The Golden Chariot

The Golden Chariot is a luxury tourist train that connects the important tourist spots in the Indian states of Karnataka, Goa, Kerala & Tamil Nadu as well as Pondicherry, depending on the selected itinerary. It is named after the Stone Chariot in the Vitthala Temple at Hampi. The 19 coaches on the train are coloured purple and gold, and sport the logo of a mythological animal with the head of an elephant and a body of a lion. The Golden Chariot is operating between the months of October–March for 2015/16 season with a departure every week, on Monday and had its maiden commercial run on 10 March 2008.

TARIFF 2016 - 2017Cost per Cabin for 7 Nights Pride of South Golden Chariot Train

Tour-Per CabinOccupancy Type

No of Persons Per Cabin

US$ Tariff-For Foreign Passport Holders

INR Tariff-Only for Indian National

Single One US$ 5530 Rs 1,82,,000/-Double Two US$ 8260 Rs 3,08,000/-Triple Three US$10,500 Rs 3,36,,000/-NOTE :Add Govt. Taxes Extra ,as applicable on date of journeyChildren < 12 years charged 50% of adult rateChildren below 5 years are complimentary(but no bed)Option to book for MINIMUM Three nights part journey & pay accordinglyTrain tour will operate ,subject to MINIMUM 20 Passengers OR advance

received will be refunded (with no further liability)

Tour Duration 7 Nights / 8 Days

DESTINATIONS COVERE

Bangalore – Chennai – Pondicherry – Thanjavur – Madurai – Thiruvananthapuram – Alleppey – Kochi – Bangalore

SEASON Oct to Apr

DEPARTURE DATES FOR SEASON 2016-17 & 2017-18 7 Nights Golden Chariot Train -Pride of South Depart Dates ex Bangalore.Month Dates

Oct 2016 10Nov 2016 07Dec 2016 05Jan 2017 16Feb 2017 13

March 2017 13

HISTORYWhen the success of Palace on Wheels reached the corridors of the Karnataka State Tourism and Development Corporation (KSTDC), it resulted in the signing of MOU between the state tourism board and the Indian Railways in 2002. Later the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) was assigned with the task to give shape to this luxury train. Around 900 layouts were prepared by the engineers before finalizing the design. Architect Kusum Pendse along with 200 carpenters inexorably worked hard to complete the designs of these railway coaches. The process took around 4 months. Finally on 23 January 2008, Golden Chariot was unveiled on the tracks veneered in classic colors of purple and gold symbolizing elegance and golden jubilee celebration of Karnataka. An inauguration ceremony was organized at the Yeshwanthpur Railway Station wherein president Pratibha Devi Singh flagged off the train. Finally on 10 March 2008, Golden Chariot chugged on its maiden journey from Bangalore to Goa.

COACHESYour chambers are steeped in history. Chambers in which, you will retire under a sky of craftsmanship that narrate timeless tales. Sink into a bed of royalty, reminiscent of the Mysore Maharajas, admire the intricate carvings on the ceiling, the wall panels and furniture inspired by Mysore and Hoysala architecture.Each Coach of the “The Golden Chariot” has been named after the dynasties that ruled Karnataka - Kadamba, Hoysala, Rastrakota, Ganga, Chalukya, Bhahamani, Adhilshahi, Sangama, Shathavashna, Yudukula and Vijayanagar.

• Fully air-conditioned cabins.

• 26 twin beds, 17 double bed cabins and 1 cabin for the physically challenged.• Every cabin is equipped with Wi-Fi, LCD television, DVD with 6 satellite channels, wardrobe, vanity/writing desk and private bathroom with luxurious amenities and accessories.

FACILITIES Passenger Saloons Gym Facility

Restaurant Coaches Conference Car

Lounge Bar Coach Spa

ITINERARYDay1 Bangalore

The city of Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka, is a splendid neo-metro that lets measures of modernity and age old culture mingle in equal parts. While here, enthrall your senses with a traditional art exhibition and folk dance performance at the Chithrakala Parishad. Or check-in at Our Native Village for a quick overview of village life in India. Furthermore, get acquainted with just what’s in store for you, aboard The Golden Chariot.

1500 hrs : Self report and Registration at Taj West End 1600 hrs : Nature walk in the heritage gardens of the Taj 1700 hrs : Hi-Tea 1730 hrs: Presentation and Orientation on The Golden Chariot

tour 1800 hrs : Cultural dance 1845 hrs : Visit the ISKCON Temple (The International Society for

Krishna Consciousness) 2015 hrs : Traditional welcome at Yeshwanthpur railway station

and board The Golden Chariot

Day 2 Chennai/ Mahabalipuram

India’s fourth largest city and its original metro of the South, Chennai boasts both specimens of Chola bronzes and Raj architecture. Not too far from here is the seaside town of Mamallapuram, where the rhythms of chisels chipping granite resound its stone-carving tradition.

0730 hrs : Arrive at Chennai central railway station 0800 hrs : Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot 10.00 am : Departure to Mamallapuram 11.30 am : Arrive at Mamallapuram Sight Seeing – Krishna’s Butter Ball, Arjuna’s Penance, Ganesha

Temple and Caves and Five Rathas Temple 1.30 pm : Lunch at Radisson Blu Temple Bay Hotel

4.00 pm : Post Hi-Tea, Sight Seeing Sight Seeing – Shore Shiva Temple 5.00 pm : Departure to Puducherry 6.30 pm :Arrival at Puducherry, back on board The Golden

Chariot Dinner on board The Golden ChariotDay 3 Puducherry

The former capital of French India, then called Pondicherry, prides in its fair share of leafy boulevards and petanque pitches. Sunny beaches and bakeries that smell of cinnamon and garlic add to the authenticity of it all, as you stroll down tropical streets that are still called by French names.

0800 hrs : Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot 10.00 am : Departure to Auroville Ashram Sight Seeing – Screening on Auroville Ashram, tour of Auroville

Asharam, Matra Mandir and shopping in the Ashram 1.30 pm : Lunch at The Sarovar Promenade Hotel 3.00 pm : Back on board The Golden Chariot 5.00 pm : Visit the Aurobindo Ashram and Ganesha Temple 7.00 pm : Back on board The Golden Chariot Dinner on board The Golden Chariot

Day 4 Tanjavur/ Trichy

Tanjavur, a short coach trip away from the town of Kumbakonam,is the home of the world’s finest Chola bronze collection. As many as ninety temples have survived the ravages of time in this majestic town. Among them is the breathtaking Brihadishwara Temple, Tamil Nadu's most notable Chola monument.

0730 hrs :Arrive at Tanjavur railway station 0800 hrs: Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot 10.00 am : Visit the famous Brihadeshwara Temple (UNESCO

World Heritage site) Shopping at the emporium

2.00 pm : Lunch at Ideal River View Resort 4.00 pm :Departure to Trichy 6.00 pm : Visit the famous Sri Rangam Temple in Trichy 7.30 pm : Back on board The Golden Chariot in Trichy Dinner on board The Golden Chariot

Day 5 Madurai

One of the oldest cities in South India, Madurai was once famous for its silks, pearls and spices. It was this lucrative trade that let its Pandyan kings erect the mighty Meenakshi-Sundareshwar temple. While at Madurai, savour the history and culture of Tamil Nadu at the light and sound show and the folk arts performance.

0800 hrs :Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot 10.00 am : Visit the famous Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar

Temple 11.30 am : Visit the 1000 pillar temple and the museum 1.00 pm : Back on board The Golden Chariot Lunch on board The Golden Chariot 3.00 pm : Visit the Gandhi Museum (Rani Mangammal Palace) 4.00 pm : Return back to The Golden Chariot Rest and Relax on board The Golden Chariot 6.00 pm : Visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace for sound and light

show 7.30 pm : Back on board The Golden Chariot

Day 6 Kanyakumari/ Kovalam

Watch the sun rise and set at Kanyakumari, the meeting place of the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. A short distance away from here is Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, famous for its narrow backstreets and red-tiled gabled

houses. Just 14km south of Thiruvananthapuram lies the coastal village of Kovalam, with its quintessential coconut palms and delectable sea food.

5.00 am : Departure to Kanyakumari for Sunrise view 7.30 am : Back on board Te Golden Chariot Breakfast on board 9.30 am : Depart to Padmanabhapuram Wooden Palace 1.00 pm :Return on board The Golden Chariot Lunch on board 3.30 pm :Reach Kocchuveli station 4.00 pm :Depart to Vivanta by Taj, Kovalam Hi-Tea by the beach, Cultural show followed by dinner at the

hotel 10.30 pm : Back on board The Golden Chariot

Day 7 Kochi/ Alappuzha

Further north lies Alappuzha (formerly Aleppey), one of the best known ports along the Malabar coast. The interconnecting canals make way for the many house boats that ply these waters. And set the right atmosphere to relax and enjoy the fine cuisine served in these parts. The city of Kochi is yet another attraction with its exotic spice markets, Chinese fishing nets, Synagogue and the Portuguese Palace.

0800 hrs :Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot 10.00 am :Depart to Alleppey Jetty and board House Boat Cruise on Punnamada Lake 1.00 pm : Reach Punnamada Lake Resort for Lunch 2.30 pm : Depart to fort Kochi 3.30 pm : Arrival in fort Kochi Sight Seeing – Chinese fishing Nets, Shopping in Mattancherry Shopping in Jews Town 6.00 pm :Depart to board The Golden Chariot at Ernakulum

South railway Station

7.30 pm :Departure to Bangalore

Day 8 Bangalore

The overnight return journey to Bangalore is the time for quiet contemplation. As the warm sea breeze gives way to the cool night, prepare yourself to celebrate the end of a journey well travelled. In luxury. Aboard The Golden Chariot.

0800 hrs : Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot 10.00 am : Arrive at Yeshwanthpur Railway Station, Bangalore