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ITINERARY
Thursday 24 March
We meet at London’s Heathrow airport at 18.00 to check in for our Jet Airways flight 9W121 at 20.50 to Delhi….
Friday 25 March
…arriving at 10.40, where we’ll be met and taken to our hotel. After freshening up, we’ll have a visit to the National Railway Museum, where we hope the Patiala Monorail will be in steam. On the way we’ll point out some of Delhi’s main sights.
Saturday 26 March
Today we have a ride behind the Fairy Queen, the world’s oldest working locomotive, built in 1855. We arrive in Rewari in the afternoon and are transferred to our hotel for the night.
Sunday 27 March
After breakfast, we take a visit to Rewari depot where there are many interesting locomotives. In the afternoon we return to Rewari station to catch the 16:45 train to Delhi Cantt arriving at 17.45. Overnight in our hotel.
Monday 28 March
An early start – we need to be ready at 06:30 to catch the 07:40 Shatabdi Express from New Delhi – this arrives at Kalka at 12:00, where we transfer into the narrow-gauge express for the five hour climb to the traditional British summer capital of Shimla. The Kalka-Shimla line has impressed all who have seen it with its professionalism, and the way it climbs to and fro across the face of the hillside to gain height. There are over 100 tunnels on the line. We arrive at around 17:20, and transfer to the Oberoi Clarke’s Hotel with its breathtaking views across the city and surrounding mountains. There is a short but steep walk (steps/slope) from the vehicle drop off point, as the hotel is in a pedestrian precinct.
Tuesday 29 March
A free day to explore the smart hill station of Shimla, once the seat of government of India during the hot monsoon season. Take a walk up the Mall, mercifully traffic-free, and look at Christ Church at the top of the town. Don’t miss Viceregal Lodge, once home to the British viceroys.
Wednesday 30 March
We catch the morning train at 10.30 from Shimla to Kalka arriving at 16.05. There will time to look around the shed before we take the 17.45 train (#2012) from Kalka to New Delhi station arriving at 21.55. We are met and taken to our hotel near the airport for the night.
Thursday 31 March
In the morning we transfer to the airport to catch our 10.15 Jet airways flight to Bagdogra arriving at 14.05. After freshening up, we visit Siliguri Junction shed to examine the famous ‘B’ class tank engine which have been running this railway since 1889. At 5 o’clock, we assemble for our exclusive charter dining train: enjoy a superb three course meal as the steam engine blasts up through the forest. Accommodation is at the Cindrella Hotel, owned by the Chairman of the Indian chapter of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Society (“DHRS”).
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