The Golden Chariot Train is South India’s elegant answer to Rajasthan’s famed Palace on Wheels. As the region’s only luxury tourist train, it proudly carries the title of “Asia’s Leading Luxury Train”—an honor it earned at the World Travel Awards. Once aboard, you quickly understand why.
Travel happens by night, gliding effortlessly from one destination to the next, leaving your days completely free for exploration. From the moment your journey begins, the service is nothing short of exceptional. Each morning at exactly 6:30 am, your personal attendant—affectionately known as your Swami—arrives with steaming bed tea, setting the perfect tone for the day ahead.
By day two, the warm, attentive waiters at Madira, the onboard bar named after the mythical drink of the gods, know every guest by name. Expect to be spoiled with thoughtfully prepared dishes and seamless service. At meal times, the executive chef himself often strolls through the restaurant, chatting with guests, sharing stories, and revealing the challenges of preparing gourmet cuisine in such limited space—and with no cooking gas at all. As per railway rules, everything on the Golden Chariot is cooked using only electricity, making each meal even more impressive.
And the food? A revelation. You’ll savor soups infused with prawn and lemongrass, roasted bell pepper and tomato, or carrot and coriander. Continental options include chicken chasseur, grilled lamb chops, and delicately poached seer fish fillet. Prefer Indian cuisine? The lavish thalis range from Kashmiri to Mangalorean, offering a culinary journey as rich as the landscapes passing by your window.
From the comfort of your luxurious cabin to the sophisticated dining experience and heartfelt hospitality, every moment onboard the Golden Chariot is designed to pamper and delight. This is more than a train ride—it’s an unforgettable journey through the heart and soul of South India.
Departures and Routes
Your Golden Chariot adventure begins in style. Both itineraries depart early Sunday morning from Yeshwantpur Station in Bangalore, setting the tone for a luxurious week of exploration across South India’s most captivating destinations. Travelers can choose between two richly curated six-night journeys, each offering its own blend of culture, history, wildlife, and coastal beauty.
To explore the full itinerary, pricing, and departure dates, simply click on the route that inspires you the most.
✨ Jewels of South – Six Nights
(Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala)
A spectacular journey through royal cities, ancient empires, coastal temples, and serene backwaters.
Route:
Bangalore ➜ Mysore ➜ Hampi ➜ Mahabalipuram ➜ Thanjavur & Chettinad ➜ Kochi ➜ Kumarakom (Houseboat & Backwaters) ➜ Bangalore
This itinerary blends UNESCO World Heritage sites, Dravidian temple architecture, living traditions, and Kerala’s dreamy waterways—a true jewel box of South India.
✨ Pride of Karnataka – Six Nights
(Karnataka and Goa)
A thrilling voyage combining wildlife safaris, heritage craftsmanship, archaeological wonders, and the golden beaches of Goa.
Route:
Bangalore ➜ Bandipur National Park ➜ Mysore ➜ Halebidu ➜ Chikamgaluru ➜ Hampi ➜ Badami ➜ Goa (including Old Goa’s churches) ➜ Bangalore
This route celebrates the soul of Karnataka—its forests, palaces, temples, and ancient caves—before ending with the relaxed charm of Goa’s sands and cathedrals.
Golden Chariot Luxury Train Tour / Route: Jewels of South – Photoessay of Sights, Monuments and Wildlife
A luscious Karimeen Fry, beautifully garnished with onions and lemon slices, adds vibrant color and irresistible aroma to the platter at a Kumarakom restaurant in Kerala. © Ajay Thomas
A serene moment in Kumarakom: a River Kingfisher perches gracefully on a tree branch, soaking in the stillness of Kerala’s lush backwaters. © Manu M Nair
A poised Snake Bird balances on a branch, wings ready for flight above the tranquil backwaters of Kumarakom—a perfect snapshot of Kerala’s rich birdlife. © ananth-tp
Soft pink water lilies bloom in full glory across a peaceful pond in the Kumarakom backwaters, painting the landscape with delicate color. © Purple Art
The majestic Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica in Fort Kochi—one of Kerala’s nine basilicas—stands as one of India’s finest and most admired churches, drawing visitors year-round. © Vladimir Zhoga
Foreign tourists browse spices and seasonings in a traditional Fort Kochi shop, where fragrant products are displayed across tables and even on the floor—authentic Kerala at its best. © AjayTvm
The historic St. Francis Church, known for its elegant architecture and peaceful ambience, marks the original burial site of Vasco da Gama—an enduring tribute in Fort Kochi. © Sandipan Dutta Images
Fort Kochi’s Jew Town exudes old-world charm, its streets lined with antique shops selling carvings, collectibles, crafts, and aromatic Kerala spices. © AjayTvm
A fisherman skillfully works a massive Chinese fishing net in Kochi—an ingenious mechanism that allows a single person to operate a 20-meter-wide net with ease. © Daniel J. Rao
A bowl of spicy Chettinad mutton gravy, bursting with bold South Indian flavors, showcases the celebrated cuisine of the Nattukottai Chettiars of Tamil Nadu. © ELAMARAN ELAAA
A wholesome Chettinad banana leaf meal features rice, buttermilk, pickles, papads, and salads—each placed in a specific, traditional order as per Chettiar dining customs. © sky52200
The grand mansions of Chettinad, once called nattukottai or “regional forts,” feature sprawling rooms so long they can seat up to a thousand guests. © Melting Spot
A Hindu priest stands before the deity at Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, a magnificent shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva on the south bank of the Kaveri River. © CRS PHOTO
Brilliant ceiling paintings grace the Brihadisvara Temple, part of the UNESCO-listed “Great Living Chola Temples,” and shine as masterpieces of Chola-era art. © RealityImages
Street vendors in Mahabalipuram display fresh green coconuts, inviting travelers to enjoy a cool, refreshing drink under the warm South Indian sun. © CRS PHOTO
Hindu women pose beside the ancient monolithic Pancha Rathas, stunning examples of early Indian rock-cut architecture in Mahabalipuram. © Matias Planas
A sweeping view of Mahabalipuram’s iconic Shore Temple, a granite masterpiece from the 8th century that gazes directly over the Bay of Bengal. © Jayakumar
A skilled artisan intricately carves a stone sculpture with a hammer in his street-side workshop in Mahabalipuram—an art form treasured across India. © CRS PHOTO
The Vittala Temple in Hampi stands as the region’s most extravagant architectural marvel, dedicated to Lord Vitthal, an incarnation of Vishnu. © Waj
The Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple houses a massive monolithic statue of Lord Ganesha, carved from a single stone and seated in a half-lotus pose with four arms. © AnilD
A beautiful portrait of Dutch singer Reachel Singh, gazing thoughtfully at a Hampi temple, captures the spiritual allure of South India. © Jose HERNANDEZ Camera 51
A young woman stands atop a cliff in Hampi, raising her arms to the sunset as she meditates alone with nature—welcoming the fading light in serene solitude. © Napoleonka
The royal Mysore Palace, glowing with thousands of lights during the blue hour, creates one of the most enchanting nighttime scenes in South India. © Catalin Lazar
A perfectly crisp Mysore Masala Dosa, stuffed with spiced potato and served with sambar and coconut chutney, showcases Karnataka’s beloved breakfast tradition. © vm2002
The majestic Mysore Palace, built in Indo-Saracenic style after the original wooden structure burned down, remains one of India’s most iconic royal landmarks. © Sarath Maroli
The imposing Vidhana Soudha, often called the “Temple of the Nation,” towers against a purple Bangalore sky. At 46 meters tall, it is one of India’s largest and grandest legislative buildings, reflects the impressive Dravidian style of architecture. © Rajiv Mathew Cherian
The ancient Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple near Nandi Hills houses three shrines—Arunachaleshwara, Uma Maheshwara, and Bhoga Nandeeshwara—and showcases over a thousand years of architectural stamps of around five different dynasties that ruled here. © Hema Narayanan
Historic Bangalore Fort, originally built by Kempe Gowda I and expanded by Haider Ali, continues to attract visitors intrigued by its remnants and marble plaques recounting its layered past. © jishnu2602
A serene thatch-roofed kettuvallam houseboat glides through Kerala’s backwaters—crafted entirely without nails using eco-friendly, locally sourced materials. © Paul Cowan
The iconic Chinese fishing nets of Cochin—brilliant feats of ancient engineering—operate tirelessly along the coast as visitors stroll the boardwalk to enjoy fresh fish and seaside views. © Katarina S
A majestic view of Brihadeeswara Temple, a crown jewel of Chola architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, standing proudly in the heart of Thanjavur. © Natalia Davidovich
Tourists admire Arjuna’s Penance, the grand 7th-century bas-relief in Mahabalipuram that depicts scenes from the Mahabharata and stands as a UNESCO World Heritage marvel. © CRS PHOTO
A vibrant roadside stall overflows with ripe bananas, as the vendor waits patiently for customers—a familiar and colorful sight across India. © Ozphotoguy
A traveler records the ancient stone carvings of Hampi with his GoPro, capturing the timeless artistry etched into its temple walls.
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