Southern Splendour
Trip Code: BV16SS1
Price: from AU$9,650 per person twin share
Prices valid until 30 September 2024, excluding the Christmas / New Year period.
Please contact us for a detailed itinerary and current prices and departure dates.
Inclusions:
- Cabin with en suite bathroom
- All meals, including tea/coffee and mineral water while on tour
- Transport for sightseeing by Deluxe Coaches
- Valet Service
- Guided off train excursions and game drives as illustrated in the itinerary – inclusive of entrance fees, park fees, transport and services of an English speaking local guide
Not included:
- Flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Taxes, Insurance , Gratuities
- Laundry, Alcoholic Beverages, Soft beverages during non-meal hours
- Video and professional Still Camera fees
- Arrival and Departure transfers
- International and Domestic air tickets
- Pre and Post tour accommodation and any tour extensions unless specifically mentioned as a part of the journey
- Any expenses of a personal nature eg tips in restaurants or hotels, laundry, drinks, telephone calls, etc
- Any other expense not mentioned as included
- Meals other than specified
Introduction
On this splendid voyage covering three states, journey through exotic locales starting from the garden city of Bangalore, passing through ancient temple towns of Tamil Nadu and finally ending in the coastal city of Cochin. It’s an experience that captures the romance of a by-gone era making your sojourn an unforgettable one. Operated by Golden Chariot
A journey spanning 8 days and 7 nights that links some of South India’s greatest destinations.
After your formal welcome aboard the Golden Chariot, head to to the ISKCON Hindu Temple – an icon of Bangalore. Heading east arrive at Chennai and take a drive to see the World Heritage Hindu Temples at Mahabalipuram Beach. Later visit the Tomb of St. Thomas at Santhome Cathedral.
Stroll the streets of the Auroville Ashram and at Pondicherry discover the French Quarter and visit the 17th century built Ganesh Temple. Continue your journey to the the awe-inspiring Meenakshi temple at Madurai and be entertained at the sound & light show in the evening telling the stories of Tamil literature. Arrive at Kovalam Beach to enjoy a cultural program and take in the stunning and tranquil vistas on a Kerala backwaters cruise. Conclude uour tour with a stop at Fort Cochi with its colourful spice market, colonial buildings and famous fishing nets. .
Day 1 Bangalore
A formal welcome greets you before heading to Bangalore’s ISKCON Hindu Temple. Afterwards, board the Golden Chariot. You’ll be escorted to your cabin to unpack and settle in. If there’s anything you need – a personal attendant is available around the clock. The train departs late evening.
Day 2 Chennai
Arriving in Chennai, see its main sights including Santhome Cathedral. Afterwards, drive to Mahabalipuram beach and visit the World Heritage Hindu temples. Continue by vehicle to Pondicherry, a former French colony, and reboard the train.
Day 3 Pondicherry
After breakfast, disembark for Auroville Ashram – an experimental township conceived in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa to realise human unity. Learn more about the community that still thrives here and take some time to stroll through the pleasant shops. Later, continue to Pondicherry. Visit Aurobindo Ashram, the 17th century built Ganesh Hindu temple and stroll the city’s quaint French Quarter and famous Promenade.
Day 4 Tanjore
The train heads to Tanjore today, a city which gained prominence during the period of Chola Kings. Visit the Brihadeeshwara Temple – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the 66m high main temple dedicated to Hindu god Lord Shiva. You will also visit the former Royal Palace and the Sri Rangam Temple, one of the most illustrious Vaishnava temples in South India.
Day 5 Madurai
Visit Meenakshi temple – one of the most impressive temples in all of South India. The present temple was reconstructed in the 17th century and houses 14 gateway towers, the tallest of which is 170 feet high. There are an estimated 33,000 sculptures in the complex with two golden structured shrines over the main deities in the inner sanctum. In the afternoon, experience one of the great epic stories of Tamil literature told through a sound and light show.
Day 6 Kanyakumari
The train arrives early giving you time to view sunrise at Kanyakumari – the southernmost tip of Peninsular India. Kanyakumari is at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. Later, continue to Kovalam Beach where the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Enjoy a cultural program before returning to the train.
Day 7 Alleppey
Board a traditional houseboat this morning for a cruise through the backwaters of Kerala and enjoy lunch on-board. Later drive to Fort Kochi, where there’s time to stroll through its narrow streets of colonial buildings, antique shops and its colourful spice market, and see its famous Chinese Fishing nets. Reboard the train at Ernakulam Railway station and depart.
Day 8 Bangalore
Your journey ends on arrival in Bangalore.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8