Why India ?

India was never really on our must-do or must-see radar, but sometime earlier in the year, we watched - and enjoyed - a series of 3 TV programmes entitled "Indian Hill Railways" on BBC4. Narrated by Bernard Hill, they told human stories of the lives and hopes of employees on the Darjeeling Himalayan railway, the Nilgiri Mountain railway and the railway from Kalka to Shimla.
At around the same time, I spotted an advert in the Daily Telegraph for Great Rail Journeys  (2 shameless plugs there!) holiday to India's Golden Triangle - which included a trip on the Kalka - Shimla railway. Sharp observers will have noted that our recent holidays have involved some aspect of railway travel - preferably steam - and this seemed like a great opportunity to see somewhere different and travel by train to see it. The fact that we were heading into the foothills of the Himalayas may also have swayed our decision.
GRJ only offer the trip on a limited number of dates, and the only dates available to us were fully booked. However, a couple of months later they phoned to say that someone had dropped out and ask if we would like to join the trip.  Too good an opportunity to miss!!

With hindsight, perhaps we should have arranged to fly out a few days earlier - and take in some of the Commonwealth Games ....

Tour highlights (as per brochure!)

* Delhi - including the Red Fort

* Toy Train rail journey in exclusive Heritage carriages

* Shimla & the Shivalik Himalaya
* The Taj Mahal
* Agra Fort

* Fatehpur Sikri
* The Pink City of Jaipur
* Palace of the Winds
* Amber Fort

* Jaigarh Fort

Useful websites

Hotels
Delhi : Claridges Hotel
(make sure the sound is turned ON!)
Shimla : Oberoi Cecil Hotel
Agra : Mughal Sheraton Hotel
Jaipur : Sheraton Rajputana Palace

Railways
Great Rail Journeys
Kalka - Shimla
Shatabdi express

Google Map showing holiday location

View India in a larger map

Now hit the + button a couple of times to show a bit more detail.

The "Golden Triangle" refers to the Delhi, Agra, Jaipur region. Our trip to the north of Delhi allows us to travel on the narrow gauge Indian Hill Railway or "toy train" from Kalka into the foothills of the Himalayas at Shimla.

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