9 Nights From Bangalore to Bangalore

•   Bangalore: 1 night

•   Golden Chariot: 7 nights – Chennai, Pondicherry, Thanjavur, Madurai, Kovalam, Cochin

•   Bangalore: 1 night

  • The Golden Chariot
  • The Golden Chariot
  • The Golden Chariot

The Golden Chariot - Splendour of the South

This luxurious voyage of seven days and seven nights on board the Golden Chariot reveals ancient monuments, fascinating cultures and colonial influences and some of India’s most tranquil and attractive natural scenery. The perfect way to explore Southern India in style.

Guide

RAIL JOURNEY

•   Onboard the Golden Chariot you'll have the services of a tour manager and all off-train excursions will be guided by English speaking local guides
•   Extensions are not escorted but assistance is provided in each destination by our local representatives

MEAL PLAN
•   Breakfast daily
•   Lunch and dinner on Days 3-9

ACCOMMODATION
•   Five star hotels in Bangalore.
•   Accommodation onboard the Golden Chariot features ensuite cabins, airconditioning, plasma television, Wi-Fi and DVD player.

GRATUITIES
•   Tipping is a way of life in India.
•   It's usual to tip your room boy, waiter, porter and tour manager and waiter at the end of the journey.

TRAVEL TIPS
•   Expect heavy showers during the monsoon season (May to October).

NB
•   Please note local conditions may necessitate slight variations to the timings of the itinerary.
•   Check-in at hotels in India is after 12pm.

Go to itinerary

Key information

Recommended for
  • Rail
Departure Dates

2012
•   Jan 02, 16
•   Feb 13, 27
•   Mar 12, 26

DAY 1 - LONDON TO BANGALORE
Fly Jet Airways to Bangalore via Mumbai arriving the following day.

DAY 2 - BANGALORE

Upon arrival transfer to the Oberoi Bangalore for an overnight stay. The rest of the day is at leisure.


DAY 3 - GOLDEN CHARIOT

This morning enjoy a tour of Bangalore. Transfer tot he Taj West End and have High Tea at Banquet Hall before a presentation on your train journey. Visit Chitrakala Paisha and an art gallery and watch a cultural show before boarding the Golden Chariot, eating dinner and departing for Chennai.

DAY 4 - GOLDEN CHARIOT
Early this morning the train will arrive in Chennai. Following breakfast onboard disembark and drive along the Marina Beach road. Depart for Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to Five Ratha's Temple, Shore Shiva Temple and beautiful stone carvings. Following lunch at the GRT Temple Bay start the drive to Pondicherry (Puducherry) railway station by coach (refreshments available). Upon arrival board the Golden Chariot for a short rest. Wander along one of the city's picturesque beaches before re-boarding for dinner.


DAY 5 - GOLDEN CHARIOT
After breakfast tour the former French colonial enclave of Pondicherry and the nearby town of Auroville with its golden metallic sphere Matrimandir. Lunch on board the Golden Chariot. Visit the wellbeing centre of Aurobindo Ashram, explore the French town, enjoy some shopping and dine in a local restaurant before returning to the Golden Chariot and departing to Trichy.

DAY 6 - GOLDEN CHARIOT

Upon arrival at Trichy and after breakfast visit the ghats prior to boarding a coach which will transport you to Tanjore, also known as the 'Ricebowl of Tamil Nadu'. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Brihadeshwara Temple which dates back to the 11th Century. Lunch at the Sangam Hotel. After a visit to an artefacts and paintings workshop step back onboard the Golden Chariot. Dinner on board before departing to Madurai.


DAY 7 - GOLDEN CHARIOT

Today the Golden Chariot rolls into the temple city of Madurai, which boasts a rich history spanning two and a half centuries. Following breakfast you will witness the exquisite Meenakshi temple. Lunch and afternoon on board before enjoying an early evening sound and light show at the Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal and dinner at The Heritage. After dinner the train will depart Madurai for Nagercoil.


DAY 8 - GOLDEN CHARIOT

An early start begins with a journey to Kanyakumari, a city that sits at the southern most tip of India. Enjoy sunrise over the water, at the confluence of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. Return to the Golden Chariot for breakfast before a visit to the Wooden Palace. Lunch on board and depart to Thiruvananthapuram. Upon arrival drive to Kovalam Beach where you can spend the early evening on the glorious white sand beach before enjoying a cultural and dinner at the Taj Green Cove, Kovalam. Return to the Golden Chariot which will depart for Alleppey.


DAY 9 - GOLDEN CHARIOT

Enjoy breakfast as the Golden Chariot makes its way towards Alleppey. This morning partake in a leisurely houseboat cruise on the Keralan backwaters where you can watch day to day life unfold. Lunch on the boat. Travel to Cochin (Kochi) by road, upon arrival visit the Church, view the famous Chinese fishing nets and wander through Jew Town. Return to the train for your last night onboard, enjoy dinner as you travel back towards Bangalore.

DAY 10 - BANGALORE
Arrive this morning into Bangalore, transferring after breakfast for an overnight stay at the Oberoi Bangalore.

DAY 11 - BANGALORE TO LONDON
Fly Jet Airways to Heathrow via Mumbai, arriving later the same day.

Weather and climate

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