Splendour of the South, a luxury train tour package on the Golden Chariot

The Golden Chariot, Splendour of the South is a wonderful and spectacular railway journey which will be one of your lifetime and unforgettable journeys. The special package of the trip which takes you all over South India, is from the Indian Railways for 7 nights and 8 days. The Golden Chariot splendour of the south travels over various destinations, which are unique on their own, for their cultural, architectural and historical significance. The Golden Chariot starts from Bangalore and travels along Chennai, Mahabalipuram / Mamallapuram, Pondicherry, Trichy, Thanjavur, Madurai, Thiruvananthapuram,Kumarakom Backwaters and in Kochi, then return to Bangalore.

For those who like to request forReservation, Call

India Tel: +91-11-4286-6600

US Toll Free: 1-877-90-INDIA

UK Tel: +0800-032-7748

Europe: +41 44 500 41 35

The Golden Chariot Splendour of the South is a luxury train rom the Indian Railways. The special tour package in the train begins at Bangalore on Mondays around 3 pm. After a get together at Taj West End in Bangalore and start the tour with the sight seeing of the city.

In the night, the train The Golden Chariot - Splendour of the South leaves Yeshwantpur Railway Station in Bangalore for Chennai. In the morning the train reaches Chennai, after breakfast you will be taken to Mahabalipuram for sight seeing in AC buses as a day excursion.

After seeing Temple of Rathas, the Penance of Bhagirath and Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram, the Lunch will be at Mahabalipuram. After lunch at a beach side resort, leave for Pondicherry.

At the Pondicherry Railway station get on to the train The Golden Chariot, have dinner aboard and spend the night in the train.

After breakfast you will be taken to Auroville, which is very well known for its dedication in unifying all the religions together. Will be returning to the train for lunch.

In the afternoon you can stroll in the Pondicherry beach and also see the old french architecture with a Mediterranean aura and the boutiques. You will be having dinner at an Eco friendly resort, then return back to the train for the night. At the end of the 3 rd day the train will depart for Trichy in Tamil Nadu.

In the morning you will be at Trichy Railway station to visit Trichy and Tanjore Temples to see the beautiful architecture of the earlier era.

After breakfast you will be going to the Srirangam temple built on an islet formed by the twin rivers Cauvery and Coleroon ( locally known as Kollidam ). This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is considered as the most important one of the 108 main Vishnu temples in India.

Later proceed on a long journey for about 1.5 hours to Tanjore to see Brihadheeswarar temple which is famous for its 66 meters tall temple tower and a statue of Nandi which is made out of a single rock.

In the evening you will have free time for shopping and to visit an art workshop. The will reach Tanjore Railway station to get into the Golden Chariot for dinner and the night.

In the morning after breakfast, you will be going for a darshan to the famous Meenakshiamman Temple. Later you can stroll in the market inside the temple premises as well as outside the temple. Return to the train for lunch.

Later in the afternoon you will be going to Poompuhar Handicrafts emporium for optional shopping of handicrafts of Tamil Nadu. Latr you will be attending a light and sound show at the Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal folled by traditional folk and dance music and dinner. Return to the train for the night.

Early in the morning you will be taken from Nagerkoil Railway station in AC buses to see sunrise at Kanyakumari at the unique confluence of the three seas, Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. Return to the train for breakfast and then depart for Thiruvananthapuram Kochu veli Railway station.

In Thiruvananthapuram, you will be taken to Kovalam in the AC buses followed by a cultural program and dinner at the beach resort. Return to the train for night and stay at Thiruvananthapuram Railway station.

In the morning after breakfast you will be taken to the Alappuzha boat jetty for a trip in the houseboat.You will be going through a network of canals swaying with palm trees on both sides. You can see the villagers lifestyle whose access to mainland is only through these backwaters. After a typical Kerala style lunch, you will return to the boat jetty to the waiting AC buses for a drive to Kochi.

In the afternoon you can enjoy your walk through the 16th century Fort, see the old church and the Jewish synagogue. You can also view Chinese fishing nets which are found only in Kochi. Later get into the train at about 6.30 pm for your return journey to Bangalore.

On Day 8 in the morning the train reaches Bangalore and the tour package ends here.

The train is designed and operated in a similar manner to the Palace on Wheels, another luxury train of the Indian Railways. The luxury train consists of 11 air conditioned and luxuriously furnished saloons, with 4 cabins / sleeping chambers in each saloon, Bar, lounge, 2 dining cars, business center, a small gym as well as an health spa.

Out of the 44 sleeping chambers / cabins in the 11 inter connecting saloons, you can find 26 twin bedded cabins, 17 double bedded cabins and one for physically challenged. You can also have 5 star hotel facilities like a private washroom, a small wardrobe, vanity desk, LCD Televisions etc

The dining cars are named Nala and Ruchi. They have a wide spread of vegetarian and non vegetarian dishes.

There are two massage rooms for the traditional ayurvedic massages and a fully equipped gym for the use of the passengers.

The tariffs rates are subjected to changes now and then. The itinerary also might change according to the local logistics.

Children below 5 years can accompany their elders free of charge and without a separate bed.

Children between 5 and 12 years of age will be charged half rate with provision of a separate bed.

The Tour package cost includes

Stay in the train in private AC deluxe cabins with attached bathrooms
travel in the private air conditioned buses for group excursions,
three meals a day, Bed tea / coffee,
English speaking guide,
Entrance fees at the monuments and national park,
bottled drinking water,
Boat ride ,
Jeep safari at Kabini etc.

The package does not include

Consumption of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
Video Camera fees at monuments & wildlife parks
laundry;
tour insurance;
use of business centre and spa facility
porter fee

For reservation and booking online.

Payment Options :
By Online Credit Card Authorization(Visa Or MasterCard only)
Swift wire transfer
Indians can pay by RTGS OR Cheque/Draft payable at par in New Delhi

Cancellation Terms - Golden Chariot Train :
All cancellation must be made in writing
Minimum cancellation fee of 20% on total tour amount, if intimated more than 35 days before tour depart
Minimum 50% of total tour amount, will be charged as cancellation fee , if intimated between 20 to 34 days before tour depart
Full 100% of tour amount, will be charged as cancellation fee, if intimated less than 19 days before tour depart
Request for change in Name OR Postponement of journey date, governed by cancellation rules
Non receipt of payment as per payment policy, governed by cancellation rules
No Show/Refusal to board train tour Or continue journey is non refundable
The Golden Chariot Train is operated by KSTDC & liability of Lawrence travels & Tours Pvt Ltd. is limited to that of booking agent only

Disputes,if any,subject to jurisdictions of courts of New Delhi, India only.

To know more contact Golden Chariot train Tariffs