Indian Railway Holiday

[Calnefoxile]

Guys,

I need some advice from the great collective.

This year my wife and I will be celebrating our Silver Wedding anniversary and we are looking at a Holiday of a lifetime seeing the sites in India. I've done a trawl of the internet and fund this site http://www.greatrail.com/great-train-tours-holiday-destinations/india--the-orient/india-rail-tours.aspx and so I was wondering if anyone on here has been to India for a Rail Holiday and can give me some help.

Regards

Neal.

[Oldman]

There was a documentary on Sky Travel  Channel about one of these a couple of weeks ago and it looked really interesting. Very posh
Hope someone else can give you some more info.
Good luck,would be a trip to remember.

[MinZaPint]

I've been going to India for the last 10years, have only travelled "Cattle Class" apart from the hill railway at Otty but have seen these trains, just one word GO and enjoy yourself!

Ps can you sneak me in as hand luggage, I fold up quite small!

[Lawrence]

Neal - if you liked the Small Railways of India programme that was on TV, Ffestiniog Travel to a trip out there, it is a 3 week job and about £4.5k each.  This one goes next month but they will do others  http://www.ffestiniogtravel.com/index.php/worldwide/connoisseur-rail-tours/indian-hill-railways

[EtchedPixels]

I've been to India but not for a rail holiday.

If you go you need to plan well in advance and know which areas to get your various vaccinations up to date. Check the places you plan to go and the advice for them carefully.

Take some single US dollars with you. Everything outside the system in India runs remarkably better on dollar bills.  Take things like hand cleaner because the entire world of washing your hands changes when the water isn't drinking grade and in fact things like hand and teeth cleaning are the bigger problem

Be prepared for some culture shock, a couple of days of the runs and an education in toilets (no paper, you get a brush and a bucket - much more sanitary!)

I spent two days on the loo, and the first day just wanting to hide in the hotel, and the rest of it was brilliant with some fantastic people. I'd do it again even if I had to spend another two days on the khazi.

And on no account, ever ever think about hiring a car and driving in the cities! The driving is a wonder of its own!

So yes I'd recommend it - and recommend that you do it as a group party unless you are very adventurous.

[Calnefoxile]

Right guys, Mrs Calnefoxile and I are off to India tomorrow 

EP, I completely forgot your advice about dollar bills and have got Rupees instead 

But our itinary is, arrive Dehli Wednesday morning, Thursday guided tour of Delhi, Friday Transfer to Jaipur, Saturday guided tour of Amber Fort and Jaipur City, Sunday on our own in Jaipur, Monday transfer to Agra stopping at Fatehpur Sikri, Tuesday guided tour of Agra Fort and Taj Mahal then transfer back to Delhi to catch Overnight Mail train to Kalka, Wednesday arrive in Kalka to cathc the Toy Train up to Shimla. Thursday Guided Tour of Shimla, Friday on our own in Shimla. Saturday morning at leisure then transfer back to Kalka to catch the train back to Delhi. Sunday 18th November fly back home.

So as you can see it'll be a pretty packed 12 days, but I've set up a flickr account http://www.flickr.com/photos/nm-mansell for those who might be interested in tracking our travels and sights.

I'm hoping to get to the Indian National Railway Museum in Delhi.

Regards

Neal.

[Lawrence]

Have a great time Neal, remember bottled water only and no ice in your drinks 

[MinZaPint]

Have a wonderful time of the places you're going to I've only been to Jaipur where we had a great time. Looking forward to seeing your railway pics, whetting my appetite for my next trip in January. I'm not vegetarian but enjoy the food occaisionally, had our best ever meal in Jaipur.





Our Chef at work, we like to go upmarket!

[BobB]

A couple more bits of advice.

After a while you will be asking for food that is not spicy. The waiter will agree and when the food comes it will still be very hot for the average western palette. The problem is that their aluminium saucepans have been cooking spicy food for years and are impregnated so without adding any spice you will still get a healthy dose.

Turn off roaming on your mobile 'phone. A new service provider will be letting you know they are now responsible every half an hour when you are travelling. It prevents sleep very effectively !

Enjoy it !

[Newportnobby]

Have a great time, Neal.
See if you can look out some steamers for us (and I don't mean cookpots)

[Jerry Howlett]

Have a great time Neal,

Meanwhile I am holidaying in................Chippenham.

[Lawrence]

Meanwhile I am holidaying in................Chippenham.

That's a jail sentence, not a holiday 

[longbridge]

Have a wonderful holiday and keep well 
Not sure about wiping your backside with a brush though, I would pack a few rolls of dunny paper if I were you 

[MinZaPint]

Have a wonderful holiday and keep well 
Not sure about wiping your backside with a brush though, I would pack a few rolls of dunny paper if I were you 

Very good advice, I always keep a few emergency sheets in my pocket, it's like taking an umbrella with you, never rains when you've got one and pours down when you haven't. 

[port perran]

Have a great time. The railway trips are an education !
And it was interesting to see a rake of wagons in the station with the wording "Not to be Loose Shunted" on each wagon. Very British.
Above all though you'll love the food, the colours, the hustle & bustle,, the general noise and the people.
Have fun and if you do hire a car , as we did for a couple of days, the advice the hire chappie gave us when I asked if there was anything I should know, he simply said "You need good brakes, a good Horn and Good Luck!".
Have a wonderful holiday.