Photo: Sri Lanka Nuwara Eliya train - Credit Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel has launched a range of rail trips that includes 40 itineraries, three of which are brand new.

While rail travel has been a core product for Intrepid for several years, the tour operator is focusing more of its efforts on promoting rail, with new data showing 75% of travellers are hoping to take a train on their next trip. In addition, travellers are considering the environmental impact of their trips, with 87% reporting that they would consider an alternative form of transportation during their travels if it reduced their carbon footprint.

The launch also reflects Intrepid’s long-term product development plans to replace internal flights with less carbon-intensive options, where viable.

Each rail trip will be accompanied by one of Intrepid’s local leaders and average 10-12 travellers. Iconic routes include Bangkok to Southern Thailand, lesser-known routes like Varanasi to Agra, India, and family adventures like Tokyo to Kyoto and Rome to Pompeii.

Three brand new rail itineraries found out the trip range, including: 

• Trans-Mongolian Railway Adventure (11 days, from $4,035): While the popular Trans-Siberian route is currently closed to travellers, this new tour makes use of the Trans-Mongolian Railway, constructed in the late 1940s from Beijing through Mongolia. The trip begins in Beijing then heads to Inner Mongolia for visits to Khustai National Park, the dunes of the Gobi Desert and Sainshand, before disembarking in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia.
• Express to the Orient: Paris to Istanbul (15 days, from $5,435): This new trip travels from Paris to Budapest by train, following the same route as the historic Orient Express, which ran from 1883 to 1977. Travellers will stop to explore iconic spots and lesser-known sites in Strasbourg, Munich and Salzburg. They will also journey on local trains along the Simplon-Orient Express route from Belgrade to Istanbul, stopping for a traditional Serbian lunch in a Salaš home. 
• Paris to Rome by Rail (10 days, from $5,030): While on this Paris to Rome itinerary, travellers will hop on the Gotthard Panorama Express through Switzerland, which follows the original historic route on the Gotthard railway, constructed in 1872. Highlights include scenic hikes, medieval castles and a farm-to-table Italian cooking demonstration. 

For more information go to intrepidtravel.com/rail.

Source: Travelweek