Monday : Bangalore - Mysore
Bangalore
The capital of Karnataka is known as the Garden City because of its salubrious climate and greenery. Perched 3,250 feet above sea level, temperatures seldom exceed 30oC (88oF). Founded by Kempegowda, a powerful chieftain, the city is unique with its rich cultural heritage that coexists with its modern day technological and industrial achievements.

Today Bangalore is popularly known as India's Silicon Valley.

Join the tour group at The Leela Palace, Bangalore for the pre-boarding formalities and after lunch, proceed for a day tour of Bangalore. Tour includes visit Tippu’s Palace, Bull Temple and the Lalbagh. Proceed to the Yeshwantpur Railway station, where the guests are accorded a warm welcome before the Golden Chariot leaves.

Dinner and overnight on train.

Tuesday : Mysore – Kabini or Bandipur - Mysore
Morning after breakfast alight at the Mysore railway station to board a coach for a full day excursion to Kabini or Bandipur for jungle expedition. Later return to the train

Kabini Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Nagarhole (Kabini), the hunting retreat of the Mysore Maharajas, is definitely the perfect destination for wildlife lovers in South India. The excitement starts with a safari into the heart of the park, where you are sure to spot wild animals in their natural habitat. Some of the popular sightings are elephant, gaur, sambar, chital, wild boar and the more elusive predators like tiger and leopard. A bird watcher's paradise, the park is home to over 300 species of birds, many of which are endemic to these jungles.

Overnight on board.

Wednesday : Mysore
Morning after breakfast return to Mysore via Srirangapatnam.

Srirangapatnam, the island fortress of the legendary warrior king Tipu Sultan is just 14 km from Mysore city. Inside the fortress is Tipu's mosque with its twin minarets, the Wellesley Bridge and the dungeons where British officers were once imprisoned.

At Srirangapatnam , we visit the Daria Daulat. After a lunch stop at Mysore,

Mysore
Mysore has always been associated with the royal families and their patronage, be it the Wodeyars or the Sultans. Mysore is a city known for its resplendent palaces and majestic buildings. A visit to the city conjures up visions of the glory, still evident of the illustrious Wodeyar Kings. This former state capital still retains its tradition of music and dance, art and literature and its time-honored crafts.

It is a vibrant city teeming with tourists and visitors. It is known the world over for its exotic sandalwood and rich silks.

Proceed for a sightseeing tour of Mysore, visiting the Chamundi Hills and Mysore Palace.

Mysore Palace: Built in Indo-Saracenic style with domes, turrets, arches and colonnades, the Palace is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world. The magnificent jewel -studded golden throne of the Wodeyars is displayed here during the Dasara festival.

Lastly, a cultural show before boarding the Golden Chariot.

Dinner and overnight on board.

Thursday : Hassan
Morning after breakfast alight at Hassan railway station and board a coach to visit the temples of Halebid and Belur and return to the train for lunch. After lunch proceed to visit Shravanbelgola, a Jain pilgrim centre.

Belur was once the capital of the Hoysala Empire, today made unforgettable for its exquisite temples. The Chennakeshava Temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture, which took 103 years to complete. The façade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures and friezes with no portion left blank. Elephants, episodes from the epics, sensuous dancers…they are all there – awe-inspiring in their intricate workmanship. Inside are hand-lathe-turned filigreed pillars

Halebid is one of the finest examples of the Hoysala temples. The Hoysaleswara Temple, perched on a star-shaped base amidst lawns, is a sculptural extravaganza. Its walls are richly carved with an endless variety of Hindu deities, sages, stylized animals, birds and friezes depicting the life of the Hoysala Kings.

Shravanabelagola is an important Jain pilgrim centre. It is home to Asia's largest monolithic statue of Lord Gomateswara towering 58 ft., looming atop the picturesque Vindhyagiri Hill. Every 12 years, Jain pilgrims gather here to participate in a splendid head-anointing ceremony.

Dinner and overnight on board.

Friday : Hampi
Morning after breakfast alight at Hospet railway station.

Hampi a World Heritage monument is the most beautiful and evocative of all the ruins in Karnataka. The erstwhile capital of the Vijayanagara kingdom. Although in ruins today, once boasted riches known far beyond the shores of India. The ruins of Hampi of the 14th Century lies scattered in about 26 sq. km area, amidst giant boulders and vegetation. Proceed for a full day visit to the famous Hampi ruins returning briefly to the train for lunch. Evening a visit to the Craft Bazaar. Return to the train.

The ruins silently narrate the story of grandeur splendor and fabulous wealth, like the King’s Balance, where kings were weighed against grain, gold or money which was then distributed to the poor, the Queen’s Bath with its arched corridors, projecting balconies and lotus-shaped fountains that once sprouted perfumed water, the two-storied Lotus Mahal with recessed archways, the huge Elephant Stables, the splendid Vithala Temple with its musical pillars and the Stone Chariot, the Virupaksha Temple, still used for worship, Ugra Narasimha, the 6.7 m tall monolith, the Pushkarini Tank, the Mahanavami Dibba and so much more.

Dinner and overnight on board.

Saturday : Gadag – Pattadakal - Badami
Morning after breakfast, alight at Gadag railway station and proceed to visit Aihole and Pattadakal, a world heritage site.

Aihole is acclaimed as the "Cradle of Hindu Temple Architecture". Aihole has over a hundred temples scattered around the village. The most impressive one is the Durga Temple with its semi- circular apse, elevated plinth and the gallery encircling the sanctum.

The oldest temple here is the Lad Khan Temple dating back to the 5th Century. The Hutchimalli Temple out in the village - has a sculpture of Vishnu sitting atop a large cobra. The Revalphadi Cave - dedicated to Shiva - is remarkable for its delicate details. There are hundreds of temples strewn across the nearby villages.

Pattadakal with its beautifully chiseled temples is a World Heritage Site located on the banks of the Malaprabha River. It bears testimony to the richness of the Chalukyan architecture. Pattadakal reached its pinnacle of glory under the Chalukyan Kings and was once used as a ceremonial center where kings were crowned.

Badami is picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills. The exquisite sculptures and the rust red sandstone cliffs of Badami tell many a tale of yore. The first sculptural embellishment to dazzle the eye is the 18 armed Nataraja striking 81 dance poses.

After a lunch break, visit the famous Badami Caves and drive back to Gadag railway station to board the train.

Dinner and overnight on board.

Sunday : Goa
Morning after breakfast, alight at Goa railway station and board coach for a sightseeing tour of Goa. A visit to the Solar De Colasco an Old Portuguese House, Basilica of Bom Jesus church of Old Goa – a world heritage site and return to the Golden Chariot.

Goa also known as "Pearl of the Orient" and a "Tourist Paradise", the state of Goa is located on the western coast of India in the coastal belt known as Konkan.

The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendors of its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favorite with travelers around the world.

But then, Goa is much more than just beaches and sea. It has a soul which goes deep into unique history, rich culture and some of the prettiest natural scenery that India has to offer.

Besides the natural beauty, the fabulous beaches and sunshine, travelers to Goa love the laid-back, peaceful, warm and friendly nature of the Goan people. More than anywhere else on planet earth, this is a place where people really can’t help but relax.

Dinner and overnight on board.

Monday : Bangalore
Mid morning arrive at Bangalore