Of all the popular tourist destinations in the world, India is a true delight for travellers. India’s topography is immensely diverse, which allows people to experience a range of sights and scenes, everything from pristine beaches to breathtaking mountain ranges, gushing rivers, majestic waterfalls, and exotic wildlife. India also shares a rich history, as isevident from its numerous forts, palaces and other ancient monuments. Travellers also get to experience India’s rich cultural diversity, reflected in its various festivals and a wide variety of delicious local cuisines. One of the best ways to experience India’s geographical and cultural diversity is through train journeys. If you are planning a vacation, here are the top 5 best train journeys in India that you can consider.
Mumbai to Mangalore (The West Coast Circuit): If you want to experience the enchanting beauty of the Western Ghats, you could consider travelling from Mumbai to Mangalore. This route is managed by Konkan Railways and it is widely popular for its scenic mountain ranges, lush green forests, glimmering water bodies, cascading waterfalls and a plethora of exotic wildlife. The route runs parallel to the Western Coast of India and there are many popular tourist spots along the way such as Kolad, Ratnagiri, Goa, Madgaon, Karwar, Ankola, Bhatkal, and Udupi.
Delhi to Mumbai (The Desert Circuit): The Indian Railways operates a special tourist train that runs from Delhi to Mumbai via the state of Rajasthan. It covers some of the most popular tourist destinations in India such as Agra (Taj Mahal), Ranthambore (Tigers), Jaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Balasinor. This journey will allow you to experience the rich culture of Rajasthan, its delectable cuisine and a wide variety of majestic forts and palaces. You can also experience the magnificent vastness of the desert, which has its own innate beauty and mystique.
Kalka to Shimla (The Himalayan Circuit): If you want to experience the captivating splendor of the Himalayas, you can take a toy train from Kalka to Shimla. The route is just around 100 kilometers, but it is one of the most beautiful train routes in the country. Most of the route lies at an altitude of 1000-2000 meters, with the highest point being Shimla at 2086 meters. You will experience imposing mountains, deep valleys and gorges, and scenic lakes. As the toy train chugs along at a leisurely speed of around 20 kilometers per hour, you will also be able to witness a wide variety of exotic flora and fauna.
New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling (The Tea Circuit): This is a toy train route, which is probably the most popular tourist train in the country. This train has been featured in various movies and documentaries. People travel on this train not only because of the scenic beauty of the route, but also because the train route has a rich history, dating back to more than a century. This train route was opened in 1879, and it continues to amaze travellers even today. The route is around 84 km and offers panoramic views of the hills, forests, and tea plantations. You shall be able to witness the cultivation of the world famous Darjeeling tea on this journey.
Puducherry to Kolkata (The East Coast Circuit): This train route runs parallel to the East Coast of India and allows travellers to explore its wonders. The route passes through three states – Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. If you consider the starting and end points – Puducherry and West Bengal, there would be five different cultures and cuisines to discover on this journey. The route covers some of the most popular tourist destinations including beaches, forts, palaces, and ancient temples and monuments.
India has a lot more to offer in terms of exciting train journeys. Train journeys in India are fairly comfortable and safe, which makes it the preferred choice for travellers. Train journeys are one of the best ways to explore the infinite wonders of incredible India.