Beautiful train journeys in North India that you can take during COVID*

The COVID crisis is still on and it has been a year of no-travel; while we still do not advise travelling sans COVID security measures, the great Indian Railways are on tracks, serving travellers and the nation like the good, old pre-COVID days.

If you ardently wish to travel, stay safe and travel on board a train this time; here are some of the best trips that you can consider taking across North India.

(Trains running on this route: 22439 Svdk Vande Bharat, 02461 Shri Shakti Spl and 02919 Dadn Svdk Spl train)

Jammu is a summer haven for mountain-lovers dwelling in North India. In Jammu, the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi beckons several travellers all round the year. Fortunately, the pilgrimage is open for the general public presently. For those who wish to explore more of this region, they can also trek to the cave shrine of Baba Dhansar, Shiv Khori and Jhajjar Kotli.

(Trains running on this route: 02040 Kathgodam Shatabdi Special train, 05035 Uttarakhand Sampark Kranti Spl and 05013 Ranikhet Spl)

Uttarakhand has a plethora of gorgeous places to visit that one cannot have enough of. If you wish to go on a vacation to any of these destinations in Uttarakhand, consider booking your berth in one of the trains being run by the railways these days. Nainital, Almora, Kausani, Mukestwar, Ranikhet and Dwarahat are the best places to enjoy the beauty of this Himalayan region.

(Trains running on this route: 02029/02013 Amritsar Shatabdi Special and 09325 Ind Amritsar Spl)

Amritsar is a destination that sees tourists not only with a spiritual bent of mind but also the patrons of Punjabi arts and crafts. The Golden Temple in Amritsar is the best place to visit in this city along with the Jallianwala Bagh and the Indo-Pak Border. A visit to Amritsar is incomplete without eating its famous kulche, chhole and pinni along with a glass of lassi.

If you wish to explore more, board a bus to Thaneek Pura, Dalhousie and Bakloh, all of which are the nearest hill stations.

We request our readers to not travel unless essential. If travelling, please follow all the health and safety guidelines by Central and State governments as well as local bodies.

Social distancing is essential for your safety as well as for the locals of these places. Wearing masks is strongly recommended.

Please stick to the conditions laid out by your hotels, hosts if you venture outside the premises.

(Trains running on this route: 02436 Tejas Express, 02218 Mahamana Exp Spl and 02560 Shiv Ganga Express Spl train)

Varanasi or Banaras is one of the best destinations in the plains of North India; more so, Uttar Pradesh. No matter what time of the year it is, it's always a delight to visit this ancient town to get more of its old ghats, boat rides by the Ganga, ancient temples, eateries, handloom craftsmen, as well as nearby places like Sarnath, Vindyachal and Prayagraj.