Golden Chariot Jewels of South - Luxury Train Tour in South India

At a Glance

Tour Duration	6 Nights / 7 Days
DESTINATIONS COVERED	Bengaluru – Mysore – Hampi - Mahabalipuram – Thanjavur & Chettinad – Kumarakom – Cochin
FARE STARTING FROM	USD 700
MONTHS OF OPERATION	October to April
DISTANCE COVERED	2,618 kms approx

Tour Duration

6 Nights / 7 Days

DESTINATIONS
COVERED

Bengaluru – Mysore – Hampi - Mahabalipuram – Thanjavur & Chettinad – Kumarakom – Cochin

FARE STARTING FROM

USD 700

MONTHS OF OPERATION

October to April

DISTANCE COVERED

2,618 kms approx

Detail Itinerary

Detailed itinerary has been given below for your kind perusal:

The tour starts on Sunday in Bangalore and ends the following Saturday at the same place. You will explore medieval and contemporary attractions that enable you to enjoy a glimpse of the real essence of South India. The cultural trove of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu showcase architectural excellence while the serene Kerala backwater allows a heavenly delight. Please go through the detailed itinerary below to plan a hassle-free journey.

Day 1 - Bengaluru to Mysore

Receive a warm welcome at the Yeshwantpur Railway Station at around 09:00 AM. After completing the registration and the briefing session, move towards Mysore. Enjoy your lunch on board before de boarding the train in Mysore at around 3:00 PM. After you reach the past kingdom of Great Tipu Sultan, proceed to visit the Mysore Palace. Admire the beautiful architecture and learn about its history while exploring this priceless national treasure designed by British architect Henry Irwin. This is one of the biggest palaces in India with exquisite carvings and artwork from all over the world.

After the exploration return to your train. Have your dinner on board as the train proceeds to Hampi.

Day 2 - Hampi

Day 2 of the luxury train journey is reserved for exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi. Enjoy delectable breakfast on board before you proceed to visit Hampi, the past capital of the Vijaynagara kingdom on the bank of the River Tungabhadra. Admire excellent craftmanship of monolithic sculptures and monuments while visiting the sites of ruins that tell the story of the ancient Hindu kingdom of Vijaynagar. After the excursion, return to the train and have your lunch. In the evening, you can go for an optional visit to the Anegundi, a lovely village on the other side of the Tungabhadra. Then return and have your dinner as the train moves to Mahabalipuram.

Day 3 - Mahabalipuram

Enjoy your delicious breakfast on board as you arrive at the Chengalpattu Railway Station in Tamil Nadu. Then proceed to visit the Shore Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Mahabalipuram. The temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu showcases great architectural work of the Pallavas. Overlooking the shore of the Bay of Bengal, the 8th-century temple is built with blocks of granite. Here you can see Lord Vishnu in a lying posture. After exploration, enjoy your lunch at one of the best hotels and return to the train. In the evening, complete your dinner on board as the train moves to Thanjavur.

Day 4 - Thanjavur and Chettinad

Today as the train enters the cultural town in Tamil NaduThanjavur, you complete your breakfast and proceed to visit the BrihadeshwaraTemple. This beautiful temple on the bank of the Kaveri River is a UNESCO world heritage site. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is one of the largest temples in South India showcasing the brilliance of Dravidian architecture. Then return and have your lunch as the train proceeds to Chettinad; famous for its cuisine, temples, and mansions. In the evening as the train reaches Chettinad, visit the Athnagudi tile factory and Chettinadu mansions. Then return and have your dinner as the train moves to Cochin.

Day 5 - Cochin

On day 5, Port city Cochin welcomes you to enjoy the colonial charm, traditional menus, Kathakali Dance, etc. Have your breakfast on board and head to the Fort Kochi. Visit the Mattancherry Palace also known as Dutch Palace. The palace depicts the life of Kings of Kochi through beautiful Kerala Murals. You can walk along the colonial streets of Fort Kochi lined with traditional shops. Then return to the train and have your lunch. In the evening, you can go for an optional visit to the St. Francis Church, one of the oldest European churches in India constructed in 1503. Also, explore the Chinese Fishing Nets, a unique and spectacular way of catching fishes. Then return and have your dinner as the train moves to Kumarakom.

Day 6 - Kumarakom

On day 6, the train reaches Kumarakom, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kerala for backwater cruising and Ayurveda retreat. Have your breakfast on the train and proceed to board the houseboat to cruise on the Kerala backwater. Sink in heavenly delight as you sail on the serene backwater with views of coconut groves, charming villages, paddy fields, colorful birds, etc. Thereafter, return to the train and have your dinner as you move back to Bangalore.

Day 7 - Bengaluru

Welcome to the Garden City again where your Jewels of South tour comes to end. Have your breakfast and de board the train bidding farewell to your co-passengers.

Schedule

Jewels of South Schedule Schedule For Season 2021 - 22 & 2022-23

Month	Departure Dates
February, 2022	6
March, 2022	6,20
October, 2022	9,30
November, 2022	20
December, 2022	11
January, 2023	1,22
February, 2023	12
March, 2023	5,26

Tariff

Jewels of South Tariff For Season 2021-22 & 2022-23

(For Indian Nationals Only)

Occupancy Type	Price (Per Person Per Night)	Total Amount (6 Nights)
Single Occupancy	INR 93372	INR 560230
Double Occupancy	INR 53355	INR 320130

(For International Travellers)

Occupancy Type	Price (Per Person Per Night)	Total Amount (6 Nights)
Single Occupancy	USD 1225	USD 7350
Double Occupancy	USD 700	USD 4200

Given below are the inclusions, exclusions and other details of the Golden Chariot - Jewels of 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 @ 5% is levied on the prevalent tariff.

Inclusion

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.

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.

The booking policies:

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:

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 15-29 days prior to departure - 50% of ticket value will be deducted
When booking is cancelled less than 14 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 30-59 days prior to departure - 25% of ticket value will be deducted
When booking is cancelled 15-29 days prior to departure - 75% of ticket value will be deducted
When booking is cancelled less than 14 days prior to departure - 100% of ticket value will be deducted