Luxury Train Holidays

Toy Trains India

These trains, operating on narrow-gauge tracks - hence the name toy trains - laid during the British days, link stations in the plains to hill stations and offer a laid back experience, where passengers can take in the diverse mountain scenery at leisure. Some of these routes are: Kalka-Shimla: 107 tunnels, arched bridges and picturesque stations en routes are the features of the 96-km journey linking the one-time summer capital of India to the plains of Punjab.

The Shivalik Deluxe Express runs two every day, stopping only at Barog for providing catering services to passengers. The train has bay glass windows and wall-to-wall carpeting.
Seating: 120 seats.

Deluxe Rail Motor Car, with a transparent roof, TV/VCP, music and an altimeter. It operates twice a day. Seating: 14-18.

Shivalik Palace can be attached to any train for an exclusive experience. With a dining table, folding cushioned beds, a refrigerator, modern bathrooms, catering by a special attendant on board and a well-equipped kitchen etc. As part of the package is offered a complement of two luxurious retiring rooms with geysers, a TV and telephone at Shimla. Setting: 6. Fare: Rs. 4,850 in UP direction and Rs. 3.375 in DN direction.

The Shivalik Queen between Kalka-Shimla has been launched for honeymooners. Each couple offers exclusive privacy and big windows for panoramic view of the hills. There is an alarm bell for communication with driver while a microphone helps to be in touch with the guard.

Nilgiri Mountain Railway traverses 46 kms of twists and turns from Mettupalayam to the hill resort of Ootacamund at a speed of 33 km an hour. Snaking through 16 tunnels and tall girder bridges, the climb offers breathtaking vistas of plantation and fir-clad hills.

Darjeeling Hill Railway with a 2-feet gauge is the narrowest of the regular narrow gauges. Linking the town of New Jalpaiguri with the east Indian hill station of Darjeeling, this famous little trains is drawn on its 86 km journey by a 100-year-old engine in 7.5 hours.

With no tunnels on the route, passengers get an uninterrupted view of the Himalayas.
Matheran Railway is a 77-year-old line connecting Neral (on the Mumbai-Pune line) to the resort of Matheran close to Mumbai.
The panorama of hills and plains unfolds as the sturdy little train chugs up to the peaceful retreat. The train runs between sunrise and sunset, covering the distance in 1.5 hours.
Some of these routes covered by toy trains are :

Kalka-Shimla : 107 tunnels, arched bridges and beautiful stations on the way are the features of the 96-km journey connecting the one-time summer capital of India to the plains of Punjab.

The Shivalik Deluxe Express : Runs twice every day, stopping only at Barog for providing meal services to the passengers. The train has bay glass windows and wall-to-wall carpeting. Seating: 120 seats.
The Shivalik Queen : Runs between Kalka-Shimla has been launched for honeymooners. Each couple is offered exclusive privacy and big windows for crystal clear view of the hills. Fare : Rs. 750 per couple, inclusive of meals.

Fairy Queen

The Fairy Queen occupies a special place in the history of the Indian Railways. This majestic steam engine is certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest working steam locomotive in the world. Enjoy a ride from Delhi to Alwar, in romantic Rajasthan, and a visit to Sariska tiger reserve in this royal luxury train.

Built in 1855, the Fairy Queen originally ran in East India. After 1908 it was no longer used. Later it occupied pride of place in the National Rail Museum at New Delhi. In 1997, after an extensive overhaul, the Fairy Queen became a functional train again. This picturesque steam-powered train, Tours from Delhi to Alwar in Rajasthan. Guests are treated like royalty aboard the train and then taken to the Sariska tiger reserve, where they stay overnight and enjoy the experience of seeing tigers in the wild. The return journey from Alwar to Delhi takes place the next day with the Fairy Queen proudly chugging along with her cargo of Tourers sharing in a historic experience.

The luxurious ambience of this train and the five star services offered to the guests on the train, make the journey on the Fairy Queen an unforgettable memory. The colourful Rajasthani countryside and the beauty of the Sariska tiger reserve, home of the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger, complete this magical journey with the Incredible Fairy Queen.

Deccan Odyssey

This luxury train Tours through the historic kingdom of the Marathas. The Deccan Odyssey is a journey like no other. Cocooned in royal style, Tourers on this luxury train Tour on a weeklong journey across Maharashtra and Goa.

The destinations covered by the Deccan Odyssey are Mumbai, Ganpatipule, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Goa, Pune, Aurangabad, Ajanta and Ellora. View historic forts and palaces, marvel at churches and rock cut cave temples, gaze at beautiful beaches and green countryside, as you Tour on the Deccan Odyssey - an unforgettable journey of a lifetime.

Destinations of the Deccan Odyssey
Mumbai:
The financial capital of India, is a cosmopolitan and fast paced city. This historic city, extending along the sea, has grand buildings and is the center of India's commercial film industry. A tour of Mumbai's monuments and sights is a great way to get to know this fascinating country and to begin your tour of India. Gaze in wonder at the majestic Victoria Terminus and the impressive Gateway of India, be bewitched by the beauty of the beaches, tour the Prince of Wales museum and the Bombay Natural History Museum to know more about India's wildlife and browse through the markets for handicraft and textile items, made by master craftsmen.

Ganapatipule:
A well-known place of pilgrimage, Ganapatipule has a serene beach and a 400-year-old temple of Ganesha.

Ratnagiri:
Located on the Maharashtra coast, south of Mumbai, this port is known for its beach and is an important sardine fishery industry.

Sindhudurg This scenic beach is rich in history. It was once the naval base of Shivaji, the great Maratha ruler. The nearby fort and temple are historical monuments well worth seeing.

Goa:
On your Incredible India tour on the Deccan Odyssey luxury train, you can enjoy a halt in Goa. Relax on the beaches, see the waves splash against the shore, enjoy the bracing sea breeze and have a pleasant stay in Goa on your Incredible India Deccan Odyssey tour.

Aurangabad:
This city in the Deccan was once the capital of the Mughal Empire. Renamed by Daulatabad by Mohammed Bin Tughlaq, who made this city his capital, Later Auranzgeb used this city as his base as he battled against the Marathas. You can see the monuments of earlier royal dynasties such as the Satavahanas, Vakatakas, Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas, and the Mughals in Aurangabad.

Ajanta:
The Buddhist cave monuments at Ajanta date from the 1st century B.C. to the 6th century A.D. These richly decorated caves, with sculptures and frescoes on their inner walls are considered masterpieces of Buddhist religious art, and are a UNESCO heritage site.

Ellora:
Dug side by side in the wall of a high basalt cliff, not far from Aurangabad, in Maharashtra, are 34 monasteries and temples, extending more than 2 kms. Ellora, with its uninterrupted sequence of monuments dating from A.D. 600 to 1000, brings the civilization of ancient India to life. Not only is the Ellora complex a unique artistic creation and a technological exploit but, with its sanctuaries devoted to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, it illustrates the spirit of tolerance that was characteristic of ancient India. The Ellora caves are a UNESCO heritage site.