Pride of the South - The Golden Chariot

The mesmerizing destinations of Karnataka and the pristine beaches of Goa wait to inspire your senses aboard the Pride of the South tour itinerary. This complete sojourn across medieval and contemporary destinations and attractions will enable you to catch a glimpse of the Indian essence. Details of the itinerary have been given below for your perusal.

Day 1 - Bangalore

On your arrival in the city of Bangalore, you can check in at the hotel Taj West End. A high tea will be organized for all guests aboard the Pride of the South itinerary. Guests will later be taken to the Chitrakala Parishad where you can enjoy an exclusive cultural show. Alternatively, you could take delight in an eco vacation by checking in at the Our Native Village. Besides natural beauty, guests can enjoy a cultural extravaganza before they begin the luxury train sojourn.

Whichever alternative you may choose, you will be required to report at the Yeshwanthpur Railway Station by 2000 hours where the Pride of the South tour itinerary waits to begin.

After a traditional welcome by the staff of the train, you will be ushered to your royal cabins and the train will soon move out of Bangalore.

Dinner and overnight stay aboard the train.

Day 2 - Kabini/Bandipur

Relish your breakfast served aboard the Golden Chariot before you embark on journey to visit the jungles and wildlife environs of Kabini/Bandipur. By 01:00 hours, you will arrive in Kabini and post-lunch in the jungle lodge you will head straight to the Bandipur National Park.

Overnight stay and dinner will be arranged for you in the jungle resort.

Day 3 - Mysore

In the morning of the 3rd day, you will head towards Mysore, the next destination in line. Post-breakfast you will disembark from the train and begin your journey towards Mysore. En route you will halt for lunch. The paddy fields that you will cross by, the locals of the area, and most importantly, the natural beauty of the region will surely capture your senses forever.

You will arrive in Mysore by afternoon and immediately set off for sightseeing across the city. The attractions of Srirangapatna and the Brindavan Gardens are the locations you will visit on this day.

Conclude your day by visiting the Lalitha Mahal Palace where you can savor a sumptuous dinner and a cultural performance.

By 22:00 hours you will return to the train for overnight stay and travel to the next destination, Hassan.

Day 4 - Hassan

On the 4th day of the sojourn, guests aboard the Pride of the South itinerary will head towards Hassan, a popular Indian destination most noted for its religious significance. Shravanbelagola is the first destination that you will head to. Later you will return to the train and proceed towards Halebid and Belur. Return to the Golden Chariot by 19:15 hours and prepare to leave for the next destination, Hospet.

Day 5 - Hospet

By 06:00 hours arrive in Hospet, the gateway to the medieval wonders of Hampi. Visit the topmost attractions of the place including the Virupaksha temple, the Elephants’ stables, and the local crafts bazaar. Return to the train by lunchtime for a delectable meal waiting to surprise you. Later, by 15:00 hours leave the train to visit the remaining attractions of Hampi such as the Hazara Rama temple, and the royal enclosure. Visit the Vittala temple in the evening to feast on its enchanting night view. Arrive in the train by 20:00 hours for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6 - Badami

Early next morning by 05:00 hours, the train will chug its way out of Hospet towards Badami. Breakfast will be served onboard the train and by 09:00 hours you will arrive in the town of Badami. Leave the train and proceed towards the popular tourist attractions housed here including the Badami Caves and Pattadakal, and return to the Golden Chariot by 13:00 hours. Post-lunch leave for Goa, the highlight of all India travel options!

You can spend the rest of the 6th day exploring the luxury amenities of the train. Dinner will be served onboard the train before it will finally land in Goa, past midnight.

Day 7 - Goa

Begin your sightseeing trip across Goa early in the morning. Leave the train by 10:00 hours and start off the trail of Goa by visiting the churches and then proceeding to the Old Portuguese house - Sola Souto Maior. Enjoy savoring on tea and cookies while you marvel in awe at the artistic beauty of the house. Break the sojourn for a sumptuous Goan lunch. Enjoy the afternoon indulging in leisure activities in the hotel pool. You may even relax yourself by opting for an Ayurvedic session.

Day 8 - Bangalore (Return)

Relish on the lip smacking breakfast served aboard the train before the Pride of the South sojourn comes to an end. The luxury train will land you back in the Yashwanthpur Railway Station, Bangalore by 1100 hours on the 8th day of the trip! The journey with the Golden Chariot thus completes a full circle.

Guests aboard the Pride of the South - The Golden Chariot train can treat themselves to loads of luxury and comfort. This luxury train, designed to cater to guests interested in a south India voyage, is a brainchild of Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation. Not only do the facilities onboard this train ensures a comfortable joy ride, they in many senses than one, also reflect the traditional heritage of the country. A few of the must-mention facilities waiting to surprise you here include:

Accommodation
After a tiring day of travel and sightseeing, all you will need is a good night’s sleep. And this is what was on the mind of the designers of this luxury train. After all, the private cabins are meant to offer you cozy comfort and a relaxing ambiance for all guests. Each of the 19 luxury coaches of this train are dipped in rich furnishings and are set with period furniture to boost the traditional spirit all the more. So much so, the cabins have been named after the royal dynasties that once ruled over Karnataka. Hoysala, Rashtrakota, and Chalukya are a few of them to name here. The coaches are set with features such as:

• » Centrally air conditioning
• » Interiors depicting essence of Karnataka
• » LCD television with satellite connection
• » Writing Desk
• » Private Bath
• » Padded beds
• » 1 cabin for the disabled guests aboard the train

Dining
While at the Golden Chariot - Pride of the South itinerary, dine in style and amidst opulence! Visit the onsite eateries, for its authentic Indian culinary delights, to complete the heritage trip across the country.

• » Nala - Named after the legendary chef, Nala, this in house restaurant is best visited by guests for its classic ambience and range of lip smacking delicacies.
• » Ruchi - Meaning fine taste in India, Ruchi serves to its guests a comfortable atmosphere to relish Indian culinary delights besides a host of international cuisines as well.
• » Madira - Madira is the lounge bar housed within the Golden Chariot that guests visit in order to unwind and relax after a tiring day of sightseeing and travel. The wide collection of exotic drinks will surely help lift your spirits. The interiors of the bar wonderfully reflect the designing of the Mysore Palace.

Business
Blend business with holiday and witness what it can mean. Something that that you never thought was possible come alive right in front of your eyes, aboard the Pride of the South itinerary. The facilities you can look out for in this genre include:

• » A conference coach with a seating capacity of 30 people
• » Internet access
• » LCD TV

Recreational
Other than sightseeing in some of the premium destinations of India, you can also recreate luxury, comfort and adventure in the recreational coach of the train! This luxury cabin is set with:

• » Gym facilities
• » An Ayurveda spa center with 2 massage rooms
• » Lounge area for relaxation

Read through the Pride of the South schedule of the Golden Chariot train. The departure dates corresponding to the months have been given below for your perusal.
 

 Schedule for Oct 2012 to Apr 2013  departures are as:

 Schedule for Oct 2013 to Apr 2014  departures are as:

Browse through the attractive tariff of the Pride of the South - Golden Chariot.

October 2012 - March 2013 ( For Indian Nationals in INR & International travellers in USD)

Given below are the inclusions, exclusions and other details of the Golden Chariot - Pride of the South.

• » Half fare for children between 5 and 12 years.
• » Christmas and New Year being the peak holiday season calls for a 10% surcharge levied on all departures.
• » As per the Government of India norms, Service Tax @ 3.09% is levied on the prevalent tariff.
• » In case of non-arrival of the guest, the entire amount will be treated as forfeited.
• » In case the tour is terminated by the guest, the amount for the untraveled portion would be considered as forfeited without any scope for further refunds and adjustments.
• » In case of natural disasters or serious health issues, amendment maybe possible subject to availability as well as merit.

Inclusions
The tariff of this luxury train includes accommodation on board, the meals, the sightseeing trips, and the entrance fees (while entering monuments, parks, palaces and other sightseeing locations).

Exclusions
The fare of the Golden Chariot does not comprise of tips, phone calls, and camera fees in the sightseeing locations, SPA car and Business car facilities, liquor as well as laundry

Booking Policy

The reservation policies of the Pride of the South tariff (FIT) are as follows:

• » Payment of 20% of ticket value at the time of confirming the booking is mandatory.
• » Remaining 80% of ticket value can be paid 60 days prior to departure.

The reservation policies of the Pride of the South tariff (for Groups) are as follows:

• » Payment of 50% of ticket value at the time of confirming the booking is mandatory.
• » Remaining 50% of ticket value can be paid 60 days prior to departure.

Cancellation Policy

Cancelation policies as mentioned in the tariff (FIT) are as:

• » When booking is cancelled 60 days prior to departure - 5% of ticket value will be deducted
• » When booking is cancelled 30-59 days prior to departure - 20% of ticket value will be deducted
• » When booking is cancelled less than 30 days prior to departure - 100% of ticket value will be deducted

Cancelation policies as mentioned in the tariff (for Groups) are as:

• » When booking is cancelled 60 days prior to departure - 10% of ticket value will be deducted
• » When booking is cancelled less than 60 days prior to departure - 100% of ticket value will be deducted

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 be decided on merits on a case to case basis.

Tour Highlights

• » 15% special discount for group bookings (Group size 10 pax and above)
• » Complementary Spa for the 7 nights and 8 days package bookings
• » Complementary wine for all bookings
• » Corporate offsite programmes will be organized on board the train at no extra cost
• » Cultural extravaganza followed by lavish dining at Lalitha Mahal Palace
• » Visit to Daroji Bear Sanctuary
• » Elephant interaction program at Kabini
• » ‘Hampi at Night’

Tariff for Special Summer Offer April 16th & 23rd 2012 (For Indian nationals only)

Tariff for Special Summer Offer April 16th & 23rd 2012 (For International travellers)

Given below are the inclusions, exclusions and other details of the Summer Special Offer aboard Golden Chariot - Pride of the South.

• » Half fare for children between 5 and 12 years.
• » Christmas and New Year being the peak holiday season calls for a 10% surcharge levied on all departures.
• » As per the Government of India norms, Service Tax @ 2.58% is levied on the prevalent tariff.
• » In case of non-arrival of the guest, the entire amount will be treated as forfeited.
• » In case the tour is terminated by the guest, the amount for the untraveled portion would be considered as forfeited without any scope for further refunds and adjustments.
• » In case of natural disasters or serious health issues, amendment maybe possible subject to availability as well as merit.

The Tariff includes:
Tariff is inclusive of accommodation on board The Golden Chariot / travel / all meals / Conducted Sight-seeing Tours / Entrance fees at Monuments / Parks / Palaces and Cultural Programmes.

The Tariff does not includes
Drinks, tips, laundry, telephone calls, video camera fees, SPA Car, Business Car Facilities, liquor and other items of personal nature.

Booking Policy

The reservation policies of the Pride of the South tariff (FIT) are as follows:

• » Payment of 20% of ticket value at the time of confirming the booking is mandatory.
• » Remaining 80% of ticket value can be paid 60 days prior to departure.

The reservation policies of the Pride of the South tariff (for Groups) are as follows:

• » Payment of 50% of ticket value at the time of confirming the booking is mandatory.
• » Remaining 50% of ticket value can be paid 45 days prior to departure.

Cancellation Policy

Cancelation policies as mentioned in the tariff (FIT) are as:

• » 5% of the ticket value if cancellation is made until 60 days prior to departure.
• » 20% of the ticket value if cancellation is made between 30-59 days prior to departure.
• » 50% of the ticket value if cancellation is made between 15-29 days prior to departure
• » 100% of the ticket value if the cancellation is made 14 days prior to departure.

Cancelation policies as mentioned in the tariff (for Groups) are as:

• » 10% of the ticket value if cancellation is made until 60 days prior to departure.
• » 25% of the ticket value if cancellation is made between 30-59 days prior to departure.
• » 75% of the ticket value if cancellation is made between 15-29 days prior to departure.
• » 100% of the ticket value if the cancellation is made 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 be decided on merits on a case to case basis.