Overview
The Golden Chariot, is one of the most significant luxury tourist train that connects the major and also offbeat of Karnataka, Goa, Kerala & Tamil Nadu as well as Pondicherry. It is named after the Stone Chariot in the Vitthala Temple in Hampi. In 2013, it has been awarded the ‘Asia’s leading luxury train’. The Golden Chariot Train operated by the Karnataka State Tourism and the Maple Group.
The train offers 44 cabins in 11 coaches that are named after dynasties that ruled the region: Hoysala, Rashtrakuta, Kadamba, Chalukya, Ganga, Bahamani, Satavahana, Yadukula, Adil Shahi, Sangama and Vijayanagar. Apart from this it also has two restaurants, conference, a lounge bar, spa facilities and gym.
The South Indian destinations are well amalgamated in the Golden Chariot tour that leaves a resonance of the Indian culture. The duration of the journey is 07 nights and 08 days
Itinerary
Day 01: Bangalore
Welcome with royal tradition by garlanding, tikka and welcome drinks. At 15:00 p.m. you will be boarding. The Golden Chariot Train . Have your favourite drinks and dinner. Then we will visit the Chitrakala Parishad / Art gallery which will be followed by a Cultural Show from 18:30 to 19:30 p.m. At Yeshwantpur Railway Station at 20:00 will be welcomed with royal traditional way. Then dinner will be served onboard The Golden Chariot. Around 21:00, you would be departed to Chennai.
Overnight at The Golden Chariot
Day 02: Chennai
Have your breakfast in the early morning and arrive at Chennai. Have your breakfast onboard at 08:00a.m. Then we will go for sightseeing of Chennai and enjoy the drive through the Marina Beach. Then take an excursion tour to Mahabalipuram. The Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram is a World Heritage Site and explore the Five Ratha’s Temple, Shore Shiva Temple. Take lunch in the afternoon. Then we will drive to Puducherry Railway. Then you would be reaching pristine Pondicherry which is famous for Sri Aurobindo Ashram, one of the well known ashrams in India. Around 18:30, enjoy the rocky beach at Pondicherry. Then return back to the Golden Charriot. Dinner is served on board.
Overnight at The Golden Chariot
Day 03: Pondicherry
Have your breakfast and visit the Auroville Ashram and Matrimandir at 9:30. Return back to the train, and you will be served with hot lunch. Then visit the Aurobindo Ashram. After that you can go for shopping. Dinner will be serverd on board and depart to Trichy.
Overnight at The Golden Chariot
Day 04: Trichy – Thanjavur / Tanjore
Have your breakfast in the morning and arrive at Trichy. At 9:00, you would visit the Ghats in Trichy and drive towards Tanjore and visit to Brihadiswara Temple, a historical monument and UNESCO world heritage site. Take lunch in the afternoon. Then visit the artifacts (Metal) and Paintings workshop. In evening return back to The Golden Chariot to relax. Dinner will be served at 20:00 and then depart for Madurai.
Overnight at The Golden Chariot
Day 05: Madurai
Have your breakfast and arrive at Madurai. Then visit the Meenakshi temple and is India's one of the greatest cultural landmarks. Have your lunch at The Golden Chariot Train. In the evening, visit the Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal with the Light and Sound Show. After that take your dinner with Classical Music at the Heritage, Madurai. Return back to the train and then depart for Kanyakumari.
Overnight at The Golden Chariot
Day 06: Kanyakumari – Thiruvananthapuram / Trivandrum – Kovalam
Have your breakfast and arrive at Kanyakumari. Then visit the sunrise at Kanyakumari beach. After the sunrise viewpoint we will return back to the train and have your breakfast. Then visit the Travancore rulers, Padmanabha Palace. The attraction of this palace is that the entire structure is made of wood. Then take your lunch on board. Then we will leave for Thiruvananthapuram, the God's own country. At afternoon we will arrive at Thiruvananthapuram Station (Kuchuvelli Station). In the evening, we will visit the Kovalam beach. Enjoy the Cultural Show followed by dinner. Depart for Alappuzha.
Overnight at The Golden Chariot
Day 07: Alappuzha & Kochi
Have your breakfast on board and arrive at Alappuzha/Allepey. Then we will go for houseboat cruise in Alleppey, where you can enjoy all the luxury beverage. Take your lunch on the houseboat. Then arrive Kochi by road trip in the afternoon. Then proceed for the local sightseeing of the Kochi that includes – the Church, Chinese Fishing nets and walk around Jew Town. Then return back to the train and relax. Dinner will be served on board. Then depart for Bangalore.
Overnight at The Golden Chariot
Day 08: Bangalore
Have your breakfast and then reach to Bangalore Yeshwanthpura Railway Station. Check out from the luxurious Golden Charriot and transfer to the airport to board flight for onward journey. We wish you for a safe journey.