The most enjoyable day on earth

When you're travelling by train, whizzing past incredible scenery, you only have a few moments to soak it all in. But imagine you are travelling past some of the most beautiful vistas you have ever seen in the most delightful little train that chugs along leisurely enough for you to soak in the sheer beauty of the surroundings.

Welcome aboard the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on wheels, affectionately known as the "Toy Train".

You're probably wondering "Why toy train?". That is because this is a tiny four-wheeled steam loco from the 19th century, which moves at a relaxed pace, letting you enjoy the stunning vistas of the Himalayan foothills.

This engineering marvel was envisaged by Franklin Prestage when he thought of a way to connect Darjeeling and Siliguri for rice and tea export. On September 15, 1881, his vision became a reality when the Darjeeling Steam Tramway Co. officially transformed into the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Co.

As the train puffs steam and starts moving gently, prepare for a delightful journey from an elevation of 100m to 2,200m through six zigzags and five loops, with breath-taking views, steep inclines, and tight curves.

Along the way, you will pass lush forests, fragrant tea gardens, and quaint villages while stopping at notable stations like Kurseong (the land of white orchids), Ghoom (the highest railway station in the world), and the iconic Batasia Loop (a spiral railway track that lowers the gradient of the train's ascent).

For the past 140 years, the Toy Train has been creating history and delivering pure joy. The essence of it can be best summed up by the legendary Mark Twain, who once dubbed his experience on it as "the most enjoyable day on earth".