Tour India Cheaply on the Bharat Darshan Train

The Bharat Darshan train is operated by Indian Railways and takes passengers on all inclusive tours to some of the most popular destinations in India. It provides an affordable option for people to see the country, as costs are kept as low as possible.

The Bharat Darshan has un airconditioned sleeper class carriages, accommodating around 500 passengers in total. There's also a pantry car for on board catering. Tours are conducted by students from reputed tourism and hotel industry colleges.

Various train tours are conducted from different locations around India. Most are targeted at Indian tourists wishing to visit spiritual sites. Itineraries include the Chardham Yatra (18 days), 12 Jyotirlinga (34 days), and Shirdi Sai Baba (7 days).

It's recommended that you check the information on the Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corporation's Rail Tourism website to see what tours are on offer and when.

The tour package costs 500 rupees ($10) per person per day, plus service tax.

The price includes train travel, dormitory accommodation (it's possible to pay extra for a hotel) at places where there are overnight stays, vegetarian meals, tourist buses for visiting sightseeing spots, tour guides, and train security guards. Entrance fees for attractions are additional.

You can make a reservation for travel on the Bharat Darshan by visiting the Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corporation's Rail Tourism website or at Indian Railways Tourist Facilitation Centers, Zonal Offices, and Regional Offices.

More information is available on the Rail Tourism website.

There are a number of drawbacks to the Bharat Darshan train service that travelers should be aware of. The tour can get very tiring as the itinerary is very hectic. This is not a leisurely tour! Passengers are taken to different places every day and there is little opportunity for rest. It can also get hot and uncomfortable inside the train, as there is no air conditioning in sleeper class. Sleeper class also offers little privacy. While some overnight stays are including on the tour, long stretches can be spent traveling on the train. However, if you don't mind budget travel, it's an easy way of seeing India.