The capital of Karnataka is known as the Garden City because of its salubrious climate and greenery. Perched 3,250 feet above sea level, temperatures seldom exceed 30oC (88oF). Founded by Kempegowda, a powerful chieftain, the city is unique with its rich cultural heritage that coexists with its modern day technological and industrial achievements.
Day 1 Monday – BANGALORE
03.00 pm to 4.00 pm: Check-in at Taj West End
04.00 pm to 5.00 pm: High Tea at Banquet Hall
05.00 pm to 5.30 pm: Presentation on The Golden Chariot tour, Dos and Donts, safety and security, etc.
05.30 pm to 6.30 pm: Visit to Chitrakala Parishad / Art Gallery
06.30 pm to 7.30 pm: Cultural Show
8.00 pm: Arrive at Yeshwantpur Railway Station, Platform No. 6 to a traditional Indian welcome. Dinner onboard The Golden Chariot
9 pm: Depart to Mysore
Dinner onboard The Golden Chariot
9.00 pm: Depart to Mysore
Alternate Itinerary*
BANGALORE
11 am onwards: Check in at Our Native Village
12 Noon to 2 pm: Lunch
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 sight seeing.
Bangalore: A World of Opportunity
The capital of Karnataka is known as the Garden City because of its salubrious climate and greenery. Perched 3,250 feet above sea level, temperatures seldom exceed 30oC (88oF). Founded by Kempegowda, a powerful chieftain, the city is unique with its rich cultural heritage that coexists with its modern day technological and industrial achievements.
Today Bangalore is popularly known as India’s Silicon Valley.
Bandipur: Tread the path of the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore with a visit to Bandipur, about 80km south of Mysore on the Mysore-Ooty Road. The reserve is a playground for wildlife, with elephants taking the lead role. Be prepared for an unforgettable experience – you might see a tiger prowling amidst the mix of deciduous, evergreen forest and scrubland vegetation. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the enchanting Niligiri mountains with its mist-covered peaks, Bandipur was once the Mysore Maharaja’s private hunting ground. It was brought under Project Tiger in 1973. This is one of the best game sanctuaries in India to observe and photograph wildlife in close proximity. A temple perched atop Himad Gopalaswamy Hill, the highest peak in the Bandipur range, is worth a visit.
Day 2 Tuesday – MYSORE & KABINI / BANDIPUR
10:00 am: Depart for Kabini / Bandipur after breakfast
01:00 pm: Reach Jungle Lodge
Lunch at the Jungle Lodge
Post Lunch: Jungle / Boat Safari
Return in the evening for wildlife film
Dinner and stay overnight at Jungle Lodge
Alternate Itinerary*
– Raganatittu Bird Sanctary,
– Mysore Zoo,
– Lunch on board,
– Brindavan Gardens
*Optional itinerary for those who do not opt for Kabini / Bandipur tour
A minimum of 5 passengers required for Alternate Itinerary
Kabini: A World of Wildlife
Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Nagarhole (Kabini), the hunting retreat of the Mysore Maharajas, is definitely the perfect destination for wildlife lovers in South India. The excitement starts with a safari into the heart of the park, where you are sure to spot wild animals in their natural habitat. Some of the popular sightings are elephant, gaur, sambar, chital, wild boar and the more exclusive predators like tiger and leopard. A bird watcher’s paradise, the park is home to over 300 species of birds, many of which are endemic to these jungles.
Day 3 Wednesday – MYSORE
08:30 am: Breakfast and Depart for Mysore
11:30 am: Back onboard The Golden Chariot
01:00 pm: Lunch on board The Golden Chariot
03:00 pm: Mysore sightseeing: Mysore Palace, Srirangapatnam
07:00 pm: Reach the Lalitha Mahal Palace for cultural show followed by dinner
10:00 pm: Back onboard The Golden Chariot
Mysore: A World of Royalty
Mysore has been always associated with the royal families and their patronage, be it the Wodeyars or the Sultans. Mysore is a city known for its resplendent palaces and majestic buildings. A visit to the city conjures up visions of the glory, still evident of the illustrious Wodeyar Kings. This former state capital still retains its tradition in music and dance, art and literature and its time-honoured crafts.
A 141 kms from Bangalore, the city enchants you with its quaint charm, verdant gardens, tree-lined boulevards and its sacred temples.
Mysore, once the state capital, today is a vibrant city teeming with tourists and visitors. It is known the world over for its exotic sandalwood and rich silks. Many culinary delights await those inclined to sample the regional cuisine.
Mysore Palace: Built in Indo-Saracenic style with domes, turrets, arches and colonnades, the Palace is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world. The magnificent jewel -studded golden throne of the Wodeyars is displayed here during the Dasara festival.
Srirangapatna: The island fortress of the legendary warrior king Tipu Sultan is just 14 km from Mysore city. Inside the fortress is Tipu’s mosque with its twin minarets, the Wellesley Bridge and the dungeons where British officers were once imprisoned.
Day 4 Thursday – HASSAN
06:00 am: Depart from Mysore to Hassan
08:15 am: Arrive at Hassan
09:00 am: 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 experience can stay back onboard The Golden Chariot. Palanquins are available for those who cannot take the climb by themselves. This is available to the passengers at no extra cost)
01:00 pm: Lunch on board The Golden Chariot
03:00 pm: Depart for Belur and Halebid for sightseeing
07:15 pm: Back onboard The Golden Chariot
07:45 pm: Depart to Hospet
Dinner onboard The Golden Chariot
Belur & Halebid : A World of Worship
Belur in Hassan district 220 kms from Bangalore and 38 kms from Hassan) is famous for its magnificent Hoysala Temple Complex. The Chennakesava Temple here is the major attraction, built by Hoysala Vishnuvardhana, to commemorate his victory over the Cholas. The facade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures with no portion left blank. It is the only Hoysala Temple still in active worship.
Halebid in Hassan district is 27 kms away from Hassan and was the capital of the Hoysalas. It has one of the finest Hoysala temples. The Hoysaleswara Temple, perched on a star-shaped base amidst lawns, is a sculptural extravaganza. Its walls are richly carved with an endless variety of Hindu deities, sages, stylized animals, birds and friezes depicting the life of the Hoysala Kings.
Shravanabelagola, 52km from Hassan, is an important Jain pilgrim centre. It is home to Asia’s largest monolithic statue Lord Gomateswara here towers 58 ft., looming atop the picturesque Vindhyagiri Hill. Every 12 years, Jain pilgrims gather here to participate in a splendid head-anointing ceremony.
Day 5 Friday – HOSPET
06:00 am: Arrival at Hospet
08:30 am: After breakfast depart for Hampi sightseeing: Virupaksha Temple. Queens’s Bath, Elephant Stables, Local crafts bazaar
01:00 pm: Return to The Golden Chariot for Lunch
03:00 pm: Depart for sightseeing: Royal enclosure, Hazara Rama Temple. Illuminated Vittala Temple.
08:00 pm: Back onboard The Golden Chariot
Dinner onboard The Golden Chariot
Hampi: A World Heritage Site
If dreams were made out of stone, it would be Hampi. Hampi has been classified as a World Heritage Center and is one of the major tourist destinations in India.
Hampi, the seat of the famed Vijayanagara empire was the capital of the largest empire in post-moghul India, covering several states. The Vijayanagara empire stretched over at least three states -Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh. The destruction of Vijayanagar by marauding Moghul invaders was sudden, shocking and absolute.
Although in ruins today, this capital city once boasted riches known far beyond the shores of India. The ruins of Hampi of the 14th Century lies scattered in about 26 sq. km area, amidst giant boulders and vegetation.
Protected by the tempestuous river Tungabhadra in the north and rocky granite ridges on the other three sides, the ruins silently narrate the story of grandeur splendor and fabulous wealth.
The splendid remains of palaces and gateways of the broken city tells a tale of man’s infinite talent and power of creativity together with his capacity for senseless destruction. A visit to Hampi is a sojourn into the past. Most of the important structures and ruins are located in two areas, which are generally referred to as the Royal Centre and the Sacred Centre.
A visit to Anegundi village by traversing the gushing Tunga Badra river on a coracle is an experience that provides the guests with a glimpse into the traditional country life in Karnataka.
Day 6 Saturday – BADAMI
05:00 am: Depart from Hospet to Badami
08:30 am: Arrival at Badami
09:00 am: Depart after breakfast for sightseeing: Badami Caves and Pattadakal
01:30 pm: Return to The Golden Chariot for Lunch
02:00 pm: Depart for Goa
Relax and enjoy the facilities onboard The Golden Chariot: Spa, Gym Dinner onboard The Golden Chariot Reach Goa post midnight
Badami: A World Heritage Site
Badami is picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills. The exquisite sculptures and the rust red sandstone cliffs of Badami tell many a tale of yore. The first sculptural embellishment to dazzle the eye is the 18 armed Nataraja striking 81 dance poses.
Pattadakal, with its beautifully chiseled temples is a World Heritage Site located on the banks of the Malaprabha River. It bears testimony to the richness of the Chalukyan architecture. Pattadakal reached its pinnacle of glory under the Chalukyan Kings and was once used as a ceremonial center where kings were crowned.
Day 7 Sunday – GOA
09:30 am: Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot
10:00 am: Depart for sightseeing
11:00 am: Visit the famous churches of old Goa
12:15 pm: Visit an old Portuguese house: Sola Souto Maior for tea/coffee and cookies; shopping at the emporium
02:00 pm: Reach Majorda Beach Resort for lunch
03:00 pm: An Ayurvedic massage, a visit to the casino, a dip in the pool / beach, etc. (Ayurvedic massage and casino charges extra as applicable)
06:00 pm: Depart from the resort
07:15 pm: Return to The Golden Chariot.
Dinner onboard The Golden Chariot
09:00 pm: Depart for Bangalore
Goa: A World of Golden Beaches
Also known as “Pearl of the Orient” and a “Tourist Paradise”, the state of Goa is located on the western coast of India in the coastal belt known as Konkan.
The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendors of its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favorite with travelers around the world.
But then, Goa is much more than just beaches and sea. It has a soul which goes deep into unique history, rich culture and some of the prettiest natural scenery that India has to offer.
Besides the natural beauty, the fabulous beaches and sunshine, travellers to Goa love the laid-back, peaceful, warm and friendly nature of the Goan people. After all, more than anywhere else on planet earth, this is a place where people really know how to relax.
Day 8 Monday – BANGALORE
08:00 to 09:30 am: Breakfast onboard The Golden Chariot
11:00 am: Reach Yeswanthpur railway station, farewell by the entire crew.
Note: Itinerary, Destination & Scheduled Time are liable to change without prior notice due to unforeseen circumstances.
Accommodation
The Golden Chariot offers excellent accommodation units, which are known for the intricate carvings, finest interiors, ancient paintings, royal feel and luxury. The Cabin Coaches of the train come up with a range of rooms, which are categorized into 26 twin beds, 17 double bed cabins and 1 cabin for physically challenged.
These rooms are named after all the dynasties that ruled Karnataka like Kadamba, Rastrakota, Ganga, Hoysala, Chalukya, Adhilshahi, Bhahamani, Sangama, Yudukula, Shathavashna and Vijayanagar. These fully air-conditioned cabins are also equipped with writing desk, LCD television, Wi-Fi, wardrobe, DVD with 6 satellite channels and private bathroom with all the modern amenities and accessories.
Restaurants
The train has two restaurants – Nala and Ruchi to serve you the authentic varieties of vegetarian and non-vegetarian culinary delights. The interior of these restaurants is inspired by the timeless aesthetics of Hampi and Halebid. There are 4-seater and 2-seater dining cabins with the sofas and chairs for your comfort. Nala was named after a king, the legendary chef from the times of the Mahabharata. On the other hand, Ruchi is a Sanskrit word, which means ‘fine tastes’.
Lounge Bar
A well-stocked bar named ‘Madira’ is available on the train to cater to your needs. It is a relaxing and elegant seating place. The bar boasts of royal interiors that are modeled after the Mysore Palace.
Conference Coach
It is an ideal place where your can conduct conferences as well as business meetings. With an accommodation capacity of about 30 people, the conference coach is equipped with 42 inch LCD television as well as high-speed Internet surfing.
Gym Coach
The train has a separate health center that serves all the modern facilities for Ayurveda, Spa and Gym. Following all the ancient traditions, it also has 2 massage rooms for a unique rejuvenation experience. The gymnasium is also facilitated with all the modern equipment for exercise.
Hospitality
All the amenities at the Golden Chariot are provided by ‘The Mapple Group’ which is a leading Hotel & Resort Chain in India. Mapple Group gained prominence with its first hotel Mapple Inn at Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, in November 2006. After that, many other units established under the same banner ? like Mapple Whitefield (Bangalore, January 2007), Mapple Abhay (Jodhpur, April 2007) and Mapple Viva (Goa, April 2007). The group is now also focusing on other prominent cities like Pune, Mysore, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Indore, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Katra, Jammu, Badi, Kochi, Pondicherry and Coimbatore.
The Golden Chariort passes through various states of South India and thus, providing its passengers the opportunity to see the lifestyle and culture of the culturally rich states like Tamilnadu and Kerela.
Season 2018-19
| MONTHS | PRIDE OF SOUTH DEPARTURE DATES | SOUTHERN SPLENDOUR DEPARTURE DATES |
| October, 2018 | Monday, 8 | Monday, 22 |
| November, 2018 | Monday, 19 | Monday, 5, 26 |
| December, 2018 | Monday, 10, 24 | Monday, 31 |
| January, 2019 | Monday, 7 | Monday, 21 |
| February, 2019 | Monday, 11 | Monday, 4, 25 |
| March, 2019 | Tuesday, 19 |
The Golden Chariot: Pride of The South
Season 2018-19
| OCCUPANCY | (OCT 2018 TO MARCH 2019) IN INR (FOR INDIAN NATIONAL) | (OCT 2019 TO MARCH 2019) IN INR (FOR FOREIGN NATIONAL) | DESCRIPTION | |
| Single | INR 35000 per night | INR 55000 per night | Single Cabin | |
| Double/Twin | INR 25000 per person per night | INR 45000 per person per night | TWN Sharing Cabin | |
| Triple | INR 18000 per person per night | INR 30000 per person per night | Triple Sharing Cabin | |
* Triple cabins for Indian National only.
# 10% extra surcharge during Christmas and New Year departures.
# 5% GST will be extra as applicable.
# 50% of the prevailing tariff will be charged for the children between 05-12 years of age
# 5% TDS on commission will be charged
# The tariff structure for the guests having Indian Identity proof (Passport/Voter ID/Aadhaar/ will be applicable.
# The tariff is inclusive of cost of travel, accommodation, all meals, sightseeing tours, entrance fee
(excluding video camera fee) for monuments & palaces and entertainment.
# Tariff does not include liquor, laundry and other items of personal nature.
The above Tariff is subject to change without notice.
Service Tax are subject to change as per the government of India directives.
Reservation / Cancellation – Terms & Conditions
Booking Policy:
- 20% of ticket value at the time of confirming the booking.
- Remaining 80% of ticket value 45 days prior to departure.
- For USD bookings: The payable amount in INR should be credited in our account as per the rate of exchange (ROE) of the previous day of the date (www.rbi.org.in) of transferring the amount by the agent.
Cancellation Policy:
- 5% of ticket value 60 days or more prior to departure.
- 20% of ticket value between 59 to 15 days prior to departure.
- 100% of ticket value 14 days prior to departure.
No show/ En route termination of tour/amendment:
# No Show – In case of No Show / Non-arrival of the guest, no refund or adjustment in future travel will be possible. The whole amount shall be treated as forfeited.
# En route termination of tour – In case of termination of tour by the guest, for any reasons, no refund or adjustment for future travel will be possible. The amount for unused portion of the tour shall be treated as forfeited.
# Amendment – Is only possible under the circumstances like Natural Disaster / Natural Calamity or Serious Health Problem’s (this needs to be supported by doctor’s certificate) and is subject to availability. No refunds are possible and every case will be decided on merits on a case to case basis. No amendment will be permissible in case of booking of groups or complete train.