Golden Chariot: Southern Splendor Itinerary
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Palace Tours - Luxury Tours Collection 20 Wall Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 USA Telephone: +1-800-724- 5120 Call Us 1-800-724-5120 Golden Chariot: Southern Splendor World-class train accommodations are ready to carry you on a Maharaja's journey through time on board the Golden Chariot luxury train. The Golden Chariot's luxuriously appointed sleeping cabins, dining rooms, and relaxation facilities provide royal comfort, security and elegance with a perfect combination of old-world ambience and 21st century convenience. Step onto the Golden Chariot in Bangalore to begin an incredible voyage of 8 days and 7 nights through the South Indian states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Each day is a magical ride to a new place, including Chennai, Pondicherry, Tanjore, Madurai, Trivandrum, Alleppey and Cochin. Discover the settlement of Auroville; Tamil Nadu's countless magnificent rock-cut temples; experience unforgettable cultural dance perfomances; unwind on the glittering beaches of Poovar; and enjoy a relaxing backwater cruise in Alleppey before returning back to Bangalore at your journey's end. Itinerary The Golden Chariot departs from Bangalore on Mondays. Day 1 - Board the Golden Chariot in Bangalore Monday: Arrive and check-in for your Southern Splendor tour at the Taj West End. After you check in, you will be led on a nature walk to appreciate the beauty of the area. Afterwards, high tea is served before your briefing for the Golden Chariot Tour. Enjoy a cultural show in the evening followed by a visit to the ISKCON Temple (The Internations Society for Krishna Consciousness) before the drive to Yeshwantpur Station. You are welcomed on board the Golden Chariot, where you can enjoy dinner and begin your journey through South India’s glorious past. Day 2 - Explore Chennai and the rock-cut temples of Mamallapuram Tuesday: After breakfast on board, disembark the train in Chennai and enjoy a drive to the Marina Beach Road. Marina Beach Road is a major tourist attraction in Chennai famed for its pristine beauty, jolly ambiance, and rich ecosystems. Later this morning, drive southwards to Mamallapuram, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to various historic monuments built largely between the 7th and the 9th century. Explore magnificent rock-cut temples and sculptures of the Five Rathas and Shore Shiva Temples. Enjoy lunch at the Chariot Beach Resort and later drive to Puducherry Railway station. On arrival, you have the opportunity to stroll through the pristine beach before returning to the Golden Chariot for your scrumptious dinner on board. Day 3 - Experience peace and human unity at Auroville Wednesday: Breakfast is served onboard as the train arrives early this morning in Pondicherry, a major South Indian educational center. Embark on a sightseeing tour of the city, including a visit to Auroville, which was designed to be a township where all people are able to live in peace and progressive harmony. After lunch at The Wildflower Resort, your next stop is the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. You may then choose to stroll along the beach at leisure or take a heritage walk through town. Rejoin the group this evening for dinner and re-board the train as you make your way to Tranvajur Day 4 - Discover the Brihadeshwara Temple Thursday: The train arrives in Tranvajur early this morning. Enjoy a delicious breakfast before embarking on your sightseeing tour to the Ghats. Then journey to Tanjore (Thanjavur) and visit Brihadeeswarar Temple, one of India’s most prized architectural achievements and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, you can participate in the Tanjavur Artifacts (Metal) and Paintings Workshop. Lunch is served at the Sangam Hotel followed by a drive to Trichy by coaches. In Trichy, you will visit the Sri Rangam Temple, India's largest temple complex dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Golden Chariot: Southern Splendor(© www.palacetours.com) 1/10 This evening, dinner is served on board the train as it makes its way to your next exciting destination. Day 5 - Marvels of Madurai Friday: Arrive this morning in Madurai, the capital city of ancient Southern civilization whose cultural heritage dates back 2,500 years. On today’s sightseeing tour, explore the labyrinthine Meenakshi Temple, a legend in its own rite. Lunch is served on board the train and followed by a visit to the Mahatma Gandhi Museum and the Poompuhar Handicrafts Emporium. Later, witness the marvelous light and sound show at The Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal. Tonight’s dinner is served on board as the train depards to Nagercoil. Day 6 - Explore the Padmanabha Palace Saturday: Arrive at Nagercoil station early in the morning and depart by coach to Kanyakumari to watch the sunrise and explore the beautiful city. Kanyakumari (formerly called Cape Comorin) is located at the southernmost tip of the Indian Peninsula. Return to the train in time for breakfast followed by a visit to the Padmanabha Palace, an epitome of Kerala architecture, dating back to the 17th century. Lunch on board the train as it travels to Kochuvellli. On arrival, drive to Kovalam Beach and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure strolling along its pristine beach and marvel at the abundant natural beauty of the region. Dinner is served after a cultural show at the Taj Vivanta, Kovalam. Board the Golden Chariot in the evening and prepare to travel to Allepey. Day 7 - Arabian Sea coastal retreat Sunday: Enjoy breakfast on board the Golden Chariot as you arrive Alleppey this morning. Embark on a relaxing cruise though Alleppey’s picturesque canals and backwaters. After lunch at the Punnamada Resort, drive to Cochin (Kochi), the site of the first European colonial settlement in India when it was occupied by the Portuguese in 1503. Your sightseeing tour of Cochin includes visits to St. Francis Church, the Chinese Fishing Nets, the market and Jew Town. Return to the train later in the evening for dinner as it makes its final departure for Bangalore. Day 8 - Farewell, Golden Chariot Monday: Disembark the Golden Chariot train before lunchtime at Bangalore's Yeshwantpur Train Station and let the memories of the past week linger on your mind for a long time. Destination Information Alleppey Alleppey is one of the most important tourist centers in the state of Kerala with a large number of canals providing Alleppey its lifeline; this coir-manufacturing city was once known as "Venice of India". Alleppey the ideal headquarters for backwater tourism as well as for visits to the lovely church-filled town of Kottayam and the town of Aranmula, famous for its historic Aranmula Snake Boat Race which is an annual event. On the second Saturday in August the annual Nehry Cuo Snake Boat Race takes place, which starts with a water procession and concludes dramatically. Bangalore Bangalore is the capital of the state of Karnataka. Known as the Garden City for its lush landscape, lakes and temperate climate, it aptly represents India's marriage of past and present, standing at the very helm of the future. Founded by a feudal lord in the middle ages, this pastoral city serves as a natural stage for the marvelous confluence of the best of the world's architectural, cultural and technological achievements. The Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, considered to be one of the most richly diverse oases in south Asia, and Bangalore Palace, modeled on Windsor Castle, complete with fortified towers and turreted parapets, are two such examples. Likewise, the State Archaeological Museum and the Vishweshwariah Industrial and Technological Museum are home, respectively, to premier examples of Indian miniature paintings and other artifacts, and the latest technologic and scientific innovations. Numerous temples and shrines repose in the the landscape, sharing the limelight with dozens of cinemas and theaters, also very popular national pleasures. For recreation, Bangalore has many delightful shopping arenas, featuring exquisite silks, art and craftwork, sandalwood oil and carved treasures; the wonderful Bannerghatta National Park, with many wildlife attractions, including crocodiles, a serpentarium and a lion's safari; and the Bangalore Race Course, one of the finest in India, and with the biggest field stakes in the land. For the epicure, there are superb dining opportunities, featuring sumptuous regional cuisines in lovely settings by day or night; and Bangalore's calendar boasts nearly two dozen annual festivals; many religious and cultural traditions are celebrated seasonally and with great exuberance. Against this lovely historic and cultural mosaic, and propelled to the forefront of the high-tech industry by its liberal approach to global achievement and Golden Chariot: Southern Splendor(© www.palacetours.com) 2/10 innovation, Bangalore is known worldwide as a cosmopolitan city, appealing alike to young professionals seeking opportunities, and sophisticated travelers seeking knowledge of India's soul. Chennai Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is the capital of Tamil Nadu state and is the fourth largest metropolitan city in India. The blue water of the Bay of Bengal mingles with the warm sands at the beaches here. Chennai is a journey into timeless India, a kaleidoscope of moods. Rich in the treasures of history, from temples and shrines to forts and palaces, the landscape of the past lives beautifully with the present in Chennai. Cochin (Kochi) Cochin is one of the most interesting places in India. The city is spread out over mainland, peninsula and islands. The ancient temples and the churches in this district are of special interest to tourists. You can also visit the Chinese fishing nets still present off the shores of the city. Cochin International Airport is one of the country's youngest airports with modern facilities and conveniences for the international traveler. Kanyakumari Kanyakumari or Cpae Comorin is a town in Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu state, India.