Reviews

Fab holiday except for trains number two and three. Dirty and very shabby ..
first and last train on itinerary were clean and comfortable .

This is my third trip to India and have done trains before but this was a different experience .

Toy train in Shimla is tiny and cramped .
Two seater seats suitable for two slim sized people .
Shabby interior .
Myself and four others from my group were put in a carriage with locals . they had luggage piled in every available bit of space . It was cramped , no room to move .
Man opposite me kept scratching his nether regions , I chose to stand !
No room in other carriages .
Other group members had a more enjoyable trip as they weren’t in a crammed carriage .
Train journeys are not romantic if that’s what you’re hoping for .

Taken to train Station at 6am for an 8am train .some stations are dirty with disgusting toilets ., very few seats .
26 people in tour group , far too big , tour guide could t cope .
Lack of porters . Had to cross and walk down railway lines with our luggage .
Not for elderly or unfit .

Horrendous early starts .and late arrival back at hotel in the evening ., 7pm ish .
Only had time to wash hands then go for dinner
. No socialising due to next morning early starts , usually around 6am .

Hotels were all really good with good Indian food . Don’t expect an English Breakfast .

Some wonderful restaurants for lunch , most memorable one in Shimla .

Jam packed itinerary , no free time for anything which was a shame , but what we got to see and do was superb .

Had a fantastic time but it’s full on .

I’d recommend this holiday 100% if the train was ditched .

Service rating :

Easy booking procedure and good pre-holiday information

Product :

Hotels were varied and of an expected quality. (3rd trip with Wendy Wo) We personally enjoy a mix of modern and quirky. Our national tour guide Raj was brilliant and our coach driver was highly skilled.
Unfortunately our Shimla extension didn't fair quite so well. Our toy train seats were the worst available, (Good seats bookable 6 months in advance we were told) in mitagation, our local guide offered to pick us up half way (3 hours out of a 6 hour trip) but failed to turn up. Due to bad weather we couldn't see anything so a mid way pick up would have suited us much better. (Tip - Check that you get the best seats when booking) Our local guide only offered us information when asked (Didn't seem that interested or know our meal plan) so we ended up missing some things we wanted to see. (Steam trains were viewable at Shimlar, not Ambala) found out on the way home.
Over all we had a great time with a great group of like minded adventurers.

Service rating :

Great holiday. People with us every step of the way. So good to have lunches included which saves having to worry about costs and where to eat.

Product :

Wonderful scenery and the hotel was to die for.