TORONTO — G Adventures is trail blazing rail-based trips as a new way for travellers to have grass-roots travel experiences.

The new ‘Rail’ travel style launches with 25 itineraries between seven and 54 days duration, taking in more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. All trips use trains as the primary mode of transport.

G Adventures created this new program to meet the demand for affordable train-based trips. A relaxing and scenic way to travel, rail travel holds a certain romanticism and the new lineup of trips includes both local and famous train routes.

In true G Adventures style, trips include cultural encounters such as home stays, home-cooked meals with local families and visits to projects run by the operator’s non-profit organization, Planeterra.

Rachel Wasser, Innovation Manager, G Adventures, says the introduction of a mid-range rail option will capture the attention of adventurous, budget-conscious travellers who enjoy the social aspect of small group travel.

“The new rail trips link remote, scenic and iconic destinations in an eco-conscious way. Our small groups of international travellers will have the same cultural interactions they do on all our trips, with insider knowledge provided by a local chief experience officer,” says Wasser.

Countries featured in the new Rail program include Bulgaria, Canada, China, Hungary, India, Japan, Norway, Russia, Sweden, South Africa and the U.S. The rail itineraries feature as an insert in G Adventures’ 2015 ‘Earth’ brochure, which is available now.

Example itineraries include: The Silk Road of China – This 18-day crossing by rail takes travellers deep into the China few ever see. On this trip they will see the sun rise over the dunes outside Dunhuang, explore the world of the Muslim Uyghurs, spend the night in traditional yurts near Urumqi and venture into the Taklamakan Desert to Kashgar. Priced from $2,499 per person for an 18-day trip from Beijing to Kashgar.

Budapest to Istanbul by Rail – Travellers will see it all on this trip from pastoral countryside to forbidding forests and fairytale villages. Taking the train from Budapest to Istanbul is taking the road less travelled and over 13 days travellers will experience highlights such as the architecture of Budapest and Dracula’s Castle in Transylvania, all via comfortable trains. Priced from $1,899pp for a 13-day trip from Budapest to Istanbul.

Kolkata to Goa by Rail – Travellers on this journey will get a unique look at India, travelling by train and learning about Indian customs and culture as they go. Highlights include a tour of the Taj Mahal, enjoying a local lunch in Kalimpong and visiting the seaside town of Goa, with plenty of time to disembark and get to know the locals. Priced from $2,449pp for a 24-day trip from Kolkata to Goa.

For more information or to book, visit gadventures.com.