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Titan Travel · Escorted tour

The Great Indian Rail Journey

Northern India by rail and coach, Delhi to Agra, 16 days, six train journeys

Illustration of The Great Indian Rail Journey

Titan Travel's 16-day escorted tour weaves through Northern India via six train journeys, starting in Delhi and ending in Agra. The itinerary connects six major cities and regions: Delhi, the Sikh holy city of Amritsar, the Himalayan hill station of Shimla, the Pink City of Jaipur, the tiger reserve of Ranthambore, and finally Agra. Two narrow-gauge Toy Train rides carry passengers through jagged peaks and pine forests. Days combine guided sightseeing, cultural immersion, and wildlife experiences. On day 5, travellers visit the Golden Temple and join a street food tour; on day 12, they search for Bengal tigers on safari drives through Ranthambore National Park. The Taj Mahal sunrise on day 14 forms the centrepiece. A Titan tour manager and local guides lead all excursions. Accommodation ranges from 5-star hotels in major cities to a 3.5-star lodge at Ranthambore. This suits travellers seeking guided comfort, history buffs, solo travellers wanting group support, and photographers drawn to India's landscapes and landmarks.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 8 in Shimla is free time; the optional Spineline Trail excursion to a local village incurs an extra charge.
  • The optional Mohabbat-e-Taj Show in Agra (day 14 evening) is not included and must be booked separately.
  • During safaris on day 12, the Forest Department bans mobile phone use; local guides collect phones before entering the safari zone, though cameras remain permitted.
  • The from-price in GBP covers the package, hotels, meals and UK transport; confirm exact departure dates with Titan Travel before booking, as none are specified in the published itinerary.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: In flight

    UK - In flight

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

  2. Day 2overnight: The Leela Ambience, Delhi (5-star)

    Delhi

    India's hypnotic capital. On the way to the hotel, a panoramic tour of Delhi, taking in landmarks like India Gate and Parliament House. Relax by the hotel pool before dinner in the evening.

  3. Day 3railovernight: The Leela Ambience, Delhi (5-star)

    Delhi

    A guided tour of Old and New Delhi: Chandni Chowk market, Jama Masjid, the Red Fort, and the Rail Museum with its collection of India's rail heritage.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Le Meridien Amritsar (5-star)

    Delhi - Amritsar

    We take the train north into India's Punjab region, close to the border of Pakistan, to Amritsar, a holy pilgrimage city for Sikhs.

  5. Day 5overnight: Le Meridien Amritsar (5-star)

    Amritsar

    A morning tour to Jallianwalah Bagh, a local bazaar and Durgiana Temple ('Silver Temple'), then the Golden Temple, the holiest site for Sikhs. In the afternoon, the Partition Museum and a guided street food tour of Amritsar. In the evening, return to the Golden Temple to see the community kitchen in action.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Shimla (4-star)

    Amritsar - Ambala - Shimla

    We take the train from Amritsar to Ambala, then travel by road towards Shimla, boarding a narrow-gauge 'Toy Train' for the final part of the journey.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Shimla (4-star)

    Shimla

    A sightseeing tour including Mall Road, Viceroy Lodge and Christ Church, plus another ride on a 'Toy Train', a visit to Sankat Mochan Temple, and the Indian Institute of Advanced Study.

  8. Day 8overnight: Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Shimla (4-star)

    Shimla

    A free day - complimentary transport back to the mall for shopping, or join the optional Spineline Trail excursion to a local village.

  9. Day 9overnight: Marriott Jaipur Hotel (5-star)

    Shimla - Chandigarh - Jaipur

    We travel to Chandigarh to take a flight to Jaipur, the 'Pink City' and a point of Rajasthan's Golden Triangle.

  10. Day 10overnight: Marriott Jaipur Hotel (5-star)

    Jaipur

    A tour of the UNESCO-listed Amber Fort, then Maharajas City Palace, the astronomical Jantar Mantar, and a drive past Hawa Mahal, the Palace of the Winds.

  11. Day 11overnight: Ranthambhore Kothi (3.5-star)

    Jaipur - Ranthambore

    A morning at leisure in Jaipur, then travel by road to Ranthambore National Park, home to India's elusive Bengal tigers.

  12. Day 12overnight: Ranthambhore Kothi (3.5-star)

    Ranthambore

    A morning and afternoon safari drive through Ranthambore National Park looking for tigers, leopards, hyena, sambar, wild boar, water buffalo and crocodile. Note: a Forest Department ban on mobile phone use during safaris means local guides collect phones before entering the safari zone (cameras remain permitted).

  13. Day 13railovernight: Courtyard by Marriott Agra (5-star)

    Ranthambore - Agra

    We drive to Sawai Madhopur to board the train to Bharatpur, continuing to Agra. A guided tour of the city including the UNESCO-listed Agra Fort and the tomb of I'timad-ud-Daulah (the 'Baby Taj').

  14. Day 14overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Agra (5-star)

    Agra

    A sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, watching the marble change colour, followed by a guided tour before the crowds arrive. An optional evening excursion to the Mohabbat the Taj show.

  15. Day 15railovernight: The Leela Ambience, Delhi (5-star)

    Agra - Delhi

    We travel by train from Agra to Delhi, spending our last full day of the tour at leisure.

  16. Day 16

    Delhi - UK

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

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Panoramic tour of Delhi taking in India Gate and Parliament House, with leisure time to rest by the hotel pool before dinner.
  • Day 5Visit to the Golden Temple, the holiest site for Sikhs, followed by a guided street food tour of Amritsar and an evening return to witness the community kitchen in action.
  • Day 6Boarding the narrow-gauge Toy Train for the final journey to Shimla through mountain passes.
  • Day 12Morning and afternoon safari drives through Ranthambore National Park searching for Bengal tigers, leopards, and wildlife among the vine-covered ruins.
  • Day 14Sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, watching the marble shift from dusky pink to white, followed by a guided tour before crowds arrive.

Included

  • 32 meals (14 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 14 dinners)
  • Accommodation: 14 nights in hotels and 1 night in flight
  • 18 excursions & visits, including: Panoramic tour of Delhi; guided tours of Old and New Delhi (including the Rail Museum), Amritsar (including the Golden Temple, Partition Museum and a street food tour), Shimla, and Jaipur (Amber Fort and city tour); two safaris in Ranthambore National Park; a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal; a guided tour of Agra; six train journeys - Delhi to Amritsar, Amritsar to Ambala, a 'Toy Train' ride from Khadhaghat to Shimla, a 'Toy Train' ride from Shimla to Taravdevi, Sawai Madhopur to Bharatpur, and Agra to Delhi
  • Tour manager: Titan tour manager
  • Transport from the UK: international and internal flights (based on return flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow)
  • Portable audio headset system on excursions
  • Porterage services
  • Nationwide return shared chauffeur service to/from the airport

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?
Six train journeys: Delhi to Amritsar, Amritsar to Ambala, two Toy Train rides in Shimla (Khadhaghat to Shimla and Shimla to Taravdevi), Sawai Madhopur to Bharatpur, and Agra to Delhi.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes, a Titan tour manager accompanies the group throughout, with local guides on excursions.
What meals and accommodation are included?
Accommodation spans 14 nights in five 5-star and one 4-star and one 3.5-star hotel. Meals include 14 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 14 dinners, plus one night in flight.
How much walking is involved?
The tour is described as active traveller pace, with guided walking tours through markets, temples and historical sites in Delhi, Amritsar, Shimla, Jaipur and Agra, plus morning and afternoon safari drives.
Are internal flights included?
Yes, the package includes internal flights on days 9 and 15 and return international flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow.
What is not included?
The optional Spineline Trail excursion in Shimla and the optional Mohabbat-e-Taj Show in Agra are not included and must be booked separately.

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