India: Kangra Valley tour    
26. December 2026 - 3. January 2027

While my last trip to the Kangra Valley Railway two years ago was a resounding success in terms of photography, we were unable to visit the westernmost section starting from Pathankot because the Chakki Bridge near the city had been destroyed by the monsoon floods. Only recently have the Indian Army’s railway engineers managed to erect a new, monsoon-resistant bridge and restore train services.

All trains operate on a 762mm narrow-gauge track; the line covers 164 km from Pathankot to Joginder Nagar, traversing a landscape that shifts between flat plains and rolling hills along the southern foothills of the Himalayas—specifically the Dhauladhar Range, with peaks often reaching between 4,500 and just under 5,000 meters.
Accompanied by an expert local guide and drawing on insights from previous visits, we will track scheduled trains, visit the railway depot, and enjoy a few planned surprises along the way.

Itinerary:
Day 1
26. December 2026:
The official tour starts at Delhi Airport following the arrival of the Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul (currently scheduled for 05:20). After clearing immigration, we will change terminals for a SpiceJet flight to the Kangra Valley Railway (KVR) region. We arrive around midday and begin photographing scheduled train operations along the line. Dinner and overnight stay in the area between Baijnath and Joginder Nagar. Long-haul flights to and from India are not included in the tour price; however, I would be happy to book a ticket for you at the current rate from your preferred departure airport.

Days 2–3
27. - 28. December 2026:
Today, we focus on the section between Joginder Nagar and Baijnath, which covers an elevation gain of 232 meters over a distance of 25 kilometers. Baijnath Paprola features a locomotive shed and an inspection pit for the rolling stock that overnights at the station. Dinner and overnight stay between Baijnath and Joginder Nagar on 26. December, the following night in Kangra.

Days 4–6
29. - 31. December 2026:
We continue our journey westward, photographing the section between Baijnath and Kangra; the stretch between Palampur, Nagrota, and Samloti offers beautiful mountain views, while numerous small stations provide local atmosphere. Unlike many other Indian "toy trains," this line is heavily used by local passengers. Dinner and overnight stay in Kangra.

Day 7
1. January 2027:
Our photographic journey takes us to Pathankot, the western terminus of the line where the railways' main maintenance facilities are located. En route, the track disappears into dense mountain jungle and crosses the Gaj Khad gorge via a spectacular bridge! Dinner and overnight stay in Pathankot.

Day 8
2. January 2027:
The last day on the beautiful Kangra Valley Railway. We will have time until the afternoon to capture final shots before taking the express train from Pathankot back to New Delhi, arriving around midnight. Dinner on the train and overnight stay near the airport.

Day 9
3. January 2027:
After a short night, the official tour program concludes with a transfer to the airport. I would be happy to book an extended stay or your flights back to Europe for you at current rates! Arrival in Europe is usually in the afternoon of the same day.

End of Tour

TOUR PRICES
Not yet known. 

INCLUDED SERVICES
• Accommodation in good 3–4* hotels (double room with shower or bath and WC; single room available for a surcharge)
• Economy class flight: Delhi – Kangra Airport
• Meals as specified in the itinerary (breakfast may occasionally be packed)
• Visits to railway stations and locomotive depots
• All transfers as part of the group program
• Photography permits from Indian Railways
• Information materials
• Local English-speaking tour guides
• Expert tour leadership by Peter Patt (German, English, and French speaking)

NOT INCLUDED
• All flights (except the one mentioned above)
• Visa for India
• Beverages during dinner
• Tips (bus drivers and others): approx. €20 per participant/day
• Travel insurance (luggage, medical/health, trip cancellation)
• All personal expenses

GOOD TO KNOW
Most tourists require a visa to enter India in addition to a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry; the visa can be applied for online and is not included in the tour price. Please check the advisories issued by your government. At the time of printing this program, round-trip flights from Germany to India cost approximately 1.000 €. Once the tour is confirmed, I would be happy to book flights for you at current rates from your preferred airport.

Although the diesel locomotives on the Kangra Valley Railway are in regular service and undergo daily maintenance, breakdowns or technical issues cannot be ruled out. The KVR is frequently affected by the summer monsoon; sections of the track can be damaged or completely washed away by the floodwaters, resulting in service disruptions. There is no entitlement to a refund of the travel price - whether in full or in part - in cases of force majeure, official orders, or decisions made by Indian Railways. The local tour guides and I will do our utmost to ensure an enjoyable and productive tour-program should anything go wrong. Nevertheless, I must point out that there are absolutely no guarantees!

India is a land of contrasts: it often takes only a few steps to go from "very poor" to "unimaginably wealthy," and the unfiltered reality of life in India can sometimes be hard to bear. Daily life for many people is still largely shaped by caste and religion. Unfortunately, some of the less desirable British traditions have also survived - such as extreme bureaucracy and an obsession with paperwork and official stamps. Nothing happens on the railway without authorization from a superior in the hierarchy. If one were to mentally remove the current officeholders, many railway administration offices could just as easily have existed during the era of British colonial rule. The administration is staffed by career civil servants who rotate positions every four to six years - ideally, moving up the career ladder. This means that not every official is keen to jeopardize his (mostly male officers...) career by dealing with unusual requests, such as a dedicated photography charter train. A "wrong" decision (one that displeases someone in the upper echelons of the administration) could cost them their next promotion. Consequently, the tendency is often to do nothing or simply reject the request outright. My partner agency in India is highly experienced in handling such challenges, though surprises do occur, including those arising at extremely short notice. For these reasons, the itinerary is subject to change at any time, without eligibility for a refund.

I anticipate pleasant daytime temperatures and cool, sometimes cold, nights. The likelihood of rain is low, and there is no risk of malaria.
Please make sure to arrange your travel insurance: no one is immune to unexpected health issues or life events that could make the trip impossible. Low-cost airfares are often non-refundable (save for a nominal amount returned by the airline), and the costs of hospital stays or medical visits abroad can quickly escalate to staggering levels.

This trip is not suitable for guests with limited mobility. Please note that the trip involves getting in and out of vehicles on uneven ground, using vehicles with high entry steps, and navigating environments that do not meet German DIN standards. If you are unsure whether this trip is right for you, please contact me.