7 Nights Itinerary Covering: Bangalore – Kabini/Bandipur - Srirangapatnam - Mysore - Shravanabelagola - Belur - Halebid - Hampi - Badami - Pattadakal - Goa
Pride of the South, a tour package of 7 nights and 8 days, is one of the two journeys offered by Golden Chariot, a premium luxury train in India. During the tour, you explore several important destinations and spots of the southern region of the country. You visit places such as Bangalore, Mysore, Hassan, Hospet, Badami and Goa. The itinerary also includes wildlife safari at the Bandipur National Park. Below is the day-wise itinerary.
After you reach Bangalore, check- in at Taj West End. Enjoy high tea along with a briefing about Pride of the South journey aboard the Golden Chariot. Thereafter, take a short trip across the Chitakala Parishad –College of Fine Arts and a special cultural show.
Assemble the Yeshwantpur Railway Station at 2000 hours and enjoy a traditional welcome with a Tikka and Garland. Complete the registration formalities and settle –in your cabins. Later, the train departs for the first destination of the tour, Bandipur. Dinner and overnight on-board.
There is an alternate plan too as per your preference.
After arrival in Bangalore, complete check- in at the Our Native Village, an Eco resort. Relish sumptuous lunch. Later, get briefed about the Pride of the South tour aboard the Golden Chariot. Thereafter, you can explore the in- house organic farms of the resort followed by a cultural performance. Assemble at the Yeshwantpur Railway Station by 2000 hours, a traditional welcome and departure for the first destination, Mysore. Dinner and overnight on-board.
On day 2, after breakfast, leave for a wildlife safari at Kabini/Bandipur. Once you reach Bandipur National Park, have lunch at a jungle lodge. Former hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Mysore, this is one of the most popular wildlife reserves of the Southern region of the country. Later, embark on a jungle safari spotting around 200 avifauna species along with animal species such as Indian elephants, tigers,gaurs, sloth bears, four-horned antelopes, Indian rock pythons, dholes and muggers. Dinner and overnight in the lodge.
On day 3, leave for Mysore, home to some captivating palaces and gardens. After breakfast, embark on a city tour. Stop for lunch midway. During sightseeing, you cover the major attractions of the city including Mysore Palace, also known as the Amba Vilas Palace- the official residence of the Wodeyars – Mysore's erstwhile royal family. The evening is scheduled for a sumptuous dinner and cultural performance at Lalitha Mahal. Back on-board the train to continue the journey.
On day 4 of the tour, leave for Hassan. Have breakfast. On arrival in Hassan, leave for visiting the renowned Jain pilgrimage site of Shravanabelagola, also known as one of the Seven Wonders of India. The site also contains world's largest monolithic statue- a statue of Gommateshvara Bahubali that dates back to 978-993 AD.
Return to the Golden Chariot to savor lunch. Thereafter, you visit the temple sites of Halebid and Belur- erected during the 16th century, these temples are the finest example of Hoyasala architecture with beautiful intricate carvings. Back to the train in the evening and departure for Hospet, the next destination. Dinner and overnight in the train.
On day 5, enjoy a hearty breakfast aboard the train, leave for exploring the prime attractions of Hampi. The sightseeing of today includes the local crafts bazaar, the Virupaksha temple-also known as the Pampapathi temple, Queen's Bath-a rectangular building with a long verandah and the Elephant Quarters or Stables- 11 domed-shaped chambers for the royal elephants.
Back to the train for lunch and some leisure time. Later, continue with sightseeing including the remaining attractions such as Royal Enclosure –a fortified campus now in ruins and the Hazara Rama Temple- temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu with beautiful 15th century artworks on their walls. The last visit of the day is to the Vittala temple- a 16th century magnificent structure, dedicated to Lord Vittala.
Back to the train for dinner and overnight stay.
Have an early morning breakfast on day 6, arrive in Badami. Leave to visit Badami's popular attractions including Badami Caves Temples- carved during 6th to 8th centuries, these caves are the finest example of Badami Chalukya Architecture and Pattadakal –a World Heritage Site, containing several temples and other monuments.
Return to the train for lunch. Depart to Goa. While on-board, indulge yourself in various available facilities in the Golden Chariot.
Dinner and night stay aboard the train.
Have breakfast and leave for exploring Goa. The sightseeing of today includes the churches of Old Goa such as Basicila of Bom Jesus and Sola Souto Maior- an Old Portuguese house. Later, shop for souvenirs at the markets. Proceed to Majorda Beach Resort for a sumptuous lunch. If you want you can enjoy swimming or an Ayurvedic massage session at the resort. Back to the train for dinner and an overnight stay.
Have breakfast on-board the train. Arrive at Bangalore's Yeshwantpur Railway Station at around. 1100 hours. Complete the farewell formalities and de-board the train.
