If you want to enjoy the world’s best and longest rail network, then don’t think twice and pack your bags for a trip to India. Starting from luxury trains running on prime tourist destinations like Rajasthan and Goa to toy trains running on the hills of Ooty and Darjeeling, India’s vast rail network built through its undulating landscape offers a breathtaking view of an ideal countryside.
Who says that traveling to hill stations in India is difficult? The toy train routes not only connect you from the bottom to the top of hills, but also bring with it a panoramic site of hill terrains and verdant valleys. The trains operating on narrow gauge tracks have a significant contribution towards the boom of tourism in hill stations of India. These trains have not only found space in children’s story books, but also in famous Bollywood hits made by reputed producers. The introduction of toy trains in hot tourist hill stations like Darjeeling, Shimla and Ooty have made these destinations easily approachable by worldwide tourists.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the first and foremost hill railway to operate in India. It connects the plain land of New Jalpaiguri to the hills of Darjeeling in West Bengal and offers crystal clear views of mighty Himalayan ranges. It is almost an 8 hours journey from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling, so you need to have sufficient time in hand to enjoy this joyride. The train crosses tunnels, take several zigzag curves and leaves the mist covered floating clouds behind. Apart from the majestic Kanchenjunga ranges, the toy train route is also a major contributor to Darjeeling’s worldwide popularity. The landscape is simply incomplete without this sweet smooth rail network.
Ooty in South India is a major tourist attraction. Calm environment, picturesque landscape and pleasant weather make Ooty a paradise for hill lovers. And the introduction of toy trains is an added manmade beauty that offers breathtaking views of the landscape. The voyage starts from a height of around 1069 feet and gradually reaches up to a height of almost 7228 feet. It is not only the distance that you cover from Mettupalayam to Ooty in 5 hours, but also the altitude you reaches up to steals your heart away. You get to cross streams, bridges and tunnels and glance still at the stunning site of tea gardens, rolling mountains and picture- perfect clean surrounding.
Shimla, India’s most sought after summer retreat by native and foreign travelers mesmerize everyone with its Kalka- Shimla toy train route. Passing through at least 700 bridges and 100 tunnels, this toy train journey is a feast to a traveler’s eye. The train starts from Kalka and moving through curves tracks, takes a steep rise in altitude to halt at Shimla. Sit in the comfort of well cushioned chairs and decorative interiors and peep out for your window to enjoy a unique mélange of small hamlets, green pastures, distant valleys, bridges and tunnels.
All these railways today enjoy heritage status simply because of their thrilling route and comfortable journey. Pack your bags and book your tickets in advance to enjoy the most fun-filled train ride in India.
