The Southern Sojourn

Assemble at 15:00 hours at The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai. Complete your registration and check in formalities at the hotel for the Maharajas’ Express. Later, proceed to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. You will be greeted with Indian traditions and welcome drink as the Police Band plays melodies as you board the Maharajas’ Express.

Welcome aboard the Maharajas’ Express. Enjoy the comforts of your cabin as the train departs Mumbai at 17:15 hours approximately. The train passes through the land of the Marathas to Goa.

Dinner and overnight stay on board.

Early in the morning arrive in Goa, the Queen of Beaches. Enjoy breakfast onboard, after which leave for a visit to the Churches of North Goa. The sights you visit include the Basilica of Bom Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where the remains of Saint Francis Xavier are preserved. Visit the Se Cathedral, built to mark the conquest of Goa by the Portuguese after defeating a Muslim army. Next, proceed for a walking tour of the Old Panjim houses. Each of these magnificent structures are intriguing mix of Portuguese and Goan culture. Return for lunch to the luxury train.

Deboard at around 15:45 hours for an evening program of dance and music. En-route, stop at the Goa Chitra Museum, one of the finest private ethnographic museum in the state. The museum treasures of growth of civilization in Goa. Explore the collection of farming tools, pottery, musical instruments, carts and palanquins.

Later, enjoy an exclusive Goan evening. Carnival music and dance followed by dinner at an exclusive venue. After dinner, return to comfort of Maharajas’ Express for the night.

Start the day with breakfast onboard as the train proceeds to Hampi. Enjoy the beautiful scenery passing by. Relish the comforts of the luxury train. Lunch shall be served onboard. On arrival at the Hospet Railway Station, proceed to visit Anegudi Village. Set on the shores of the Tungabhadra River, the picturesque village dates back to the Neolithic Age. Spend time here and interact with the locals. Get a glimpse of the village life and participate in activities.

You may choose a rejuvenating spa session at one of the deluxe hotels. Return to the Maharajas’ Express for dinner and overnight stay.

Start the day early, have a quick breakfast, deboard to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi. The charming ruins are a group of monuments with several stone structures spread over a vast expanse. The relics are testimony of the magnificent Dravidian architectural style of the Vijayanagar Empire. Check out the prominent sites which include Ganesha Statue, Virupaksha Temple, Narasimha Statute, Elephant Stables and the Vittala Temple complex, housing the Musical Pillars Temple and the Stone Chariot. Enjoy the surroundings as you travel on Battery Operated Carts.

Return to the train for lunch as the Maharajas’ Express proceeds to Mysore.

Dinner and overnight stay on board. Enjoy the pleasures of the luxury train.

After a sumptuous breakfast onboard, disembark for a visit the Wodeyar Palace popularly known as the Mysore Palace. The residence of the royal family of Mysore, the Palace is one of the largest in South India. The magnificent building house two ceremonial halls coupled with an array of courtyards, gardens and other buildings.

Later, proceed for lunch at the Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel. This heritage building, was built by the Wodeyars for the exclusive stay of the Viceroy of India in the 1920s. The architecture, resembles St. Paul’s Cathedral, London. The majestic structure houses a Viceroy Hall, a Ball Room and a restaurant.

Return to the comforts of Maharajas’ Express or you may choose a visit to Shreerangapatnam, the former capital of fearsome warrior Tipu Sultan.

Return to Maharajas’ Express after which the train proceeds for Ernakulam/Cochin. Dinner and overnight stay on board.

Today the train takes you to Kerala, God’s Own Country. Breakfast and lunch shall be served onboard. Disembark at around 14:15 hours to visit a village complex. Here, witness practice of various traditional arts. A short Tuk Tuk ride to reach the Model Eco Tourism village. Later, visit the unique Chinese Fishing Nets where you can also see them in action. Proceed to explore a traditional crab farm and also witness activities using coir products.

Proceed for dinner to an exclusive venue. Enjoy traditional South Indian dances while you relish a traditional South Indian platter. Return to the Maharajas’ Express for overnight stay.

After breakfast on board, proceed for a Canoe Cruise on the famous backwaters of Kumarakom. Enjoy a scenic cruise as the canoes navigate through narrow canals. Coconut palms shade the landscape and various birds and animals inhabit the lush environs.

Lunch is arranged at an exclusive venue on the lakefront. Later, witness an exciting Snake Boat Race. Kerala’s Snake Boat Races are quite famous. The ancient boat are used for competitive games. Around 60 boatmen rowing in speed for racing. These participants are a wonderful example of rigorous training and team spirit of the traditional sports of South India.

Return to the comforts of Maharajas’ Express. Enjoy an ‘Indian Evening’ onboard. Dinner and overnight stay onboard.

Early this morning, after breakfast, disembark at around 08:00 hours at Trivandrum (Kochuveli Railway station), the capital city of Kerala. Bid farewell to the Maharajas' Express Southern Sojourn.