Steam, Tea and the Himalayas: Riding the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

Darjeeling Toy Train at Batasia Loop , via Wikimedia Commons

There are few journeys in the world that capture the romance of travel quite like the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Its tiny steam engines, winding through the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, have been delighting travellers since 1881. Known affectionately as the ‘Toy Train’, this narrow-gauge line is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains one of the most remarkable feats of railway engineering ever built.

Our Himalayan Narrow Gauge Tour includes a private steam‐charter on this legendary railway, giving guests the rare chance to experience the line as it was in its heyday.

A Railway Like No Other

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway runs for 55 miles from the plains at Siliguri up to Darjeeling at over 6,700 feet above sea level. The track clings to the mountainside, crossing bridges, looping around itself and winding through bustling bazaars where shops and houses stand just inches from the carriages.

It was designed to overcome enormous gradients with ingenuity rather than brute force. Engineers used a series of loops and zig-zags to help the trains climb steep sections, allowing passengers to enjoy a constantly changing view of forests, villages and tea-gardens. Watching the steam drift through the pine trees as the locomotive whistles around another curve is a memory that stays with you for life.

Darjeeling Railway Station Signage

Steam, Style and a Dining Experience to Remember

​What truly lifts this journey into something exceptional is the exclusive dining charter arranged by Darjeeling Tours. On arrival in Siliguri, guests will proceed to the DHR shed to meet the fleet of ‘B’-class steam locomotives. Then, as dusk falls, you board the specially reserved dining train for a three-course dinner on board as the train climbs through the forested slopes towards Rangtong.

​This is not simply a meal on a train but a full sensory experience:

Darjeeling 'Toy Train' steam engine.

• ​Heritage locomotive: You are seated in the carriage behind a steaming ‘B’ class engine, watching the wheels turn, feeling the vibration, hearing the whistle.
• Curated cuisine: As the train ascends, your table is laid with a full three course dinner. The setting is intimate and evocative as the forest outside darkens, lanterns glow, and you travel through the hills in an atmosphere of quiet elegance.
• Photo opportunities: The combination of moving steam train, dusky skies, forested hillside and dinner in motion is extraordinary. A support coach runs alongside the train for those who wish to capture photographs or swap between coach and carriage.
• Exclusivity: This is a UK only dining charter arrangement on the DHR, offered by Darjeeling Tours, and something that very few travellers ever experience.

After a day of rail travel and mountain air, the evening becomes a celebration of steam, scenery and superb hospitality.

The Taste of Darjeeling

​No visit to the region would be complete without a visit to a working tea estate. Here, travellers can follow the process from the plucking of the tender green shoots to the final rolling, drying and tasting stages that give Darjeeling tea its distinctive floral aroma. The experience is complemented by the chance to sample freshly brewed tea while overlooking the very slopes where it was grown.

Countryside landscape of Kurseong in Darjeeling.

A Hill Station of Timeless Charm

Darjeeling itself is a charming blend of British colonial heritage and Tibetan culture. During our stay, guests can explore the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, founded by Tenzing Norgay, one of the first men to climb Everest. The nearby zoo houses rare species such as the red panda and snow leopard.

A stroll along the Mall Road offers views across to the snowy peaks, with time to pause at Glenary’s for a slice of cake or browse old photographs at Das Studio. In the evening, the Railway Club opens its doors, offering a quiet drink surrounded by memorabilia of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway’s long history.
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For those willing to rise early, a short walk before breakfast leads to Observatory Hill, where sunrise paints the slopes of Kanchenjunga in gold and pink. It is a fitting reminder of the beauty and tranquillity that have drawn travellers to this part of India for over a century.

Kanchenjunga from Darjeeling city.

Why Travel with Darjeeling Tours

Our escorted Himalayan Narrow Gauge Tour is designed for travellers who want more than just a train ride. It combines heritage railways with culture, scenery and a touch of nostalgia. Alongside the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the tour also includes journeys on the Kalka–Shimla line in a vintage railbus and the scenic Kangra Valley Railway, with visits to Amritsar, Dharamsala and Delhi’s National Rail Museum.
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These small group tours offer a relaxed and friendly atmosphere with expert guidance throughout, ensuring you can simply sit back, enjoy the view and let India’s mountain railways work their quiet magic.

Join the Journey - The Himalayan Narrow Gauge Tour