For those seeking to connect with India's profound spiritual roots and rich history, planning a multi-city tour can be daunting. IRCTC's special tourist trains offer a seamless solution, bundling travel, stay, and sightseeing into one package.
A Journey of Faith and History
The Indian
Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has curated a unique travel segment that caters to millions of Indians: spiritual tourism. Under schemes like Bharat Gaurav and Swadesh Darshan, IRCTC operates special tourist trains that connect major pilgrimage centres with nearby heritage locations. These tours are designed to be all-inclusive, removing the logistical hurdles of planning a multi-destination trip. The goal is to provide a comfortable, secure, and spiritually enriching experience for travellers, particularly families and senior citizens. By combining destinations like holy cities with sites of historical importance, these itineraries offer a holistic cultural immersion.
A Sample Six-Day Itinerary
While IRCTC offers various tours with different durations, a typical six-day spiritual and heritage journey often revolves around a major religious hub. A popular example is a tour centred on Varanasi. The journey would begin with an overnight train departure from a major city like Delhi, Mumbai, or Kolkata.Day 2 is dedicated to arriving in Varanasi, checking into a hotel, and freshening up before an evening visit to the ghats for the spectacular Ganga Aarti. Day 3 involves a full day of temple visits, including the revered Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the Kal Bhairav Mandir. Day 4 adds the heritage component, with an excursion to Sarnath, the historic site where Buddha gave his first sermon. This allows travellers to explore the Dhamek Stupa and the Sarnath Museum. Day 5 would offer some leisure time for personal exploration or shopping before boarding the train in the evening for the return journey. The tour concludes on Day 6 with the arrival back at the starting city.
What the Package Includes
The primary appeal of these tours is their all-inclusive nature, offering significant value for a set price. A typical six-day package generally covers train travel in the chosen class (options often include Sleeper, 3AC, and 2AC). Upon reaching the destinations, accommodation in budget-friendly hotels or dormitories is provided. The package also includes all-vegetarian meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—often served both on the train and at the destinations. All transfers and sightseeing are conducted in non-AC buses, ensuring that travellers move between sites as a group without hassle. Furthermore, the services of a tour escort and onboard security personnel are included to ensure a smooth and safe journey from start to finish.
The Onboard Experience
Travelling on an IRCTC tourist train is an experience in itself. Unlike regular passenger trains, these are chartered for the tour, creating a sense of community among the travellers. The atmosphere is often filled with devotion, with passengers sharing stories and singing bhajans. The train staff are dedicated to the tour group, and announcements are made regularly to keep everyone informed about the schedule. Since the travel is often overnight, passengers wake up in a new city, ready for the day's sightseeing without the stress of arranging transport or accommodation. This model transforms the journey into an integral part of the pilgrimage experience, fostering a shared sense of purpose among those on board.
Who Should Consider This Tour?
These packaged tours are ideal for a wide range of travellers. They are particularly popular among senior citizens who desire a pilgrimage experience without the physical and mental stress of making individual arrangements. Families also find these tours convenient, as the fixed itinerary and all-inclusive nature make budgeting and planning straightforward. Moreover, they appeal to devout pilgrims who wish to visit multiple holy sites in a single trip. Even for solo travellers or history enthusiasts interested in exploring India's cultural fabric, these tours offer a structured and secure way to do so. It is a journey for those who prioritise convenience, community, and a well-planned itinerary over independent, exploratory travel.
