Travel in luxury, royalty, and absolute comfort as you glide through the heart of South India’s rich heritage and culture. The Golden Chariot—named after the iconic Stone Chariot of the Vittala Temple in Hampi—takes you on a journey deep into India’s glorious past, all while surrounding you with the finest modern comforts. This award-winning, fully disabled-friendly luxury train is South India’s pride, designed for travelers who seek both elegance and adventure.
Its 11 beautifully themed coaches, named after legendary dynasties like Kadamba, Hoysala, and Rashtrakuta, immerse you in history from the moment you step aboard. Each coach blends traditional artistry with state-of-the-art amenities, creating a harmonious fusion of décor and design. Expect Mysore-inspired furniture, intricate carvings, sylvan paneling, and touches of majestic Hoysala architecture—every detail thoughtfully crafted to reflect South India’s royal legacy.
The Golden Chariot is luxury in motion, perfected down to the tiniest arrangement, ensuring passengers experience the best of Karnataka effortlessly. From soaring above the state’s rolling landscapes to dipping into valleys of ancient temples, palaces, wildlife, and divine legends, every mile is a story unfolding outside your window.
The train’s regal logo—a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the face of an elephant—embraces Karnataka’s essence. Cloaked in rich purple and gold, the colors symbolize royalty, elegance, charm, and the golden jubilee celebrations of the Karnataka state.
The Golden Chariot is not just a train—it’s an extraordinary journey through time, where culture meets comfort, mythology meets modernity, and every moment feels like traveling through a living museum of South India.
Departures and Routes
Your Golden Chariot adventure begins the moment you board at Yeshwantpur Station in Bangalore, where both luxury train journeys set off early on Sunday morning. From here, you can choose between two unforgettable six-night itineraries—each one a curated blend of culture, nature, architecture, and history across South India’s most spectacular destinations.
To explore detailed itineraries, pricing, and departure dates, simply click on the route that calls to you.
✨ Jewels of South – Six-Night Journey
Karnataka • Tamil Nadu • Kerala
A grand expedition through royal palaces, ancient temple towns, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and Kerala’s serene backwaters.
Route:
Bangalore ➜ Mysore ➜ Hampi ➜ Mahabalipuram ➜ Thanjavur & Chettinad ➜ Kochi ➜ Kumarakom (Houseboat & Backwaters) ➜ Bangalore
This itinerary is perfect for travelers who wish to experience the cultural and architectural jewels of South India along with a touch of coastal tranquility.
✨ Pride of Karnataka – Six-Night Journey
Karnataka • Goa
A vibrant trail through wildlife reserves, coffee country, archaeological wonders, and the sunny shores of Goa.
Route:
Bangalore ➜ Bandipur National Park ➜ Mysore ➜ Halebidu ➜ Chikamgaluru ➜ Hampi ➜ Badami ➜ Goa (including Old Goa’s churches) ➜ Bangalore
This journey is ideal for those who want wildlife safari excitement, ancient heritage, and a relaxed Goan finale—all wrapped in luxury.
Photo Essay Golden Chariot Train – Route: Pride of Karnataka

A serene holiday resort sits embraced by lush plantation farms in Chikmagalur, the hill station famed for its natural beauty and soothing green landscapes. © Gopal Krishnan

A tempting platter of Goan fish curry—one of Goa’s most beloved coastal delicacies—shines with rich color and fragrant spices. © Leo Daphne

Tourists wander through the vibrant greenery of Lalbagh Botanical Garden, one of Bangalore’s most iconic and peaceful urban escapes. © Sanga Park

The Indian flag waves proudly atop the Bangalore Assembly House, framed by striking architecture and a dramatic, cloud-filled tricolor sky. © Mohithgowda84

An enchanting evening at Orion Mall, where thousands of lights sparkle across one of Bangalore’s largest and most popular shopping destinations. © Amith Nag

A bright sunny day at Bangalore Palace, today recognized as Central College—its royal architecture still captivating visitors. © Elena Gurdina

The elegant Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, a masterpiece of Indo-Islamic design, stands as a reminder of the famed Mysorean ruler’s summer retreat in Bangalore. © Shailendra Sood

A riot of colors fills the Flower Market at KR Market in Bangalore, where vendors and visitors move through pathways overflowing with fresh blossoms. © Prayoon Sajeev

Rows of ripe bananas line the roadside in a bustling Mysore market—an everyday scene painted in sunshine and local flavor. © JeremyRichards

The majestic Mysore Palace, home of the Wadiyar dynasty, rises proudly in the center of Mysore—a historic symbol of Karnataka’s royal past. © LukaKikina

Inside Mysore’s Ambavilas Palace, antique interiors shine with regal splendor, showcasing architectural brilliance from Karnataka’s royal era. © Foofa Jearanaisil

Golden-crispy Masala Dosa, filled with spiced potato, curry leaves, and methi masala, is served alongside chutneys and sambar—a quintessential South Indian delight. © Ashish611

Soft, steamed Idli served fresh on a palm leaf—made from a batter of fermented rice and black lentils—form a classic Southern Indian breakfast. © Elena Odareeva

A platter of Oothappam, the crisp yet soft rice-lentil crepe topped with vegetables, arrives with coconut chutney and sambar—loved across Kerala and Tamil Nadu. © Santhosh Varghese

A boat rests quietly on Calangute Beach, Goa’s largest northern beach, as the sun sets—painting the scene in warm golden magic. © Vivvi Smak

Crowds of tourists and devotees gather at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site housing the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. © Lloyd Vas

A bicycle loaded with tender coconuts stands beneath a sprawling banyan tree along the Bandipur highway—a refreshing roadside sight on a warm afternoon. © LensNSmiles

A herd of graceful spotted deer—India’s most common forest deer—moves through the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, where they often gather in groups of 10 to 50. © R. Suresh Babu

A magnificent leopard rests on a tree branch in Bandipur National Park—a breathtaking moment captured during a safari. It is one of the five extant species in the genus Panthera, a member of the Felidae © RIJU RAY

The mighty Indian Gaur, also called Indian Bison, the world’s largest bovine, stands tall in Bandipur National Park—powerful, majestic, and awe-inspiring. © RealityImages

Dozens of elephants gather along the banks of the Kabini River in Nagarhole, set against a lush forest backdrop—a scene of true wilderness royalty. © RealityImages

Ancient temples rise beneath a dreamy, cloud-streaked sky in Aihole, home to early Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments of Karnataka’s past. © Romtea

A beautifully carved dancing Shiva sculpture adorns an ancient wall in Aihole, showcasing India’s timeless artistry. © Radiokafka

Travelers pose in front of the magnificent Pattadakal Temples, built by queens Lokamahadevi and Trilokamahadevi between 740–745 AD—once a prehistoric settlement marked by megalithic dolmens. © Duttagupta M K

A mesmerizing 6th-century rock-cut sculpture of Lord Vishnu reclining on serpent Shesha graces a temple in Badami—an iconic example of ancient Indian architecture. © Radiokafka

Visitors walk through the dramatically carved rocky pathways of the Badami caves, exploring Karnataka’s ancient wonders. © Sanjayda

Tourists photograph the famous Stone Chariot at the Vitthala Temple in Hampi—pulled by sculpted elephants and featured on India’s ₹500 note. © Photographer Incognito

A priest carefully cleans the massive Shiva linga at the historic Badavilinga Temple in Hampi, captured during a morning ritual. © Neelsky

Indian visitors in traditional dress admire the beautifully carved stone temples of Halebidu, capturing memories amid centuries-old architecture. © Wimala Namket

Women farmers sort and pack freshly harvested coffee beans in the farms of Chikmagalur, a region known for its rich coffee culture. © Mohamed Hashif

A lively street scene in Halebidu shows an orange public bus and motorcycles—one loaded high with sugarcane—bringing everyday India to life. © Claudine Van Massenhove

The glorious Chennakeshava Temple, the Shining Jewel of Belur, took 103 years to build beginning in 1116 AD. Its sculpted walls reveal the artistry and cultural sophistication of early Indian civilization. © Willbert Vimal Raj

The majestic teakwood Daria Daulat Bagh, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace in Srirangapatna, stands as a masterpiece of Mysore’s royal heritage. © Shailen Photography

A stunning 12-foot handmade clay idol of Lord Ganesha stands proudly near Bangalore—an impressive tribute to craftsmanship and devotion. © Amith Nag

The Virupaksha Temple in Hampi glows under the setting sun, offering a breathtaking end to the day in Karnataka’s ancient landscape. © Djuly
