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Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

India's Golden Triangle, Tigers & Shimla

13-day escorted India journey: Delhi, Himalayan toy train, tiger safari, Taj Mahal

Illustration of India's Golden Triangle, Tigers & Shimla

Vacations By Rail operates this 13-day escorted journey through India's heartland, departing Delhi and concluding in Jaipur. The tour combines three heritage rail experiences with cultural immersion in India's most visited destinations. Travelers spend four nights in Delhi at the start, then board the UNESCO-listed Himalayan Queen narrow-gauge toy train on day two for a climb through the Shivalik Hills to the former British summer capital, Shimla, where a historian leads a private tour of the Viceregal Lodge and colonial landmarks. After returning to Delhi by train, the itinerary follows the Gatimaan Express to Agra for the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, then moves to Fatehpur Sikri, the abandoned Mughal capital. The heart of the journey unfolds at Ranthambore National Park, where two safaris seek Bengal tigers and other wildlife. The tour concludes in Jaipur, the Pink City, with visits to the Palace of the Winds, Jantar Mantar observatory, and Amber Fort, punctuated by a ride through the city in pink women-operated tuk-tuks. A professional Tour Manager leads the group throughout, with most meals, all transport, and guided excursions included. This trip suits travelers new to rail travel, history lovers, and those seeking guided comfort in a moderately active itinerary.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included; arrange those separately.
  • The itinerary includes many one-night stays, which may feel fast-paced despite the overall 'relaxed' classification that reflects the three-night blocks in Shimla and Ranthambore.
  • Ranthambore hotel options show a tiered list (Anuraga Palace, Ranthambore Regency, or Maharajas Lodge); your final accommodation depends on your selected tier.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: New Delhi

    Arrival in India's bustling capital, Delhi

    Transfer independently to the five-star hotel in New Delhi. Meet the Tour Manager and group for a welcome meeting and the first dinner together.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Shimla

    Into the Himalayas on the UNESCO-listed 'Toy Train'

    AC Chair Class Shatabdi Express from Delhi to Kalka, then the narrow-gauge Himalayan Queen 'Toy Train' through the Shivalik Hills to Shimla, with a picnic lunch provided.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Shimla

    Uncovering the history of colonial Shimla

    A talk by historian Raaja Bhasin, then a guided tour by private car to the Viceregal Lodge, the Sankat Mochan Temple, and the Gaiety Theatre.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Shimla

    A free day to explore Shimla

    Free day with options including Kufri, Mall Road and the Ridge, Scandal Point, Christ Church, or Lakkar Bazaar.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: New Delhi

    Returning down the mountains to Delhi

    Drive down from Shimla with a lunch stop, then board the train in AC Chair Class from Chandigarh Junction back to New Delhi.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: New Delhi

    Discovering Delhi, India's bustling capital

    A sightseeing tour of Jama Masjid, a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk bazaar, the Red Fort, Raj Ghat, India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Humayun's Tomb and the Gandhi Smriti Museum.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: Agra

    Royal Agra and the Taj Mahal

    Gatimaan Express in AC Chair Class to Agra for a guided tour of the Taj Mahal, followed by a visit to the Agra Fort, including the Musamman Burj and Moti Masjid.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Ranthambore

    The deserted Mughal capital of Fatehpur Sikri

    Coach to Fatehpur Sikri for a guided tour of the emperor's private chambers and the Diwan-i-Khas. Lunch at Laxmi Palace Vilas, then on to Ranthambore for two nights.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: Ranthambore

    On safari in Ranthambore National Park

    A talk from a naturalist, then an afternoon open-topped canter safari into Ranthambore National Park seeking Bengal tigers and other wildlife.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: Jaipur

    Early morning safari and traveling to Jaipur

    An early morning safari in Ranthambore National Park, then travel by coach to Jaipur, stopping at the Birla Mandir and witnessing an evening aarti ritual.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Day 11overnight: Jaipur

    The 'Pink City' of Jaipur

    A sightseeing tour of the Palace of the Winds, the Jantar Mantar observatory and the City Palace, followed by a ride through the city in pink tuk-tuks operated entirely by women.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  12. Day 12overnight: New Delhi

    Jaipur's Amber Fort and return to Delhi

    Jeep transfer up to the Amber Fort to explore the palace complex and Jaleb Chowk courtyard, then transfer by coach back to New Delhi for the final night.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  13. Day 13

    Traveling home

    After breakfast, check out of the Delhi hotel for the final time and make your way to Delhi's airport for onward travel home.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Ride the UNESCO-listed Himalayan Queen narrow-gauge toy train through the Shivalik Hills from Kalka to Shimla, with a picnic lunch provided.
  • Day 7Travel on the Gatimaan Express in AC Chair Class to Agra, then tour the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.
  • Day 9Join an afternoon open-topped canter safari in Ranthambore National Park in search of Bengal tigers and other wildlife.
  • Day 11Ride through Jaipur in pink tuk-tuks operated entirely by women while visiting the Palace of the Winds, Jantar Mantar observatory, and City Palace.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 12 nights' 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
  • AC Chair Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast and dinner each day, 6 lunches
  • Group luggage transfers between hotels from Delhi to Agra
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of USD 3,299 includes all rail travel: the Shatabdi Express from Delhi to Kalka, the Himalayan Queen toy train from Kalka to Shimla, and the Gatimaan Express from Delhi to Agra, all in AC Chair Class. Coach travel between other stops is also included.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides a professional Tour Manager who leads the group from start to finish, including a welcome meeting on day one.
What is included in the price?
Twelve nights in four- and five-star hotels, all rail and coach transportation, breakfast and dinner each day, six lunches, guided tours and excursions, luggage transfers from Delhi to Agra, and the expertise of the Tour Manager. Flights, airport transfers, travel insurance, and cancellation insurance are not included.
How much walking and physical activity is involved?
The operator rates this tour as Mobility Rating 3. Activities include early morning safaris, jeep transfers up to hilltop forts, rickshaw rides through bazaars, and guided walking tours of monuments.
Which hotels are used?
Hotels include the Taj Palace in New Delhi (four nights), Oberoi Cecil or WelcomHeritage Elysium Resort and Spa in Shimla (three nights each, depending on tier), Taj Agra in Agra (one night), one of three properties in Ranthambore (two nights: Anuraga Palace, Ranthambore Regency, or Maharajas Lodge), the Taj Amer in Jaipur (two nights), and a final night back at a Delhi hotel.
Are the safaris guaranteed to see tigers?
The tour includes two open-topped canter safaris in Ranthambore National Park led by a naturalist to search for Bengal tigers and other wildlife. The pack does not guarantee sightings.

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