UNESCO World Heritage Sites, India

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Mountain Railways of India

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway - The Toy Train of the Darjeeling Hills



Darjeeling (2134 m), the exotic hiss station in West Bengal and is connected to the plains by means of a 2 feet gauge, 83 km long railway line (operational since Sep 1881) on which runs a beautiful toy train. This train is still hauled by small steam engines which were built in the early 20th century. For a die-hard rail enthusiast, a trip to India is incomplete without a ride on this unique toy train. One day advance reservation will ensure your seat. Batasia loop on the railway line near Ghoom is a great engineering feet.

Places to Visit

Darjeeling is a major hill station with hills covered with tea plantations, complicated series of interconnecting roads, Victorian colonial mansions and a striking population of Nepalis and Tibetans.
Himalayan training institute, zoological park and museum, Lloyd botanical park, Rangeet valley rope way (5 km), Observatory hills, gardens, museums, temples, handicrafts, fishing, Ghoom Buddhist monastery (6 km), Senchal (11 km) : View of Everest and Mt. Kanchenjunga from Tiger hill, picnic spot. Trekking (April-May, Oct-Nov).

How To Reach

Darjeeling is 666 km from Kolkata. One has to reach Siliguri/New Jaipalguri from Kolkata. New Jaipalguri connects Darjeeling by narrow gauge (86 km, 7.5 hour).

Time To Visit

The peak tourist season is Oct and Dec, while the best season is from mid March to May with clear skies. Share jeeps run in the town.

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Nilgiri Railway

The toy train route from Mettupalayam (95 km from Coimbatore) to Ooty is in world heritage centre list. The route has 16 tunels, 31 bridges, 326 m to 2193 m , 1899 AD, 46 km in 4.5 hour.

Ooty ia a major hill resort in Tamil Nadu. The main attractions are Botanical garden, fossil tree trunk (20 million year old), lake, rose garden, Dodebetta peak (2636 m, 10 km), tea plantation, Government museum, Deer park, Pykara (21 km) : Toda settlement, trekking, Kotagiri hill station (40 km); Coonoor hill station (20 km) : Dolphin's nose (26 km) to view Catherine falls, Lamb's rock : View of Coimbatore plains, Sim's park, botanical gardens; MUDUMALAI Wild life sanctuary (30 km).

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Bhimbetka cave paintings : A world Heritage centre 46 km from Bhopal. Over 600 rock shelters with pre-historic painting are located in a forest of teak and Sal. Only 15 are accessible and is linked by concrete path. By Itarsi bus get down for the caves. The caves are 3 km from the main road. You can visit the caves on one day tour conducted by MP Tourism.