Chugging Along: 9 Picturesque Train Rides Into The Heartland Of India

Nothing can beat this adventure run in and out of the wild Dooars dotted with tea gardens, criss-crossing streams, dense forests teeming with wildlife and a glimpse of the blue mountains above the Himalayan foothills. The stretch between the Teesta and Sankosh rivers promises an opulent safari-on-wheels as the 182 km railroad (popularly known as the elephant trail) passes through as many as 6 wildlife sanctuaries housing a fascinating diversity of flora and fauna. On your way, touch-base with Gorumara and Jaldapara National Parks, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, Chilapata Forests, Buxa Tiger Reserve and Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. Only a few trains run on this route but one can always take a ride on New Jalpaiguri-Alipur Duar Intercity Express and soak in the Dooars experience.

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This charming eastern state has much in store for leisure travellers but what can be better than a lakeview train ride or a journey through the stunningly beautiful stretch between Koraput and Rayagada? A broad gauge track from Kolkata goes past the western bank of Chilika, Asia’s biggest brackish water lagoon and home to the largest congregation of migratory birds in the country. Look out for the winged beauties hovering over the sun-speckled lake or get off the train at Balugaon, Chilika, Khallikote or Rambha for a fascinating lake holiday. One can also catch a train from Bhubaneswar and ride up to Brahmapur – a distance of 150 km – enjoying the vast expanse of blue-green Chilika on one side and the magnificent curves and bends of the Eastern Ghats on the other. The journey takes around 2.5-3 hours.

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Another scenic ride that you must not miss is the Koraput-Rayagada route. Nestled in the tribal heartland of the Eastern Ghats and covering around 173 km, this single line track is an offshoot from the Kirandul-Kothavalasa (KK) line, and traverses steep heights, deep tunnels and tall viaducts. Koraput is about 2,850 ft above the sea level and the 4-hour journey till Rayagada at 680 ft is a tumble through green cliffs, horse-shoe curves, emerald forests and rich farmland. Don’t miss the place called Raoli, lying at one end of a horse-shoe curve on the line. Rayagada is rich in mineral resources and offers a unique mix of tribal heritage, natural beauty and industrial development.

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Do it in style and board one of the luxury trains (rated among the world’s best) for a week-long journey across the Royal Rajasthan – ranging from spectacular palaces and majestic forts to wildlife habitats, vibrant settlements and the golden-red magnificence of the Thar Desert. Leaving from Delhi, these railway voyages will take you to some of the best heritage destinations – Jaipur, Swai-madhopur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Chittorgarh, Udaipur and finally, Jaisalmer – the gateway to the untamed desert, sand dunes and camel safaris. Other luxe tours include a Delhi-Alwar visit via Sariska Tiger Reserve on Fairy Queen, the oldest surviving train in the world; a ride across the Shekhawati region in north Rajasthan and a trip to the many shrines and temples that still attract countless pilgrims from all over the country.

Want to ride through the rich diversity that is India? Get on board the Aravali Express, named after the age-old and rugged mountain range that stretches through the west and the north-west. The journey spans some 1,107 km and 22 hours, connecting Mumbai to Jaipur via Gujarat. The train chugs through varied landscapes – through hills and plateaus, valleys and farmlands, rivers and barren stretches. Those willing to reach out can easily pile in with the locals, share cups of chai and get a taste of indigenous cultures. You can also take a ride from Ahmedabad to Udaipur (298 km) that passes through a part of the Aravalli range. But for a really close look at the craggy mountains, take the puny meter gauge between Mavli and Marwar – a distance of 151 km that takes around 6 hours.

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If you are looking for a heritage tour on a super-luxe train, get on board the Indian Maharaja Deccan Odyssey. The weeklong tour between Mumbai and Delhi (via Rajasthan) or vice versa covers the vast expanse of Maharashtra and Northern India, and takes you to several exotic destinations. The cave temples of Ellora and the exquisite paintings of the historic Ajanta caves will keep you spellbound while the architectural finesse of the Rajasthan palaces never fails to impress. Go tiger-spotting in Ranthambore; watch the golden sands of Thar rush past and take your fill of the Taj Mahal. The 20-hour Pune-Delhi journey on Duronto Express is equally enchanting as the train sweeps past pristine landscapes and you can catch a glimpse of pyramid-like salt mounds drying in the sun.

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Going by the wild junglescape, this could be the ideal Mowgli country. But a rambling journey spread over 237 km and spanning at least 8 hours could be a bit tiring, especially when many of the rickety trains simply snail along narrow gauge tracks. Still, the ride is a spectacular one – meandering through deep forests, numerous waterfalls and dark ravines at the outer edges of Pench National Park. One can get off at Chhindwara to visit the Patalkot valley nearby – an eco-wonder and home to some rarest flora and fauna. Or break at Nainpur and go to Mandla-on-Narmada that flaunts a fort built by Gond rulers and some magnificent river views. But those really looking for a rocking journey through a picturesque terrain should take a trip from Nagpur to Bengaluru. The trains pass through huge rock cuts, traverse a distance of 1,054 and take nearly a day to reach its destination.

Image: Maharashtra Forest Department

Taking a train to the green hills of Sasan-Gir, the last abode of the Asiatic lions, could be a thrilling experience. But the Junagadh-Delvada track is a meter gauge one, you get an unreserved passenger train and the progress is leisurely – in tune with the tranquil life wrapped all around you. Take the early morning train from Junagadh, journey through the green farmlands and you will reach Sasan-Gir in about 2.5-3 hours. Most travellers make a stopover at the national park and then go on with the journey towards Saurashtra, the western part of Gujarat. Once out of the Gir region, the train will trundle through more greenery, farmlands and the coastal plains north of Una (known as the gateway to Diu), and finally reach Delvada in the afternoon. The 160 km trip takes more than 6 hours, but is worth experiencing, especially if you are planning a trip to Diu after the Gir sojourn.

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This list won’t be complete without a special mention to the most picturesque stretch – between Sakleshpur and Subramanya Road – on the Bangalore-Mangalore railway route that passes through the magnificent Western Ghats. The scenic beauty of the entire route is breathtaking. But the Sakleshpur-Subramanya part (spanning 110 km and taking about 2.5 hours) is truly spectacular as the train puffs through 58 tunnels and negotiates about 109 bridges and viaducts – offering a stunning view of deep rain forests, misty mountains, sparkling waterfalls and criss-crossing streams. Mini-trains are also planned for this stretch to develop Karnataka’s ‘Switzerland’ further. Before hitting Sakleshpur, the track gently slopes from Bengaluru, passing through green paddy fields, coffee farms, and coconut and betel nut plantations. The final leg to Mangalore is equally charming with paddy fields and cashew plantations running next to the tracks. This is Malnad country at its best and a chug along the greens and the heights will be a lifetime experience.

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