Day 01 : MON : Bangalore Depart :
Self Report by 4.30 pm at Hotel Taj West End ,Bangalore for check in formalities of Golden Chariot Train Tour,followed by Hi-Tea & brief presentation. Proceed for culture program & arrive by 8.00 p.m. at Yashwantpura Railway station for traditional welcome & be escorted to your respective cabins.
Dinner on board.train & departs by 9.00 p.m. from Bangalore
Day 02 : TUE : Chennai & Mahapalipuram
Chennai & Mahabalipuram World Heritage Site Train arrives at Chennai Egmore railway station by 0530 a.m. early morning. After breakfast, board AC Buses by 930 a.m. for day excursion to Mahabalipuram town after drive along Marina Beach in Chennai The 9th century built Sea Shore temples & Stone Carvings at Mahabalipuram have withstood erosion over centuries & have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After leisurely lunch at beach resort in Mahabalipuram depart by AC Buses for Pondicherry Railway station where the Train is awaiting your arrival.
Day 02 : TUE Night : Pondicherry
Dinner on board & overnight train stabled at Pondicherry.
Day 03 : WED Morning : Auroville Commune
Morning excursion to nearby located Auroville commune , started in 1930's to bring harmony amongst all the religions orders & promotion of natural eco friendly produce
Day 03 : WED Afternoon: Pondicherry-Former French colony
After lunch & brief rest on the train, experience charms of the former French Colony of Pondicherry on foot; visiting Sri Aurobindho Ashram, White Quarters & beach side.Time free for shopping followed by dinner in local restaurant. Return to the train at Pondicherry station by 10 p.m. & depart.
Day 04 : THURS : Trichy Temple & Tanjore World Heritage Site
Early morning 6 a.m. your train reaches Trichy Railway Station. After breakfast board AC Buses by 9 a.m. for full day excursion to Temples in Trichy & Thanjavur First visit the ancient Ghat temples in Trichy to view traditional South Indian Hindu rituals & later drive 1.5 hrs to Tanjore town; to experience the grandeur of 11th century stone built Brihadeshwara Temple, with an apex 216 feet high. Nearby is a huge granite stone carved statue of the sacred bull (Nandi). This temple complex is also a World Heritage Site.After lunch in a Tanjore Hotel visit Artefacts & Paintings gallery, before boarding train from Tanjore railway station at 5 p.m. & depart.The Thanjavur School of art is famous for it' colourful three dimensional paintings having touches of gold.
Day 05 : FRI : Madurai Temple Town
Morning visit one of the holiest sacred spot for Hindus-The Meenakshi temple,which was first constructed more than 2500 years ago, but present work was completed in early 17th century. The temple complex is spread over 45 acres & is a massive structure measuring 254 by 237 meter. The temple is surrounded by 12 towers, the tallest of which, the famous Southern tower, rises to over 170 ft . There are four different gates to enter the temple complex & it's 1000 pillared decorative hall is an architectural wonder Evening enjoy Sound & Light show in The Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal,former Palace of Madurai Royalt
Day 06 : SAT Morning : Kanyakumari Sunrise Point
Early morning 515 a.m. board AC Coaches from Nagercoil railway station for drive to Kanyakumari, to snatch Sunrise photo moment ;at the southernmost tip of Indian Peninsula; overlooking the three oceans of Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean & the Arabian Sea.Return to Nagercoil Railway station by 730 a.m. to board the train & depart. Breakfast & Lunch onboard (time permitting visit early 17th century Padmanabha Palace Complex)
Day 06 : SAT Evening : Kovallam Beach
Train reaches Trivandrum Railway Station by 3 p.m. & Board AC Buses by 5 p.m. for 45 minutes drive to nearby located Kovallam Beach & time at leisure. Enjoy cultural program & dinner in 5 Star Beach Resort & return to Trivandrum Railway station by 10 p.m. to board the train Train stabled overnight at Trivandrum Railway station
Day 07 : SUN Morning : Kerala Backwaters
Train departs at 5 a.m. from Trivandrum Railway Station & reaches Alleppey Railway station by 830 a.m. Drive by AC Buses to Alleppey Jetty Point to board Houseboats for cruise through narrow waterways & canals also often referred to as "Venice of the East" Enjoy local Kerala cuisine lunch on the houseboat & later return to Boat Jetty point to board AC Buses for 1.5 hrs drive to Kochi City
Day 07 : SUN Afternoon : Cochin Fort Area
The ancient port town of Cochin in now a modern city with thriving commercial district of Ernakulum. Afternoon enjoy walk through 16th century Built Portuguese Fort town with churches, Jewish synagogue & Chinese fishing nets Board the train from Ernakulum Railway station by 630 p.m. & depart. Dinner on board
Day 08: Mon Morning: BANGALORE Return
The southern splendour train returns to Yashwantpura railway station, Bangalore by 930 a.m. Check-out after breakfast. Tour ends on arrival.
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