A full week Steam in Nepal and India - Small group tour from February 24th to March 1st 2008

(Kalka - Shimla optional 'vintage railcar' two-days program from February 20th to February 23rd)

This private tour is organised and guided by Ashok Sharma of 'Real India Journeys' - http://www.realindiajourneys.com. Ashok is a highly professional guide and has organised railway enthusiasts trips to both India and Nepal for the last 30 years. During one week we will have a maximum of photographic opportunities with private steam charter trains on the Darjeeling and Nepal (Janakpur) Railways and with MAWD 1798 on the metre gauge in Siliguri. An optional 2-day extension on the marvellous Kalka - Shimla 'hill' line using vintage railcars from the NWR era and covering the whole line may be booked separately. Unfortunately, the steam program on this line is limited to a very short stretch on the upper section and there is no possibility to get a realistic-looking train (blue or red modern coaching stock). Therefore, a steam program on the KS has been abandoned.

The narrow-gauge ‘Janakpur Railway’ is located in South Nepal at the border with Bihar State in India. Until 1994 it was a 100% steam railway system, unfortunately at that time some second-hand NG diesels were brought from India. Some years ago, the 0-6-2T No 7 (Hunslet of 1949) was repaired and is now available for authentic charters. On two full days we have requested No7 on realistic charters with local people allowed to travel on board. Plenty of typical photo opportunities are available as the line goes through small villages. Some bridges and a 'tree tunnel' are also used!

The world famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway does not need to be introduced anymore. We will travel on the most photogenic parts of this fantastic mountain line during three full days with a private charter using B-class 0-4-0ST and blue coaches (no repainted coaches with red stripes!). Finally, metre-gauge 'Mac Arthur' 2-8-2 MAWD 1798 based at Siliguri will be used on an authentic passenger train on the highly interesting section from Siliguri to Bagdogra of the old trunk line from Guwahati to Katihar. Indeed, though only 10km long, this section offers plenty of photographic opportunities, with
bridges, old signals and plenty of rural life. If the weather is clear enough, Himalayan mountains may be visible as a backdrop !

Kalka - Shimla 'vintage railcar' optional program :

• 20. February : Early morning arrival at Delhi International Airport with flight from Europe. Transfer by car to Kalka (new highway). Overnight in Kalka.

• 21. February : Whole day special charter train with Old railcar (former NWR) on the incredible 96km long Kalka -Shimla Railway, one of the most dramatic mountain narrow gauge line of the world. Many photo stops on the way. Overnight in Shimla.

• 22. February : Again a whole day special charter train with Vintage railcar from Shimla to Kalka allowing some different shots from the previous day. Transfer by road to Delhi for overnight.

Main tour 'steam only' program:

• 23. February: Early morning arrival at Delhi International Airport with flight from Europe. Continuation with internal flight to Baghdogra (departure 10 AM). Overnight in Siliguri.

• 24. February: Whole day special charter train with B-class 0-4-0ST on the Darjeeling-Himalayan Railway (DHR) from Siliguri to Kurseong. The train will be formed with blue passenger coaches, no red stripes. Photo stops and/or chasing by private cars. Overnight in Kurseong.

• 25. February: Whole day special charter train with B-class 0-4-0ST on the DHR from Tindaria to Darjeeling. Photo stops and/or chasing by private cars. Overnight in Kurseong.

• 26. February: One more day with our special charter train using B-class 0-4-0ST concentrating on the upper section of the DHR. Photo stops and/or chasing by private cars. Overnight in Kurseong.

• 27. February: Road transfer from Kurseong to Siliguri. Morning charter train on the metre gauge from Siliguri to Bagdogra with 2-8-2 MAWD 1798, then by car to the nearby India/Nepal border at Kakarbhita for visa clearance. A visa for 3-days stay in Nepal can be bought there for 30 USD. Continuation by car to Janakpurdham. The main road from the border is in good condition and sees very little traffic, a strong contrast to nearby India ! Overnight in Janakpurdham.

• 28. February: Whole day special charter train with 0-6-2T 7 and mixed train on the Janakpur Railway line from Jankapurdham to Jaynagar. Local people will be allowed to travel on the train, allowing optimal photographic possibilities. A shed visit at Jaynagar, where the two 'Garratts' are stored is possible. Overnight in Janakpurdham.

• 29. February: Again a full day charter with 0-6-2T 7 and a different train composition to Jaynagar. Overnight in Janakpurdham.

• 1. March: Road transfer to the Indian border and further to Bagdogra airport for afternoon flight to Delhi. End of the tour program.

Price : Main 'steam' program : 1500 Euro all included from Bagdogra February 23rd / to Bagdogra February 29th. 'Kalka - Shimla' extension : 400 Euro from Delhi February 20th / to Delhi February 23rd. Included in the price are special trains, guide, hotel accommodation with breakfast and all transfers. 

Not included are meals and drinks (which are usually very cheap). International flights to/from Delhi and internal flight Delhi - Bagdogra are not included in the price. It is no problem anymore to book Indian internal flights from Europe. Visas for India and Nepal are also to be bought individually.

Minimum / Maximum number of participants : 10/12

Information and booking : Alexandre Gilliéron, CH-1410 DenezyTel : +41 (0)21 906 6440

E-mail : alexgillieron@yahoo.fr 

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