Tag: luxury train in south india

5 Fascinating Facts About The Golden Chariot Train

Unraveling the spirit of the South, The Golden Chariot is a unique luxury train that gives travelers a chance to experience the culture, heritage, art, history, architecture, hospitality, and lots more through a single voyage. Here are a few interesting facts about the train that you must get to know.

Conceptualization: A joint initiative between the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation Limited (KSTDC) and Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), The Golden Chariot Train came into being to promote tourism in South India. While there are many luxury tourist trains that run across North India, especially around Rajasthan, South India remained untouched. To give tourists an opportunity to witness the incredible gems of this magical land, The Golden Chariot Train chugged on its maiden voyage from Bangalore to Goa on 10th March 2008.

Journey: Being the first and only luxury train that covers parts of Southern India, its journey was planned with careful deliberation. There is so much to see and experience in India’s south region that handpicking a few destinations is not an easy task. This is why The Golden Chariot Train offers not one but three amazing journeys that include some of the best heritage sites and tourist destinations showcasing Southern splendour in all its glory. The itineraries are Pride of Karnataka with Goa (7 Days/ 6 Nights), Jewels of South (7 Days/ 6 Nights), and Glimpses of Karnataka (4 Days/ 3 Nights).

Itineraries: One of the most unique things about this 5-star train is undoubtedly the circuit it traverses across South India. In 2022, The Golden Chariot Train has made a comeback with 4 handcrafted journeys namely Majestic Karnataka (Bangalore-Mysuru-Hampi-Goa) (2N/3D), Sojourn of India (Goa-Hampi-Chikmagalur-Mysore-Bangalore) (3N/4D), Pride of Karnataka (Bengaluru – Nanjangud – Mysore – Halebidu – Chikamgaluru – Hospet – Goa – Bengaluru) (5N/6D) and Jewels of South (Bengaluru – Mysore – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram – Thanjavur – Chettinad/Karaikudi – Cochin – Chertala/Mararikulam – Bengaluru) (5N/6D).  Guests are free to choose one of these exciting tours and enjoy the most memorable vacation in South India!

Amenities: While the train’s interiors are beautifully decorated in line with regal splendor, the amenities are kept modern to provide maximum comfort. There is a mix of 30 twin bed cabins, 13 double bed cabins, and 1 cabin for the physically challenged on The Golden Chariot Train. All the cabins have state-of-the-art facilities including air conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, a range of toiletries, complimentary wifi, LCD TV, and hot and cold water supply, and each room is approximately 67.5 sq. ft. The luxury train in South India also features fine dining restaurants, a bar, a spa, and a fitness center so that guests can enjoy their train journey to the fullest.

Recognition: Because of its unusual route covering Karnataka and the kind of unmatched experience it offers, this South India train has gained immense popularity among the masses. It is not surprising that the Golden Chariot train has been bestowed with various awards and accolades. Within just 4 years of its inception, The Golden Chariot Train won one of the seven best luxury rail journeys awards by Vanity Fair Magazine. Not only this but it has also been awarded Asia’s Leading Luxury Train in 2013 at the World Travel Awards.

Want to explore the wonders of the South on this fascinating train? Visit the official website of www.goldenchariot.org and book this once-in-a-lifetime journey for the upcoming season. Also,  unlock exclusive promo offers!

5 Extraordinary Things You Must Know about The Golden Chariot, South India’s Unique Luxury Train

Since its introduction, The Golden Chariot has caused quite a stir, being South India’s only luxury train. Let’s take a look at some of the exclusive features that make this tourist train in South India such a delight.

  1. The Interiors: While the train features are modern to facilitate comfort, its interiors pervades a sense of royalty and historic grandeur. There are minute carvings on the wall panels and ceiling, the furniture and decor is stately and ornate, the carpets and draperies are plush and Oriental. After all, The Golden Chariot is not called the most luxurious train in South India for no reason.
  2. The Names: As you may have guessed, the train is named after the famous Stone Chariot at Hampi in Vitthala Temple. What is interesting to note is that even the train coaches have been named in honour of Karnataka’s ruling dynasties. The elegant train comprises 18 luxury coaches with 11 luxury ac salons and some of their popular names include Hoysala, Chalukya, Sangama, Vijayanagar, Bahamani, Yadukula, Rashtrakuta, Kadamba, Ganga and Satavahana. To add to this aura of history and heritage, the train features a unique logo inspired by a mythological animal that has the head of an elephant and the body of a lion.
  3. The Welcome: As the entire train is modelled after Indian heritage and traditions, the welcome ceremony’s inspiration can be traced back to the one that was accorded to the royalty of the time. To give you a sense of what awaits you on this royal train, you will be greeted by live Indian classical music, fresh flower garlands, beautifully prepared refreshments, tilaka on your forehead and of course, a red carpet. If you have wanted to feel like a maharaja ever in your life, this is going to be your moment!
  4. The Indian High Life: Your own private bedroom, world-class food, an ayurvedic spa and world of royal treatment, The Golden Chariot definitely gives you a taste of the Indian high life. Your biggest worries on this elegant & vintage-inspired train will be to choose what to eat or what drink to order next. The glitz and glam you will encounter during this charming train ride will be sorely missed once you return to your everyday routine.
  5. The Exclusivity: You will be surprised to know that The Golden Chariot is the only luxury train in South India, a position that automatically sets it a class apart. So, if you want to unravel the most coveted destinations of South India such as Bandipur, Mysore, Halebidu, Chikamgaluru, Hampi, Badami, Goa, Mahabalipuram, Thanjavur, Chettinad, Cochin and Kumarakom among others, then a Golden Chariot passage is the way to go! From heritage sites to natural parks, from majestic temples to breathtaking backwaters, a Golden Chariot journey offers the most wholesome South Indian experience. Soak in the unique tradition and culture of each state while travelling in the lap of luxury!

This luxury train in South India has been designed in such a way that you can enjoy the journey as much as the destinations. Despite being one of the most luxurious trains in India, The Golden Chariot is quite reasonably priced so that you can have your dream holiday without worrying about your purse. Want to know how much a golden ticket will cost you? Find it here. And if you’re ready to spend a week away from the cares of the world, then book your tour on South India’s best luxury train here www.goldenchariot.org