About This Journey
Overview
The Golden Chariot — operated by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) with IRCTC — was launched in 2008, its name drawn from the stone chariot at Hampi's Vittala Temple and its logo from the mythical Gajalakshmi elephant-lion. The train's 18 coaches, 11 of them guest accommodation, carry 44 cabins across three classes — Deluxe Cabin, Suite and the Presidential Suite — with en-suite bathrooms, personal climate control and butler service. Two fine-dining restaurants, Ruchi and Nalapaka, serve regional Karnataka and continental cuisine, complemented by the Madira lounge bar, an onboard spa, gymnasium and a conference car. Three signature journeys depart Yeshwanthpur Junction, Bengaluru: the short Glimpses of Karnataka (3N/4D), the south-bound Jewels of South (5N/6D) linking Mysore, Mahabalipuram, Thanjavur and Kerala, and the Pride of Karnataka (5N/6D) loop of Hampi, Badami, Pattadakal, Belur, Halebidu and the wildlife of Kabini and Bandipur. The season runs October to March.
Duration
03 Nights / 04 Days · 05 Nights / 06 Days
Tour Type
Luxury Rail · Heritage · Wildlife · Cultural
Region
Karnataka · Tamil Nadu · Kerala — Bengaluru · Mysore · Hampi · Goa
UNESCO Sites
Hampi · Pattadakal · Mahabalipuram · Thanjavur · Western Ghats
Onboard
18 Coaches · 44 Cabins · 2 Restaurants · Spa · Gym · Conference
Season
October – March · Pre-booked cabins
Top Experiences
Highlights
Mysore Palace
The illuminated Amba Vilas Palace of Mysore — indo-saracenic grandeur, royal halls and the treasures of the Wodeyar dynasty
Hampi — Ruins of Vijayanagara
The boulder-strewn capital of the Vijayanagara empire — the stone chariot, Virupaksha temple and royal enclosures, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Badami, Pattadakal & Aihole
The rock-cut cave temples of Badami and the UNESCO stone-carved temples of Pattadakal and Aihole — cradle of Chalukyan architecture
Belur, Halebidu & Shravanabelagola
The star-turned-sculptures of the Chennakesava temple, the Hoysaleswara's soapstone carvings and the 17-metre Gommateshwara monolith
Kabini & Bandipur Wildlife
Jeep and boat safaris along the Kabini river and Bandipur's forests — elephants, tigers, leopards and over 250 species of birds
Jewels of the South
Mahabalipuram's shore temples, Thanjavur's Brihadeeswara and the backwaters of Kerala on the Jewels of South journey
Visual Journey
The Golden Chariot at a Glance
What's Covered
Includes / Excludes
✓ Included
- Accommodation in your chosen cabin class — Deluxe, Suite or Presidential Suite
- All meals — breakfast, lunch & dinner served in Ruchi and Nalapaka restaurants
- Afternoon high tea, evening canapés & onboard entertainment
- Complimentary mineral water, tea & coffee throughout the journey
- Sightseeing excursions with expert English-speaking guides
- Entrance fees, wildlife safaris at Kabini/Bandipur & cultural performances
- Porterage at stations, welcome receptions & butler service in your cabin
- Pre/post hotel stays & airport transfers arranged on request
✕ Not Included
- Airfare / rail transfers to the boarding station at Bengaluru
- Alcoholic beverages (except in Suite & Presidential Suite)
- Optional spa treatments
- Laundry, telephone & other personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities & tips
- Anything not listed under inclusions
Day by Day
The Three Journeys
Tour01
Glimpses of Karnataka
03 Nights / 04 Days · Bengaluru to Bengaluru
Bengaluru · Nanjangud · Mysore · Hampi · Bengaluru
- Day 1 — Bengaluru: Board at Yeshwanthpur Junction; welcome ceremony and dinner on board.
- Day 2 — Nanjangud & Mysore: Visit Nanjangud and the resplendent Mysore Palace, Srirangapatna's island fort and the crafts of Mysore.
- Day 3 — Hampi (Hospet): Full day exploring the UNESCO ruins of Hampi — Virupaksha temple, the stone chariot and the royal enclosure.
- Day 4 — Return to Bengaluru: Breakfast on board as the train returns; journey concludes.
Tour02
Jewels of South
05 Nights / 06 Days · Bengaluru to Bengaluru
Bengaluru · Mysore · Kanchipuram · Mahabalipuram · Thanjavur · Chettinad · Kochi · Bengaluru
- Day 1 — Bengaluru: Board at Yeshwanthpur Junction; dinner on board.
- Day 2 — Mysore: Mysore Palace, Srirangapatna and the craft bazaars of the royal city.
- Day 3 — Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram: The silk-weaving temples of Kanchipuram, then the shore temples and carved rocks of Mahabalipuram (UNESCO).
- Day 4 — Thanjavur & Chettinad: The Brihadeeswara Temple (UNESCO) and the palatial mansions of the Chettinad merchants at Karaikudi.
- Day 5 — Cochin & Kerala Backwaters: Fort Kochi's Chinese nets and heritage lanes, and a cruise on the backwaters of Cherthala/Mararikulam.
- Day 6 — Return to Bengaluru: Breakfast on board; journey concludes.
Tour03
Pride of Karnataka
05 Nights / 06 Days · Bengaluru to Bengaluru
Bengaluru · Nanjangud · Bandipur · Mysore · Halebidu · Chikkamagaluru · Hampi · Pattadakal · Aihole · Goa · Bengaluru
- Day 1 — Bengaluru: Board at Yeshwanthpur Junction; dinner on board.
- Day 2 — Nanjangud, Bandipur & Mysore: Morning wildlife drive at Bandipur, Nanjangud's temple, then Mysore Palace and Srirangapatna.
- Day 3 — Halebidu & Chikkamagaluru: The Hoysaleswara Temple's soapstone carvings at Halebidu, then the coffee estates of Chikkamagaluru.
- Day 4 — Hampi: Full day amid the UNESCO ruins of the Vijayanagara capital — temples, royal baths and the stone chariot.
- Day 5 — Pattadakal & Aihole: The UNESCO temple complex of Pattadakal and the cradle of Chalukyan architecture at Aihole; onward to Goa.
- Day 6 — Goa / Return: Sightseeing at Goa before returning to Bengaluru; journey concludes.
Onboard Stays
Choose Your Cabin Class
Deluxe Cabin
Classic royal comfort
Twin or double berth, en-suite bathroom, personal climate control
Twin or double berth, en-suite bathroom, personal climate control
Suite
Separate living & sleeping
Deeper cabins with a sofa area, larger picture windows and butler attention
Deeper cabins with a sofa area, larger picture windows and butler attention
Presidential Suite
The pinnacle of Indian rail
The largest suites with a luxurious bath and personal butler
The largest suites with a luxurious bath and personal butler
We will arrange and confirm your cabin class and berths as per the trip and budget — cabins are not fixed and can be customised to your preference. Contact us for details
Good to Know
FAQs
Which journeys does the Golden Chariot run?
- The train runs three signature journeys: Glimpses of Karnataka (3N/4D), Jewels of South (5N/6D, linking Mysore, Tamil Nadu and Kerala) and Pride of Karnataka (5N/6D, the royal circuit of Hampi, Badami, Pattadakal, Belur, Halebidu and Goa).
What cabin classes are available?
- The train carries 44 cabins across three classes — Deluxe Cabin, Suite and the exclusive Presidential Suite — each with an en-suite bathroom and personal climate control.
When does the train operate?
- The season runs October to March each year with pre-scheduled departures and limited cabins per run — early booking is recommended, especially for Suites and the Presidential Suite.
Are meals and beverages included?
- Yes — all meals are served in the two onboard restaurants, Ruchi and Nalapaka, with afternoon high tea and evening canapés. Selected beverages are included in the Suite and Presidential Suite categories.
How do I book my journey?
- Message us on WhatsApp with your preferred journey, travel dates and cabin class — we will handle the reservation, pre/post hotel stays, transfers and any special requests, and confirm availability for your dates.
Where the Rails Run
The Royal South Circuit