India is full of forests, jungles, waterfalls, deserts, historic sites, and more - and what is a better way to enjoy all of this beautiful scenery than a train journey that takes you through all of it for hours?
Each journey is unique in its own way and will take you to captivating places that you shouldn’t miss. In this article, I'll cover 6 of the best train journeys you should take in India. So read on to know more!
The Himalayan Queen is one of the most popular train journeys in India. The train travels from Kalka to Shimla through 900 curves, passing over 87 bridges, and running under 102 tunnels.
The scenery you’ll see on this train journey will definitely steal your heart. You can witness the gorgeous view of the Himalayan mountains and the surrounding valleys. You can also see cows walking along the track as you pass by the small towns and villages.
As you get closer to Shimla, you’ll see orchards and red flowers covering the fields along with water running down the ledges, which is a scene to remember!
Journey duration: 5 hours and 10 mins.
This cute little train has a funny background story - it was originally built as a tramway to exploit the price difference of potatoes between Siliguri and Darjeeling. Due to its pretty look and small size, it got the name “The Toy Train.”
It travels from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling, watching over breathtaking scenery. You can see the tea pickers and fruit stalls as you travel through the town. If you are lucky, you will also spot the snow at the top of Kanchenjunga mountain.
Journey Duration: 7 hours and 15 min.
The Mandovi Express is another train journey that is a must-take for all nature lovers. It travels from Goa to Mumbai through the Sahyadri hills and the Arabian Sea on both sides.
The British started constructing this railway and abandoned it as it was very difficult. Later on, the Indians picked up where the British left off and built it through mountains and hundreds of rivers.
To make the railway reach its final destination, the Indians had to build two thousand bridges including the Panvalnadi bridge, which is the highest viaduct in India. They also built 92 tunnels through mountains. So get ready for a fun ride!
Enjoy the sight of mango trees, coconuts, and wildflowers as you travel to Mumbai. The doors on this train are left open so you can enjoy the breeze of air along with the gorgeous view!
Journey duration: 12 hours and 15 mins.
For all the nature enthusiasts out there, this train journey is a must-try. It travels from Siliguri to Alipurduar passing through wildlife sanctuaries and forests. Some of the stunning sanctuaries are Buxa Tiger Reserve, Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, and Chapramari Forest.
The train was recently upgraded to a broader gauge to become a tourist train with all the facilities that you need. Now it has a glass roof, WiFi, automatic doors, display screens, and more.
Enjoy the view of the wildlife animals, incredible amounts of flora, and beautiful landscapes as you are traveling in comfort!
Journey Duration: Around 6 hours.
The Deccan Odyssey is a luxury train that is designed like a palace. It travels from Mumbai to Delhi and lets you experience traveling like a king. The train takes you on a whole week's journey of beauty, charm, and several fun activities.
The sightseeing tours include tiger-spotting at Ranthambore, visiting the Taj Mahal, visiting the caves of Ajanta and Ellora, and more. It also takes you through some of the most iconic cities in India like Goa, Mumbai, Kolhapur, Sindhudurg, and Delhi, so you’ll surely get a taste of the rich culture of India.
The Deccan Odyssey also offers multiple onboard activities including watching movies under a comfy duvet, enjoying the luxurious lounge, picking from the gourmet dining options, trying the Bombay Sapphire gin, and more.
But remember that this train is pretty expensive, as the prices go above $5000!
Journey duration: seven days, eight nights.
Image Credit: Photos_Worldwide on Pixabay
India is not only famous for forests and jungles but for vast deserts as well. The Desert Queen travels from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur on a safari-like journey. You will see sand dunes, rare plants, small villages, and even camels and deer.
The scene of the locals in their traditional attire and the rich culture of Jaisalmer and Jodhpur will captivate you. It’s such a unique journey that you should add to your bucket list.
Journey Duration: 6 hours.
Taking a train journey is one of the best ways to explore India’s rich culture, beautiful nature, breathtaking wildlife, and diverse landscape.
Whichever you’re looking for, you will find a train journey that will take you through it and leave you speechless!
