The Golden Chariot Bangalore to Bangalore tour

Bangalore - Kabini - Mysore - Hassan - Hospet - Gadag - Goa – Bangalore

7 Nights / 8 Days

The land once ridden by formidable armies is now traversed by the world's most unique railway - The Golden Chariot beckons you to discover worlds that are enriched with history and culture. Recline and relax as the magnificent scenery unfolds outside your window with luxury on the inside, thus far reserved for royalty. We present the Golden Chariot - a fine balance between a glorious yesterday and an omnipresent tomorrow in a magical land... that is Karnataka

The Golden Chariot Train Tour starts on every Monday of the week from Bangalore and ends in Bangalore on every Monday morning respectively

Day 1 - Bangalore (Monday)

12:30  Arrival at The Leela Palace, Bangalore
13:00  Pre boarding procedure at Leela Palace, Bangalore for The Golden Chariot
13:30 Lunch at Jamawar, The Leela Palace, Bangalore
15:00 Departure from The Leela Palace, Bangalore
15:50 - 16:30 Visit the Tipu’s Wooden Palace
16:30 - 17:30 Visit to Basavanagudi (Bull Temple) largest monolith Bull statue
17:30 - 18:45   Nature Walk at Lalbagh Botanical Garden
18:45 - 20:00  Drive to Yeshwanthpur Railway Station
20:00 - 20:30 Welcome on board The Golden Chariot
21:00   Departure to Mysore / Dinner on Board The Golden Chariot

 Bangalore: A World of Opportunity

The capital of Karnataka is known as the Garden City because of its salubrious climate and greenery. Perched 3,250 feet above sea level, temperatures seldom exceed 30oC (88oF). Founded by Kempegowda, a powerful chieftain, the city is unique with its rich cultural heritage that coexists with its modern day technological and industrial achievements Today Bangalore is popularly known as India's Silicon Valley

Day 2 - Kabini (Tuesday)

07:30 - 09:00 Breakfast onboard The Golden Chariot
09:30 - 11:30 Drive to Kabini / Bandipur through the forests
11:30 - 12:00  High Tea
12:00 - 13:30 Nature Walk / Boat Ride
13:30 - 15:00 Lunch and relax at the Kabini / Bandipur
15:00 - 16:00  Film show on Indian Wildlife
16:30 - 18:30 Jeep Safari ride to the Nagarhole / Bandipur National Park
Overnight stay at Kabini / Bandipur

Kabini: A World of Wildlife

Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Nagarhole (Kabini), the hunting retreat of the Mysore Maharajas, is definitely the perfect destination for wildlife lovers in South India. The excitement starts with a safari into the heart of the park, where you are sure to spot wild animals in their natural habitat. Some of the popular sightings are elephant, gaur, sambar, chital, wild boar and the more exclusive predators like tiger and leopard. A bird watcher's paradise, the park is home to over 300 species of birds, many of which are endemic to these jungles.

Day 3 - Mysore (Wednesday)

07:30 - 08:30   Breakfast at Kabini / Bandipur
08:30  Departure from Kabini / Bandipur for Srirangapatna
Tour 1- Srirangapatna
10:30 - 12:30 Visit to Daria Daulat – Tipu’s Palace
13:00 - 14:30   Lunch at Hotel Regaalis, Mysore
Tour 2 - Chamundi Hills
15:00 - 16:00  Drive to Chamundi hills
Tour 3 - Mysore Palace
16:00 - 17:30  Visit the Amba Vilas Palace, Mysore and elephant ride
18:00 - 19:15   Experience the cultural show at Rangayana
19:30  Drive back to The Golden Chariot & dinner onboard

Mysore: A World of Royalty

Mysore has been always associated with the royal families and their patronage, be it the Wodeyars or the Sultans. Mysore is a city known for its resplendent palaces and majestic buildings. A visit to the city conjures up visions of the glory, still evident of the illustrious Wodeyar Kings. This former state capital still retains its tradition in music and dance, art and literature and its time-honoured crafts A 141 kms from Bangalore, the city enchants you with its quaint charm, verdant gardens, tree-lined boulevards and its sacred temples Mysore, once the state capital, today is a vibrant city teeming with tourists and visitors. It is known the world over for its exotic sandalwood and rich silks. Many culinary delights await those inclined to sample the regional cuisine.

Mysore Palace: Built in Indo-Saracenic style with domes, turrets, arches and colonnades, the Palace is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world. The magnificent jewel -studded golden throne of the Wodeyars is displayed here during the Dasara festival.

Srirangapatna: The island fortress of the legendary warrior king Tipu Sultan is just 14 km from Mysore city. Inside the fortress is Tipu's mosque with its twin minarets, the Wellesley Bridge and the dungeons where British officers were once imprisoned

 Day 4 - Hassan (Thursday)

06:00 - 08:40 Breakfast onboard The Golden Chariot en-route to Hassan
Tour 1 - Belur and Halebid
09:00 - 09:30   Drive to Halebid
09:30 - 10:30 Halebid -Hoysala temple architecture tour
10:30 - 11:00 Drive to Belur
11:00 - 12:30 Belur - Hoysala temple architecture tour
13:00 - 15:00 Lunch onboard
Tour 2 – Shravanabelagola
15:30 - 16:20 Drive to Shravanabelagola - Jain pilligrimage centre
16:30 - 17:30 Climb Indragiri Hill to witness the world’s tallest monolith Lord Gommateshwara statue
17:30 - 18:00 High Tea
18:00 - 19:00 Drive back to The Golden Chariot

Belur & Halebid: A World of Worship

Belur in Hassan district 220 kms from Bangalore and 38 kms from Hassan) is famous for its magnificent Hoysala Temple Complex. The Chennakesava Temple here is the major attraction, built by Hoysala Vishnuvardhana, to commemorate his victory over the Cholas. The facade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures with no portion left blank. It is the only Hoysala Temple still in active worship

Halebid in Hassan district is 27 kms away from Hassan and was the capital of the Hoysala. It has one of the finest Hoysala temples. The Hoysaleswara Temple, perched on a star-shaped base amidst lawns, is a sculptural extravaganza. Its walls are richly carved with an endless variety of Hindu deities, sages, stylized animals, birds and friezes depicting the life of the Hoysala Kings

Shravanabelagola, 52km from Hassan, is an important Jain pilgrim centre. It is home to Asia's largest monolithic statue Lord Gomateswara here towers 58 ft., looming atop the picturesque Vindhyagiri Hill. Every 12 years, Jain pilgrims gather here to participate in a splendid head-anointing ceremony

Day 5 - Hampi (Friday)

07:30 - 08:30   Breakfast onboard The Golden Chariot
Tour 1 - Hampi Sacred Centre
08:30 - 11:30   Drive to Virupaksha temple complex - Hampi Sacred Centre
13:00 - 15:00 Lunch onboard The Golden Chariot
Tour 2 - Royal Centre and Vittala Temple Complex
15:00 - 19:00 Visit to Vittala Temple Complex and Royal centre, Shop and a Tour of the Craft Bazaar Tour of the Craft Bazaar and return to The Golden Chariot
21:00 Dinner onboard The Golden Chariot

Hampi: A World Heritage Site

If dreams were made out of stone, it would be Hampi. Hampi has been classified as a World Heritage Center and is one of the major tourist destinations in India. Hampi, the seat of the famed Vijayanagara empire was the capital of the largest empire in post-moghul India, covering several states. The Vijayanagara empire stretched over at least three states -Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh. The destruction of Vijayanagar by marauding Moghul invaders was sudden, shocking and absolute Although in ruins today, this capital city once boasted riches known far beyond the shores of India. The ruins of Hampi of the 14th Century lies scattered in about 26 sq. km area, amidst giant boulders and vegetation

Protected by the tempestuous river Tungabhadra in the north and rocky granite ridges on the other three sides, the ruins silently narrate the story of grandeur splendor and fabulous wealth The splendid remains of palaces and gateways of the broken city tells a tale of man's infinite talent and power of creativity together with his capacity for senseless destruction. A visit to Hampi is a sojourn into the past. Most of the important structures and ruins are located in two areas, which are generally referred to as the Royal Centre and the Sacred Centre.

A visit to Anegundi village by traversing the gushing Tunga Badra river on a coracle is an experience that provides the guests with a glimpse into the traditional country life in Karnataka.

Day 6 - Gadag (Aihole), Pattadakal, Badami (Saturday)

06:00 - 08:00 Journey to Gadag on The Golden Chariot & Breakfast en–route
08:30 - 10:30 Drive to Hotel Badami Court, Badami
Tour 1 - Aihole and Pattadakal
10:30 - 13:00 Visit Pattadakal - World Heritage Site
13:00 - 15:30 Relax over lunch and shop at the crafts bazaar in Hotel Badami Court
Tour 2 - Badami Caves 
16:00 - 18:00 Visit to the 3rd Century rock cut cave temple at Badami
18:00 - 20:00 Drive back to Gadag
20:00 Departure to Vasco, Goa
21:00 Dinner on board The Golden Chariot

Badami: A World Heritage Site

Badami is picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills. The exquisite sculptures and the rust red sandstone cliffs of Badami tell many a tale of yore. The first sculptural embellishment to dazzle the eye is the 18 armed Nataraja striking 81 dance poses Pattadakal, with its beautifully chiseled temples is a World Heritage Site located on the banks of the Malaprabha River. It bears testimony to the richness of the Chalukyan architecture. Pattadakal reached its pinnacle of glory under the Chalukyan Kings and was once used as a ceremonial center where kings were crowned

Aihole is acclaimed as the "Cradle of Hindu Temple Architecture". Aihole has over a hundred temples scattered around the village. The most impressive one is the Durga Temple with its semi- circular apse, elevated plinth and the gallery encircling the sanctum

The oldest temple here is the Lad Khan temple dating back to the 5th Century. The Hutchimalli Temple out in the village - has a sculpture of Vishnu sitting atop a large cobra. The Revalphadi Cave - dedicated to Shiva - is remarkable for its delicate details. There are hundreds of temples strewn in the villages nearby.

Day 7 - Goa (Sunday)

07:00 - 09:30 Breakfast onboard The Golden Chariot
09:30 - 10:30 Drive to Candolim Beach
10:30 - 11:30 Sun bathe on the pristine beaches
11:30 - 11:45 Drive to Taj Holiday Village
12:00 - 15:00 Lunch at Taj Holiday Village
15:00 - 16:00 Drive to Old Goa
16:00 - 16:30 Visit to Solar De Colasco an Old Portuguese House
16:30 - 19:00 Visit to Basilica of Bom Jesus church of Old Goa - World Heritage site
21:00 Journey back to Bangalore & Dinner onboard The Golden Chariot

Goa: A World of Golden Beaches

Also known as "Pearl of the Orient" and a "Tourist Paradise", the state of Goa is located on the western coast of India in the coastal belt known as Konkan. The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendors of its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favorite with travelers around the world. But then, Goa is much more than just beaches and sea. It has a soul which goes deep into unique history, rich culture and some of the prettiest natural scenery that India has to offer. Besides the natural beauty, the fabulous beaches and sunshine, travelers to Goa love the laid-back, peaceful, warm and friendly nature of the Goan people. After all, more than anywhere else on planet earth, this is a place where people really know how to relax.

Day 8 - Bangalore (Monday)

11:00 Arrival at Yeshwanthpur Railway Station