This unique journey onboard the luxurious Golden Chariot train explores the exceptional architecture and distinctive heritage of southern India’s Deccan Plateau. Between October and March the Golden Chariot departs on a Monday, once a month on a circular journey beginning and ending in Bangalore.
Highlights include the city of Mysore, a memorable overnight stay at Nagarhole National Park and the religious sites of Sravanabelagola, Belur, Halebid, Badami and Pattadakal. A full day is also spent exploring the ruins of Hampi and there is time for an afternoon by the sea in Goa. Accommodation on the train is fully en-suite and all meals and group sightseeing are included.
Bangalore - Mysore - Nagarhole National Park - Hampi - Badami - Goa - Bangalore
Trip Highlights
- Spend seven nights onboard the Golden Chariot, South India’s original luxury train
- The train reflects the region’s distinct cultures and unique architectural heritage
- Search for tiger, wild elephant and leopard on a boat safari in Nagarhole National Park
- See the ornate Vitthala Temple, Stone Chariot and grand Elephant Stables of Hampi
- Visit Badami’s Hindu and Jain cave temples that occupy a spectacular cliff-face setting
- In Goa, see the white painted churches and vibrant bougainvillea-clad streets of Panjim
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart the UK
Today depart the UK on the non-stop British Airways flight to Bangalore.
Day 2
Arrive Bangalore / Board Golden Chariot
Arrive into Bangalore early in the morning where you will be met and taken to the Taj West End Hotel. A day room will be reserved and available for immediate check-in. Later meet your fellow train passengers in the hotel lobby and enjoy high tea, presentation and cultural programme. Leaving the hotel, visit the ISKON Hindu Temple then continue on to Yesvantpur Junction Railway Station where you will board the Golden Chariot (Deluxe Cabin) for this seven night ‘Pride of the South’ journey. You will board from 20:15 hours and the train departs for Mysore at 21:00 hours.
- Dinner
Golden Chariot
Day 3
Arrive Mysore / Mysore to Nagarhole National Park
Arrive into Bangalore early in the morning where you will be met and taken to the Taj West End Hotel. A day room will be reserved and available for immediate check-in. Later meet your fellow train passengers in the hotel lobby and enjoy high tea, presentation and cultural programme. Leaving the hotel, visit the ISKON Hindu Temple then continue on to Yesvantpur Junction Railway Station where you will board the Golden Chariot (Deluxe Cabin) for this seven night ‘Pride of the South’ journey. You will board from 20:15 hours and the train departs for Mysore at 21:00 hours.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Golden Chariot
Day 4
Nagarhole National Park to Mysore / Mysore to Sravanabelagola
Early this morning enjoy a boat safari in the national park. Return to the lodge for breakfast then drive back to Mysore where you will re-join the Golden Chariot. In the afternoon visit Srirangapatnam where Tipu Sultan was killed in battle against an East India Company including Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington. Enjoy an evening dinner at the Lalitha Mahal Palace then return to the train and depart for Sravanabelagola.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Golden Chariot
Day 5
Arrive Hassan / Hassan to Hampi
Arrive in Hassan and drive to the Jain pilgrimage site of Sravanabelagola. Defined by its towering statue of Gommateshwara which stands atop its hill, the summit is reached by a steep seven-hundred step climb past several small shrines. Return to the Golden Chariot and in the afternoon visit the temples of Belur and Halebid which were built during the 12th and 13th centuries by the Hoysala kings. Head back to the train and later, at 1915 hours, depart for Hampi.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Golden Chariot
Day 6
Arrive Hampi / Hampi to Badami
Today enjoy a full day visit to the exceptional ruins of Hampi. Once the epicentre of the Vijayanagara Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hampi was one of the largest and most successful Hindu empires in southern India. Founded in the 14th century, today there are an amazing array of palaces and temples – many of which remain in excellent condition. Highlights today include the Vitthala Temple, Elephant Stables, Stone Chariot, Lotus Mahal and Queen's Bath but there are also many other buildings and ruins. Return to Hospet station in the late afternoon and re-board the Golden Chariot, departing for Badami.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Golden Chariot
Day 7
Arrive Badami / Badami to Goa
This morning leave the train and head to the former Chalukyan capital of Badami to visit the rock-cut Hindu and Jain cave temples that occupy a spectacular cliff-face setting above the town. From here continue to the neighbouring village of Pattadakal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to visit the distinctive 1,200 year old Hindu temples. Return to Badami Railway Station and depart for Goa in the afternoon.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Golden Chariot
Day 8
Arrive Goa / Goa to Bangalore
Arrive early in Goa at Vasco de Gama Railway Station and, after breakfast, explore historic heart of this former Portuguese colony visiting the white painted churches and vibrant bougainvillea-clad streets of Panjim. Spend the afternoon in a luxury resort relaxing by the Arabian Sea then return to the train and depart for Bangalore.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Golden Chariot
Day 9
Arrive Bangalore
This morning, at around 1130 hours, arrive back at Yesvantpur Junction Railway Station in Bangalore. Disembark the Golden Chariot where you will be met and transferred to your accommodation. The remainder of the day will be at leisure.
- Breakfast
Taj West End
Day 10
Bangalore to the UK
This morning you will be met and transferred back to Bangalore Airport to catch the British Airways flight non-stop to the UK.
Guide to Price
10 days from £5510 per person
What's Included
- International flights
- Hotel accommodation and taxes
- Train travel as specified
- Private transfers as specified
What's Not Included
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Meals unless specified
from £5510
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Our Reviews
What our clients say
All in all a super special holiday
MR & RR - India - March 2024
All in all a super special holiday. Thanks so much for helping to put it together. The guides and drivers are always so important and they were excellent and kind throughout. Assam and Nagaland are so different from mainland India...a very relaxed vibe in beautiful surroundings. We would happily return.
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