Planning a Darjeeling getaway around Durga Puja this year? There’s now another reason to add the hills to your travel list. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is introducing special joyride services from October 1, offering travellers more chances to experience the iconic toy train, scenic mountain routes and steam-powered heritage. (Image: Instagram/@dhr.worldheritage_official)

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway will introduce additional joyride services from October 1, ahead of Durga Puja. The special services are aimed at giving tourists more opportunities to experience the heritage railway and the scenic landscapes of the Darjeeling hills. (Image: Instagram/@dhr.worldheritage_official)

Four single-trip joyrides will operate between Darjeeling and Ghum. These services will be hauled by diesel locomotives, with the proposed fare set at Rs 800. The trains will leave Darjeeling at 9:20 AM and 11:25 AM, while departures from Ghum are scheduled for 10:25 AM and 12:30 PM. Travellers can also choose between two round-trip joyrides connecting Kurseong and Mahanadi. One will be operated with a steam engine, while the other will be diesel-operated. (Image: Instagram/@dhr.worldheritage_official)

One of the Kurseong-Mahanadi services will be operated by a steam locomotive and has been named ‘Red Panda’. The proposed fare is Rs 1,530 for the round trip. The train will leave Kurseong at 9 AM and depart from Mahanadi at 10 AM. For travellers looking for a classic toy-train experience, the steam-hauled service could be particularly appealing. (Image: Instagram/@dhr.worldheritage_official)

The second Kurseong-Mahanadi round trip, named ‘Mukta Dhara’, will be operated by a diesel locomotive. The proposed fare is Rs 1,030. It will leave Kurseong at 3:15 PM and depart from Mahanadi at 4 PM. The name is a tribute to Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore and his celebrated 1922 play Mukta Dhara. The name is also associated with the scenic Paglajhora stream in the area. (Image: Instagram/@dhr.worldheritage_official)

Before the special services officially begin, a special run of ‘Mukta Dhara’ will be organised at Mahanadi Railway Station towards the end of September. The event will form part of activities preceding the Station Mahotsav, adding to the festive atmosphere around the heritage railway. (Image: Instagram/@dhr.worldheritage_official)

The special joyrides are expected to add another attraction for people visiting the Darjeeling hills during the festive season. Along with the mountain views, travellers will get a chance to experience the region’s historic railway, steam heritage and cultural legacy. (Image: Instagram/@dhr.worldheritage_official)