Suggested itineraries...
India is vast, and many first-time visitors wonder where to start. One strategy is to tour only a small area, for example Rajasthan or the beaches of Goa. But I'd suggest using the excellent Indian train network to see a varied cross-section of India, picking one example of each type of place: one big city, one hill station, one or two princely cities in Rajasthan, Agra (for the Taj Mahal) and perhaps Varanasi (the classic Hindu holy city on the Ganges). This way, you see some real contrasting places, with overnight trains minimising both the number of daytime hours spent travelling and hotel bills. Here's just one suggested itinerary that works well, and easy fills 2 or 3 weeks depending on how much time you have and the pace you want to set.
- Delhi 1-3 days
- Take the Shiv Ganga Express leaving New Delhi at 18:45 arriving Varanasi Junction at 07:30 next morning. AC1, AC2, AC3, Sleeper class.
- Varanasi 2-3 days. The unmissable Hindu holy city on the Ganges. Make sure you stay in a local Indian riverside hotel such as the Hotel Alka. Western chain hotels are all in the new town, away from the action.
- Take the Marudhar Express from Varanasi Junction at 17:20 (18:15 on some days) arriving Agra Fort at 05:55 next morning. AC2, AC3, Sleeper class.
- Agra - also visit the fantastic royal city of Fatephur Sikhri, some 30km away by bus or car. 2 days. Agra may be the most touristy place in India, but the Taj is well worth the tourist tout hassle. The fort and ‘baby Taj’ are also worth a visit.
- Take the Marudhar Express from Agra at 06:15 arriving Jaipur at 11:30 the same day. AC2, AC3, Sleeper class.
- Jaipur 2-3 days. The ‘Pink City’ is one of the most wonderful princely cities in Rajasthan, and indeed in India.
- Take the Delhi-Jaisalmer Express leaving Jaipur at 23:57 arriving Jaisalmer at 11:45 next morning. AC1, AC2, AC3, Sleeper class. On the day of departure from Jaipur, negotiate a rate to keep your hotel room until you leave for the station.
- Jaisalmer 2-3 days. This is Rajasthan’s fairytale city, in the desert close to the Pakistan border. It has no airport, so only those who make the effort get to see it!
- Take the Jaisalmer-Delhi Express leaving Jaisalmer at 16:30 and arriving at Delhi (old Delhi station) at 11:05. AC1, AC2, AC3, sleeper class. Spend the day & night in Delhi.
- An early start! Take the Himalayan Queen leaving Delhi Sarai Rohilla at 05:40 arriving Kalka at 11:10. AC Chair class & 2nd class seats. Change onto the toy train leaving Kalka at 12:10 arriving Simla at 17:20. The journey to Simla by narrow gauge ‘Toy Train’ is a delight.
- Simla 2-3 days. Cool relaxation and colonial charm in this Himalayan hill station from the days of the Raj. The ideal final destination for your trip!
Take the Shivalik Deluxe (AC Chair class, meal included) leaving Simla at 17:40 arriving Kalka at 22:20. Change onto the mainline Kalka Mail leaving Kalka at 23:55 and arriving Delhi (this time old Delhi station) at 06:15. AC1, AC2, AC3, Sleeper class. - Delhi.
You can make this itinerary on either a 15-day ($185) or 21-day ($198) AC2 IndRail pass, depending on how long you take. However, as you can see from the classes available on each train, you would get little use from paying the extra for an AC1 pass. Alternatively, how about:
- Calcutta-(overnight sleeper train to New Jalpaiguri then the famous Darjeeling Toy Train)-Darjeeling-Varanasi-(overnight sleeper train)-Agra-(daytime train)-Jaipur-(overnight sleeper train)-Calcutta.
Use www.cleartrip.com or www.indianrail.gov.in to find train times & fares, as explained above. Here are some suggested places in each category:
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