Five Nights Golden Chariot Train - Jewels Of South Journey

Previously Operating as 7 Nights / 8 Days Southern Splendour Journey ,this Circuit has been renamed & now OPERATING as 5 Night/6 Days Jewels of South Journey.

It links some of Best Destinations in South India filled with memorable moments guaranteed to stay with you for a lifetime. On this splendid voyage covering three states we take you through exotic locales Departing from Garden City of Bangalore it overs covers Palace Town of Mysore; ; Ancient Sea Shore Temples at Mahabalipuram; ; Medieval Chettinad Mansions; Medieval Port Town of Kochi ;and enjoy House Boat Cruise through World Famous Kerala Backwater ,before returning back to Bangalore
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DETAILED PROGRAM: 5 Nights JEWELS OF SOUTH JOURNEY
Destinations Covered: Mysore - Mahabalipuram - Chettinad - Cochin - Kerala Backwater Cruise.

Day 01: Saturday Morning: Bangalore Depart

Report at Bangalore-Yeswanthpur Railway Station by 0830 hrs for Traditional Welcome & Check-In formalities .Be Escorted to respective Cabins & Train soon Departs. Brunch Served Onboard.

Day 01: Saturday Afternoon: Mysore

Visit Late 19th Century rebuilt Amba Vilas Mysore Palace, of Wadiyar Dynasty ,which was constructed under Supervision of a British Architect View the Durbar Hall Wing & Private Art Gallery Of Former Royalty. RetReturn to Golden Chariot Train for Dinner & Train Departs..

Day 2: Sunday Morning : OPTIONAL Tour

After Breakfast OPTION TO Either Proceed For Visit to Kanchipuram Or Relax back in comforts of Golden Chariot Train. Kanchipuram is considered Silk Capital of India & renowned for its Sarees viz Indian Women’s Daily Dress

Day 2: Sunday Afternoon : Mahabalipuram Temples

After Onboard Lunch ,Proceed from Chengalpattu Railway Station for excursion to UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mahabalipuram Sea Shore Temples ,built with blocks of granite & dating back to 8th Century AD ,still surviving ravages of times . After Dinner at Beach Resort Hotel ,drive back to Railway Station & Train Soon Departs.

Day 3: Monday Morning : OPTIONAL TOUR

After Breakfast ,OPTION to Either Relax Back in comforts of Golden Chariot Train Or Proceed for Excursion to Thanjavur Temple Town. An UNESCO World Heritage Site, Thanjavur Temple is Dedicated to Hindu God Lord Shiva & Built more than 800 years ago. The Temple Complex is famous for quality of its granite sculpture, & Brass Nataraja Statue , viz Shiva as Lord of Dance.

Day 3: Monday Afternoon : Chettinad Mansion

Morning at Leisure. Post Lunch , After visiting Athnagudi Tile Making Factory ,proceed to visit Chettinad Mansions built by Rich Merchants in Mid 19th Century . The architecture and designs were mostly influenced from Merchants Travels to various countries, and the interiors were adorned with things from world over. One would be surprised to find pillars made from Burmese teak, mirrors from Belgium, Japanese ceramic tiles and Italian marble inside these houses. The interiors are also embellished with magnificent art works, carvings, paintings and a whole lot of grandeur that would help you envisage the life and culture of the Chettairs during their hey days. Evening Return to Train for Dinner & it soon departs

Day 4: Tuesday Morning: Cochin: Palace Visit

After breakfast, visit 17th Century Built Matancherry Palace, Built in the traditional Kerala style of architecture, with a courtyard in the middle., where stands a small temple. The Palace was occupied by the Dutch Colonial Rulers ,for short period of time & hence nature of its arches and the proportion of its chambers are indicative of European influence . The Palace also contains rare examples of traditional Kerala flooring, which looks like polished black marble but is actually a mixture of burned coconut shells, charcoal, lime, plant juices, and egg whites. Later Enjoy Traditional Kathakali Dance Performance ,Where , Artists deck out in elaborate costumes and colourful makeup to tell stories from Hindu epics . Return to Train for lunch.

Day 4: Tuesday Afternoon : Optional Tour

Option to Either relax back in Comforts the Luxury Train Or Proceed to Visit arly 16th Century Built St Francis Church.& Chinese Fishing Nets. The Giant Cantilevered Chinese Fishing Nets, are a legacy of traders from 15th Century AD court of Kublai Khan. These spiderlike, 10m-tall contraptions rest on teak or bamboo poles and require five or six people to operate their counterweights. The Saint Francis Church,originally built in 1503, is one of the oldest European churches in India and has great historical significance as a mute witness to the European colonial struggle in the Subcontinent. The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama died in Kochi in 1524 when he was on his third visit to India. His body was originally buried in this church, but after fourteen years his remains were moved to Lisbon. Return to Train for Dinner & Train Departs.

Day 5: Wednesday : Backwater Cruise

After Breakfast, proceed to enjoy Full Day Boat Cruise through Famous Kerala Backwaters Stop for lunch at an exclusive Venue. Late Afternoon return back to Train & it soon Departs .Dinner served on-board.

Day 6: Thursday Morning : Bangalore Return

After breakfast, Check-out from Golden Chariot Train ,on arrival in Bangalore Yaswantpura Railway Station.

IMPORTANT:
1. Train Tour Operator ( IRCTC) reserves the Right to amend Sightseeing Program at Short Notice ,to suit local logistics.

2. Golden Chariot Train Tour will operate subject to booking of Minimum Twenty Five Passengers.

3. Visit to Kanchipuram ( Day Two Morning) ; Thanjavur ( Day Three Morning) & Fort Town of Old Cochin ( Day Four Afternoon) are OPTIONAL Tours & available at Extra Cost