3 train journeys to go Insta-crazy on

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
Route: New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling, West Bengal

The Toy Train, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a dreamlike journey across rolling Jalapahar hills lined with tea plantation estates, and an occasional view of the majestic Mt Kanchenjunga. The train trundles along a steep climb with six zigzag reverses and three loops to stop at India’s highest station, Ghum (2,258m). The route inspired Wes Anderson’s The Darjeeling Limited, and is a history lesson in itself, with mini museums at Siliguri, Sukna, Kurseong and Ghum stations (get admission from the stationmaster for a nominal sum).

Photograph: Matt Paish, Flickr

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Kangra Valley Railway
Route: Pathankot, Punjab to Jogindernagar, Himachal Pradesh 

The narrow-gauge train (one of the country’s few remaining) built in 1929 offers incredible views of the emerald Ban Ganga gorge: if you manage to score a seat, that is. No e-bookings or reservations; tickets can only be bought at station counters. Some 163km over 10 hours will fly by while gazing upon rushing Himalayan views of deep canyons, maple woodlands and sun-dappled mustard fields. Once you hit Palampur in Kangra, you’re all but 10 miles away from snow-capped mountains (on the railway track closest to them) and begin to run parallel to the Dhauladhar range, which feels surreal.

Photograph: ChanduBandi, Flickr

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Amaravathi express
Route: Hubli, Karnataka to Vasco da Gama, Goa

Running 39 hours and covering 41 stops along most of the Western Ghats, the Amaravathi Express is a lifeline for the region. From Hubli, it is six hours to Vasco da Gama, accompanied by a thick, unyielding streak of deep green, only broken briefly when the milky Dudhsagar (literally sea of milk) waterfall rushes into view. Squeeze into a spot on the left side of the train and feel the cold sprays sting your skin, then settle in to watch village life as you zip by bucolic little hamlets and emerald lakes before reaching the heart of India’s favourite beach destination.

Photograph: Rajesh Warange, Flickr

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