The Golden Chariot Train - A Unique Train Journey through South India

The Golden Chariot Train - A Rail Exploration of Southern India

10 days from £5510 per person

Route: Bangalore - Mysore - Nagarhole National Park - Hampi - Badami - Goa - Bangalore

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.

Please note that the Golden Chariot train is currently undergoing refurbishment and is expected to restart operations in February 2020

Day 1 Depart the UK

Today depart the UK on the non-stop British Airways flight to Bangalore. (N)

Day 2 Arrive Bangalore (Monday)/ Begin 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 2015 hours and the train departs for Mysore at 2100 hours. (B/D)

Day 3 Arrive Mysore (Tuesday)/ Mysore to Nagarhole National Park

Tonight’s accommodation will be spent away from the train so this morning pack an overnight bag prior to this morning’s sightseeing of Mysore’s spectacular City Palace. Re-built during 1897 in an Indo-Saracenic style, the palace contains extraordinary wall paintings, stained glass work and inlaid doors. Leaving Mysore, travel by coach to Nagarhole National Park where you will stay overnight at the Kabini Jungle Lodge. Nagarhole is a beautiful reserve home to tiger, bison, elephant, leopard and sloth bear as well as over 250 different species of bird. This afternoon enjoy a safari in the park. (B/L/D)

Day 4 Nagarhole National Park to Mysore (Wednesday)/ 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. (B/L/D)

Day 5 Arrive Hassan (Thursday)/ 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. (B/L/D)

Day 6 Arrive Hampi (Friday)/ 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. (B/L/D)

Day 7 Arrive Badami (Saturday)/ 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. (B/L/D)

Day 8 Arrive Goa (Sunday)/ 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. (B/L/D)

Day 9 Arrive Bangalore (Monday)

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. (B)

Accommodation in Bangalore: Taj West End (or similar)

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. (B)

The Golden Chariot Train - A Rail Exploration of Southern India

10 days from £5510 per person

ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS

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Pettitts guide to price for this itinerary would be £5510 per person

Itinerary: The Golden Chariot - A Rail Exploration of Southern India

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