The Golden Chariot
The only luxury train in South India, "Golden Chariot" offers an insight into treasure trove of archaeological wealth, abundant bounty for wildlife seekers and a kaleidoscope of culture for it's esteemed guests. It offers a mix of heritage, culture, eco-tourism and beach life. Recline & relax as the magnificent scenery unfolds outside your window with luxury on the inside, thus far reserved for royalty.
We present the Golden Chariot-a fine balance between a glorious yesterday and an omnipresent tomorrow in a magical land ... that is Karnataka. The Golden Chariot Train is a joint venture of State Government of Karnataka & Ministry of Railways.
The Golden Chariot Train operates on two different circuits of South India
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Pride Of South covering Goa
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Southern Splendour covering Kerala Backwaters
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Itinerary
SOUTHERN SPLENDOR DETAILED 7 NIGHTS / 8 Days Detailed Tour
Day 01: Mon: Bangalore Depart
Report in Lobby of Hotel Taj West End by 4pm for Check-In formalities of Southern Splendour train, followed by high tea,brief train tour presentation & cultural program. Proceed to visit ISKON Hindu Temple,before reaching Yashwantpura Railway Stationby 815pm to board the Southern Splendour - Golden Chariot Train. At 9pm train departs. Dinner is served onboard.
Day 02: Tue: Chennai & Mahabalipuram
Train reaches Egmore Railway Station Chennai by 930 am & depart for sightseeing After visiting Santhome Cathedral built over tomb of apostle St Thomas & drive through Marine Bay Road Drive proceed for excursion to Mahabalipuram Beach (1.5 hrs).
In Mahabalipuram visit 8th century built stone cut Hindu temples complex located on the seashore & now an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a break from the journey & have sumptuous lunch at beach side 5-Star Resort. Later drive 2.5hrs onwards to Pondicherry Railway Station to board the awaiting train. Dinner onboard.
NOTE: After dropping passengers at Chennai, the train proceeds empty to Pondicherry.
Day 03: Wed Morning : Auroville
After breakfast drive 1.5hrs to Auroville Ashram. Conceived in 1968,the meaning of Auroville only becomes clearer in the context of the vision of its founders, which has stimulated people from all over the world to join in this ‘laboratory of evolution’. Enjoy screening on Auroville Ashram, tour of Auroville Ashram, Matra Mandir and shopping in the Ashram.
Later Drive back to Pondicherry town for lunch in boutique restaurant & return to train for brief rest
Day 03 Late After Noon: Pondicherry
Visit Aurobindo Ashram (former residence of founder of Auroville) & 17th Century built Ganesh Hindu Temple. Enjoy stroll through 19th Century built cobbled streets called Latin quarters, built by former French Colonial rulers & time free on Promenade Beach. Later return to the railway station to board the train for Dinner & depart
Day 04: Thurs: Morning: Tanjavur (Tanjore)
Tanjavur is popular for Chola bronze collection and 3 Dimensional paintings done in gold leaf.
After breakfast, visit the famous - Brihadeshwara Temple complex, built in early 11 Century & now a UNESCO World Heritage Site .The main temple dedicated to Hindu God Lord Shiva is carved out of single granite rock,which weighs around 80 tons & has a bulbous structure on the top. The temple tower is 66 meters high.
Facing the temple is a big statue of Nandi(Sacred Bull) again carved out of single rock ,measuring 16 feet long & 13 feet high.Later visit Former Royal Palace with an interesting museum, art gallery & Library.
After lunch in Tanjore Hotel, Depart by road for Trichy Town (1.5hrs drive)
NOTE: After dropping passengers at Tanjore Railway Station, the train runs empty to Trichy.
Day 04: Thurs: Afternoon: Trichy (Tiruchirapalli)
Visit the Sri Rangam Temple , dedicated to Hindu God Lord Vishnu.The main entrance raises from base area of 5720 sq feet & goes up to 237 feet, moving up in eleven progressively smaller tiers.The temple is enclosed by 7 concentric walls with total length of over six miles.The complex has 21 towers, 39 pavilions, fifty shrines,hall of 1000 pillars and several small water bodies inside. Non-Hindus are allowed up to the second outer courtyard but not inside the gold topped sanctum sanctorum.
Later Drive to Trichy Railway Station to board the train for Dinner & depart.
Day 05: Fri: Morning: Madurai Temple Visit
Madurai has been inhabited since at least the 3rd century BC. Madurai is famous for its silks, pearls and spices. It was this lucrative trade that let its Pandyan kings to erect the mighty Meenakshi temple in 13th Century.
After breakfast Visit the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple,dedicated to Hindu Goddess Paravti(consort of Lord Shiva).The present temple was reconstructed in 17th century & houses 14 gateway towers, tallest of which is 170 feet high. There are an estimated 33,000 sculptures in the complex with two golden structured shrines over the main deities in the inner sanctum. Later return to train for lunch & brief rest.
Day 05: Fri: Evening : Madurai Sound & Light Show
Evening visit 17th century built Thirumalai Nayak Palace,to savour the history and culture of Tamil Nadu at the sound & light show based on Silappatikaram,one of great epics of Tamil Literature. Later return back to train for dinner & depart
Day 06: Sat: Morning: Kanyakumari & Wooden Palace
Early Morning train reaches Nagercoil Railway Station & by 5am proceed for excursion (30 minutes drive one way) to sunrise point at Kanyakumari. This location is the southernmost tip of Peninsular India & meeting place of three oceans- the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. After breakfast on the train & brief rest, proceed for excursion (30 minutes drive one way) to early 17th Century built Padmanabhapuram Wooden Palace, one of hallmarks of traditional Kerala style architecture.
Later return to the train at Nagercoil Railway Station & depart. Lunch on board.
Day 06: Sat: Evening: Kovalam Beach (Near Trivandrum)
Train reaches Kochhuvelli Railway Station (Near Trivandrum) by 4:30PM and drive 45 minutes to World famous Kovalam Beach on the Arabian Sea.Time free on the beach followed by dinner & cultural program at leading 5-star beach resort. Return back to train by 1030pm & depart.
Day 07: Sun: Morning: Alleppey (Kerala Backwaters)
Proceed at 930 am to Alleppey Jetty Point & board Kettuvallam (traditional houseboat having coir ropes tied in knots holding the entire wooden plank structure together) to enjoy Cruise through backwaters of Punnamada Lake & onboard lunch.Return to Alleppey Jetty Point by 230pm & board buses for onwards 2 hrs drive to Cochin.
NOTE: After dropping passengers at Alleppey, the train runs empty to Cochin.
Day 07: Sun: Late Afternoon: Fort Kochi Town
On Arrival in 16th Century built Fort Kochi Town, proceed to explore Chinese Fishing Nets, Jew Synagogue & local spice market. Later Drive to Ernakulam Railway station to board the train & depart.Dinner onboard.
Day 08: Mon: Bangalore Return
Your journey ends at 11 am on arrival at Yeshwanthpur Railway Station, Bangalore.
Tour Ends
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Pride Of South GOLDEN CHARIOT TRAIN- 7Nights/8Days Detailed Program
Day 1: Monday Bangalore Depart
Report in Lobby of Hotel Taj West End by 4pm for Check-In formalities of Golden Chariot Train Tour , followed by high tea,brief train tour presentation & cultural program. Proceed to visit ISKON Hindu Temple,before reaching Yashwantpura Railway Station by 815pm to board the Golden Chariot Train. At 9pm train departs. Dinner is served onboard.
Day 2: Tue Morning : Mysore Palace & Depart Kabini
Morning 10 a.m. pack overnight clothes for Night stay in Jungle Lodge & first drive to visit early 20th Century built Amba Vilas Mysore Palace,whose architecture style is a mix of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput & Gothic structure.View the Durbar Hall Wing & Personal Art Gallery Of former royaly.
Later drive 2 hrs to Kabini Forest.
Day 2: Tue Morning & Night : Kabini Jungle
Arrive in Kabini by 1.15 pm & check into rooms in Jungle Lodge After lunch & brief rest proceed for Safari to Kabini jungles, abound with herds of Asian Elephants, Sambar & Spooted deer; wild boar,sloth bear gaur & occasional sighting of panther & tiger. Evening return to jungle lodge for screening of wildlife film, followed by campfire & Dinner.
Night stay Kabini Jungle Lodge.
Day 3 :Wed: Morning: Kabini Boat ride & depart for Mysore
Early morning 630 am proceed for boat ride in Kabini River,to site crocodiles sunning themselves
& many hued birds flitting in & out of the forest’s green canopy. Return back to Jungle Lodge for breakfast & check-out by 930 am to drive back to Mysore railway station (2 hrs) to board the train
Day 3: Wed: Afternoon: Mysore sightseeing
After brief rest & lunch,proceed at 3.30 pm for excursion to 18th Century built Srirangapatnam Fort, On a river bank-Which witnessed many a skirmishes between Popular King Tipu sultan & British Colonial rulers. After Visiting Dariya Daulat & Tipu Mausoleum drive back to Mysore Town & time free for shopping. Later enjoy cultural program & dinner in Lalita Mahal Palace, now converted into a 5 Star Hotel. Return back to train by 10 p.m. & train is stationary at Mysore Station for the Night.
Day 4 : Thurs Morning: Shravanabelagola Monolith
Early morning train departs from Mysore to Hassan Railway station & at 9.am. proceed for excursion (1.5 hrs one way) to Shravanabelagola village. Climb 700 steep steps, carved in a stone hillock to view 10th century built statue of Jain Monk Gommateshvara Bahubali an architectural marvel towering 58 feet high,Later, climb down the steep steps to board your bus standing at base of the hillock & drive back to Hassan Railway station to board the train by 1p.m. for lunch & brief rest.
NOTE: Guests unwilling to climb the steep steps can stay back on board The Golden Chariot
Day 4: Thurs Afternoon: Belur & Halebidu Temples
From Hassan Railway Station depart at 2.45 pm. for excursion (1.5 hrs one way) to view ancient Hindu temples at Halebedu & Belur. The 12th Century built Belur Temple is dedicated to Hindu God-Lord Vishnu & filled with intricate sculptures of elephants, lions, horses & sensuous dancers. The 12th Century built Halebidu temple complex is dedicated to Hindu God-Lord Shiva ,but were ransacked & looted by Muslim Invaders from north India in 14th Century. The outer walls of the temples contain intricate array of stone sculptures. Return back to Hassan Railway station by 7.15 p.m. for dinner & depart for Hospet.
Day 5: Friday Morning: HAMPI Palace Complex
From Hospet Railway station at 8.30 a.m. proceed for excursion (30 minutes one way) to UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi Palace ruins. Located amongst awesome granite boulder-strewn landscape, Hampi was the capital of mighty South Indian Vijayanagar Empire in 14th Century-with opulent palaces, marvellous temples, massive fortifications, private baths for royalty, markets, pavilions & stables for Royal Elephants. The city’s merchants traded in diamonds, pearls, fine silks, brocades, horses & much more. Though ransacked by rulers from North India in 16th Century, ruins of these historical monuments have withstood the ravages of man & nature, to evoke memories of regal splendour. Return back to Hospet Railway Station by 1 p.m. to board the train for lunch & brief rest.
Day 5: Friday Afternoon: HAMPI Temples
At 3.30 p.m. proceed for excursion (30 minutes one way) to 16th century built temple complex of Vithala, dedicated to Hindu God-Lord Vishnu. In courtyard of the main temple is a massive Stone Chariot ,after which Golden Chariot train has been named. The stone wheels of the Chariot can be rotated ,but have been cemented by authorities to avoid damage.
One of the most notable features of Vittala temple are the musical pillars. Each of the pillar that support the roof of the main temple is supported by a pillar representing a musical instrument, and is constructed as 7 minor pillars arranged around a main pillar. These 7 pillars, when struck, emanate the 7 notes from the representative instrument, varying in sound quality based on whether it represents a wind, string or percussion instrument. Time free to sit on banks of nearby located Tungabhadra River for sunset view. Depart by 6 p.m. back to Hospet Railway station to board the train for dinner & depart
Day 6: Sat Morning: Badami & Pattadakal
Morning 8.30 a.m. proceed from Badami Railway station for excursion to UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Badami caves & Pattadkal Temple Complex Carved out of sandstone hills, the 7th century built Badami Cave temples are dedicated to Hindu religious sects of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu & Budha and Jain Faiths. Highlight of the cave sculptures is a 18 armed Lord Shiva in Tandav dancing pose.
The Pattadakal Temple complex, built between 7th to 9th Century offers 10 temples built in fusion of various Indian Architectural Styles. There are numerous Kannada language inscriptions on the temple walls.
Return back to Badami Railway Station by 130 pm & depart for Goa, Lunch & Dinner onboard
Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the country side.
Day 7: Sun Morning: Old Goa Churches
Train arrives in Goa-Vasco de Gama Railway Station early Morning 1 a.m. At 10 a.m. proceed for sightseeing of UNESCO World Heritage site of Old Goa Churches. Founded in 15th century by Muslim Rulers of Bijapur Sultanate & capital of Portuguese Colonial rulers from early 16th to mid 19th century, town of Old Goa is famous for it’s churches affiliated to various congregations, including the Se Cathedral (the seat of the Archbishop of Goa), the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, the Church of S. Caetano, and notably, the Basilica of Bom Jesus which contains the relics of Saint Francis Xavier, Later visit Old Portuguese House & time free for shopping
Day 7: Sunday Afternoon: Goa Beach
By 2 p.m. reach luxury beach resort for lunch & at leisure. Option to enjoy sea sports activities at extra cost . Depart from Beach Resort at 5.30 p.m. & drive back to Vasco De Gama Railway Station(1 hr) To board the train & depart
Day 8: Mon Morning-Bangalore Return
Train reach Yeshwanthpura Railway Station Bangalore by 11.30 a.m. and Farewell by the entire crew.
TOUR ENDS
NOTE : Itinerary, Destination & Scheduled time are liable to change without prior notice due to unforeseen circumstances.
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