading north towards India's Western Himalayan range. The night is spent on board the train.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Clarks Hotel, Shimla (or The Oberoi Cecil for a supplement)

    Kalka, Shimla

    Arrive at Kalka early and change to the heritage Shivalik Express (toy) train for a four-hour ride up into the hills to the 'hill-station' of Shimla. Transfer to the Clarks Hotel (or upgrade to The Oberoi Cecil, Shimla for a supplement) for two nights.

  14. Day 14overnight: Clarks Hotel, Shimla

    Shimla

    Day at leisure exploring the town; the mock Tudor Library, Christ Church, Gaiety Theatre and the Vice Regal Lodge are all within easy reach.

  15. Day 15railovernight: Maidens Hotel, Delhi (or Imperial Hotel for a supplement)

    Shimla, Delhi

    Drive to Kalka and board the Shatabdi Express bound for Delhi. Stay two nights at the colonial Maidens Hotel (or the deluxe Imperial hotel for a supplement).

  16. Day 16railovernight: Maidens Hotel, Delhi

    Delhi

    A sightseeing tour of Delhi is arranged this morning, taking in the Jama Masjid, Lutyens' buildings and the Railway Museum. The afternoon is free to relax or do some final shopping.

  17. Day 17

    Delhi, London

    Fly back to the UK via Dubai.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3A relaxed morning boat ride on the Hooghly River offers a different perspective of Kolkata before visiting the Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, and St Paul's Church.
  • Day 4Board the Darjeeling Mail at Sealdah Station in Kolkata in the evening, travelling overnight in an air-conditioned first class sleeper carriage north towards the Himalaya.
  • Day 5Change to the narrow-gauge toy train at New Jalpaiguri, riding up to Darjeeling; if the toy train is not operating, the transfer is by car.
  • Day 6Wake early for a sunrise vista over the Himalaya from Tiger Hill, then visit the Ghoom Monastery and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute.
  • Day 11Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, then explore the Red Fort on the banks of the Yamuna River and the tomb of Itamud-ud-daula.

Included

  • International flights from UK
  • 15 nights accommodation
  • All internal transportation and transfers using private, chauffeur-driven vehicles
  • Private English-speaking guides
  • Breakfast daily, full board in Darjeeling
  • Entrance fees to sites and monuments listed in tour itinerary

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes all internal transportation by rail, including the Darjeeling Mail, toy train to Darjeeling, Rajdhani Express, Kalka Mail, and Shatabdi Express, as well as transfers by private chauffeur-driven vehicles.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Transindus provides private English-speaking guides throughout the 17 days.
Do you sleep on trains?
Yes. On Day 4 you travel overnight on the Darjeeling Mail in an air-conditioned first class sleeper carriage. On Day 12 you travel overnight on the Kalka Mail in an air-conditioned first class sleeper carriage.
What is included in the price?
The package includes international flights from the UK, 15 nights accommodation, all internal transportation and transfers, private English-speaking guides, breakfast daily, full board in Darjeeling, and entrance fees to listed sites and monuments.
Which hotels are included?
The tour uses the Fairlawn Hotel in Kolkata, The Elgin in Darjeeling, Ganges View Hotel in Varanasi, Gateway or Trident in Agra, Clarks Hotel in Shimla, and Maidens Hotel in Delhi, with supplement options for upgrades at each stop.
When does the tour run?
Transindus publishes no fixed departure calendar for this tailor-made tour. Contact the operator directly to confirm available dates.

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