INDIA - TRAIN TEMPLES TIGERS

If trains, temples and tigers are for you then this trip is too.

Also without doubt this has to be a value for money return for the experience you will have. Touring India with, for instance Great Rail Journeys is a decision that would be memorable too! Over a period of 2 weeks you have the chance to experience an excellent introduction into Indian culture, temples, transport and geography.

Sweeping across the northern Indian plains by rail and then experiencing the exquisite switch back ride and climb into the lower Himalayas on the ‘Toy Train’. This unique service was built to help transport the Imperial rulers of India to the summer coolness of Shimla. From where this massive country was ruled from during the hottest season each year. This colonial town was in many ways an extension of England. With its fine manicured gardens, flowers and even a classic theatre to provide old country type entertainment. This facility was certainly for the well to do colonial officers who ran the vast Indian sub-continent from this small hilltop town.  Accompanied by their families with their numerous goods and chattels for around 6 months every year.

The amazing train line runs for 94 kilometres and takes around 5 and half hours to climb to 7,238 feet above sea level from the Punjab plains to the lower foothills. Crossing 800 bridges and viaducts with some 102 tunnels on the route too! The Barog tunnel is just over a kilometre long and was carved through the rocks . Stunning valley views as the train meanders from the lush and tropical foliage of Kalka. Then through the temperate pine forests of the lower Himalayas. Shimla was a bastion of Englishness. And still today you can see its once centre of Government which was ruled from a Scottish Baronial style manor house each summer.

Returning back to the plains via the zigzag road where you will be heading back to Delhi from Chandigarh. Then after a city discovery experience for a few days. You will travel onto Agra and the stunning mausoleum that is the Taj Mahal. The early morning visit is a good time to see this famous token of love.  With generally less crowds and some interesting photogenic light as you record your pictures or video. From a reddish hue in the morning through to milk white for most of the day and the golden earth colour around sunset. Built by the Shah Jahan in 1631 as a memorial to his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal. This exquisite marble structure is an enduring monument to the love of a husband for his favourite wife.

On the following day you will head towards the deserted Mughal capital of Fatehpur Sikr. This base was constructed under the orders of Mughal emperor Akbar the Great. Hoping it would be the political capital. However, it was abandoned after 14 years due to a lack of water. Classic temples and royal courts, although now abandoned, are in such wonderful condition that it’s hard to think they are over 400 years old.

Temples say goodbye and Tigers say hello as the move to Ranthambore National Park makes it one of the best wildlife photography destinations in India. This national park has a population of around 80 plusTigers, crocodiles and other stunning wildlife and birds. 

Leaving the national park for Jaipur, the capital and largest city in Rajasthan. Known as the pink city or sometimes the Paris of India. Its colour and opulence with the huge Amber Palace overlooking the city from a hill in the north east of the city. Delicate and iconic ‘Hawa Mahal’ palace built from red and pink sandstone known as the ‘Palace of the winds” too. Fine arches and lattice work of almost 1,000 windows included in the façade which allowed the royal ladies to view the goings on discreetly in the street below. 

Staring at the stars rather than the street. The city is also home to ‘Jantar Mantar’’ a collection of 19 giant fixed astronomical instruments built in the early 18th century. This World Heritage site in the centre of the city is home to the largest stone sundial in the world. Along with a series of other huge astronomical instruments. One of five such complexes around India, this one being the largest built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II.

A trip to India certainly needs a visit to its capital New Delhi, a vast, crowded and thronging city. Traffic of all sorts jam the streets be they cars, lorries, buses and taxis. Or pedal powered rickshaws which will give an excellent insight to the bustling metropolis that is now New Delhi. Using such transport gets you to places where taxis and Tuk Tuk’s can’t!

We took a sharp left turn from the street and we headed into a narrow market with fruit and food stalls flashing past. As our pedal powered ride mixed in with the pedestrian flow without any conflict! Known as New Delhi after many new buildings were constructed and this extension to the existing capital built during British rule was very different to the existing styles. This area provided a better administration complex for the country. Plus it was also closer to the summer capital of Shimla. Places like the Red Fort in Old Delhi which were the regal residences of the Mughal Emperors like Shah Jahan who in the 17th century moved his capital from Agra to Delhi.  It's Jama Masid Mosque is the largest in the capital. Visit the memorial to more recent and inspirational Indian’s such as Mahatma Gandhi. The site of his funeral pyre was located at Raj Ghat in the city and is now a top place to visit. 

Such a massive country in terms of population and size. Yet one really enjoyable and educational way to understand more of it is with this type of holiday tour. The railways indeed provide an insight into what is a huge sub-continent. This triangle of tours by train sees tigers and temples too!

Geoff Moore