The Great Indian Rail Journey
The Great Indian Rail Journey
This tour is no longer available, here are some similar tours:
The Great Indian Rail Journey
16 Days Starting and ending in Delhi, India
Visiting: Delhi, Jaipur, Ranthambore National Park, Ranthambore, Agra, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Shimla, United Kingdom
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TTGIR
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Gardens & Nature Tours, Rail Tours, Wildlife Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on "The Great Indian Rail Journey" and experience the vibrant tapestry of India through guided tours of Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Shimla. Marvel at iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal at sunrise, Amber Fort, and the Golden Temple. Enjoy two safaris in Ranthambore National Park, explore Jaipur's bustling bazaars, and ride the famous Kalka-Shimla 'Toy Train' through the Himalayas. Travel in style with six train journeys and local air-conditioned coach transport, staying 14 nights in comfortable hotels. With 32 meals included and a local Titan tour manager to guide you, this tour offers an unforgettable blend of culture, history, and natural beauty.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Location: Delhi
Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Delhi.
Day 2
Location: Delhi
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
A city where rickshaws run riot and air-conditioned super malls jostle for space with street-food sellers, India’s hypnotic capital can be a shock to the senses. With more feet on the ground than Austria and Switzerland combined, our first day is spent putting our own feet up and relaxing after the flight. Spend a leisurely day by the hotel pool, meeting this evening for dinner.
Day 3
Location: Delhi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend the day discovering Old and New Delhi on a guided tour. We embrace the colour and clamour of Old Delhi first, weaving our way through the rainbow-coloured sari sellers, electronic stalls and makeshift restaurants that spill onto the pavements of Chandni Chowk - Delhi’s biggest market. Old Delhi dates back to the Mughal empire and we witness the majesty of the Shahs in the intricate marble of Jama Masjid - India's largest and more impressive mosque, and the soaring sandstone battlements of the Red Fort.
Established by the British, New Delhi is a mix of modern and colonial - with elegant pockets of tree-lined boulevards and blinding-white Georgian colonnades. We drive past the presidential palace of Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate - built to commemorate Indian soldiers who died in WWI; stopping to visit Raj Ghat - the final resting place of Gandhi, and UNESCO-listed Qutab Minar - a 13th-century minaret and masterpiece of Indo-Muslim art.
Day 4
Location: Jaipur
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we take the train to one of the points of Rajasthan’s famous Golden Triangle, the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur. The jewel in Rajasthan’s already bejewelled crown, the pink-hued archways, bustling bazaars and carved palaces of Jaipur were the setting for the film 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'. The rest of the day is free. There’s an optional excursion to learn kite flying and enjoy a delicious high tea afterwards.
Day 5
Location: Jaipur
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today’s tour starts outside Jaipur at the UNESCO-listed Amber Fort - the ancient capital of the Rajput empire. Seemingly carved out of the desert sandstone hillside, the palace complex rises majestically above a mirrored lake. Within the creamy coloured ramparts, we explore a maze of marble-inlaid halls, emerald-green gardens and sunken royal courtyards.
Back in Jaipur, we visit the extraordinary Jantar Mantar. Built in the 1720s, architectural and astronomical accuracy combine to reveal 18 huge stone sculptures, including a 27m-high sundial that can calculate the time to within two seconds. Not bad for a 300-year-old clock. We also drive past Hawa Mahal, ‘The Palace of the Winds’. Built in 1799 so that royal women could watch street processions while in purdah, like tiers on a wedding cake, layer after layer of intricately carved windows create Jaipur’s most recognisable site.
Day 6
Location: Ranthambore National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travelling by air-conditioned intercity express train, we leave Jaipur late morning for Sawai Modhopur - the gateway to Ranthambore National Park. Slowly being reclaimed by the jungle, the 1,000-year-old crumbling forts and tangled vines provide an Indiana Jones-esque backdrop for spotting India’s elusive Bengal tigers. The rest of the day is free to relax by the pool ahead of tomorrow’s safaris.
There are two optional excursions: a guided nature walk; or a visit to Dastkar to see the stunning handicrafts made by the women of the village in order to support their families.
Day 7
Location: Ranthambore
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we go on a morning and afternoon safari drive in open-sided vehicles. The promise of tigers and leopards are the big cat draw of Ranthambore, we also keep a close watch for the park’s other residents amongst the scattered ruins and lakes - including hyena, sambar, wild boar, water buffalo and crocodile.
Day 8
Location: Agra
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning we board the Shatabdi train to Bharatpur and drive into Agra - the final apex of the Golden Triangle. After a traditional thali lunch, we take a guided tour of the city. Agra is best known for the Taj Mahal, and while it remains the star of the show, the former capital of the Mughal empire has more imperial treasures in its trove.
We begin at the UNESCO-listed Agra Fort. Begun in 1565 by the great Mughal emperor Akbar, this vast red sandstone fort was finished over successive reigns by his grandson and great-grandson. A proper family home, the finished result is 2.5km long and 21m high. In comparison to its indomitable size, we also visit the nearby tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah (known as the 'Baby Taj') - a royal tomb built in the same style as the Taj Mahal but a fraction of the size.
There’s an optional excursion this evening to watch the Mohabbat the Taj show.
Day 9
Location: Agra
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
An almost impossible image to live up to, those preparing themselves to be disappointed by the Taj Mahal needn’t worry. Arriving by sunrise to watch the marble walls change from flaming orange to coral and then white, this architectural masterpiece - built by Shah Jahan between 1560-82 in memory of his favourite wife - is spellbinding. Not to mention, a lesson in true love. We grab our photos and take a guided tour before the crowds get too busy.
After breakfast back at the hotel, we drive back to Delhi to catch tomorrow's train to Amritsar.
Day 10
Location: Amritsar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Whizzing through changing landscapes, from rocky deserts to woven countryside, we take the train north into India’s Punjab region close to the border of Pakistan. Established by the Sikh guru, Guru Ram Das, the glittering temples of Amritsar are a holy pilgrimage city for Sikhs. The afternoon is at leisure at the hotel or there's an optional excursion to the Partition Museum.
Day 11
Location: Amritsar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Amritsar is a city of extremes, where resplendent temples and artificial lakes provide moments of serenity and enlightenment amongst the beeping traffic and full-to-bursting bazaars. This morning’s tour takes us to Jallianwalah Bagh - a memorial to commemorate the Indians who died at the hands of British troops during a demonstration in 1919. We also visit a local bazaar and Durgiana Temple, or the Silver Temple - an elaborately carved Hindu temple. We then admire Amritsar’s crowning glory - the gilded domes and mirrored waters of the Golden Temple - the holiest site in the world for Sikhs. This afternoon we travel to the border town of Wagah to see the changing of the guard - a military ceremony involving Indian and Pakistan troops that’s taken place each evening since 1959. Attended by hundreds, with loud cheering from both sides of the border, it’s quite the spectacle.
Day 12
Location: Chandigarh
Meals Included: Breakfast
We leave for Chandigarh this morning - a modern grid-like city built in direct contrast to the chaotic architectural charms of the imperial cities. Designed by Swiss architect Le Corbusier in the 1950s, the city remains cleaner and greener than most Indian cities. On our tour we admire modernist and French-influenced colonial architecture, the magical Rose Garden - a 30-acre garden scented by 50,000 rose bushes, and Sukhana - a boating lake favoured by locals with a view out to the snow-capped Himalayas.
Day 13
Location: Shimla
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Not to be confused with our childhood railway sets, today we board the Kalka-Shimla 'Toy Train' - part of the UNESCO World Heritage Mountain Railway and one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world. So called for its diminutive size (just two foot six inches wide), on this 96km journey we wind our way from the plains of Kalka into the foothills of the Himalayas. Skirting the edges of steep hillsides and crossing between lush river valleys - the journey goes over 850 bridges and passes through 100 tunnels!
Day 14
Location: Shimla
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Surrounded by snow-flecked Himalayan peaks and with colourful buildings stacked high into the hillsides, Shimla is India’s biggest and most popular hill station. This morning we take a sightseeing tour, visiting the late 19th-century building of the Indian Institute of Advance Study on Observatory Hill, the picturesque Army Heritage Museum and take in the hustle and bustle of Mall Road. We’ll also stop at Christ Church, the second-oldest church in Northern India.The afternoon is free to explore further or relax at the hotel - soaking up the magnificent Himalayan views from the terrace or visiting the hotel spa.
Day 15
Location: Delhi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Taking the road back to Chandigarh, we board the Vande Bharat Express for our final train journey back to Delhi.
Day 16
Location: United Kingdom
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a final cup of chai, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival, your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.
What's Included
-
14 nights in hotels and 1 in flight
-
International and internal flights as detailed. Prices are based on return flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow.
-
Titan tour manager
-
32 meals: 14 breakfasts 7 lunches 11 dinnersundefined excursions and visits
-
Guided tours of Old and New Delhi; Jaipur; Agra; Amritsar; Chandigarh; Shimla
-
Six train journeys Delhi - Jaipur; Jaipur - Sawai Madhopur; Sawai Madhopur - Bharatpur; Delhi - Amritsar; Kalka - Shimla ('Toy Train'); Chandigarh - Delhi
-
Visits to Amber Fort, Taj Mahal at sunrise; Wagah for changing of the guard ceremony; Golden Temple
-
Two safaris in Ranthambore National ParkPlus
-
Tipping (except tour manager, coach driver & coach assistant)
-
Portable audio headset system on excursions
What's Not Included
-
Optional excursions
Optional excursions such as kite flying in Jaipur, guided nature walk in Ranthambore, visit to Dastkar, and the Partition Museum in Amritsar are not included.
-
Personal expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
-
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and must be arranged separately.
-
Visa fees
Visa fees for entry into India are not included.
-
Gratuities
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with six train journeys, including the famous Kalka-Shimla 'Toy Train', and local transportation by air-conditioned coach.Accommodation
Enjoy 14 nights in comfortable hotels and 1 night in flight, with opportunities to relax by the pool and soak in the local ambiance.Check out our Q&As
-
What kind of transportation is included in the tour?
The tour includes six train journeys, including the famous Kalka-Shimla 'Toy Train', and local transportation by air-conditioned coach.
-
What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
You will enjoy 14 nights in comfortable hotels and 1 night in flight, with opportunities to relax by the pool and soak in the local ambiance.
-
Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, 32 meals are included: 14 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 10 dinners.
-
Will there be a tour manager available during the trip?
Yes, a local Titan tour manager will be available throughout the journey.
-
What kind of guided tours are included?
Guided tours of Old and New Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Shimla are included.
-
Are there any safaris included in the tour?
Yes, two safaris in Ranthambore National Park are included.
-
What are some of the key attractions we will visit?
You will visit Amber Fort, the Taj Mahal at sunrise, Wagah for the changing of the guard ceremony, and the Golden Temple.
-
Is there any special equipment provided during the excursions?
A portable audio headset system will be provided on excursions.
-
What optional excursions are available?
Optional excursions include kite flying in Jaipur, a guided nature walk in Ranthambore, a visit to Dastkar, and the Partition Museum in Amritsar.
-
What is not included in the tour package?
Optional excursions, personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks, travel insurance, visa fees for entry into India, and gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
-
Do I have to pay a Single Supplement?
In most cases a single supplement will apply. If the price for a Single room for sole occupancy is not shown, please ask our team for details and we will be able to check the details for you.
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
We've been taking our customers across the world on escorted tours for more than 40 years
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Our commitment to sustainable travel is part of our ethos. We love exploring the world and hope that, alongside our customers, we can be part of a bigger change in respecting the people and wildlife on our planet and minimising the impact we have on our environment.
-
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
With some COVID-19 rules and restrictions still in place there are a few details that you need to know. This information is subject to change. It’s your responsibility to monitor changes and ensure you fulfil all relevant criteria for travel. Rest assured that we’re on hand to help and answer any questions you might have.
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
You’ll receive your Final holiday documents via email approximately 14 days prior to your departure.
Reviews of this operator
What are travellers saying about Tourhub
Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
Titan Travel allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 75 days before the start of the tour.
-
Transfer as credit for future tours
Titan Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform titan travel, 75 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Titan Travel requires a minimum deposit of 395 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of titan travel charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Why book with tourhub?
Safe & Secure
Your money is held in a dedicated client account until you travel.




The safest way to make overseas, multi-currency payments.
Guaranteed Best Value
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
No cancellation or amendment fees from tourhub.
(Operator terms may apply)
Expert Knowledge
Reliable & unbiased advice from travel experts.
Direct contact with the tour operator via our messaging service.
Inspiration & advice from a community of 6000+ real travellers, influencers & content creators.
Trusted Service
Official partners & licensed agents of 1000+ tour operators worldwide.
Don't just take our word for it...
"Tourhub: Friendliness, Professionalism & Integrity I would happily give tourhub a 6* review if I could..."