The toy train in Darjeeling passing through lush vegetation

Railways of the Raj - 14 days

Six scenic train journeys, Kolkata to the majestic hill stations of Darjeeling and Shimla, holy Varanasi on the Ganges, the Taj Mahal in Agra and more!

Welcome to India and the start of your holiday! Arrive Kolkata, included transfer to hotel. Overnight - Kolkata

This cultural city is an amazing example of East meets West. Enjoy a sightseeing tour which includes a visit to the Victoria Memorial. Opened by the Prince of Wales in 1921, this imposing vision in marble often called the “Taj” of the British Raj overlooks the grassy Maidan, the city’s green belt. Overnight - Kolkata (B)

Day 3: Kolkata

Kolkata - New Jalpaiguri. Enjoy the day to independently explore Kolkata. Early this evening, you’ll board the Darjeeling Mail train. In air conditioned 1st class sleeper accommodation, relax as the train heads north to New Jalpaiguri. Overnight - Train (B)

A view of Darjeeling showing the Himalayan mountains behind it

Days 4 - 6: Darjeeling

New Jalpaiguri - Darjeeling - Varanasi. Early this morning, you’ll continue the journey to Darjeeling by car. Sitting at a spectacular altitude of 2124m with a backdrop consisting of mighty snow-clad Himalayan peaks and surrounded by verdant tea plantations. Owing to Darjeeling’s proximity to Tibet, the town has a Tibetan Refugee Centre comprising care for the young and old and craft workshops that produce carpets, leather work and other Tibetan curios. If you have time, it’s worth a look. Early morning of day 5, we enjoy a drive to Tiger Hill to catch sunrise over the snowy peaks of Kanchenjunga - the world’s third highest mountain. Continuing to the Ghoom Gompa (monastery) followed by city sightseeing and a visit to a tea estate. Day 6, drive to New Jalpaiguri to catch the Varanasi North-East Express train (2nd class A/C sleeper) to Varanasi. Overnight - (2) Darjeeling - (1) train (B:3, L:2, D:2)

Days 7 - 8: Varanasi

Arriving early this morning to Mughalsarai, we drive to Varanasi. Varanasi or the city of Shiva, is the holiest Hindu pilgrimage destination in India. Abundant with temples and streets that resemble a mass of tangled shoe laces, Varanasi is one of India’s most colourful cities, later we enjoy a city sightseeing tour. Early morning, day 8, we boat ride on the holy Ganges to witness the sunrise and the ancient religious tradition of ritual cleansing that takes place on the famous riverside ghats (steps) that line the banks. Late afternoon board the Marudhar Express train (1st A/C class sleeper) to Agra. Overnight - (1) Varanassi - (1) train (B:1)

Days 9 - 10: Agra

An early morning arrival in Agra allows you the chance to relax. Visits to the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and marble craft shop later this afternoon. Day 10, free morning or re-visit the Taj Mahal. Afternoon vehicle transfer to Delhi in time to board the Howrah Delhi Kalka Express train (air-conditioned 1st class sleeper) to Kalka. Overnight - (1) Agra - (1) train (B:1)

Days 11 - 12: Kalka - Shimla

Kalka - Shimla - (breakfast day 12 only). Very early today, we board the Kalka-Shimla Express (non a/c 1st class), arriving Shimla late morning. Shimla, the ‘old summer capital’ of British India sprawls along a crescent-shaped ridge at an altitude of 2100m. The famous ‘Mall’ lined with stately English houses, Christ Church, Gorton Castle and the fortress-like former Viceregal Lodge reinforces Shimla’s English flavour. It’s worth exploring the narrow streets which fall steeply away from the ridge to colourful local bazaars. Overnight - Shimla (B:1)

Day 13: Shimla

Shimla - Delhi (Kalka). Leaving Shimla, drive to Kalka to catch the afternoon, Shatabdi Express train (airconditioned chair car) bound for Delhi. Overnight - New Delhi (B)

Colourfully dressed Indian people at the Taj Mahal

Day 14: New Delhi

This morning embark on a sightseeing tour of Old Delhi including the Red Fort, Jama Masjid mosque and the bazaars of Chandni Chowk. This afternoon, enjoy the sights of New Delhi including the majestic India Gate, Rajpath and Connaught Place. A visit is also made to Qutab Minar, a massive tower built to proclaim the arrival of Islam in India in the 11th century and a carpet emporium. Late this evening, enjoy an included onward transfer to the airport. (B)

Travel in style

Prices are based on 4 star hotels. If you fancy a little added comfort and luxury, you can upgrade your accommodation on this tour to 5 star hotels.

Please contact us for further details and prices.

NOTE: Taj Mahal, Agra - closed Friday; Red Fort, Delhi - closed Monday

FROM USD $2,399

Prices & Departure Dates

Prices shown are ‘per person’, based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults. The single supplement price needs to be added to the twin/double price if single rooms are required. If travelling solo, an additional ‘1-person’ supplement will apply

Prices are indicative and will vary depending on your chosen hotels, room availability as well as time of travel i.e. during India’s peak travel season of 21 Dec - 10 Jan, additional supplements will apply. Equally, if you with to travel to India during the summer, rates will be cheaper than those quoted.. Please bear this in mind if comparing prices as we always aim to deliver exceptional value.

Please note that discounts will apply if there are more 4 our more people in your travelling party, since fixed costs like transportation and guiding are shared across the group.



Date	Price/Person	Single Supp.
Railways of the Raj - 14 days	USD $2,399	USD $969

Experiences

If you are interesting in trips with similar experiences to this one, then check out some of the ones we've listed below.

Live It Local

The-Palace-Of-Catherine-The-Great-In-St-Petersburg

Palaces & Forts

Want to see how the other half live? Then take a look at our selection of tours that visit all the best palaces and forts around the world. Many of the wonderfully ornate edifices that we visit are now historical museums and sites of interest allowing you to have a good old look around. And when you've had your fill of sightseeing, it's time to live like a king and stay in one of the many hotels that have been converted from a palace or fort!

The Great Outdoors

Great Train Rides

Transportation isn't simply a practicality, it can be an experience in itself. Enjoy the world's greatest train ride, traversing a third of the globe on the legendary Trans-Siberian or combine six scenic colourful and cultural train journeys through India.

Wonders of the World

The beautiful white marble Taj Mahal in Agra

The Taj Mahal

One of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and an enduring Indian icon, the elegant structure known as the Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who sadly died in 1631, giving birth to their 14th child. In her dying breath, Mumtaz Mahal urged Shah Jahan to build a mausoleum for her, more beautiful than any the world had ever seen. In 1632 building began on the world’s greatest monument to love, which, even today, undoubtedly has no peer. In order to ensure the perfection of the Taj Mahal could not be replicated anywhere else on earth, the artisans and workers who created it, are said to have later had their hands or thumbs amputated.

Highlights & Inclusions

Below is a list of key highlights and what is included on this tour. Further, where appropriate, we have listed the items that are not included in the tour price.

Trip Highlights

Kolkata - Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Jain Temple, Howrah flower market, Hooghly River
Varanasi and the Ganges
Shimla scenic hill station with Himalayan backdrop

Darjeeling - scenic hill station with Himalayan backdrop, Tiger Hill, Ghoom Monastery, tea estate
Agra - Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and visit to a marble craftshop
Delhi - Old Delhi - Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat. New Delhi - India Gate, Rajpath, Humayun's Tomb, Qutab Minar and visit a carpet emporium with demonstration

What's Included

6 different train journeys
9 nights 4 star hotels and 4 nights overnight train journeys
Visit to Tea Estate - Darjeeling
Airport arrival and departure transfers on day 1 and day 14
Local English speaking specialist guides at local sights
Chauffeur driven air-conditioned vehicle (non air conditioned in Darjeeling)

10 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners - Darjeeling
Drive to Tiger Hill - Darjeeling
Sunrise boat cruise on the holy Ganges - Varanasi
Touring and excursions as per itinerary
Entrance fees to all relevant sights

What's Not Included

International flights and visas
Tipping - an entirely personal gesture

Laundry, drinks, items of a personal nature

Postcards

Here's what some of our past travellers have written in to us and said about their experiences on this trip.

My mother and I returned on Sunday, 6th November, 2011 from the 'Railways of the Raj' holiday organised by On The Go Tours.
We had a marvellous holiday, which was extremely well organised. As the title of the tour suggests, we travelled by rail - mostly overnight rail journeys.
The organisation started well with the excellent pack we received on arrival in Kolkata - it included all rail tickets, well documented and accompanied, where necessary, by the route timetable.
All guides were very efficient, pleasant and knowledgeable and the drivers deserved medals!
We were particularly impressed by the efficiency of the guides in relation to the rail journeys. At no point were we left to our own devices and it was a particularly nice touch that the guide at our departure point texted the guide a the next port of call to let him know that we were on our way and what carriage and cabin we were in, the end result of which meant that our new guide was standing on the platform right outside our carriage. It really was great service and helped to allay any fears we had about finding our guide in the railway stations - which would have been no mean feat given that 14 million people per day travel on the Indian railways!
We would be grateful if the recipient of this e-mail in India ensures that our thanks are noted by you team in India. We thanked all the guides and drivers personally, but a further thank you I'm sure will not go amiss.

Susan Wilson , Dec 2011