The Golden Chariot Train Tour starts & end on every Monday of the week from Bangalore to Bangalore.
7 Nights / 8 Days Golden Chariot - Pride of South Circuit departure dates ex Bangalore
2017: Oct 16, 23, Nov 06, 20, Dec 11, 25
2018: Jan 08, 22, Feb 05, 19, Mar 05
Report in Lobby of Hotel Taj West End by 4pm for Check-In formalities of Golden Chariot Train Tour followed by high tea, brief train tour presentation & cultural program. Proceed to visit ISKON Hindu Temple, before reaching Yashwantpura Railway Station by 8:15pm to board the Golden Chariot Train.
9.00pm train departs. Dinner is served onboard.
Morning 10 a.m. pack overnight clothes for Night stay in Jungle Lodge & first drive to visit early 20th Century built Amba Vilas Mysore Palace, whose architecture style is a mix of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput & Gothic structure. View the Durbar Hall Wing & Personal Art Gallery. Later drive 2 hrs to Kabini Forest.
Arrive in Kabini by 1.15 pm & check into rooms in Jungle Lodge After lunch & brief rest proceed for Safari to Kabini jungles, abound with herds of Asian Elephants, Sambar & Spooted deer; wild boar, sloth bear gaur & occasional sighting of panther & tiger. Evening return to jungle lodge for screening of wildlife film, followed by campfire & Dinner. Night stay Kabini Jungle Lodge.
Early morning 6.30 am proceed for boat ride in Kabini River, to site crocodiles sunning themselves & many hued birds flitting in & out of the forest. Return back to Jungle Lodge for breakfast & check-out by 9.30 am to drive back to Mysore railway station (2 hrs) to board the train. After some rest & lunch on board, proceed at 3.30 pm for excursion to 18th Century built Srirangapatnam Fort, on a river bank. After visiting Dariya Daulat & Tipu Mausoleum drive back to Mysore Town & time free for shopping. Later enjoy cultural program & dinner in Lalita Mahal Palace, now converted into a 5 Star Hotel. Return to train by 10 p.m. & train is stationary at Mysore Station for the Night.
Early morning train departs from Mysore to Hassan Railway station & at 9.am. proceed for excursion (1.5 hrs one way) to Shravanabelagola village. Climb 700 steep steps, carved in a stone hillock to view 10th century built statue of Jain Monk Gommateshvara Bahubali an architectural marvel towering 58 feet high. Later, climb down the steep steps to board your bus standing at base of the hillock & drive back to Hassan Railway station to board the train by 1p.m. for lunch & brief rest.
NOTE: Guests unwilling to climb the steep steps can stay back on board The Golden Chariot.
Afternoon, From Hassan Railway Station train departs at 2.45 pm. for excursion (1.5 hrs one way) to view ancient Hindu temples at Halebedu & Belur. The 12th Century built Belur Temple is dedicated to Hindu God-Lord Vishnu & filled with intricate sculptures of elephants, lions, horses & sensuous dancers. Return to Hassan Railway station by 7.15 p.m. for dinner & depart for Hospet.
From Hospet Railway station at 8.30 a.m. proceed for excursion (30 minutes one way) to UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi Palace ruins. Located amongst awesome granite boulder-strewn landscape, Hampi was the capital of mighty South Indian Vijayanagar Empire in 14th Century-with opulent palaces, marvellous temples, massive fortifications, private baths for royalty, markets, pavilions & stables for Royal Elephants. Return to Hospet Railway Station by 1 p.m. to board the train for lunch & rest. At 3.30 p.m. proceed for excursion (30 minutes one way) to 16th century built temple complex of Vithala, dedicated to Hindu God-Lord Vishnu. In courtyard of the main temple is a massive Stone Chariot ,after which Golden Chariot train has been named. One of the most notable features of Vittala temple are the musical pillars.Free time on banks of nearby located Tungabhadra River for sunset view. By 6 p.m. return to Hospet Railway station to board the train for dinner & further journey.
8.30 a.m. proceed from Badami Railway station for excursion to UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Badami caves & Pattadkal Temple Complex Carved out of sandstone hills, the 7th century built Badami Cave temples are dedicated to Hindu religious sects of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu & Budha and Jain Faiths. Highlight of the cave sculptures is Lord Shiva in Tandav dancing pose. The Pattadakal Temple complex, built between 7th to 9th Century. There are numerous Kannada language inscriptions on the temple walls. Return to Badami Railway Station by 1.30 pm & depart for Goa, Lunch & Dinner onboard. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the country side.
Train arrives in Goa-Vasco de Gama Railway Station Early Morning 1 a.m. At 10 a.m. proceed for sightseeing of UNESCO World Heritage site of Old Goa Churches. Founded in 15th century by Muslim Rulers of Bijapur Sultanate & capital of Portuguese Colonial rulers from early 16th to mid 19th century, town of Old Goa is famous for its churches affiliated to various congregations. Later visit Old Portuguese House & time free for shopping By 2 p.m. reach luxury beach resort for lunch & at leisure. Option to enjoy sea sports activities at own cost. Departure from Beach Resort at 5.30 p.m. & drive back to Vasco De Gama Railway Station (1 hr) to board the train & departure. Dinner and overnight onboard.
Train reach Yeshwanthpura Railway Station Bangalore by 11.30 a.m. Proceed to International airport for return fight connections.
Disclaimer: Above is a standard itinerary. Final tour may vary depending upon the exact air, rail, road schedule and passenger requirement.
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