The Hill Stations of India

India is a mystical continent of contrasts and cultural differences. We will travel around India using trains and internal flights, staying in the best hotels and seeing some of this amazing country’s major attractions along the way. India is also home to some fascinating narrow gauge railways including the famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Kalka to Shimla Railway. We’ll travel using steam locomotives on these fantastic routes, experiencing both metre and broad gauge lines.

Monday 7th February

Fly to Delhi

We board our Jet Airways flight from London Heathrow to Delhi departing at 20:50.

Tuesday 8th February

National Rail Museum, Delhi

On arrival in to Delhi we are greeted by a traditional Indian welcome and transferred to our hotel. Time to relax after the flight until lunchtime. Then we take in the National Rail Museum and see the extraordinary steam Patiala State Monorail System. Overnight at hotel. (D)

Wednesday 9th February

Kalka to Shimla

Morning transfer to New Delhi railway station to board the Kalka Shatabadi Express train at 07:40 to Kalka. Upon arrival in Kalka at 11:50 we switch to 2ft 6in gauge Kalka-Shimla Railway line – recently accredited as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Kalka we will visit the loco sheds and board the vintage railcars (rail bus). Then it’s on through the picturesque Shivalik Mountains with its numerous tunnels and bridges – an altogether enchanting line. Arrive Shimla – the summer capital of the British during the Raj. Overnight at hotel. (B L D)

Thursday 10th February

Steam to Kathleeghat

After a refreshing breakfast at our hotel we walk down to Shimla station to board the exclusive steam charter on KC 520 loco to Kathleeghat station (2 hrs each way). (The charter has been requested but we are awaiting confirmation).Return to  our hotel in Shimla during the afternoon. The evening is free in Shimla for you to enjoy the beauty of this famous hill station, one of the prettiest towns in India. Stroll on the Shimla mall road – where the British congregated during the days of the Raj –or visit the church and the many varied shops. Overnight at hotel. (B L D)

Friday 11th February

Himalayan Queen and on to Delhi

After breakfast we again transfer to Shimla railway station to board the Narrow Gauge regular service train Himalayan Queen arriving in to Kalka at 16:10. Then we switch platforms to board the Kalka Shatabdi Express arriving in New Delhi station at 21:55 where we are transferred to our hotel for an overnight stay. (B L D)

Saturday 12th February

Steam to Rewari and on to Jaipur

After breakfast we transfer to the Delhi Cantonment railway station to board the Fairy Queen steam charter taking us up to Rewari, famous for its brass work. Here we visit the Rewari Steam Centre and have the chance to see the unused steam locos parked in the centre of the once famous steam loco shed. Broad gauge and metre gauge locos can be seen here. Later we board the 4311 Ala Hazrat Express from Rewari heading for Jaipur, known as the Pink City and the capital of Rajhistan. We are met on arrival at Jaipur at around 17:40 and transferred to our hotel. The evening is free for you to sample the delights of this beautiful city. Overnight at hotel. (B L D)

Sunday 13th February

Jaipur’s Amber Fort and city tour

Today we visit one of the jewels of Jaipur – the majestic Amber Fort built in white marble and red sandstone. The Fort was the erstwhile capital of the Kachwahas Rajputs before they moved to their newly built capital in Jaipur. This is the only fort where one can still travel on an elephant’s back reliving the glorious days of the Maharajas. There will be guided visits inside the palace building as well as entry to various rooms and halls. Later we have a city tour of Jaipur including the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), the City Palace and Jantar Mantar (the Royal Astronomical Observatory). During the evening we will see the famous hand-block printing and textile factory complete with a live demonstration of the hand-block printing art. There’s also a chance to learn more about the precious and semi-precious gems and jewellery of the royal state of Rajasthan. Overnight at hotel. (B L D)

Monday 14th February

Bharatpur and the ‘Baby Taj’

It’s an early morning transfer to Jaipur Railway station so that we can join the train to Bharatpur, founded by Maharaja Suraj Mal in 1733. We are met on arrival at Bharatpur railway station at 09:19 and transferred to a heritage ‘haveli’, or private mansion, followed by a walk through the village of Peharsar and a chance to see Indian village life. An early lunch in the gardens of the haveli. In the afternoon we are driven to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri – the erstwhile capital of the Mughal Empire built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years because of scarcity of water. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then it’s on to Agra and a visit to the magnificent Itimad-Ud-Daulah or Baby Taj Mahal. Check in to hotel for overnight stay. (B L D)

Tuesday 15th February

The Taj Mahal and on to Kolkata

Dawn visit to the unparalleled wonder that is the Taj Mahal – one of the seven wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the best time of day to visit this white marble wonder that seem to change colour in the changing sunlight. The Taj Mahal was built by Emperor ShahJahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal and is considered the jewel of Muslim art in India. We then return to our hotel for breakfast and are transferred to the Agra Cantonment railway station to board a second-class air-conditioned train to Delhi at 14:05. On arrival in Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station we transfer to the domestic airport for a connecting flight to Kolkata where we arrive at 20:00 and transfer to our hotel for the overnight stay. (B L D)

Wednesday 16th February

The wonders of Kolkata

After a relaxed breakfast at our hotel, we will walk to pick up our chartered tram ride in Kolkata departing from the Esplanade station and moving on to the Shyam Baza – a focal point for fabric and clothes shopping.

Passing through the busy roads and morning routine life of Kolkata provides a true ‘Welcome to India’ experience. There’s a further guided orientation tour of Kolkata available with visits to Mother Teresa’s house, the Kali Temple, and the banks of the Hooghly river. There’s also an optional visit to the North West Frontier building where a couple of old steam locos are on display as well as the railway museum. (B L D)

Thursday 17th February

Bagdogra and Siliguri

We transfer to Kolkata domestic airport to board our Jet Airways flight to Bagdogra and transfer to our hotel in Siliguri. Early evening transfer to Siliguri station to board our Chartered Dining Car on the B-class loco where we will enjoy a  ‘high tea’ on the train. Return to hotel for dinner. Overnight in hotel. (B L D)

Friday 18th February

Steam hauled to Kurseong

After breakfast at our hotel we transfer to Siliguri station and visit the steam loco shed. Later we board the special steam hauled NG train for Kurseong with visits to the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway’s workshops in Tindharia. On arrival in Kurseong we transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay at an attractive colonial bungalow, now converted into a hotel. (B L D)

Saturday 19th February

‘Toy train’ to Darjeeling

After breakfast, you can choose between taking a 30-minute walk or a jeep transfer to the station to board the famous narrow gauge ‘toy train’ steam ride to Darjeeling. You will cross the famous ‘Batasia Loop’ en route and, weather permitting, will be able to take photos of the train overlooking Mt. Kanchenjunga and the rest of the Himalayan range. Arrive Darjeeling and transfer to hotel for overnight stay. (B L D)

Sunday 20th February

Tiger Hill and Ghoom Monastery

Early risers are in for a real adventure with our excursion to Tiger Hill (subject to clear weather as advised by our local team). Tiger Hill is about 12km from Darjeeling and is the place to see the spectacular sunrise over Mount Kanchenjung.
As the sun appears the mountain changes colour: it’s an awe-inspiring sight and a chance to see the world’s third highest mountain with Everest in the distance. We return to our hotel for breakfast via the Tibetan Buddhist Monastery at Ghoom built in 1875. At 09:45 we transfer by jeep or just walk down to Darjeeling railway station to ride on regular school train to Ghoom – the highest point on the rail line. You will be driven back by jeep via visits to Ghoom Monastery (if not visited early morning) and a Tibetan Refugee Centre where you can see traditional handmade textiles and handicrafts. The evening is free for you to explore. (B L D)

Monday 21st February

Kalimpong Hill Station

After breakfast you will be driven through picturesque Himalayan roads to Kalimpong – a lovely hill station in the Lesser Himalayas in the state of West Bengal. Noted particularly for its horticulture and flower market – where a wide variety of orchids are sold – our tour will include a visit to the nursery as well as the famous Buddhist monastery of Zang Dhok Palri Phodang which holds a number of rare Tibetan Buddhist sculptures. Overnight at hotel. (B L D)

Tuesday 22nd February

Flight to Delhi

After breakfast we are driven down to Bagdogra airport to board our flight for Delhi arriving at 16:50. Transfer to hotel on arrival for overnight stay. (B L D)

Wednesday 23rd February

Tour of Old and New Delhi

A guided tour of historic Old and New Delhi awaits us today. You will see some great and historic sites such as a drive past the India Gate and President’s House, the magnificent Red Fort, Jama Masjid - one of Asia’s largest mosques, a rickshaw ride to Chandni Chowk (Silver Square) and an underground ‘Delhi Metro’ train ride. We will also visit Rajghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi – ‘Father of the Nation’. We will also take you to the extraordinary Humanyun’s Tomb, a range of buildings built as the Mughal Emperor Humayan’s tomb and commissioned by his wife as early as 1562 CE. It was the first garden tomb on the Indian sub-continent. Finally we will take you to Qutub Minar – an amazing 72.5 metre tower and the world’s tallest brick minaret. Farewell dinner with cocktails and overnight at hotel. (B L D)

Thursday 24th February

Flight to Heathrow

Breakfast at hotel and transfer to Delhi International Airport for the flight back to London departing at 13:40. We arrive back in London Heathrow at 17:40. (B)

Meals included each day are shown as:
B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D= Dinner