Guest Reviews

Recognized as Tour Operators by Ministry of Tourism
Govt. of India
Southern Splendour (Aboard the Golden Chariot)
From
USD 365 pp/pn
Day 01: Monday Tour Begins 12:00 Hrs

BANGALORE:

 12.00 noon:   Check-in at the Leela Palace followed by lunch at Jamawar or Citrus
 03:00 pm:    Depart for Bangalore sightseeing: Bull temple, Lalbagh, a drive through Vidhana Soudha and High court, a visit to Bangalore palace and ISKCON 
 08:00 pm:      Arrive at Yeshwantpur Railway Station, Platform No. 6; to a Traditional Indian welcome.
Dinner on board The Golden Chariot
 10:00 pm:       Depart to Chennai

Bangalore * Alternate Itinerary*

 11am onwards:             Check in at Our Native Village
 12 noon to 2.00 pm:  Lunch
 2.30 pm to 3.00 pm:    Briefing on The Golden Chariot
 3.00 pm to 3.30 pm:    What is it that makes us a 100% eco resort - Resort tour
 3.30 pm to 4.00 pm:   The Revivalist movement - Art and culture tour
 4.00 pm to 4.30 pm:    Living an organic life – Herbal & Medicinal plant tour, Organic farm tour
 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm  Pottery session & Explore the simplicity of village games – playing Indian village games & Bullock cart rides
 6.00 pm to 6.30 pm: 

 Rest and depart to Yeshwantpur Railway Station


* Optional itinerary for those who do not opt for Leela Palace check-in and Bangalore sightseeing *

Day 02: Tuesday: Explore Chennai and Mamallapuram

 6:00 am Arrive at Chennai 
 8:00 am Breakfast onboard The Golden Chariot
 9:00 am  A drive through the Beach road
 9:50 am  A visit to the famous St. Thomas Church
 11:30 am  A visit to the Cholamandala Art Village - Art & Sculpture gallery

Mamallapuram

 1:30 pm  Lunch at GRT Temple Bay
 4:30 pm  Guided tour of Five Ratha's temple, Shore Shiva temple and the caves
 6:30 pm  Drive back to Chennai Railway Station
 8:00 pm  Dinner onboard The Golden Chariot
 11:00 pm  Depart to Puducherry. Overnight in the train.

Day 03: Wednesday: Explore Puducherry

 07:00 am  Breakfast onboard The Golden Chariot
 09:30 am  A tour through Auroville - Ashram and Matrimandir
 1:30 pm  Lunch onboard The Golden Chariot
 4:30 pm  A visit to the French town, go shopping or take a stroll in the pristine beach
 7:00 pm  Reach the Eco-Dune Resort for cultural show followed by dinner
 11:00 pm  Depart for Trichy. Overnight in the train

Day 04: Thursday: Explore Tanjavur

 05:00 am  Depart from Mysore to Hassan
 07:00 am  Breakfast onboard The Golden Chariot
 11:00 am  A visit to the Brihadeshwara temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
 01:00 pm  Lunch at the Sangam Hotel
 04:30 pm  Drive back to Trichy
 07:30 pm  Dinner onboard The Golden Chariot and later depart to Madurai

Day 05: Friday: Explore Madurai

 07:00 am Breakfast onboard The Golden Chariot
 09:30 am A visit to the famous Meenakshi Temple
 11:00 am Return to The Golden Chariot for Lunch
 04:30 pm Shopping at Poompuhar Handicrafts Emporium
 6:00 pm Light & Sound show at the Thirumalai Nayak Mahal
 8:00 pm  Dinner and traditional folk art show at The Heritance. Overnight in the train

Day 06: Saturday: Explore Thiruvananthapuram & Kovalam

 05:30 am Depart to Thiruvananthapuram. During the day journey enjoy the scenic beauty of the remote locales of Tamilnadu and Kerala.
 07:00 am Breakfast onboard The Golden Chariot
 12:30 am Arrive at Thiruvananthapuram
 12:30 pm  City tour and shopping
 01:30 pm  Lunch onboard The Golden Chariot.Relax and enjoy the facilities on board The Golden Chariot
   Relax and enjoy the facilities onboard The Golden Chariot: Spa, Gym
 05:00 pm  A stroll through Kovalam beach
 07:30 pm  Gala dinner and cultural show at The Taj Green Cove Resort, Kovalam.
Overnight in the train

Day 07: Sunday: Explore Alappuzha Backwaters & Kochi

 05:00 am  Depart to Alappuzha
 07:00 am  Breakfast onboard The Golden Chariot
 08:30 am  Arrive at Alappuzha
 09:00 am  Houseboat cruise
 01:00 pm  Lunch at the Punnamada Backwater Resort
 03:30 pm  Visit the Jewish Synagogue, church and the Dutch palace at Fort Kochi.
 06:00 pm  Sunset cruise followed by gala dinner at The Taj Malabar
 11:00 pm  Depart to Bangalore. Overnight in the train

Day 08: Monday: Arrive Bangalore 07.00 Hrs
Reach Yeswanthpur railway station (Bangalore), where you bid farewell to the Golden Chariot.
About the Train

Coaches:
Each Coach of the “The Golden Chariot” has been named after the dynasties that ruled Karnataka - Kadamba, Hoysala, Rastrakota, Ganga, Chalukya, Bhahamani, Adhilshahi, Sangama, Shathavashna, Yudukula and Vijayanagar. Each chamber of the train are steeped in history with intricate carvings on the ceiling, the wall panels and furniture inspired by Mysore and Hoysala architecture.

Rooms:
There are 26 twin beds, 17 double bed cabins and 1 cabin for the physically challenged.
Every cabin is equipped with LCD television, DVD with 6 satellite channels, wardrobe, vanity/writing desk and private bathroom with luxurious amenities and accessories. Every cabin is equipped with Wi-Fi, LCD television, DVD with 6 satellite channels, wardrobe and private bathroom with luxurious amenities and accessories.

Restaurants:
The train has two lavish restaurants 'The Nala' named after a king and legendary chef from the times of the Mahabharata and 'The Ruchi', a name that means fine taste in Sanskrit The two restaurants serve a spread of vegetarian and non-vegetarian culinary delights. The interiors of the restaurant is inspired by the timeless aesthetics of Hampi and Halebid. There are 4-seater and 2-seater dining cabins with comfortable sofas and chairs.

Bar:
The train also boasts of a well stocked lounge bar, Madira offering the choicest of sprits of Indian and international brands with musical performance by local artists.

Facilities:
The Golden Chariot is equipped with Ayurvedic massage centre and a gymnasium

 

 

 


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