Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Drivers may double as guides, or you can hire a qualified local guide for a fee. In tourist towns, be wary of touts
claiming to be professional guides.
International Tour Agencies
Many international companies offer tours to India, from straightforward sightseeing trips to adventure tours and activity-
based holidays. To find current tours that match your interests, quiz travel agents and surf the web. Some good places to
start your tour hunt:
Dragoman ( www.dragoman.com ) One of several reputable overland tour companies offering trips in customised
vehicles.
Exodus ( www.exodus.co.uk ) A wide array of specialist trips, including tours with a holistic, wildlife or adventure focus.
India Wildlife Tours ( www.india-wildlife-tours.com ) All sorts of wildlife tours, plus jeep, horse or camel safaris and
birdwatching.
Indian Encounter ( www.indianencounters.com ) Special-interest tours that include wildlife-spotting, river-rafting and
ayurvedic treatments.
Intrepid Travel ( www.intrepidtravel.com ) Endless possibilities, from wildlife tours to sacred rambles.
Peregrine Adventures ( www.peregrineadventures.com ) Popular cultural and trekking tours.
Sacred India Tours ( www.sacredindiatours.com ) Includes tours with a holistic focus such as yoga and ayurveda, as
well as architectural and cultural tours.
Shanti Travel ( www.shantitravel.com/en ) A range of tours including family and adventure run by a Franco-Indian
team.
World Expeditions ( www.worldexpeditions.com ) An array of options that includes trekking and cycling tours.
Train
Travelling by train is a quint- essential Indian experience. Trains offer a smoother ride than buses and are especially re-
commended for long journeys that include overnight travel. India's rail network is one of the largest and busiest in the
world and Indian Railways is the largest utility employer on earth, with roughly 1.5 million workers. There are around
6900 train stations scattered across the country.
We've listed useful trains but there are hundreds more. The best way of sourcing updated railway information is to
use relevant internet sites such as Indian Railways ( www.indianrail.gov.in ) and the excellent India Rail Info
( www.indiarailinfo.com ), with added offline browsing support. There's also Trains at a Glance (?45), available at many
train station bookstands and better bookshops/newsstands, but it's published annually so it's not as up to date as web-
sites. Nevertheless, it offers comprehensive timetables covering all the main lines.
EXPRESS TRAIN FARES (?)
DISTANCE (KM)
1AC
2AC
3AC
EXECUTIVE CHAIR
CHAIR CAR (CC)
SECOND (II)
100
848
500
155
353
120
90
200
848
500
251
559
196
90
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