ITINERARY FOR THE GOLDEN CHARIOT
Pride of the South
Duration: 7 Nights / 8 Days
Destination Covered: Bangalore - Kabini/Bandipur - Mysore - Hassan - Hospet - Badami - Goa – Bangalore
The Golden Chariot - Pride of The South Train Tour starts on every Monday of the week from Bangalore and ends in Bangalore on every Monday morning respectively.
Welcome aboard a fascinating journey through the many worlds of Karnataka. Embark on a luxurious voyage of discovery through the Cradle of Stone Architecture. The Golden Chariot - Pride of The South train named after the famous Stone Chariot in Hampi, a world heritage site, in Southern India will travel through timeless Historical Heritage Sites, Resplendent Palaces, Wildlife and Golden Beaches. It's 7 Nights / 8 Days colorful journey begins every Monday from Bangalore and traverses through Mysore, visiting Srirangapatna, Mysore Palace; the Nagarhole National Park (Kabini) and continuing to the historical sites of Shravanabelagola, Belur-the 11th century cradle of Hoysala architecture and a world heritage site, Halebidu, Hampi and thereafter entering into the triangular heritage site of Badami, Pattadakal, Aihole, and finally the Golden Beaches of Goa before ending in Bangalore.
Day 1 Bangalore
15:00 hrs Self report and Registration at Taj West End
16:00 hrs Nature walk in the heritage gardens of the Taj
17:00 hrs Hi-Tea
17:30 hrs Presentation and Orientation on The Golden Chariot tour
18:00 hrs Cultural dance
18:45 hrs Visit the ISKCON Temple (The International Society for Krishna Consciousness)
20:15 hrs Traditional welcome at Yeshwanthpur railway station and board The Golden Chariot
21:00 hrs Train departs to Mysore
Day 2 Mysore/ Kabini
08:00 hrs Breakfast on board
10:00 hrs Visit the famous Amba Vilas Mysore Palace
11:15 hrs Depart for Kabini in coach
13:15 hrs Reach Kabini jungle lodges resort Lunch at the resort
15:45 hrs Jungle safari
19:40 hrs Screening of wildlife film
20:00 hrs Dinner followed by camp fire and stay overnight at jungle lodges resort
Day 3 Kabini/ Mysore
06:30 hrs Boat ride for bird safari on Kabini river
08:00 hrs Breakfast at the jungle lodges resort
09:30 hrs Depart for Mysore in coach
11:30 hrs Back on board The Golden Chariot
13:00 hrs Lunch on board
15:30 hrs Srirangapatnam sightseeing – Dariya Daulat, Tipu mausoleum and drive through the fort
18:00 hrs Shopping at CIE
19:00 hrs Cultural dance and dinner at 5 star palace hotel
22:00 hrs Back on board The Golden Chariot
Day 4 Hassan
05:00 hrs Depart from Mysore for Hassan
07:30 hrs Breakfast on board
09:00 hrs Depart for sightseeing to Shravanabelagola (Please note that you would have to climb close to 700 steps to experience the architectural marvel. Only those who can undertake this are advised to do so. Guests unwilling to climb can stay back on board The Golden Chariot)
13:00 hrs Back on board The Golden Chariot followed by lunch
14:45 hrs Depart for Belur and Halebidu to visit the magnificent temple complexes
15:30 hrs Srirangapatnam sightseeing – Dariya Daulat, Tipu mausoleum and drive through the fort
19:15 hrs Back on board The Golden Chariot
20:00 hrs Dinner on board and depart to Hospet by 2040 hrs
Day 5 Hospet and Hampi
06:00 hrs Arrive at Hospet
07:00 hrs Breakfast on board
08:30 hrs Depart for sightseeing of Hampi- World Heritage site: Hemakuta Hill, Virupaksha temple, Queens Bath, Elephant stables, Royal enclosure, Hazara Rama Temple
13:00 hrs Back on board The Golden Chariot followed by lunch
15:30 hrs Visit to Vijaya Vittala temple complex and the marvel stone chariot
17:00 hrs Sit out by the banks of the Tungabhadra River for sunset view
18:00 hrs Depart for Hospet railway station
20:00 hrs Dinner on board The Golden Chariot
Day 6 Badami
04:00 hrs Depart from Hospet for Badami
07:30 hrs Breakfast on board
08:30 hrs Arrive at Badami
08:40 hrs Depart for sightseeing: Pattadakal and Badami cave temples- World Heritage Sites
13:20 hrs Return to The Golden Chariot
13:30 hrs Lunch on board and depart for Goa free time to relax and enjoy the facilities on board - Spa, Gym, Movies, etc
20:00 hrs Dinner on board The Golden Chariot. Reach Goa past midnight
Day 7 Goa
08:00 hrs Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot
10:00 hrs Depart for sightseeing
11:00 hrs Visit the famous churches of old Goa
12:15 hrs Visit Old Portuguese house now an emporium for shopping and refreshments
14:00 hrs Lunch at the luxury resort in Goa followed by beach stroll and Hi-Tea
17:30 hrs Depart from the resort
18:30 hrs Return to The Golden Chariot and depart for Bangalore
20:00 hrs Dinner on board The Golden Chariot
Day 8 Bangalore
8:00 hrs Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot
11:30 hrs Reach Yeshwanthpur Railway Station and Farewell by the entire crew
Southern Splendor of the South
Duration: 7 Nights / 8 Days
Destination Covered: Bangalore - Chennai - Mamallapuram - Pondicherry - Tiruchirapalli & Thanjavur - Madurai - Kanyakumari - Thiruvananthapuram - Backwaters & Kochi / Allepey – Bangalore
The journey begins at Bangalore and takes you to the historical Temple cities of Mamallapuram, Kanchipuram, Tiruchirapalli, Thanjavur and Madurai. The beaches of Kovalam await and you with their sandy shores. You will glide by boat trough the palm fringed and silent canals of the Backwaters to Kochi, the lively port city on the Arabian sea. You will experience history and finally reach back to its starting point at Bangalore.
Day 1 Bangalore
1500 hrs: Self report and Registration at Taj West End
16:00 hrs Nature walk in the heritage gardens of the Taj
17:00 hrs Hi-Tea
17:30 hrs Presentation and Orientation on The Golden Chariot tour
18:00 hrs Cultural dance
18:45 hrs Visit the ISKCON Temple (The International Society for Krishna Consciousness)
20:15 hrs Traditional welcome at Yeshwanthpur railway station and board The Golden Chariot
Day 2 Chennai & Mahabalipuram
0730 hrs: Arrive at Chennai central railway station
08:00 hrs Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot
10:00 hrs Departure to Mamallapuram
11:30 hrs Arrive at Mamallapuram Sight Seeing Krishna's Butter Ball, Arjuna's Penance, Ganesha Temple and Caves and Five Rathas Temple
01:30 hrs Lunch at Radisson Blu Temple Bay Hotel
04:00 hrs Post Hi-Tea, Sight Seeing
05:00 hrs Departure to Puducherry
05:00 hrs Departure to Puducherry
06:30 hrs Arrival at Puducherry, back on board The Golden Chariot
Dinner on board The Golden Chariot
Day 3 Pondicherry
0800 hrs Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot
10.00 hrs Departure to Auroville Ashram - Sight Seeing – Screening on Auroville Ashram, tour of Auroville Asharam, Matra Mandir and shopping in the Ashram
01.30 hrs Lunch at The Sarovar Promenade Hotel
03.00 hrs Back on board The Golden Chariot
05.00 hrs Visit the Aurobindo Ashram and Ganesha Temple
05.30 hrs Onwards Stroll by the beach side and shopping in French town
07.00 hrs Back on board The Golden Chariot - Dinner on board The Golden Chariot
Day 4 Tanjavur & Trichy
08:00 hrs Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot
10:00 hrs Visit the famous Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple
11:30 hrs Visit the 1000 pillar temple and the museum
01:00 hrs Back on board The Golden Chariot - Lunch on board The Golden Chariot
03:00 hrs Visit the Gandhi Museum (Rani Mangammal Palace)
04:00 hrs Return back to The Golden Chariot - Rest and Relax on board The Golden Chariot
06:00 hrs Visit Thirumalai Nayak Palace for sound and light show
07:30 hrs Back on board The Golden Chariot - Dinner on board The Golden Chariot
Day 5 Madurai
08:00 hrs Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot
10:00 hrs Visit the famous Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple
11:30 hrs Visit the 1000 pillar temple and the museum
01:00 hrs Back on board The Golden Chariot - Lunch on board The Golden Chariot
03:00 hrs Visit the Gandhi Museum (Rani Mangammal Palace)
04:00 hrs Return back to The Golden Chariot - Rest and Relax on board The Golden Chariot
06:00 hrs Visit Thirumalai Nayak Palace for sound and light show
07:30 hrs Back on board The Golden Chariot - Dinner on board The Golden Chariot
Day 6 Kanyakumari or Kovalam
05:00 hrs Departure to Kanyakumari for Sunrise view
07:30 hrs Back on board Te Golden Chariot - Breakfast on board
09:30 hrs Depart to Padmanabhapuram Wooden Palace
01:00 hrs Return on board The Golden Chariot - Lunch on board
03:30 hrs Reach Kocchuveli station
04:00 hrs Depart to Vivanta by Taj, Kovalam - Hi-Tea by the beach, Cultural show followed by dinner at the hotel
10:30 hrs Back on board The Golden Chariot
Day 7 Allephey
08:00 hrs Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot
10:00 hrs Depart for Alleppey Jetty and board House Boat - Cruise on Punnamada Lake
01:00 hrs Reach Punnamada Lake Resort for Lunch
02:30 hrs Depart for fort Kochi
03:30 hrs Arrival in fort Kochi - Sight Seeing – Chinese fishing Nets, Shopping in Mattancherry - Shopping in Jews Town
06:00 hrs Depart to board The Golden Chariot at Ernakulum South railway Station
07:30 hrs Departure to Bangalore - Dinner on board The Golden Chariot
Day 8 Bangalore
08:00 hrs Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot
10:00 hrs Arrive at Yeshwanthpur Railway Station, Bangalore - Farewell by the entire crew
Note: Itinerary, Destination & Scheduled Time are liable to change without prior notice due to unforeseen circumstances.
