The most extraordinary rail journeys to take in 2020

 As travellers become more conscious of sustainable, environmentally friendly transport, journeying by train is set to be one of the most popular ways to travel in 2020. From the Rocky Mountains in Canada to the rice paddies of Southeast Asia, it's the perfect way to see landscapes in style.

 Whether it's reaching a destination by train, or taking an amazing rail journey while on holiday, it is the perfect inclusion to a trip and an efficient way to see more of a region, country or continent.  Here are some of the most awe-inspiring rail journeys Hayes & Jarvis has to offer in the upcoming year:

ASIA

Himalayan Toy Train, India

The 'Himalayan Queen' toy train from Kalka to Shimla – a hill station in the foothills of the Himalaya – is a 96-kilometre journey taking five and a half hours and considered one of India's most incredible feats of engineering. The train travels through 102 tunnels, over 864 bridges and around 919 curves, offering sweeping views of the mid-Himalaya, rhododendron and forests laden with pine and deodar trees. Known as a toy train due to the narrow gauge track it runs on, it launched in 1903 for the English ladies of the British Raj to use to escape up from the heat of Delhi to Shimla, their summer capital. It featured in the Guinness Book of World Records for climbing 1,772 metres in 96 kilometres, making it the steepest increase in altitude in such a short distance.

Hayes & Jarvis (01293 762 456 hayesandjarvis.co.uk) has a three-night Shimla Extension priced from £899 per person including accommodation throughout, an English-speaking guide, all rail tickets, entrance fees, meals as specified online. Can be added to all Hayes & Jarvis India itineraries.

Eastern & Oriental Express - Singapore to Bangkok

The Eastern & Oriental Express is considered the most luxurious train journey in Southeast Asia. While travelling through Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore passengers will experience ancient wonders and cosmopolitan cities. The green and gold carriages are lined with magnificent cherrywood panelling and Thai silks, and Malaysian embroidery adorn each plush cabin. During the two-night journey there are daily breakfasts, three-course lunches, afternoon teas and four-course dinners. Passengers alight for a tour of Kuala Kangsar, a royal town in the state of Perak, and for a guided river cruise along the River Kwai in Thailand with a visit to the War Museum. 

Hayes & Jarvis (01293 762 456 hayesandjarvis.co.uk) has a nine-night Eastern & Oriental Express Singapore to Bangkok holiday priced from £3,799 per person including return flights, seven nights' hotel accommodation, two nights' train accommodation on a full-board basis, transfers and English-speaking guides.
Maharajas' Express, India

India's most luxurious train, the Maharajas' Express, has 43 en-suite cabins offering four different scenic itineraries from either Mumbai or Delhi. Hayes & Jarvis' three-night Treasures of India includes a guided tour of the Taj Mahal, a game drive in Ranthambore National Park to spot tigers, sloth bears and leopards and a visit to the pink city of Jaipur. Guests can dine in one of the two onboard restaurants – Mayur Mahal (meaning 'peacock') or Rang Mahal (haveli) – and relax in the Safari Bar carriage during the day and after dinner.

Hayes & Jarvis (01293 762 456 hayesandjarvis.co.uk) has a six-night Maharajas' Express Treasures of India holiday priced from £4,799 per person including return flights, three nights' accommodation in Delhi, three nights' train accommodation on a full board basis, and off board excursions as specified online.

THE AMERICAS

California Zephyr, USA

The California Zephyr travels from Chicago to San Francisco, passing through some of North America's most iconic landmarks: The Rocky Mountains, the plains of Nebraska and the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. En route the train stops in Denver Cherry Creek for two nights and Salt Lake City for four, so passengers have the freedom to enjoy the cities, or hire a motorhome and explore Utah's Mighty Five. On board there are several choices of overnight facilities to suit different budgets, from a Superliner Roomette to a Superliner Bedroom with an en suite bathroom.

Hayes & Jarvis (01293 762 456 hayesandjarvis.co.uk) has a 14-night California Zephyr trip priced from £2,899 per person including return flights, two nights' train accommodation and 12 nights' accommodation in Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City and San Francisco.

Rocky Mountaineer - Journey Through the Clouds Explorer, Canada

The Journey Through the Clouds is one of three different Rocky Mountaineer routes across Canada. The scenery that the train travels through – most of which is not easily accessible by road – is made up of the snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson and remarkable mountain tunnels. Seven nights are spent in comfortable hotels in Jasper, Banff, Vancouver, Lake Louise and Calgary and where passengers can opt for either standard SilverLeaf or the luxurious GoldLeaf service. The landscape can be enjoyed through the train's custom-designed glass-dome coaches in GoldLeaf service, which give a unique, panoramic view of the surroundings or there is an outdoor viewing area to soak in the surroundings. Travellers do not sleep on this train, but in the time spent on board there are delicious gourmet breakfasts and lunches, beverages and snacks, as well as a fascinating commentary on the surroundings to accompany the journey.

Hayes & Jarvis (01293 762 456 hayesandjarvis.co.uk) has a seven-night Rocky Mountaineer Journey Through the Clouds Explorer priced from £4,499 per person including return flights, seven nights' hotel accommodation in Kamloops, Jasper, Banff, Vancouver, Lake Louise and Calgary, excursions and meals as specified online.  

Belmond Hiram Bingham, Peru

Selected as one of the best trains in the world by Conde Nast Readers' Choice Awards in 2019, the four-hour journey on the Belmond Hiram Bingham train takes guests from Cuzco to Machu Picchu in true style. The luxury train travels across Andean plains, passing through the Incan towns and villages of the Sacred Valley and clings for much of the journey to the Urubamba River with the Andes Mountains soaring above. A delicious brunch is served on the way and a gourmet three-course dinner with free-flowing Pisco sours on the return. Guests can admire the views from the open observation carriage at the back of the train or from the comfort of their seat. Hiram Bingham guests have a guided tour of Machu Picchu included as well as well as afternoon tea at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge hotel by the citadel's entrance.

Hayes & Jarvis (01293 762 456 hayesandjarvis.co.uk) has a four-night Cuzco & Machu Picchu with Belmond trip priced from £2,899 per person. Includes one night's accommodation in the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, three nights' accommodation in Cuzco, an English-speaking guide, Machu Picchu entrance fees, assistance and porterage.

SOUTH AFRICA

Shongololo Express, South Africa

This first-class safari adventure will see passengers experience the plains and hills of South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The Dune Express is an epic 11-night journey and one of three scheduled journeys on the Shongololo Express. It has a restaurant that offers modern and traditional cuisine, there is a bar filled with distinguished South African wine, and an open-air balcony at the back of the train. Off the train, guests will be accompanied by knowledgeable guides for a variety of excursions: looking out for the Big Five on safari in Etosha National Park; hiking through Fish River Canyon; walking through the city of Windhoek and observing the extraordinary rock formations of Quiver Tree Forest.

Hayes & Jarvis (01293 762 456 hayesandjarvis.co.uk) has a 11-night Shongololo Express - Dune Express holiday priced from £5,999 per person including flights, accommodation on a full-board basis, excursions with a qualified tour guide and all entrance fees.

Blue Train, South Africa

Guests board the Blue Train in Pretoria for the two-night journey to Cape Town. On the train, there is five-star luxury accommodation and fine dining. The spacious cabins have all the modern essentials but are filled with dark mahogany wood and sumptuous leather seats, the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of champagne in whilst appreciating the views of the South African plains along the way. During the stop in Kimberley there will be excursions to the Kimberley Mine and the largest hand-dug excavation in the world, the Big Hole.

Hayes & Jarvis (01293 762 456 hayesandjarvis.co.uk) has a six-night South African Journey by Blue Train trip priced from £2,499 per person including flights, two nights' train accommodation, four nights' accommodation in Cape Town and meals as specified online.

Editorial Enquiries: For more information on Hayes & Jarvis, please contact Minty Woolgar, Katie Cosstick, Chloe Shepherd or Amber Martin at LOTUS on 020 7953 7470 / travelopia@wearelotus.co.uk 

About Hayes & Jarvis

Hayes & Jarvis is one of the UK's longest established tailor-made long-haul specialists, offering bespoke, experience-led journeys worldwide for more than 65 year. The Hayes & Jarvis team members are travellers at their core, dedicated to inspiring customers to see more of the world and helping them to take the journeys on their wish-lists. Hayes & Jarvis specialises in tailor making bespoke, multi-centre trips encompassing over 65 destinations around the world. Whether it's cultural tours of discovery, wildlife encounters or castaway island-hopping holidays, Hayes & Jarvis' Destination Specialists transform ideas into unforgettable holiday experiences. Hayes & Jarvis is part of Travelopia, the world's largest collection of specialist travel brands officially formed in 2016 and is fully ABTA, IATA and ATOL bonded.