Small Group Cultural and Rail Tours in India and Beyond
Escorted journeys through India’s most remarkable landscapes, from Himalayan railways to Kerala’s backwaters.
Discover India and Beyond by train with expertly curated, small group tours designed for travellers who want more than a standard holiday. With over 20 years of experience, Darjeeling Tours specialises in immersive rail journeys that combine culture, history and unforgettable scenery.
From the legendary Darjeeling Himalayan Railway to the golden temples of Amritsar, from Kerala’s tranquil backwaters to the timeless beauty of the Taj Mahal, every itinerary is designed to immerse you in the life and spirit of each region.
These are not just tours; they are carefully crafted experiences, enriched by local stories, authentic encounters, and moments you’ll remember long after the journey ends. Every tour is created and led by passionate field specialists and rail enthusiasts, ensuring a unique and memorable experience. We travel when the weather is at its best, stay in charming handpicked hotels, and weave in everything from textiles to wellness, so your holiday is as rewarding as it is unforgettable.
And it isn’t only India: our adventures stretch as far as the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, where railways, history and wild landscapes create their own kind of magic.
Join us for a journey that blends discovery, comfort, and the joy of travel. Whether you’re a railway enthusiast, a culture-seeker, or simply someone who loves to explore, you’ll find a tour that speaks to you.
From the legendary Darjeeling Himalayan Railway to the golden temples of Amritsar, from Kerala’s tranquil backwaters to the timeless beauty of the Taj Mahal, every itinerary is designed to immerse you in the life and spirit of each region.
These are not just tours; they are carefully crafted experiences, enriched by local stories, authentic encounters, and moments you’ll remember long after the journey ends. Every tour is created and led by passionate field specialists and rail enthusiasts, ensuring a unique and memorable experience. We travel when the weather is at its best, stay in charming handpicked hotels, and weave in everything from textiles to wellness, so your holiday is as rewarding as it is unforgettable.
And it isn’t only India: our adventures stretch as far as the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, where railways, history and wild landscapes create their own kind of magic.
Join us for a journey that blends discovery, comfort, and the joy of travel. Whether you’re a railway enthusiast, a culture-seeker, or simply someone who loves to explore, you’ll find a tour that speaks to you.
Featured rail tours
Rail on all Gauges24th Nov - 11th Dec 2026
Experience India’s railways on all three gauges, from the narrow-gauge Kangra Valley Railway to classic broad-gauge lines, with rare chances to ride steam and visit historic sheds and museums. Along the way, enjoy rich cultural highlights from Amritsar’s Golden Temple and Delhi’s Chandni Chowk to Jaipur’s Pink City and Udaipur’s Lake Pichola, blending epic rail journeys with unforgettable sights. |
Konkan Railways & the Malabar Coast5th - 20th January 2027
Follow the spectacular Konkan Railway along India’s south-west coast, from the buzz of Mumbai through Goa’s sunny beaches to Kerala’s backwaters on a luxury houseboat. This off-the-beaten-track rail journey crosses rivers, bridges and tunnels, with cultural highlights from Cochin’s historic spice ports to the tip of India at Kanyakumari, blending epic scenery with relaxed coastal stays. |
Indian Magic Tour
13th - 29th January 2027 Step aboard our signature Indian Magic tour and discover the perfect blend of vibrant culture, timeless heritage, and enchanting rail journeys. Wander through bustling bazaars, savour mouthwatering regional cuisines, unwind in charming heritage hotels, and enjoy scenic, soulful train rides through breathtaking landscapes. |
Stitching Tracks10th - 27th February 2027
Embark on an unforgettable journey across India where heritage, craft, and slow, soulful travel come together in perfect harmony. Stitching Tracks is a lovingly crafted expedition that threads through India’s most evocative landscapes — from the colonial charm of Kolkata and the sacred ghats of Varanasi to Lucknow, Shimla, and vibrant Amritsar. |
South India and Sri Lanka by Rail15th Feb - 2nd March 2027
An exceptional 16 night escorted rail journey linking South India and Sri Lanka by train and sea, created for discerning travellers seeking a rare, personal and beautifully curated experience along the historic Indo-Ceylon route across the Palk Strait. From the Pamban Bridge and Golden Rock Workshops to Jaffna, the tea country, Ella and Ratmalana. |
Himalayan Narrow Gauge1st - 18th March 2027
Back for 2027 by popular demand! Explore India’s spectacular Himalayan mountain railways on this unforgettable journey from Darjeeling to the foothills of the Himalayas. Ride the Darjeeling, Kalka-Shimla and Kangra Valley railways, alongside heritage rail experiences, cultural highlights and breathtaking mountain scenery. |
Specialists in Escorted Cultural and Rail Tours
Darjeeling Tours is a specialist UK tour operator focused exclusively on small group travel in India. Our tours are designed and led by experts with deep knowledge of the country, its railways and its cultures.
At Darjeeling Tours we create small group, fully escorted holidays that combine the romance of rail travel with the culture, landscapes and traditions of India and beyond. Most of our escorted tours feature steam charters, and on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway we even run our own exclusive dining charter. A dedicated bus follows the train along the line, giving you the perfect chance to capture unforgettable photos of the locomotives in action. Partners and non-enthusiasts are always well catered for too, with plenty of time in each place to relax, explore and enjoy the sights.
In the hill stations, we stay in characterful heritage hotels chosen for their history and charm. Every tour is accompanied by an experienced Tour Manager to ensure your holiday runs smoothly from start to finish.
We don’t just organise rail holidays. Our portfolio also includes specialist Textile Tours within India, cultural journeys such as Ladakh (High passes and breath taking views of Himalayas), South India (combines rail & Culture from India's South-East Coast to South-West Coast) and popular routes like on our signature Indian Magic tour combines Darjeeling, Shimla and Ooty, while more adventurous travellers might choose our Konkan Railway & The Malabar Coast (rail rides on India's finest rail engineering marvel passing numerous bridges & tunnels), Rail on All Gauges (Metre Gauge rail ride in the ghats with heritage forts & palaces) tour itineraries, both venturing into little-explored corners of India. In all Darjeeling Tours programmes, you will be treated to beautiful and character hotels showcasing their region and providing authenticity to our tours! Our experience of over 20 years in India & subcontinent and other destinations in our portfolio is a result of painstakingly researched and well executed minute to minute planning for your comfort, convenience and a ultimately having a great experience!
If you’re looking for something different, we also offer Luxury Train Tours on some of the world’s most celebrated trains — a stylish way to experience India in opulent comfort.
For peace of mind, Darjeeling Tours has been organising escorted holidays for over 20 years. When you contact us, you’ll speak directly to someone who has first-hand experience of travelling in India and the USA, and who will personally make sure your holiday is everything you hoped for.
We also design Readers’ Tours for magazines, clubs and special interest groups — a great way to bring people together around a shared passion.
Ready to plan your journey? Call us on +44 (0)1777 817798 or use our contact form. If we’re away leading a tour, just leave a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
At Darjeeling Tours we create small group, fully escorted holidays that combine the romance of rail travel with the culture, landscapes and traditions of India and beyond. Most of our escorted tours feature steam charters, and on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway we even run our own exclusive dining charter. A dedicated bus follows the train along the line, giving you the perfect chance to capture unforgettable photos of the locomotives in action. Partners and non-enthusiasts are always well catered for too, with plenty of time in each place to relax, explore and enjoy the sights.
In the hill stations, we stay in characterful heritage hotels chosen for their history and charm. Every tour is accompanied by an experienced Tour Manager to ensure your holiday runs smoothly from start to finish.
We don’t just organise rail holidays. Our portfolio also includes specialist Textile Tours within India, cultural journeys such as Ladakh (High passes and breath taking views of Himalayas), South India (combines rail & Culture from India's South-East Coast to South-West Coast) and popular routes like on our signature Indian Magic tour combines Darjeeling, Shimla and Ooty, while more adventurous travellers might choose our Konkan Railway & The Malabar Coast (rail rides on India's finest rail engineering marvel passing numerous bridges & tunnels), Rail on All Gauges (Metre Gauge rail ride in the ghats with heritage forts & palaces) tour itineraries, both venturing into little-explored corners of India. In all Darjeeling Tours programmes, you will be treated to beautiful and character hotels showcasing their region and providing authenticity to our tours! Our experience of over 20 years in India & subcontinent and other destinations in our portfolio is a result of painstakingly researched and well executed minute to minute planning for your comfort, convenience and a ultimately having a great experience!
If you’re looking for something different, we also offer Luxury Train Tours on some of the world’s most celebrated trains — a stylish way to experience India in opulent comfort.
For peace of mind, Darjeeling Tours has been organising escorted holidays for over 20 years. When you contact us, you’ll speak directly to someone who has first-hand experience of travelling in India and the USA, and who will personally make sure your holiday is everything you hoped for.
We also design Readers’ Tours for magazines, clubs and special interest groups — a great way to bring people together around a shared passion.
Ready to plan your journey? Call us on +44 (0)1777 817798 or use our contact form. If we’re away leading a tour, just leave a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
