14 Exceptional Indian Rail Routes you should experience in your lifetime.

With a history for more than one and a half century, the railways in India have been a great source of adventure. The charm of the railways has been so fascinating that it have been inspiring authors, poets, painters, filmmakers since its very early days. Though mostly laid during the British rules in India, railways have never been a foreign element. There are many railways routes which pass across the most thrilling geographic setting of the country and these rail routes are sure to mesmerize you because of their amazing scenic beauty.

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway – New Jalpaiguri – Darjeeling

Laid in the year 1881, this was the first mountain railway in the world which also had the highest railway station in the world at the time – Ghoom situated at an elevation of 7600 Feet. The railway route which passes through Tea Gardens, lower Himalayan Forests giving an astonishing view of the landscape is the first railway route in India to receive the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site tag. The 88 Km long journey on narrow gauge line is also an engineering marvel considering various elements (Zigzag, Loop) used to negotiate the tough terrain.

Kalka – Shimla Railway

The second best mountain railway is surely the one which connected the summer capital of the British Raj with the plains. A beautiful train journey through 102 breathtaking tunnels & 82 bridges which cut across beautiful mountain forest. This 96-kilometre journey is comparatively faster than the DHR but is not short of thrills.

Kangra Valley Railway – Pathankot – Jogindernagar

It is another enthralling rail route cutting across the mighty Himalayan Mountains. Passing through several mountain Georges, high river bridges and tunnels, This 164 kilometers long narrow gauge line gives a fascinating view of the Kangra Valley across Punjab & Himachal Pradesh.

Desert Queen – Jodhpur – Jaisalmer

The desert queen which travels across the Thar Desert to reach the Golden City of Jaisalmer is another breathtaking rail route of the country. There is no other train route which passes through a desert and this gives a fabulous view of the endless topography fill with yellow sand.

The desert Queen Route

Mumbai – Goa Konkan Rail Route

Goa can be a dream destination for most of you but if you are travelling from Mumbai, your journey could well be better than your stay in Goa. The fantastic rail route which runs parallel through the Western Ghats Mountain and the coastline of Arabian Sea is so beautiful that you are sure to fall in love with it. Passing through the steep slopes of the mountains and giving sudden glimpses of the sea, the route is particularly famous for its scenic beauty – which includes rivers, streams and lush green landscape

Konkan Railway route

Ratnagiri – Mangalore

The beauty of the Konkan coast can be best enjoyed in this rail journey. Cutting across the Western Ghats Mountains, this journey will keep you engaged for its entire route. The never-ending tunnels, fascinating river bridges, rivers, springs and the beauty of vegetation in the hills make this one of the most memorable rail journeys.

The Vasco Da Gama Route – Hubli – Madgaon

The most attractive part of this journey is surely the beautiful Dudhsagar Falls, running down from a thousand feet. The rail line runs across this falls giving a marvelous view of the falls which looks like a stream of milk falling from the heaven. The beauty of the mountains and rivers make this route a must visit for all. This route featured in many Bollywood films and once such example is Chennai Express starring Shah Rukh Khan & Deepika Padukone.

Pamban Island Route – Madurai – Rameshwaram

One of the craziest train journeys you can come across. The Pamban Bridge which connects the Pamban Island on which Rameshwaram is located with the mainland is one of the biggest engineering marvels in the world. The rail route which literally floats on the mighty Bay of Bengal will take your breath away. If you look down from the window, you can see the water of the ocean just below you

Matheran – Neral

A small 20 kilometers journey on the narrow gauge cutting across the Western Ghats is no short in its beauty. This is the only heritage rail route in Maharashtra and this toy train route has lately become extremely popular among tourists.

Dooars Trail – Jalpaiguri – Alipurduar

Those of you not familiar with the name Dooars should know that this is the foothill of the Himalaya and in terms of beauty and charm is no less than the high lands. The Dooars with its moderate slope, dense forest, extensive flora and fauna is one of the most beautiful geographic features in the country. A sudden encounter with a herd of elephants can take place but otherwise too, the singing of birds, the beauty of the forest with numerous unnamed mountain streams will keep you occupied.

Guwahati – Silchar

The Assam Valley, Half-long valley & Barrack Valley – the most beautiful parts of Assam can be explored in one single rail journey which connects Guwahati and Silchar. The railroad passing thought never-ending tea plantation, beautiful rivers and astonishing forests make it a superb journey hard to forget.

Mettupalayam – Ooty

This is another toy train that connects Ooty, the queen of the Nilgiris, with the plains. The train route that slowly climbs the Nilgiri range passing across, several tunnels, bridges giving a breathtaking view of the Blue Mountains and its misty surroundings is surely a rail journey you should never miss.

Jammu–Baramulla Route

Cutting across the mighty Pir Panjal Mountain range and connecting the Kashmir Valley with rest of India, this is not only one of the most enchanting railway routes in the country but was also the most challenging one to construct. A part of this route is still under construction where long tunnels and huge bridges are being constructed. A ride in this route can really give an experience of Europe.

Palace on Wheels Route

This luxury rail journey is surely meant for the special groups of people but there is not a single journey in the country that connects so many breathtaking tourist places in one single journey. Running all across Rajasthan, the land of Maharajas, this exclusive luxury train connects all the fabulous fort cities of the state added with world class hospitality inside