Golden Chariot Splendor of the South - Luxury Train Tour in South India

At a Glance

Tour Duration	7 Nights / 8 Days
DESTINATIONS COVERED	Bangalore – Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry – Thanjavur - Madurai – Nagercoil (Kanya Kumari) – Alleppey – Kochi
FARE STARTING FROM	-
MONTHS OF OPERATION	October to April
DISTANCE COVERED	1,888 kms approx

Tour Duration

7 Nights / 8 Days

DESTINATIONS
COVERED

Bangalore – Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry – Thanjavur - Madurai – Nagercoil (Kanya Kumari) – Alleppey – Kochi

FARE STARTING FROM

MONTHS OF OPERATION

October to April

DISTANCE COVERED

1,888 kms approx

Detail Itinerary

Day 1 - Bangalore

The journey commences from Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka. You report in Taj West End at 3:00pm and proceed for heritage walk in hotel's lush gardens. You are served tea by 5:00 PM. Thereafter, presentation regarding the train and cultural dance is to be organized. Guests then head to ISKCON Temple for Darshan, which is followed by grand welcome by The Golden Chariot team at Yeshwanthpur Railway Station at 8:15 PM.

Dinner will be served for the guests aboard the Splendor of the South. The train starts its journey for the first destination.

Day 2 - Chennai - Mamallapuram

The train will arrive at Chennai Egmore Railway Station at 6 am on the 2nd day of the trip. Breakfast on board. Visit the San Thome Basilica and Museum. Next leave for Mahabalipuram by luxury coach. On this day, guests get a chance to visit the attractions of Mamallapuram- also known as Mahabalipuram. This town is renowned for its ancient stone carvings. Nestled comfortably at a distance of about 58 km from Chennai, Mamallapuram is best visited for its temples. The temple of Rathas, the Penance of Arjuna, and the Shore Temple are a few of the most significant attractions housed here. Guests can relish interesting culinary delights during lunch served in a luxury resort. Thereafter, guests continue sightseeing and visit Shore Shiva Temple of Mamallapuram.

At 5:00 PM, tea and refreshments at the resort. Later depart for destination station (Puducherry) to board the Golden Chariot for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3 - Pondicherry

Early in the morning you arrive in Pondicherry, a city that was once a French colony. Post-breakfast in the train, you get all set for a sightseeing trip across the cobbled streets of the city. Auroville Ashram is to be visited today where you are free to shop or explore its attractions like Matra Mandir. Lunch is organize at Promenade Beach Resort and continue sightseeing by visiting Aurobindo Ashram and Ganesha Temple. You can enjoy shopping, strolling amid the French colonial beauty.

By 7:00 PM you get back to the train for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4 - Tanjavur - Trichy

Upon reaching Tanjavur Railway Station, you are served breakfast. After the hearty meal, you are set to leave for Brihadeshwara Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site). After darshan, you can go for shopping. Later, go for a quick visit to Chola Bronze Museum. Lunch is served by 2:00 PM in Ideal River View Resort. Later, continue sightseeing to Trichy. Sri Rangam Temple (Trichy) is to be visited at 6:00 PM. By 7:30 PM you will get back to the Golden Chariot. Dinner and stay overnight.

Day 5 - Madurai

Arrival in Madurai, the city of ornate temples. Post-breakfast, you commence your sightseeing across the city and visit the Meenakshi temple, 1000 pillar temple and museum. You return to the train for lunch by 1:00 PM. You have free time for shopping. Late, proceed to Thirumalai Nayaka Palace for sound and light show.

By 7:30 pm you get back to Golden Chariot for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6 - Kanyakumari

You start the sixth day of your sojourn by arriving to the Nagercoil Railway station. For the early risers, this is beautiful chance to behold the sunrise view in Kankyakumari, the southernmost tip of India). By 7:30 AM, you return aboard for breakfast. Later leave for Padmanabhapuram Wooden Palace. Return to the Golden Chariot by 1:00 PM for lunch as the train leaves for Kochuveli station. Deboard at Kochuveli to be transferred to Kovalam. There, you savor tea and refreshments by the beach. By late evening, guests gather in a 5-star luxury resort for cultural show and dinner.

At 10:30 PM, you return on board for overnight stay.

Day 7 - Alappuzha - Kochi

Guests are served breakfast on board at 8:00 AM as the train proceeds to Alappuzha Railway station. By 10:00 AM depart to board traditional houseboats from Alleppey Jetty (Cruise in Vembanad Lake Backwaters). Cruising in Kerala Backwaters is a tranquil and unforgettable experience, as the shores are fringed with palm trees. Lunch is organized at a luxury resort. By 2:30 PM guests leave for Kochi and reach there in an hour. Upon reaching, explore the surroundings of Kochi like Chinese Fishing Nets, and Jew Town.

Dinner and overnight stay on board.

Day 8 - Bangalore (Return)

You will arrive in Bangalore in the wee hours of the morning. Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast aboard the train before receiving a warm farewell from The Golden Chariot crew.

Tariff

Splendor of the South Tariff For Season 2019 - 20

Given below are the inclusions, exclusions and other details of the Golden Chariot - Splendor 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 @ 5% GST 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