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Toy Train Nilgiri
The journey up begins at Mettupalayam and
covers the distance of 46 kms in 4 hours. Mettupalayam is
on the railway mainline to Chennai. Coimbatore, 90 km away,
is a major railhead.
The line is a metre gauge for the first four and a half miles
to kallar at the immediate foothills. As soon as the train
leaves Kallar, the rack rails appears and the long climb begins.
In the next 12 miles to Conoor, the line rises 4,363 feet
curving almost continuously as it clings to the mountainside,
crossing lofty viaducts or tunnels, the longest being 317
feet in length.
Himalaya Railway Darjeeling.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is one of the most well known
hill railways in the world…and a delight it is! The Darjeeling
Himalayan Railway (DHR) was built in 1881 and is over a century
old today. It connects the plains of West Bengal at New Jalpaiguri
with the popular hill station of Darjeeling (6812 ft), a distance
of about 50 miles. On the way it passes the most breathtaking
scenery and climbs to a height of 7400 feet at Ghum (the highest
station on IR & the 2nd highest station in the world),
where on a clear day magnificent Mt. Kanchenchunga can be
viewed. The 80 km (seven and a half hours)
long journey, on a 2 ft wide track up the mountains, offers
stunning and breathtaking views of the Himalayas-of rolling
tea plantations and wild orchids. The rail doesn’t have
a single tunnel, unlike most hill railways, but makes use
of the unique system of loops and 5 Z-types reverses in it. |
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The most famous of all loops is the Batasia loop, which is
between Ghum and Darjeeling stations. UNESCO has declared
Darjeeling a World Heritage Site, only the second railway
in the world to get this honour. While special impetus has
been given to the Darjeeling-Siliguri sector, the station
building and the rolling stock have been restored, as far
as possible, to the original façade.
Deccan Odyssey – Maharashtra
As the wind whispers through the halo
of legends crowning the land of the mighty Marathas, a lone
majestic whistle blows its salutation of honour as it gracefully
traverses this land of incredible fantasy. Welcome to the
mesmerizing Maharashtra experience abroad the luxurious Deccan
Odyssey.
The weeklong Deccan Odyssey tour includes several exotic destinations
covering the vast expanse of Maharashtra and a pinch of Goa,
Mumbai, Ganapatipule, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Pune, Aurangabad,
Ajanta and Ellora. Deccan Odyssey offers 44 suites in 11 cars,
and a total of 21 coaches in all. The décor offers
a rich interior reflecting the face of Indian royalty. Air-conditioned
rooms, foreign exchange facilities, and a small health spa,
that offers a beauty salon, steam room and massage facilities
are all on board to pamper the travelers. The dining room
serves a different selection every night and the chef is open
to special orders.
The Deccan Odyssey is much more than a mere
luxury train cuisine. It’s a |
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‘classical odyssey’
of time beyond the realms of the present. Welcome abroad!.
Palace On Wheels – Rajasthan
Experience Rajasthan on broad of Palace
on Wheels on its splendid and enchanting royal journey through
the bygone era of the erstwhile Maharajas. Relish the lifestyles
of the kings of yore on board the Palace On Wheels, while listening
to the silent tales of glory and valour narrated by the majestic
forts and splendid palaces of Rajasthan.
During the Palace On Wheels Tour, you will be immersed in the
culture, history, wildlife and geography of each region included
in the itinerary of Palace On Wheels – starting from Delhi
and stopping at Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore),
Chittaurgarh, Udaipur, Bharatpur and Agra. The historic train
stations built by the royals in the hinterlands of the Thar
Desert add to the romantic adventure.
The exquisite and exclusive Palace On Wheels has luxurious cabins,
wall to wall carpeting, a well stocked bar, two dining cars
and a very personalized service. The 14 plush cream salons of
Palace On Wheels, adorned with fragrant flowers, are named after
former Rajput states – Kota, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer,
Jodhpur, Bikaner, Alwar, Sirohi, Kishangarh, Bundi, Dungarpur,
Bhratpur, Jhalawar and Dholpur – each evoking visions of
those royal kingdoms. Each coach colours most reminiscent of
the state and highlighted by its royal emblem. |
