The Golden Chariot - The Pride of South is named after the famous Stone Chariot in Hampi, a world heritage site. The journey offers a heady 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.
The glorious journey begins from Bangalore - Karnataka's glorious capital city and traverses through Mysore - the Imperial City of Palaces, visiting Srirangapatna on your way. Followed by Kabini - home of Nagarhole National Park, India's premier wildlife conservation sanctuary and continuing to the historical sites of Sravanabelagola. Thereafter halting at Belur-the 11th century cradle of Hoysala architecture and a world heritage site, Halebid, Hampi and thereafter entering into the triangular heritage site of Badami, Pattadakal, Aihole, and finally resting at Goa, the gorgeous golden beach town along the Arabian Sea, to repose and refresh the traveler's soul before heading back to Bangalore and journey's end.
The Golden Chariot Train boasts of eleven luxuriously furnished Air-Conditioned Saloons, each of them named after the dynasties that ruled Karnataka - Kadamba, Hoysala, Rastrakota, Ganga, Chalukya, Bhahamani, Adhilshahi, Sangama, Shathavashna, Yudukula and Vijayanagar.
For your taste buds it offers two restaurants Nala named after a king and legendary chef from the times of the Mahabharata. Ruchi, a name that means fine taste in Sanskrit. Their interiors are inspired by the timeless aesthetics of Hampi and Halebid and each serve a spread of vegetarian and non-vegetarian culinary delights. The plush & royal interiors of the Cigar Bar Lounge called Madira, the mythical drink of the gods, are modelled after the early 20th century Mysore Palace.
The Golden Chariot Train is at par with any 5 star hotel, providing facilities like the state of art Conference Room. This has a seating capacity of 25-30 guests & provision of 42 inch LCD Television with DVD player. The business centre offers high speed internet surfing area. Gym Coach has a fully equipped gymnasium, two massage rooms for an out of this world rejuvenation experience including Ayurveda massages.
01 DAY: BANGALORE
1200 hrs: Check-in at the Leela Palace followed by lunch at Jamawar or Citrus.
1500 hrs: Depart for Bangalore sightseeing: Tipu?s Palace, Bull Temple & Lalbagh.
2000 hrs: Arrive at Yeshwantpur Railway Station, Platform No. 6; to a Traditional Indian welcome. Dinner on board The Golden Chariot.
2100 hrs: Depart to Mysore.
2330 hrs: Arrival Mysore. Overnight on board.
02 DAY: KABINI:
1000 hrs: After breakfast, depart for Kabini / Bandipur, connecting link between the Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary in Tamilnadu and the Wayanad wildlife sanctuary in Kerala and thus, is a long beautiful stretch that you would fall in love with.
1300 hrs: Reach Jungle Lodge. Lunch at the Jungle Lodge.
1600 hrs: Post-Lunch Jungle / Boat Safari. Return in the evening for wildlife film. Dinner and stay overnight at Jungle Lodge.
03 DAY: MYSORE:
0830 hrs: After breakfast, depart for Mysore.
1130 hrs: Back onboard The Golden Chariot.
1300 hrs: Lunch on board The Golden Chariot.
1500 hrs: Later take a sightseeing tour of Mysore visiting Mysore Palace, established as part of a wooden fortress, by the royal family of Mysore, the Wodeyars, as early as the fourteenth century; Srirangapatnam, this history-rich town was the capital of Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan - The Tiger of Mysore.
1900 hrs: Reach the Lalitha Mahal Palace for cultural show followed by dinner.
2200 hrs: Back onboard The Golden Chariot. Overnight on board.
04 DAY: HASSAN:
0600 hrs: Early morning depart from Mysore to Hassan.
0815 hrs: Arrival Hassan.
0900 hrs: Depart for sightseeing to Sravanabelagola, hewn out of a single rock and visible from a distance of 25 kms is the statue of Lord Gomteshwara, which is bathed with milk, sandalwood, and saffron once every 12 years.
Note: 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 on board 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.
1300 hrs: Return back on Golden Chariot for lunch.
1500 hrs: Later take a sightseeing tour of Belur this quaint hamlet was once capital of the Hoysala Empire, today made unforgettable for its exquisite temples. Also visit the temples of Halebid - like those of Belur - bear mute testimony to the rich, cultural heritage of Karnataka.
1915 hrs: Return back on board of Golden Chariot.
1945 hrs: Depart for Hospet. Dinner and overnight on board.
05 DAY: HOSPET:
0600 hrs: Arrival Hospet.
0830 hrs: After breakfast depart for a sightseeing tour of Hampi, once the glorious capital of mighty Vijayanagar Empire (1336-1565), from the Deccan Plateau to the tip of the Peninsula. Visit Virupaksha Temple. Queens?s Bath, Elephant Stables, Local crafts bazaar.
1300 hrs: Return back on board of Golden Chariot for lunch.
1500 hrs: Post lunch depart for sightseeing tour of Hampi visiting the Royal enclosure, Hazara Rama Temple. Illuminated Vittala Temple.
2000 hrs: Return back on board of Golden Chariot for dinner and overnight stay.
06 DAY: BADAMI:
0500 hrs: Early morning depart from Hospet to Badami.
0830 hrs: Arrival Badami.
0900 hrs: After breakfast, departing for sightseeing tour of Badami, the capital of the early Chalukyas, Badami is picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills. It has four rock-cut cave temples. Also visit Pattadakal with its beautifully chiselled temples, this World Heritage Site on the banks of the Malaprabha River bears testimony to the richness of Chalukyan architecture.
1330 hrs: Return back on board of Golden Chariot for lunch.
1400 hrs: After lunch, Golden Chariot departs for Goa. Relax and enjoy gym and spa facilities on board. Enjoy dinner on board. Arrival Goa post midnight.
07 DAY: GOA:
0930 hrs: Enjoy breakfast on board The Golden Chariot.
1000 hrs: Depart for the sightseeing tour of Goa.
1100 hrs: Visit to the famous churches of old Goa.
1215 hrs: Visit an Old Portuguese house: Sola Souto Maior for tea/coffee and cookies; shopping at the emporium.
1400 hrs: Enjoy lunch at the Majorda Beach Resort.
1500 hrs: An Ayurvedic massage a visit to the casino, a dip in the pool / beach, etc. (Ayurvedic massage and casino charges extra as applicable).
1800 hrs: Depart from the resort.
1915 hrs: Return back on board of Golden Chariot. Dinner on board.
2100 hrs: Golden Chariot departs for Bangalore. Overnight on board.
08 DAY: BANGALORE:
0900 hrs: Enjoy breakfast on board The Golden Chariot.
1130 hrs: Tours concludes on arrival at Yeshwantpur Railway station
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