Step into history with a ride on the Valley Queen Heritage Train. Board the train at Marwar Junction and admire its shining vista-dome coach and a diesel engine dressed like an old steam locomotive.

At 8:30 AM sharp, hear the whistle echo as you roll out of the station. Glide past mustard fields and mud houses, where villagers pause from their chores to wave at you. Feel the nostalgia of the slow, steady rhythm of this old meter-gauge line.

After about an hour, arrive at Phulad, a small but important stop. Here the plains end, and the hills of the Aravalli range begin to rise. The real adventure is about to start. The engine strains, the horn sounds, and soon you enter the famous zig-zag section. The train moves forward, then stops, then reverses onto another track, before moving forward again. It feels like the train is climbing a staircase built into the mountains.

Then comes the magical stretch: Goram Ghat. Often called the “Mini Kashmir of Rajasthan,” this valley reveals forests, cliffs, and waterfalls. During monsoon, water cascades down from every rock, turning the landscape into a painter’s dream. The train slows down to a crawl, giving you time to absorb every sight. The echo of the horn bounces across the valley, mingling with the chirping of birds and the roar of falling water. From the window, see peacocks, langurs, and even a herd of antelopes grazing in the distance.

By late morning, reach Kamli Ghat, a tiny station hidden among the hills. Step down onto the platform, breathing in the crisp mountain air. Walk to a nearby viewpoint or enjoy tea sold at the little stall. It is peaceful, almost timeless, as if the modern world hasn’t reached here yet.

After a short halt, the Valley Queen prepares for its return. The afternoon ride carries you back through the same valleys, this time with the sun casting golden light on the cliffs. By the time you roll back into Marwar Junction around 5:30 PM, the day feels like a complete journey — not just across 60 kilometres of track, but across decades of history.