India

ge_rik

ge_rik

British narrow gauge (esp. Southwold and W&LLR)
Country flag
Bit of a long-shot maybe.

Just returned from a very pleasant evening celebrating the New Year with an old friend. We decided that we'd both like to travel to India before we both get too old and decrepit (we are now both mid 60s). We have the backing of both our wives (neither of whom seem to want to visit a country that doesn't have 'proper' toilets) and so it will be a 'boys only' trip. He's not as fanatical about railways as I am and so we'd like to do a combined sights and railways trip. Neither of us wants a 'package' holiday but neither are we of the 'backpacker hostel' generation. Ideally, we'd like to participate in a trip which is arranged by an organisation which is India-based - so we get an authentic experience and also support the local economy rather than plough our money into an anonymous
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multinational company.

Can anyone advise?

Rik

PS - And no this is not an alcohol-fuelled whim (well partially maybe) - it is something we have been talking about for several years but now feel it's about time we actually did it!
 
Try someone like Trailfinders in the UK. Not a vast multi national but a genuinely good long haul travel specialist. For an Indian company, Cox and Kings - probably the world’s oldest travel agents, with offices in the UK.

Happy new year and safe travels.
 
Is the DHR actually running at the moment? I seem to recall hearing worrying reports a short while ago about a lot of civil unrest in the area, and possibly something about fires at one or more of the stations on the line....?

Yes, I know I could probably find the answers to all this with a few minutes of Google-Fu, but it's 2:30am on New Year's Day and I'm just about to head off to bed.....

Jon.
 
Rik,
Not a thing to be done lightly and without some serious research. I visited India on with my Wife in 1987. 2 guys should manage on their own quite well.

Suggested Trip.
Fly to Delhi
Visit Railway Museum
Train to do Kalka Shimla Line (2ft Gauge)
Back to Delhi fly to Calcutta then Train to do DHR (2ft Gauge)
On return to Calcutta do Trams then get yourself to do the Ooty Rack Railway (Metre Gauge some steam?)
Return to Delhi do the Tarjnif you feel the need a doable Train Ride from Delhi

Other things to do if you have time, Lake Palace Hotel at Udaipur is to die for, where the Bond Film Octopussy was made. You would need to fly out and back to here from Delhi though you could do it by Train but will be a long trip each way say 24hrs.

I used an agent that existed in Wembley to book all my Hotels and Travel Ticket (we bought an Indian Train Pass), a similar company could book all your Train and internal flights for you. The following was a quick find, but you may find something more locally. Suggest you look for an Indian based Travel Agent and do not be talked into a tour.

http://www.indiarail.co.uk/

About the trip, get one of those India on a Dollar a day type books. They will give you lots of SURVIVAL TIPS like how to avoid Delhi Belly. I met a guy in India that had had a bad dose and was laid low for 3 weeks! So food do not eat Salad do not trust local bottled water 9they refil the bottles and seal them up,with super glue). Drinks best to go for Beer and Tea though one has to wonder at the cleanliness of the cups and glasses. Neck beer from the bottle after you have cleaned to top with one of your wipes. Any snacks in the train get something you can peel oranges and bananas a good bet. Stay in the best hotels you can afford but do not trust all of their hygiene, take wipes with you lots. Another good tip a nip of whiskey every night before bed, helps the stomach we never got Delhi belly and put it down in part to that little thing.

Good luck.
 
Martino said:
Try someone like Trailfinders in the UK. Not a vast multi national but a genuinely good long haul travel specialist. For an Indian company, Cox and Kings - probably the world’s oldest travel agents, with offices in the UK.

Happy new year and safe travels.
Click to expand...
Thanks Martino
Looks like they offer a range of different tours, some of which are within our price range.

Rik
 
Neil Robinson said:
You may consider a chat with Ffestiniog Travel.
In addition to escorted tours they do unescorted or specially tailored ones and even individual journey bookings. They could doubtless offer helpful advice from their many years experience.
https://www.ffestiniogtravel.com/
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Hi Neil
The current trips they are offering are way outside our price bracket - they seem to start at £3k.

Rik
 
Went to India in 2015 would agree with Dunnyrail 100% be prepared for long rail journeys Kalka to Shimla is about 7 hours, While you are in Dehli visit the rail museum it won't cost a lot about 30 Rupees [ 2015 price ] it's all outside.
My wife and I had a taxi to take us there and wait then take us back to our hotel well worth it.
We went with Great rail journeys on the golden triangle tour I believe it is slightly different now but gives you some idea of places etc
Hope some of this is of use

Shaun
 
Another tip I recall hearing for any area with dodgy hygiene standards.... never have ice in your drinks, because that will be made from local water.

My brother and his wife did a "world tour" holiday a couple of years ago as a retirement present to themselves, being away for about three months in total, and they spent a week or two in India as part of it; they had put their own tour package together with the help of a specialist travel agent, and they had two people hired through the travel agent with them all the time on the indian segment, a driver and a guide!

Jon.
 
Don't want to put you off but it is important that you take care regarding what you eat and drink and where you eat and drink.

I lived in Bombay (as it was known then) for nearly two years and left with a stomach bug known as lambia giardia which, I was told by my doctor, remains with me but it is dormant living in a temperate climate but if I returned to a place like India on a long term basis it could wake up!!

Hopefully sanitary conditions have improved since I was there. In Bombay all licenced restaurants were graded and we were advised not to eat in the lower graded restaurants.
 
In case you were thinking about getting an Indian Rail Pass for your travels, they would appear to have been withdrawn from sale. from what I have seen on one of the other Railway forums that I frequent..................
This has only happened in the last month or so !
 
Zerogee said:
Another tip I recall hearing for any area with dodgy hygiene standards.... never have ice in your drinks, because that will be made from local water.

My brother and his wife did a "world tour" holiday a couple of years ago as a retirement present to themselves, being away for about three months in total, and they spent a week or two in India as part of it; they had put their own tour package together with the help of a specialist travel agent, and they had two people hired through the travel agent with them all the time on the indian segment, a driver and a guide!

Jon.
Click to expand...
Forgot the ice tip, goes along with the salads really as the water is not drinkable unless boiled. Hence the Beer suggestion.
 
dunnyrail said:
Rik,
Not a thing to be done lightly and without some serious research. I visited India on with my Wife in 1987. 2 guys should manage on their own quite well.

Suggested Trip.
Fly to Delhi
Visit Railway Museum
Train to do Kalka Shimla Line (2ft Gauge)
Back to Delhi fly to Calcutta then Train to do DHR (2ft Gauge)
On return to Calcutta do Trams then get yourself to do the Ooty Rack Railway (Metre Gauge some steam?)
Return to Delhi do the Tarjnif you feel the need a doable Train Ride from Delhi

Other things to do if you have time, Lake Palace Hotel at Udaipur is to die for, where the Bond Film Octopussy was made. You would need to fly out and back to here from Delhi though you could do it by Train but will be a long trip each way say 24hrs.

I used an agent that existed in Wembley to book all my Hotels and Travel Ticket (we bought an Indian Train Pass), a similar company could book all your Train and internal flights for you. The following was a quick find, but you may find something more locally. Suggest you look for an Indian based Travel Agent and do not be talked into a tour.

http://www.indiarail.co.uk/

About the trip, get one of those India on a Dollar a day type books. They will give you lots of SURVIVAL TIPS like how to avoid Delhi Belly. I met a guy in India that had had a bad dose and was laid low for 3 weeks! So food do not eat Salad do not trust local bottled water 9they refil the bottles and seal them up,with super glue). Drinks best to go for Beer and Tea though one has to wonder at the cleanliness of the cups and glasses. Neck beer from the bottle after you have cleaned to top with one of your wipes. Any snacks in the train get something you can peel oranges and bananas a good bet. Stay in the best hotels you can afford but do not trust all of their hygiene, take wipes with you lots. Another good tip a nip of whiskey every night before bed, helps the stomach we never got Delhi belly and put it down in part to that little thing.

Good luck.
Click to expand...
Really useful info, Jon. That link to IndiaRail is great and good value too. Must investigate further

Rik
 
ge_rik said:
Really useful info, Jon. That link to IndiaRail is great and good value too. Must investigate further

Rik
Click to expand...
I recognise their tours are probably over your budget but for a once in a life time holiday I can't underscore my experience from a few years back with The Railway Touring Company
Footplate riding 45miles on a WP broad gauge pacific loco
Similarly a great experience on the Darjeeling where I rode the twisting turning route on one of their B class tanks
A lot of internal flights and much culture taken in!
I liked India before but after a visit to Rewari museum steam depot I've become addicted to Indian motive power hence a number of Metre Gauge Mdels I've built since
 

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Flying15 said:
I recognise their tours are probably over your budget but for a once in a life time holiday I can't underscore my experience from a few years back with The Railway Touring Company
Footplate riding 45miles on a WP broad gauge pacific loco
Similarly a great experience on the Darjeeling where I rode the twisting turning route on one of their B class tanks
A lot of internal flights and much culture taken in!
I liked India before but after a visit to Rewari museum steam depot I've become addicted to Indian motive power hence a number of Metre Gauge Mdels I've built since
Click to expand...
Nice model, would like to see more and how you have created them please.
 
Flying15 said:
I recognise their tours are probably over your budget but for a once in a life time holiday I can't underscore my experience from a few years back with The Railway Touring Company
Footplate riding 45miles on a WP broad gauge pacific loco
Similarly a great experience on the Darjeeling where I rode the twisting turning route on one of their B class tanks
A lot of internal flights and much culture taken in!
I liked India before but after a visit to Rewari museum steam depot I've become addicted to Indian motive power hence a number of Metre Gauge Mdels I've built since
Click to expand...
Their Glorious Trains of India tour sounds wonderful - and if I had an unlimited budget I would be tempted. However at £6.5k it's a 'When I win the lottery' dream only.

Rik
 
To quote one of Tim Vine's classic one-liners: "I've just come back from a once-in-a-lifetime holiday - tell you what, never again!" :rofl:

Jon.
 
dunnyrail said:
Forgot the ice tip, goes along with the salads really as the water is not drinkable unless boiled. Hence the Beer suggestion.
Click to expand...
Dairy products can also be a problem. Also be careful with tea, sometimes the Indians make it with boiling milk. I'm not in any way knocking it, it just needs ASN acquired taste
 
Beer and curry then - sounds OK to me.
 
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