Day 1: Bangalore – Chennai

The city of Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka, is a splendid neo-metro that lets measures of modernity and age old culture mingle in equal parts. While here, enthrall your senses with a traditional art exhibition and folk dance performance at the Chithrakala Parishad. Or check-in at Our Native Village for a quick overview of village life in India. Furthermore, get acquainted with just what’s in store for you, aboard The Golden Chariot.

 

·         1500 hrs :             Self report and Registration at Taj West End

·         1600 hrs :             Nature walk in the heritage gardens of the Taj

·         1700 hrs :             Hi-Tea

·         1730 hrs:              Presentation and Orientation on The Golden Chariot tour

·         1800 hrs:              Cultural dance

·         1845 hrs:              Visit the ISKCON Temple (The International Society for Krishna Consciousness)

·         2015 hrs:              Traditional welcome at Yeshwanthpur railway station and board The Golden Chariot

 

Day 2: Bangalore – Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry

India’s fourth largest city and its original metro of the South, Chennai boasts both specimens of Chola bronzes and Raj architecture. Not too far from here is the seaside town of Mamallapuram, where the rhythms of chisels chipping granite resound its stone-carving tradition.

 

·         0730 hrs :             Arrive at Chennai central railway station

·         0800 hrs :             Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot

·         10.00 am :            Departure to Mamallapuram

·         11.30 am :            Arrive at Mamallapuram & Sight Seeing – Krishna’s Butter Ball, Arjuna’s Penance, Ganesha,                                                                Temple and Caves and Five Rathas Temple

·         1.30 pm :              Lunch at Radisson Blu Temple Bay Hotel

·         4.00 pm :              Post Hi-Tea, Sight Seeing & Sight Seeing – Shore Shiva Temple

·         5.00 pm :              Departure to Puducherry

·         6.30 pm :              Arrival at Puducherry, back on board The Golden Chariot Dinner on board The Golden Chariot

 

Day 3: Pondicherry – Tanjavur

The former capital of French India, then called Pondicherry, prides in its fair share of leafy boulevards and petanque pitches. Sunny beaches and bakeries that smell of cinnamon and garlic add to the authenticity of it all, as you stroll down tropical streets that are still called by French names.

 

·         0800 hrs :             Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot

·         10.00 am :           Departure to Auroville Ashram & Sight Seeing – Screening on Auroville Ashram, tour of Auroville Asharam,                                         Matra Mandir and shopping in the Ashram

·         1.30 pm :              Lunch at The Sarovar Promenade Hotel

·         3.00 pm :              Back on board The Golden Chariot

·         5.00 pm :              Visit the Aurobindo Ashram and Ganesha Temple

·         7.00 pm :              Back on board The Golden Chariot & Dinner on board.

 

Day 4: Pondicherry – Tanjavur / Trichy – Madurai

Tanjavur, a short coach trip away from the town of Kumbakonam,is the home of the world’s finest Chola bronze collection. As many as ninety temples have survived the ravages of time in this majestic town. Among them is the breathtaking Brihadishwara Temple, Tamil Nadu's most notable Chola monument.

 

·         0730 hrs :             Arrive at Tanjavur railway station

·         0800 hrs:              Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot

·         10.00 am :           Visit the famous Brihadeshwara Temple (UNESCO World Heritage site) & Shopping at the                                                                   emporium

·         2.00 pm :             Lunch at Ideal River View Resort

·         4.00 pm :            Departure to Trichy

·         6.00 pm :             Visit the famous Sri Rangam Temple in Trichy

·         7.30 pm :             Back on board The Golden Chariot in Trichy  Dinner on board.

 

Day 5: Madurai - Kanyakumari

One of the oldest cities in South India, Madurai was once famous for its silks, pearls and spices. It was this lucrative trade that let its Pandyan kings erect the mighty Meenakshi-Sundareshwar temple. While at Madurai, savour the history and culture of Tamil Nadu at the light and sound show and the folk arts performance.

 

·         0800  :                 Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot

·         10.00 am :           Visit the famous Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple

·         11.30 am :           Visit the 1000 pillar temple and the museum

·         1.00 pm :             Back on board The Golden Chariot & Lunch on board.

·         3.00 pm :             Visit the Gandhi Museum (Rani Mangammal Palace)

·         4.00 pm :             Return back to The Golden Chariotfor Rest and Relax on board The Golden Chariot

·         6.00 pm :             Visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace for sound and light show

·         7.30 pm :             Back on board The Golden Chariot & Dinner on board & depart to Kanyaklumari.

 

Day 6: Kanyakumari / Kovalam – Alappuzha

Watch the sun rise and set at Kanyakumari, the meeting place of the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. A short distance away from here is Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, famous for its narrow backstreets and red-tiled gabled houses. Just 14km south of Thiruvananthapuram lies the coastal village of Kovalam, with its quintessential coconut palms and delectable sea food.

 

·         5.00 am :             Departure to Kanyakumari for Sunrise view

·         7.30 am :             Back on board Te Golden Chariot & Breakfast on board

·         9.30 am :             Depart to Padmanabhapuram Wooden Palace

·         1.00 pm :             Return on board The Golden Chariot & Lunch on board

·         3.30 pm :             Reach Kocchuveli station

·         4.00 pm :            Depart to Vivanta by Taj, Kovalam & Enjoy Hi-Tea by the beach, Cultural show followed by dinner                                                        at the hotel

·         10.30 pm :          Back on board The Golden Chariot & depart to Alleppey (Alappuzha)

 

Day 7: Alappuzha – Kochi – Bangalore

Further north lies Alappuzha (formerly Aleppey), one of the best known ports along the Malabar coast. The interconnecting canals make way for the many house boats that ply these waters. And set the right atmosphere to relax and enjoy the fine cuisine served in these parts. The city of Kochi is yet another attraction with its exotic spice markets, Chinese fishing nets, Synagogue and the Portuguese Palace.

 

·         0800 hrs :          Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot

·         10.00 am :         Depart to Alleppey Jetty and board House BoatCruise on Punnamada Lake

·         1.00 pm :           Reach Punnamada Lake Resort for Lunch

·         2.30 pm :           Depart to fort Kochi

·         3.30 pm :         Arrival in fort Kochi & Enjoy Sight Seeing – Chinese fishing Nets, Shopping in Mattancherry & Jews                                                      Town

 

·         6.00 pm :           Depart to board The Golden Chariot at Ernakulum South railway Station

·         7.30 pm :           Departure to Bangalore

 

Day 7: Bangalore – Departure

The overnight return journey to Bangalore is the time for quiet contemplation. As the warm sea breeze gives way to the cool night, prepare yourself to celebrate the end of a journey well-travelled. In luxury. Aboard The Golden Chariot.

 

0800 hrs :                    Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot

10.00 am :                   Arrive at Yeshwanthpur Railway Station, Bangalore for farewell by the entire crew

 

DISCLAIMER: All itineraries are approximate and subject to change based on weather or other "on the ground" conditions.