Himalayas are the pride of India! Tall, majestic, with their proud demeanour, snow-capped peaks as a crown, the lower peaks full of lush greenery add to the beauty! These holidays, go to the Himalayas. A spiritual holiday, an adventure, a family holiday, or a honeymoon, the Himalayas call you every time with love and an open heart. India is rich and so are the Himalayas with their natural beauty. Thus, there are many places where you can spend an Unforgettable Himalayan Holiday in India and neighbouring countries. Some of them are listed as below:
There is something about the antiquated things of yesterday that provokes a nostalgic endearment beckoning one to defy the laws of physics in an attempt to understand the past. Nothing encourages this feeling like embarking on a classic train adventure where the tracks guide you through a land that otherwise remains untouched.
1. KASHMIR VALLEY RAILWAYS, INDIA
Kashmir Railway (Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla) is one of the most scenic railway line of India passes through the 20 tunnels and 100 of bridges over the young Himalayas, also hosts the tallest Indian railway bridge(under construction). The Kashmir Railway line is the most challenging railway project of Indian rail system, crosses the major earthquake zones,high altitude mountain passes and terrain in the extreme temperatures of cold.
2. THE GHAN, AUSTRALIA
This wide ill-defined outback area mapped by Aboriginal people was hard to find, European settlers used to cross it using camels. But the fact that this place can now be crossed by train in a degree of luxury is something marvelous. This train, "Ghan" runs from one coast to another on a three-day trip of 2000 miles, named after the outback camel riders of the 19th century who came from Afghanistan. This train has on board restaurants serving outback flavors with kangaroo fillets. Platinum services include 24-hour room service, breakfast in bed, watching plains, Russet & Cobalt Mountains through the huge glass windows.
3. BLUE SEA RIDE, INDIA
The most amazing train ride in India, through the second longest sea bridge in India, connects Rameswaram on Pamban Island to rest of India. Drive on the Pamban Bridge over a flat blue sea on the Palk Strait.
4. ORIENT-EXPRESS, EUROPE
Most famously in its namesake "Venice simplon-orient express", this company runs day trips in the UK. "The British Pullman" and "The Northern belle" are two major trains used by this company, some of the Pullman's 20 carriages were used by the royal family in the 1950s. The Pullmans now serve five-course dinner and champagne. Rolling down the countryside of Kent to Whitstable and the sea before heading home, Northern Belle offers extra experience like artists performing as passengers dine.
5. JAIPUR-JAISALMER EXPRESS, INDIA
India is a land of diversity. On one hand it offers lush green sceneries and on the other hand it offers the beauty of barren deserts. A train from Jaipur to Jaisalmer is another exciting journey where one can experience the flavor of barren deserts. The beauty of this route is that the view of landscape keeps changing such as, after traveling few hours from Jaipur, you can see the change of landscape from desert to pastoral landscapes, beautiful mud huts that are made up of red clay bricks and you can also enjoy the view of camels gazing in the flat desert. The amazing scenic beauty makes this route entirely majestic and incredible.
6. CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR, USA
It was launched in 1949, it takes its passengers through a 2,500 mile journey between Windy coast and Californian coast in three days, the train passes through beautiful landscapes, travelling across seven states, the train has eye-widening breakfast experience. The train has sightseeing lounge with panoramic glass windows and revolving seats, the fascinating views continue as the train passes alongside canyons and cliffs of the upper Colorado river.
7. TREN CRUCERO, ECUADOR
Making four-day journey from the mountain capital, Quito to the coastal city of Guayaquil on a 280-mile rail, Tren Crucero has elegantly decorated carriages with armchairs and the last carriage has panoramic windows for viewing. There are plenty of amazing moments right from the gold and green grasslands of Cotopaxi national park to glacier-capped Chimborazo which is Ecuador's tallest peak.
8. TRANS-SIBERIAN RAILWAY, SIBERIA
The original Trans-Siberian route takes passengers from Moscow to seaport of Vladivostok, but one of the best and amazing routes is the Trans-Siberian route connecting three cities and passes through birch forests on Ural Mountains then through the blue waters of Lake Baikal. The appeal lies inside its carriages, playing card games over a glass of vodka and some mouth-watering meals and amazing view points. On these train trips. You enjoy every moment, crossing cities and country sides, travelling alongside landscapes and other fascinating features. The services inside them are captivating, ranging from dining, wine and champagne; some have entertainments with performances from musicians.