As vacation resources become more and more utilitarian, more people are searching for a new way to travel. One of the fastest growing trends around the world is scenic train travel. Traveling by train is not just for grandma anymore but well seasoned travelers, outdoor or train enthusiasts, history buffs, and lovers. Cruise ships and packaged vacations have become larger than ever before accommodating hundreds of guests at one time, which has resulted in more impersonal vacations. It’s really not so much of a surprise to see that scenic train travel has fast become one of the most popular ways to travel.
From the Orient Express in Peru to the Rocky Mountaineer in Canada, scenic train tours are going to more uncommon attractions. You can take a scenic train trip just about anywhere in the world. Visit the kingdoms of the world from the comfort of your seat onboard one of these luxury trains. With destinations in Russia, China, America, Canada, Australia, India, and more you can visit the far corners of the world in comfort and style while taking a scenic train trip. Whether you want to go for two days up to eight days or more there is a scenic train trip that is just right for you.
Many of the trains are lavish and distinctive with beautiful sleeping cabins, panoramic viewing cars, and 4 star restaurants right onboard. The average traveler is between the ages of 35 and beyond, but you do see occasional young couples but never children and families. Guests are usually well seasoned travelers who have tested every other means of travel, and not so surprisingly find scenic train travel to be one of the best ways to vacation. When planning your vacation upon one of these scenic trains it is best to plan early. Generally tickets sell out 8-10 months prior to the departure date. Here are some of the most luxurious and cost effective trains to ride.
Australia – The Ghan, Adelaide to Darwin
The Ghan is owned and operated by Rail Australia and runs from Adelaide in the south to Darwin in the north, with stops in Alice Springs, the Indian Pacific, and the Overland. The Ghan was named for the original Afghan workers who built the original tracks in the 19th century. The building of this rail was actually abandoned many times because of natural disasters that ruined the tracks and drove workers away. Now that the tracks are finished they are quickly becoming one of the most popular ways for visitors and locals to travel across Australia.
The one way trip on The Ghan takes about 48 hours to complete and along the way you will visit the Indian Pacific Coast, the Red Center, and the tropical Top End. The Ghan is operational from May to July and runs twice weekly to Alice Spring and once weekly from Adelaide to Darwin. The Ghan offers guest gold service that includes champagne with dinner and guided tours of the stops. The sleeping compartments are luxurious and you can also bring your vehicle for only $99 on a vehicle carrier wagon. For more information on the Ghan or to book your trip log onto http://www.gsr.com.au
Canada – The Rocky Mountaineer and The Whistler, British Columbia
These two scenic trains take you through the heart of the Canadian Rockies all from the comfort of a plush chair. The Rocky Mountaineer travels from Vancouver to Whistler. Along the way you will view the beautiful Rocky Mountains, Howe Sound and Garibaldi Provincial Park. The Whistler route, also called the Fraser Discovery Route travels to Jasper on a separate train going through the remote area of Prince George. The Rocky Mountaineer is an all day light two day trip through the western Canadian Rockies. The Whistler is the only overnight part of the trip so combining the trips is a total of 3 days on the two trains.
Combined, the two rails provide guests with 4 star services while they travel through lush green forests, past cascading waterfalls, through tunnels, and over bridges. The trains run through almost every national park in Canada including Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. After departing from Vancouver guests are invited to wine and dine while viewing the beauty of the land from their comfortable and relaxing surroundings. The two trains are fully restored to 1950s art deco style and are quite luxurious. The entire Rocky Mountain rail system starts in Vancouver and makes stops in Banff, Jasper, Whistler, Lake Louise, Calgary, Toronto, Victoria, Halifax, and Montreal.
The three day trips starts around $600 per person for a fully catered stay on board both trains. There is almost no better way to visit the National Parks of Canada than onboard the Rocky Mountaineer, even if you don’t finish the journey on the Whistler. To make reservations or for more information you can log onto http://www.rockymountaineer.com .
India – The Deccan Odyssey, Mumbai to Bangalore
The Deccan Odyssey is co-owned by the Indian government and Indian Railways and runs on the Circuit of Maharashtra. If you really want to explore the true heart of India you must take a ride on the Deccan Odyssey. The train itself is luxuriously decorated in a modern but yet traditional Indian style. There is a lot of color with many gold, red, orange, and yellow accents like traditional Indian style but the train itself is very modern. Each sleeping compartment has a T.V. and satellite phone so that you can stay in touch with the rest of the world while you are taking your journey through India.
Onboard services are provided by the Taj Hotel based out of Mumbai, and some of the onboard amenities include a steam bath, a gym, and an internet café. There are two dining cars, one is called the Maharaja and the other is the Maharani. Both cars serve Thai, Chinese, Indian, and Continental cuisine. There is also a bar onboard and books are readily available for guests. The luxurious cabins and personalized service really makes this trip all worth the while. The Deccan Odyssey can accommodate 104 passengers and is sometimes called the Rajasthan Palace on Wheels because of its lavish interior.
The services are all 5 star but the real joy of the trip is what you get to see. On the Deccan Odyssey you will visit coastal towns and beaches, with a stop in Goa, and see the ancient cave temples in Ajanta and Ellora. One of the cultural highlights of the trip is also a visit to see the carvings cut out by the Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain Monks thousands of years ago. Trips onboard the Deccan Odyssey are generally 7 days, but if you are looking for an extended trip you can also take the Southern Splendor route that runs for 10 full days. The Southern Splendor leaves from Bangalore and visits four more southern Indian states before the end of the trip. For more information on booking and travel, log onto http://www.iyp.com or call 1-888-INDIA-99 toll free.
Peru – The Orient Express, Cuzco to Machu Picchu
If you are looking for a shorter day trip you may want to book a tour on the Orient Express. The 3 and ½ hour trip to Aquas Calientes (near Machu Picchu) brings your straight to the Inca ruins. The tour is named the Hiram Bingham Tour and leaves out of Cuzco in the morning. You arrive at the historic Inca Civilization ruins by midday where you can take a self or guided tour. Along the way you pass lush fields and colorful villages stopping in Arequipa, Lima, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, the Urbamba River, and the Sacred Valley.
A ride onboard the Orient Express takes you through some of the most deserted deserts and also past snow capped mountain vistas and baroque cathedrals. The return trip begins at dusk and a four course dinner is served with champagne in the 1920s style dining car complete with wood paneling. A fully catered tour will cost about $500 but if you want to save money you can take the self guided tour for around $100 per person. For more information on booking a tour you can visit http://www.orient-express.com
China – The Shangri La Express, Golmud to Tibet
The Shangri La Express is the highest completed rail system in the world. The 700 mile track runs from Golmud to Tibet with stops in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghais. More than 80% of the Shangri La Express is above 13,000 feet maxing out at 17,146 feet high. Specially designed pressurized cabins allow for easy travel without all the ear popping and bodily adjustments. The initial trip for the Shangri La Express is planned for 2007 and is already sold out.
Eleven day, all inclusive trips will be available to the public out of Beijing starting around $5,600. The projected sights will be the Harbin Ice and Lantern Festival, the famous Bund, and also the three gorges of Beijing. A trip on the Shangri La Express will be a great way to travel through China in comfort and luxury, and you will experience Chinese culture first hand. For more information on departure schedules you can log onto http://www.gwtravel.co.uk and click on the link for China.
Alaska – The Denali Star, Anchorage to Fairbanks
The 12 hour tour on the Denali Star is named after the famous Denali National Park because it travels right through the heart of it. The two carriages of the Denali star can accommodate 72 guests in plush seating and also provides them with a 10 foot glass covered viewing platform. There is also a private open air viewing deck onboard the Denali Star for people that really want to see, smell, and hear nature. You have the choice of a forward facing seat or a recliner onboard the first class multi level coach.
The onboard tour guides and train conductors are usually natives of Alaska and provides hours of narrative guides, and stories. As you travel through the breathtaking wilderness you are invited to wine and appetizers (if you have gold service) served with the best sparking crystal and polished silver. The train cars are circa 1950 and have been fully restored in the last 5 years. A one way trip costs about $150 departing from Anchorage to Fairbanks stopping in Talkeetna, Denali Park, Girwood, Seward, and Anchorage Airport. For more information on Alaskan scenic train trips, log onto http://www.alaskarailroad.com
Switzerland – The Glacier Express, St. Moritz to Zermatt
The Glacier express links two of the largest ski resort towns in Switzerland; St. Moritz and Zermatt. The Glacier Express stretches over 180 miles and takes 7 and ½ hours to complete. The Glacier Express has been operational for just over 75 years, but has just recently become a popular way to travel Switzerland. There are junctions in Piz Bernina and the Matterhorn. The Glacier Express has 38 first class carriages and passes over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels.
The panoramic trip takes you through the heart of the popular Swiss Alps, through the Valais region, over grassy meadows, and past mountain streams. You will also see Lake Lucerne, some regions of the south, and many snow capped mountain peaks. The east bound train heading toward St. Moritz is usually less crowed than the one to Zermatt. One way trips start around $100. For more information you can log onto http://www.glacierexpress.ch
