Kolkata to Goa by Rail
24 days
From $ 2499
Duration24 days

This trip is a cornerstone of our Rail offerings, and for good reason. Hop aboard and get just as much of an Indian education and adventure as you would with a traditional tour, but with a unique look at the country via rail. From touring the Taj Mahal to enjoying a local lunch in Kalimpong to visiting the seaside town of Goa, this train trip hits many of India’s highlights with plenty of time to disembark and get to know your surroundings. If you need an escape from the everyday, India is the perfect destination. Come aboard and explore it.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 24 days
    Service level: Standard
  • Physical Grading: Average
  • Ages: 12+
Kolkata to Goa by Rail - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Kolkata
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Kolkata/Jalpāiguri
Visit the Victoria Memorial and explore Mother Teresa's House. Enjoy free time later and opt to explore the Indian Museum. In the evening, board an overnight New Jalpaiguri Kamrup Express train to New Jalpaiguri.
Day 3: Jalpāiguri/Darjeeling
Famous for the black tea grown amongst the tea plantations, enjoy the scenic views of Darjeeling. Set upon the foothills of the Himalayas, expect the climate to be much different from the plains.
Arrive at New Jalpaiguri and continue onwards by van to Darjeeling. Take an orientation tour of the town before enjoying free time with the rest of the evening.
Day 4: Darjeeling/Gangtok
Continue by private van to Gangtok and take an orientation tour of the town. Take in the stunning scenery of the Himalayas surrounding this quaint town.
Day 5: Gangtok
Start the day with an orientation walk, then enjoy a free day to explore this scenic town.
Day 6: Gangtok/Kalimpong
Continue by private vehicle to Kalimpong. Stop along the way at Rumtek Monastery. Embark on an orientation walk of the town of Kalimpong then enjoy the rest of the day to explore at leisure.
Day 7: Darjeeling
Watch the sunrise at Tiger Hill, visit a tea estate and explore the Mahakal Temple. Later, travel the World Heritage-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway on a vintage steam engine train. Continue with a visit to the Peace Pagoda. Please note that occasionally the cooking demonstration may be moved to Varanasi to better suit the day's schedule. Lunch at a local family-run restaurant, including a cooking demonstration.
Meals: L
Day 8: Kalimpong to New Jalpaiguri
Drive to New Jalpaiguri Station with a stop en route at Deolo Hills to take in views of the mountainous scenery. Catch the overnight train to Varanasi.
Day 9: Mughal Sarāi/Varanasi
Arrive to Mughal Sarai in the morning and continue by van to Varanasi. Enjoy an evening visit to the ghats and watch the prayer sessions.
Day 10: Varanasi
Take a sunrise boat trip on the Ganges. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore Sarnath and the city of Varanasi.
Day 11: Varanasi/Lucknow
Take a morning Varanasi-Lucknow Intercity train. In the afternoon, visit the Bara Imambara.
Day 12: Lucknow/Delhi
Spend most of the day exploring Lucknow. Opt to explore The Residency and be immersed in colonial era history. In the afternoon, board the Swarna Shatabdi Express train to Delhi, with dinner provided on board. Enjoy the night in the bustle of Delhi. Enjoy dinner on board the train.
Meals: D
Day 13: Delhi
Enjoy a free day in Delhi.
Day 14: Delhi/Āgra
Take the Shatabdi Express train to Agra, with breakfast served on board. Enjoy a guided tour of the impressive Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Time permitting, opt to visit the Baby Taj. Breakfast served on board the train.
Meals: B
Day 15: Āgra/Jaipur
Hop on a Shatabdi Express train in the evening to Jaipur.
Day 16: Jaipur
Take an orientation walk around town. Take a photo of the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) and visit the Amber Fort. Walk around the Old City and markets and opt to visit the City Palace. With free time, choose to visit local artisans in a nearby village, wander the Jantar Mantar, or check out a Bollywood film at the spectacular Art Deco film house, the Raj Mandir.
Day 17: Jaipur/Udaipur
In the morning board a train and soak in the passing scenery en route to Udaipur. Arrive in the evening with free time to explore the city.
Day 18: Udaipur
Enjoy an orientation walk, including a visit to the Jagdish Temple and the City Palace, one of the largest royal palaces in India. Attend a Rajasthani cultural show on Gangaur Ghat. Discover the early morning serenity of the city by pre-booking the Udaipur Sunrise Cycle tour extra, or opt to sharpen your culinary skills by pre-booking the Udaipur Cooking School extra.
Day 19: Goa
With free time in Goa, opt to explore the city and learn about it's ancient Portuguese colony, visit a market, or relax on the beach.
Enjoy a free day in Goa.
Day 20: Udaipur/Būndi
Opt for a sunrise bicycle tour of Udaipur before the train to Bundi this afternoon.

There is no shortage of notable architecture in Bundi. From palaces to baoris, otherwise known as stepwell reservoirs, explore the many man-made marvels of Bundi.
Take a train to Bundi to explore the fort and stepwells.
Day 21: Būndi/Mumbai
Explore Bundi with some free time before an overnight trip on the Mumbai Rajdhani Express train, with dinner on board. Enjoy dinner on board the train.
Meals: D
Day 22: Mumbai
Arrive in the morning in bustling Mumbai, home to 20 million people. Take a walking tour of the Colaba area and see the Gateway of India.
Day 23: Mumbai/Goa
Opt to visit the many Portuguese-built monuments, wander around the churches of Old Goa (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), or discover Panjim, the capital of the state. Don't forget to indulge in Goan cuisine.
Catch a morning flight to beautiful Goa. Spend free time relaxing on the beach or exploring the city's monuments.
Day 24: Goa
Depart at any time.

Inclusions

Included

  • Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Victoria Memorial visit
  • Ganges ferry ride
  • Tiger Hill sunrise visit
  • Tea estate visit
  • Mahakal Temple visit
  • Peace Pagoda visit
  • Toy train ride
  • Rumtek Monastery day trip
  • Deolo Hill visit
  • Evening ghats visit
  • Sunrise boat trip on the Ganges
  • Bara Imambara visit
  • Orientation walks in Darjeeling, Gangtok, and Kalimpong
  • Taj Mahal visit
  • Agra Fort visit
  • Jaipur orientation walk
  • Amber Fort visit
  • Udaipur orientation walk
  • Jagdish Temple and City Palace visit
  • Rajasthani cultural show
  • Bundi Fort and stepwells visit
  • Colaba area walking tour
  • Gateway of India visit
  • Beach time in Goa
  • Internal flight
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
  • Transport

    Train (seats), Train (beds), Toy train, Private van, Walking, Plane
  • Accommodation

    Hotels/guesthouses (20 nts), Sleeper train (3 nts)

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