Consider a holday of 2 parts. 1 week on train and 2 weks around India
VJV do a good tour tie to train on Mar 16-23 or Apr 6-13. VJV on Apr 14-May 4 would fit
Mararajas Express & Bamboo Travel
Designed to recreate the elegance, exuberance and opulent style of India's Maharajas, The Indian Splendour showcases the highlights of Rajasthan at its best without the need to change hotels every night.
The train is Designed to recreate the elegance and opulence India's Maharajas enjoy and suffused with nostalgia in its décor, white-glove service, gourmet food or lavish amenities. If you are ready to explore India at its best, join us on board these luxurious trains, winner of the 'World's Leading Luxury Train Award' for seven consecutive years running and 'Asia's Leading Luxury Train Award'.
Facilities include spacious, elegant cabins with private en-suite shower rooms, independently controlled air-conditioning, WiFi, direct dial telephone, writing desk, live television, electronic safe and ample storage space to accommodate your wardrobe for the entire journey, all the creature comforts of five-star accommodation with a private butler for each carriage. Services also include a Spa carriage with personalised treatments and laundry service. Larger suites additionally have bathtubs, while the Presidential Suite occupies an entire carriage and has two double bedrooms, two bathrooms and an independent living area with a complimentary bar.
The two restaurant cars serve gourmet meals prepared on board by celebrated chefs using the impressive onboard larders and fresh ingredients sourced daily en route. The onboard wine cellar and bar deserve scrutiny, and you need more entertainment with a cocktail hour each evening and a club lounge equipped with a library, electronic games, and film DVDs.
Runs Mar 16 or Apr 6 in 2025
Sunday Day 1, Delhi. After a traditional Indian welcome and being shown to your cabin, guests enjoy brunch and a wonderful rest as the train travels to Jaipur. Dinner at an exclusive venue in Jaipur.
Monday Day 2, Jaipur. After breakfast, guests embark on a sightseeing tour of the Amber Fort, with its impressive architecture and intricate carvings, followed by an elephant polo match. At the end of a tasty lunch in an exclusive venue, there will be an opportunity to indulge in either shopping in the local bazaars, golfing, spa sessions, or a visit to the City Palace or the royal observatory Jantar Mantar, with its collection of architectural instruments dating back to the mid-sixteenth century. Then we rejoin the train to journey to Ranthambore whilst enjoying dinner.
Tuesday Day 3, Ranthambore to Fatehpur Sikri. Following breakfast, embark on an exciting morning safari through the Ranthambore National Park, before rejoining the train to enjoy lunch whilst travelling down to Fatehpur Sikri where we visit the fascinating deserted 16th century royal court complex. We return to the train for dinner as we travel to Agra.
Wednesday Day 4, Agra. Following an early morning visit to the jewel of Mughal architecture, the Taj Mahal, there will a champagne breakfast served at the Taj Khema, overlooking the Taj Mahal. Rejoin the train for lunch and then a visit to the wonderful Agra Fort. Return to the train for dinner as it travels to Orchha.
Thursday Day 5, Orchha to Khajuraho. After a stop at Orchha and a visit to Jahangiri Mahal, our journey continues to Khajuraho whilst having lunch. On arrival one can visit the fabulous temples before returning to the train for dinner.
Friday Day 6, Varanasi. The day is spent in this Holy Indian city, known for its Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage sites. One can visit the silk center and enjoy a river cruise on the Ganges, before returning to the train for dinner.
Saturday Day 7, Delhi. Following a sumptuous breakfast, we bid farewell to the train.
Then one can do a 2 weeks trip somewhere in India
2. Passage to Shimla on Bamboo Travel & Transindus
India’s northwest corner contains some of the most contrasting cultures and landscapes in the entire subcontinent. This 13-day overland itinerary will take you from the pastoral plains of the Punjab, right up into the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, passing through the Tibetan capital in exile Dharamsala and across to Shimla, the most famous of all former British hill station retreats. As you move through the region you will absorb a variety of cultural influences: the boisterousness and warm hospitality of the Punjabis, the reverence of the Tibetans, the mythology of the Jaswan Rajputs, and quirkiness and engineering marvels of the British Raj. All of this while moving through some of the most dramatic scenery one can imagine! Tour Highlights Visiting the glittering Golden Templ, Pottering about rustic Pragpur, A ride of Shimla’s famous toy train
Day 1. Delhi to Amritsar
This morning you’ll catch the Shatabdi Express to Amritsar, a journey of approximately six hours. Your beautiful heritage hotel lies in the heart of the city and was formerly used as a guesthouse for visiting British officials. This evening, visit the Golden Temple with a local guide to watch the nightly ceremony unfold. This is when the temple is most picturesque, with strings of twinkling lights illuminating its central promenade and inner sanctum. Return to the Golden Temple early the following day to see the complex in a different light. Many pilgrims bathe in the sacred waters here, and up to 100,000 people are fed in the temple kitchen daily. Visitors are welcome to help out in the kitchen or sit down to a delicious meal of rice and dhal. Afterwards, as you stroll through the Old Town, stop at Jallianwala Bagh – a memorial to victims of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre of 1919. In the afternoon, you’ll travel to the border between India and Pakistan Attari-Wagah to witness the lowering of the flag ceremony – a daily theatrical military spectacle characterised by elaborate and rapid dance-like manoeuvres. Stay: Two nights in a Suite at Ranjit’s Svaasa – including breakfast
Day 2. Amritsar
Day 3 .Kangra Valley
Today you’ll transfer to your next destination, an eco-friendly homestay located on the largest working tea estate in the Kangra Valley – widely hailed as the tea capital of India’s northwest Himalaya. Your first morning will be spent touring the Wah Tea Estate, an opportunity to learn how the tea is plucked and processed – from withering and rolling right through to fermenting, drying and sorting. The tour concludes with a tea-tasting session in the pretty gardens, followed by a jeep safari to the top of a nearby mountain. The next day you’ll set out for the serenely spiritual hill city of Dharamshala, home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in exile. Enjoy a visit to the Norbulingka Institute, where you can marvel at the two-storeyed Seat of Happiness Temple, browse the Losel Doll Museum, and participate in a Thangka Painting workshop. After lunch at a local cafe, stop by the Kangra Arts Museum before spending the rest of the afternoon exploring the former hill station of McLeod Ganj, also known as ‘Little Lhasa’ or ‘Dhasa’ because of its large Tibetan population. During British rule, the town was a hill station where the British spent hot summers. Lord Elgin, the British Viceroy of India (1862-63), liked the area so much that he suggested it be made the summer capital of India. Stay: Three nights in a Deluxe Room in The Lodge at Wah – including breakfast
Day 4. Kangra Valley
Day 5 Kangra Valley
Day 6 Shimla. Today you embark on the six-hour journey to Shimla. Upon arrival, check in to your landmark colonial-era hotel. Declared the summer capital of British India in 1864, the cool Himachal Pradesh hill station of Shimla retains a faded elegance, nestled amongst the snow-dusted peaks of the Himalayan foothills. You’ll have three nights here, ample time to explore The Mall, the Viceregal Lodge (the erstwhile viceroy’s residence is today the Institute of Advanced Studies), the Shimla State Museum and the Jakhu Temple. Enjoy a ride on the famous, Heritage-listed ‘Toy Train’ to Taradevi, weaving through a multitude of tunnels and over hundreds of bridges — a somewhat slow but fascinating journey through the foothills of the Himalayas. Stay: Three nights in a Premier Valley View Room at The Oberoi Cecil – including breakfast
Day 7 Shimla
Day 8 Shimla
Day 9 Hardiwar
This evening, you will head down to the Har Ki Pauri Ghat on the banks of the Ganges River to witness the daily evening ritual of the aarti. An aarti is a Hindu religious ritual of worship in which light from wicks soaked in ghee is offered to one or more deities. Afterwards, enjoy a stroll around the local bazaar. After breakfast on your second day in Haridwar, you’ll make the 40-minute drive into Rishikesh, hopping out of the car to explore the town on foot. Rishikesh (356m) stands at the point where the wooded mountains of Garhwal rise abruptly from the low valley floor, and the Ganges crashes onto the plains. Its many ashrams – some very clearly ascetic, some verging on the opulent – continue to draw devotees and followers of all sorts of gurus. The large Shivananda Ashram, in particular, is renowned as a yoga centre. It has one or two ancient shrines, but its main role has always been a way station for people heading for the high Himalayas. Enjoy visits to Lakshman Jhula, Ram Jhula, Raghunath Temple and Triveni Ghat during your stay. After lunch, walk along the banks of the river around Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula. Before you return to your hotel, witness the evening Parmarth Niketan Ganga aarti. Stay: Two nights in a Premium Ganges View Room at Taj Pilibhit House – including breakfast
Day 10 Back to Delhi
Discover the distinct culture and dramatic scenery of Darjeeling, Sikkim and Bhutan with this 15-day adventure. Begin in Darjeeling, among the most renowned of Raj-era hill stations, famous for its tea and its dramatic toy train route up to Ghoom. Enjoy the views from mountain roads as you continue to Gangtok and experience its strong Tibetan influences. Stop for a night’s stay in Gorumara National Park in search of its elusive wildlife before crossing overland into Bhutan. The adventure in Bhutan starts in the capital Thimpu, home to the country's most important Dzong along with the royal palace and several fine museums. From Thimphu drive over the Dochu La Pass to the beautiful Punakha Valley, famous for its terraced rice fields and Palace of Great Happiness built in 1637. You will have time to explore Paro, a charming riverside town spread along a scenic valley, with opportunity to climb up to the majestic Tiger's Nest Monastery.
Transindus is without Bhutan or you can have Nepal & Bhutan & the monastry hike in Bhutan
Discover the distinct culture and dramatic scenery of Darjeeling, Sikkim and Bhutan with this 15-day adventure. Begin in Darjeeling, among the most renowned of Raj-era hill stations, famous for its tea and its dramatic toy train route up to Ghoom. Enjoy the views from mountain roads as you continue to Gangtok and experience its strong Tibetan influences. Stop for a night’s stay in Gorumara National Park in search of its elusive wildlife before crossing overland into Bhutan. The adventure in Bhutan starts in the capital Thimpu, home to the country's most important Dzong along with the royal palace and several fine museums. From Thimphu drive over the Dochu La Pass to the beautiful Punakha Valley, famous for its terraced rice fields and Palace of Great Happiness built in 1637. You will have time to explore Paro, a charming riverside town spread along a scenic valley, with opportunity to climb up to the majestic Tiger's Nest Monastery.
Day 1 Fly to Delhi to Bagdogra, transfer to Darjeeling
Day 2: Guided tour of Darjeeling
Day 3 Transfer to Gangtok, afternoon guided tour
Day 4: Guided tour of Rumtek Monastery
Day 5: Transfer to Gorumara National Park, afternoon exploration
Day 6: Road journey to Thimphu
Day 7: Guided sightseeing in and around Thimphu
Day 8: Transfer to Punakha, followed by afternoon guided tour
Day 9: Morning walk to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten, transfer to Paro
Day 10: Guided tour of Paro and surrounds
Day 11: Guided tour of the Tiger’s Nest
Day 12: Fly to Delhi, transfer to your airport hotel