Heritage Rail Journey of India
New
Kick off in Delhi and wrap up in Delhi on this 8 day discovery. You’ll dive into Old and New Delhi – from the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk rickshaw rides to Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb – before speeding by train to Gwalior’s hilltop fort and the palaces and temples of Orchha. Base yourself in Bhopal to explore historic mosques, the prehistoric rock art of Bhimbetka and the Shiva temple at Bhojpur, plus serene Sanchi Stupas and Udayagiri Caves. Birdlife beckons at Bhoj Wetland. Finish in Agra with sunrise at the Taj Mahal and a wander through Agra Fort and Itmad ud Daula.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Tour Overview
Duration
8 daysHotel Rating
3, 4 or 5 star hotelsStarts
DelhiEnds
DelhiMinimum Age
No minimum ageMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in India that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
YesTour Guide
Yes - for included sightseeing.Country
IndiaPassengers
$2,770.00
$1,485.00
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 1 / Max Private Tour
Trip Type
Private Tours
Range
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Tour Guide
Yes - for included sightseeing.Group Size
Min 1 / Max Private TourRange
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Private ToursPlaces You'll See
New Delhi
Delhi
Gwalior
Orchha
Jhansi
Bhopal
Amchha Khurd
Sanchi
Udayagiri
Bhopal Division
Agra
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Included
Not Included
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Itinerary
Day 1 - Delhi
Arrive in Delhi, where our representative will meet you at the international airport for assistance and a transfer to your hotel for check in. Standard check in is from 12:00 – early check in is subject to availability. Later, we set out on a guided city tour. In Old Delhi, we visit the Red Fort and Jama Masjid, take a cycle rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, and explore the Khari Baoli spice market. We then continue to New Delhi to see Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb and the Lotus Temple, and drive past the President’s House, Parliament and India Gate. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 - Delhi - Gwalior - New Delhi
After breakfast, we transfer to New Delhi railway station for the 06:00–09:25 Satabdi train to Gwalior. On arrival, we meet our guide and driver and visit Gwalior Fort – a hilltop stronghold known for its temples, palaces and water tanks. Within the complex, we see the Jain monuments at Siddhachal Caves and the Gopachal rock–cut sculptures; the Hindu temples of Teli Ka Mandir and Sahastrabahu (Sas–Bahu) Ka Mandir; Gurudwara Data Bandi Chhor; and notable sites including Man Mandir Palace, Gujari Mahal, Assi Khamba Ki Baoli and Suraj Kund. After sightseeing, we drive 125 km – around 3 hours – to Orchha and check in to the hotel. Later, we explore the Orchha Fort complex, entered via an arched causeway and gateway to a broad courtyard ringed by Raja Mahal, Sheesh Mahal and Jahangir Mahal, along with a temple, gardens and pavilions. Architectural highlights include ornamented battlements, projecting balconies, open terraces and latticed windows. We also visit Chaturbhuj Temple – a multi–storeyed blend of temple, fort and palace design – originally built for an image of Rama now housed in the Rama Raja Temple, and noted for one of the tallest vimanas among Hindu temples. You then have time at leisure to relax. Overnight in Orchha.
Day 3 - Orchha - Jhansi
After breakfast, we drive 12 km from Orchha to Jhansi railway station to board the 10:45–13:55 Satabdi train to Bhopal. On arrival, we have assistance and a transfer to the hotel.Later, we tour Bhopal – one of India’s greenest cities – visiting Jama Masjid and Moti Masjid, the vast Taj‑ul‑Masajid, and Bharat Bhavan, the city’s leading arts centre. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 - Bhopal - Bhojpur
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive from Bhopal to the Bhimbetka rock shelters and Bhojpur – about 45 km and approximately 1 hour each way. At Bhimbetka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we explore rock shelters from the Palaeolithic age that preserve some of the earliest evidence of human life on the Indian subcontinent; some were inhabited by Homo erectus more than 100,000 years ago, and several Stone Age paintings are estimated to be around 30,000 years old. We then continue to Bhojpur to visit its renowned temple dedicated to Shiva, which houses one of the largest lingas in India, carved from a single rock. We return to Bhopal for the evening – overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 - Bhopal - Sanchi
After breakfast, we set out from Bhopal for a day excursion to Sanchi and Udayagiri – about 50 kilometres, roughly 1 hour each way. At Sanchi, we explore a serene hilltop complex of stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from the 3rd century BC to the 12th century AD, where the Buddha is represented through symbols rather than figures. We continue to the Udayagiri Caves, an early Hindu ritual site carved and reworked under Emperor Chandragupta II in the late 4th and 5th centuries AD, featuring rock shelters, petroglyphs, ruined buildings, inscriptions, water systems, fortifications and habitation mounds that are only partially excavated. We then return to Bhopal – the rest of the day is free for you to relax. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 - Bhopal
After breakfast, we visit the Bhoj Wetland – two manmade lakes, Bhojtal (the Upper Lake) and the Lower Lake, within the city of Bhopal. Recognised as a Ramsar site in 2002, the wetland supports more than 20,000 birds annually. The Upper Lake supplies 40% of the city’s drinking water. Recent sightings include white storks, black necked storks, bar headed geese and spoonbills, with gatherings of around 100–120 sarus cranes – the largest bird in India, known for its majestic flight and lifelong pairing.Later we transfer to Bhopal railway station for the Shatabdi train to Agra – 1515–2111. On arrival in Agra we’re met and transferred to the hotel for the night.
Day 7 - Agra
We start early with a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal – the white marble mausoleum built in 1632 by Emperor Shah Jahan for Mumtaz Mahal – then return for breakfast. We continue to Agra Fort, the Mughal emperors’ residence until 1638, and the Tomb of Itmad–ud–Daula, commissioned by Nur Jahan for her father. In the evening we transfer you to Agra railway station for the Shatabdi train to Delhi – a journey of about two hours. On arrival, we meet you and drive to your hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 8 - Delhi
After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer you to Delhi International Airport according to your flight schedule – arriving in good time to check in and board your onward flight.
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Tour Reviews
Accommodation Standard
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Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
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Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
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Prices & Dates
The prices you see below are a guide, with final prices per person being determined by the number of travellers in your booking party, desired hotel standard and the rooming arrangements required. To see an accurate price, please click "Book Dates" and enter the details for your booking party.
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