From old steam engines to modern diesel and electric locomotives, this tour on rails is for the romantic with some resilience!

Meet and assistance on arrival by TOTAL HOLIDAY OPTIONS representative at the arrival lounge holding plaque card and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure and stay overnight at Kolkata.

Kolkata or Calcutta, the city that Dominique Lapierre so memorably called “The City of Joy”, was the erstwhile capital of British India and has been the gateway to India for the better part of the 19th century. Alive with art and culture at every street corner, the city is dotted with historic temples, art centers, museums and botanical gardens. After breakfast enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of this sprawling metropolis and home of five Nobel laureates. Visit Victoria Memorial; a fantastic museum that will take you into the world of past history, where one can view the photos and effigies of prominent personalities who made an incredible contribution to the glory of India and houses a group of mind-blowing figures above the north porch that epitomize prudence, learning and motherhood, Howrah Bridge; located over the Hoogli River, it is considered to be the busiest bridges in the world, was set up in 1874 and stands on two 270 feet high pillars, Eden Gardens; the oldest and finest cricket playground in the country, which has undergone tremendous modernization and today boasts of its large accommodation of about 1,20,000 persons. This quaint little fishing village has grown up to become the most populated city of India bearing the scars of more than three hundred years. Stay overnight at Kolkata. (B, D)
Included Meals Indication: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, E=Evening Tea, D=Dinner

The day is at leisure, to explore this city with a rich heritage, bustling streets and bewildering variety of facets. It is the commercial nerve-centre of the East, with major industrial plants, textile mills and corporate units. Regal edifices, grubby alleys, bustling bazaars, elegant hotels, people from all walks of life – Kolkata has it all. It is also a hub of fervent activity in the realms of music, theatre, arts, and sports and has always prided itself on the many luminaries it has sent forth, be it Rabindranath Tagore, Satyajit Ray, or Mrinal Sen. The intense dedication to the arts manifests itself in a plethora of festivals, dance, music performances and other cultural events. Optionally pre arrange a visit to Mother Teresa Ashram; a visit here can be an emotional and enlightening experience. In the evening begin your Indian rail experience by transferring to the busy Sealdah Station to board Darjeeling Mail. Bedding will be provided by the train attendant while you enjoy overnight train ride in air-conditions sleeper class. Overnight on board. (B)
Included Meals Indication: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, E=Evening Tea, D=Dinner

Arrival at New Jalpaiguri in the morning, change to the narrow gauge toy train, pulled by steam locomotive provided running on the day or travel by car and enjoy an unforgettable scenic ride through the hills to Darjeeling. The flaming red rhododendrons, the sparkling white magnolias, the miles of undulating hillsides covered with emerald green tea bushes, the exotic forests of silver fir - all under the blanket of a brilliant azure sky dappled with specks of clouds, compellingly confounds Darjeeling as the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’. Remaining of the day at leisure with overnight at Darjeeling. (B, D)
Included Meals Indication: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, E=Evening Tea, D=Dinner

Enjoy your leisurely breakfast as the day kept free for your own activities. Darjeeling is a fascinating place where you can see Buddhist monasteries, visit a tea plantation and see how the tea is processed, go for a ride on the chairlift, spend time hunting for bargains in colorful markets and handicraft shops, or go trekking to high-altitude spots for closer views of Kanchenjunga Stay overnight at Darjeeling. (B, D)
Included Meals Indication: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, E=Evening Tea, D=Dinner

An early morning excursion to witness sunrise over the Tiger Hill and visit famous Ghoom Monastery while returning. Enjoy toy train ride and explore this beautiful hill station that conjures visions of serenity, of vibrant green hills steeped in splendor, a land of breathtaking beauty crowned by the majestic Himalayas. Stay overnight at Darjeeling. (B, D)
Included Meals Indication: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, E=Evening Tea, D=Dinner

After breakfast travel to New Jalpaiguri to board overnight express train to Varanasi. Bedding will be provided by the train attendant while you enjoy your overnight ride in air-conditions sleeper class. Overnight on board. (B)
Included Meals Indication: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, E=Evening Tea, D=Dinner

Morning arrive Varanasi or Mughalsarai station and transfer to the hotel. Late afternoon enjoy guided sightseeing tour of one of the oldest living city in the world. Varanasi has been named after the two tributaries of Ganges that flows through the city named Varuna and Assi rivers. It was later changed to Benares and re-christened Varanasi. A city of traditional classical culture, it is the microcosm of Hinduism. Blessed by a legend and revered by religion, it has always lured a large number of pilgrims and worshippers from times immemorial. A city with rich and vibrant past, it has no exquisitely carved palaces, no impregnable fort, and no architectural splendor but still has an inherent charm of its own, with ghats dotted with temples and maze of alleys alongside. Conclude your day with witnessing grand prayer at the temple and experience the city come alive with chanting mantras and smell of the flowers. Stay overnight at Varanasi. (B, D)
Included Meals Indication: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, E=Evening Tea, D=Dinner

An early start to enjoy sunrise boat rides on river Ganges. The river will be thronged with early morning bathers, raising their faces to the rising sun and reciting the sacred mantra. One can see the perpetual movement of the pilgrims on the steps, the vivid colours of their clothes glistening against the pale gold water, the triangular flags fluttering atop the temple spires. Varanasi is associated with promotion of spiritualism, mysticism, Sanskrit, yoga and Hindi language. Ravi Shankar, the internationally renowned Sitar maestro and Ustad Bismillah Khan, (the famous Shehnai player) are all sons of the blessed city or have lived here for major part of their lives. Later, proceed for an excursion to Sarnath, the once prime centre of Buddhist religion with a 2500 years old history hidden into it, an old world of stupas and viharas, where ancient relics, manuscripts and inscriptions bear witness to a glorious past. Lord Buddha got enlighten in Bodhagaya and came to Sarnath where he preached his first sermon, making this little village one of the four important geographical landmarks in the life of Buddha. Board your overnight train to Agra; bedding will be provided by the train attendant while you enjoy your overnight train ride in air-condition sleeper class. Overnight on board. (B)
Included Meals Indication: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, E=Evening Tea, D=Dinner

Morning arrive Agra and relax at the hotel. Agra is globally renowned as the city of the Taj Mahal but besides this, the city has many other monuments that exemplify the high point of Mughal architecture. In the 16th and 17th century, Mughal period, Agra was the capital of India. It was here that the founder of the dynasty, Babar, laid out the first formal Persian garden on the banks of the river Yamuna. Here, Akbar, his grandson raised the towering ramparts of the great Red Fort. Within its walls, Jehangir built rose-red palaces, courts and gardens, and Shah Jahan embellished it with marble mosques, palaces and pavilions of gem-inlaid white marble. The land is gifted with tokens of love and kinship. Afternoon enjoys guided sightseeing tour and visit Agra Fort and Itimad-Ud-Daulah also know as mini Taj Mahal. Remaining of the day at leisure with overnight at Agra. (B, D)
Included Meals Indication: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, E=Evening Tea, D=Dinner

Pay a sunrise visit to most awaited monument The Taj Mahal, a dream etched in milky white pristine marble, a peerless monument portraying the beauty of eternal love. A commemoration of the memory of Emperor Shahjehan’s beloved wife, Mumtaz. Her last wish to her husband was "to build a tomb in her memory such as the world had never seen before". Taj Mahal stands serene and awesome, on a raised marble platform, by the banks of the Yamuna, testifying to the timelessness of art and love. Mesmerizing, majestic, scintillating – the Taj Mahal is a feeling that caresses one’s heart like a pure melody of love. The Taj was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Board overnight train from Tundla railway station to Kalka and transfer to the Toy train to enjoy most beautiful and scenic ride you can ever imagine. The Guinness Book of ‘Rail Facts and Feats’ records the Kalka –Shimla Railways as ‘The greatest narrow gauge engineering feat in India’. Travelling on this train is a thrilling experience as the landscape of charming hills, tunnels, bridge and valleys, which one encounters on the way leaves a lasting impression of ecstasy and joy. A distance of 96 kms is covered through 103 tunnels, 969 bridges, it has 919 curves, 20 railways stations and 5 level crossings on route. Rest of the day at leisure with overnight at Shimla. (B)
Included Meals Indication: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, E=Evening Tea, D=Dinner

Enjoy your leisurely breakfast as the day is free to walk around the famous mall and surrounding area. Shimla has a great diversity in landscape, with lush greenery on one side having a mesmerizing effect and snow-clad mountains on another side which are equally stunning. If a few buildings are reminiscent of the colonial past, modern structures aptly remind that Shimla has succeeded in keeping pace with time. Explore Shimla and experience why this was once called summer resort of the Britishers. Stay overnight at Shimla. (B, D)
Included Meals Indication: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, E=Evening Tea, D=Dinner

Enjoy another day relaxing and enjoying comfort of the hotel and charm of the town. Stay overnight at Shimla. (B, D)

After breakfast travel to Kalka railway station to board your train to Delhi, arrive late evening and transfer to the airport to board your onwards flight. (B)

Private Car Guided Tour

Starts in: Kolkata Ends in: Delhi Grade: Adventurous Tour

• Accommodation in hotel with private facilities
• Private air-conditioned car for sightseeing
• Meals as specified (B=Breakfast, D=Dinner)
• Private English speaking guide during sightseeing
• Entry fee/Monument charges
• Boat ride at Varanasi
• Toy train ride at Darjeeling
• Train ticket in 1st /2nd class air-conditioned chair car
• Assistance and transfers

• Departs daily
• Taj Mahal is closed on Friday
• Overland travel by overnight trains and city tour by Private car
• Order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions
• Itinerary can be customised to suit your requirements
• Ask for pre and post accommodation

• Any meals other than specified, drinks, laundry, Mineral water, telephone calls or other expenses of a personal nature.
• Camera fees (Video or still) at the monuments
• Tips/gratuity