The Golden Chariot (Pride of the South)

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Here’s a journey that crests the zenith of South Indian art and architecture. Reassuringly long, across a few centuries of history. Tempered in the warmth of sunny beaches and teeming wildlife destinations.

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All about the The Golden Chariot (Pride of the South).

Duration : 07 Nights – 08 Days
Destinations : Bangalore – Kabini – Srirangapatnam – Mysore – Shravanabelagola – Belur – Halebid – Hampi – Badami – Pattadakal – Goa

The Golden Chariot offers an attractive sojourn across Karnataka, aptly christened as the Pride of the South. Beginning on Monday from Bangalore and finishing back in Bangalore, the following Monday, the Pride of the South tour offers to its visitors an 8 day itinerary of pure fun. Capture the soul of Karnataka through this journey and carry back fond memories to remember for long.

Unspoiled beaches, scores of temples, sparkling waterfalls, and captivating wildlife, Karnataka is truly exhibits natural beauty at its best.

Explore the wildlife environs of Kabini, the palaces and gardens of Mysore, the pilgrimage sites of Hassan and the captivating Badami caves before you reach Goa – the party hub of India with endless entertainment options including the beaches, the discotheques and casinos.

Highlights Of Tour: 

  • Mysore Palace: An edifice straight out of the fairytale. This massive palace of Indo-Saracenic style has a captivating charm of its own.
  • Kabini Jungle Safari: Wander through abundant greenery inhabiting a galore of wild animals and adorable birds.
  • Gomateshwar Bahubali: Holding great reverence especially by the followers of Jainism, this 58-feet long sky-kissing statue of Gomateshwar Bahubali dates back to 978 AD.
  • Temple complexes of Belur and Halebidu: These temple complexes have some of the best finely-detailed carving, attracting tourists from every corner of the world with its old world charm.
  • Virupaksha temple and Vijay Vithala Temple: two of the many best tourist spots in the land of ruins and rocks, Hampi.
  • Badaami caves: Experience the perfection of the rock-cut art with a tinge of red.
  • Best beaches and churches of Goa.
The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.

  1. Day 1 Bangalore
    15:00 hrs Self report and Registration at Taj West End
    16:00 hrs Nature walk in the heritage gardens of the Taj
    17:00 hrs Hi-Tea
    17:30 hrs Presentation and Orientation on The Golden Chariot tour
    18:00 hrs Cultural Dance
    18:45 hrs Visit the ISKCON Temple (The International Society for Krishna Consciousness)
    20:15 hrs Traditional welcome at Yeshwanthpur railway station and board The Golden Chariot
    21:00 hrs Train depart to Mysore

    Bangalore: A World of Opportunity

    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

  2. Day 2 Mysore - Kabini
    08:00 hrs Breakfast on board
    10:00 hrs Visit the famous Amba Vilas Mysore Palace
    11:15 hrs Depart for Kabini in coach
    13:15 hrs Reach Kabini jungle lodges resort Lunch at the resort
    15:45 hrs Jungle Safari
    19:40 hrs Screening of Wildlife film
    20:00 hrs Dinner followed by camp fire and stay overnight at jungle lodges resort

    Kabini: A World of Wildlife

    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 exclusive 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.

  3. Day 3 Kabini - Mysore
    06:30 hrs Boat ride for bird safari on Kabini river
    10:00 hrs Breakfast at the jungle lodges resort
    09:30 hrs Depart for Mysore in coach
    11:30 hrs Back on board The Golden Chariot
    13:00 hrs Lunch on board
    15:30 hrs Srirangapatnam sightseeing – Dariya Daulat, Tipu mausoleum and drive through the fort
    18:00 hrs Shopping at CIE
    19:00 hrs Cultural dance and dinner at 5 star palace hotel
    22:00 hrs Back on board The Golden Chariot

    Mysore: A World of Royalty

    Mysore has been always 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 in music and dance, art and literature and its time-honoured crafts. A 141 kms from Bangalore, the city enchants you with its quaint charm, verdant gardens, tree-lined boulevards and its sacred temples.

    Mysore, once the state capital, today is a vibrant city teeming with tourists and visitors. It is known the world over for its exotic sandalwood and rich silks. Many culinary delights await those inclined to sample the regional cuisine.

    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.

    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.

  4. Day 4 Hassan
    05:00 hrs Depart from Mysore to Hassan
    07:30 hrs Breakfast on board
    09:00 hrs Depart for sightseeing to Shravanabelagola (Please note that you would have to climb close to 700 steps to experience the architectural marvel. Only those who can undertake this are advised to do so. Guests unwilling to climb can stay back on board The Golden Chariot)
    13:00 hrs Back on board The Golden Chariot followed by lunch
    14:45 hrs Depart for Belur and Halebid to visit the magnificent temple complexes
    19:15 hrs Back onboard The Golden Chariot
    20:00 hrs Dinner on board and depart to Hospet by 2040hrs

    Belur & Halebid : A World of Worship

    Belur in Hassan district 220 kms from Bangalore and 38 kms from Hassan) is famous for its magnificent Hoysala Temple Complex. The Chennakesava Temple here is the major attraction, built by Hoysala Vishnuvardhana, to commemorate his victory over the Cholas. The facade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures with no portion left blank. It is the only Hoysala Temple still in active worship.

    Halebid in Hassan district is 27 kms away from Hassan and was the capital of the Hoysalas. It has one of the finest 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, 52km from Hassan, is an important Jain pilgrim centre. It is home to Asia’s largest monolithic statue Lord Gomateswara here towers 58 ft., looming atop the picturesque Vindhyagiri Hill. Every 12 years, Jain pilgrims gather here to participate in a splendid head-anointing ceremony.

  5. Day 5 Hospet - Hampi
    06:00 am Arrival at Hospet
    07:00 hrs Breakfast on board
    08:30 hrs Depart for sightseeing to Hampi- World Heritage site: Hemakuta Hill, Virupaksha temple, Queens Bath, Elephant stables, Royal enclosure, Hazara Rama Temple
    13:00 hrs Back on board The Golden Chariot followed by lunch
    15:30 hrs Visit to the Vijaya Vittala temple complex and the marvel stone chariot
    17:00 hrs Sit out by the banks of the Tungabhadra River for sunset view
    18:00 hrs Depart to Hospet railway station
    20:00 hrs Dinner on board The Golden Chariot

    Hampi, the seat of the famed Vijayanagara empire was the capital of the largest empire in post-moghul India, covering several states. The Vijayanagara empire stretched over at least three states -Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh. The destruction of Vijayanagar by marauding Moghul invaders was sudden, shocking and absolute. Although in ruins today, this capital city 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. Protected by the tempestuous river Tungabhadra in the north and rocky granite ridges on the other three sides, the ruins silently narrate the story of grandeur splendor and fabulous wealth. The splendid remains of palaces and gateways of the broken city tells a tale of man’s infinite talent and power of creativity together with his capacity for senseless destruction. A visit to Hampi is a sojourn into the past. Most of the important structures and ruins are located in two areas, which are generally referred to as the Royal Centre and the Sacred Centre. A visit to Anegundi village by traversing the gushing Tunga Badra river on a coracle is an experience that provides the guests with a glimpse into the traditional country life in Karnataka

  6. Day 6 Badami
    04:00 hrs Depart from Hospet to Badami
    07:30 hrs Breakfast on board
    08:30 hrs Arrive at Badami
    08:40 hrs Depart for sightseeing: Pattadakal and Badami cave temples- World Heritage Sites
    13:20 hrs Return to The Golden Chariot
    13:30 hrs Lunch on board and depart for Goa. Free time to relax and enjoy the facilities on board – Spa, Gym, Movies, etc
    20:00 hrs Dinner on board The Golden Chariot. Reach Goa past midnight

    Badami: A World Heritage Site

    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.

    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.

  7. Day 7 Goa
    08:00 hrs Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot
    10:00 hrs Depart for sightseeing
    11:00 hrs Visit the famous churches of old Goa
    12:15 hrs Visit an old Portuguese house now an emporium for shopping & Refreshments
    14:00 hrs Lunch at the luxury resort in Goa followed by beach stroll and Hi-Tea
    17:30 hrs Depart from the resort
    18:30 hrs Return to The Golden Chariot and depart for Bangalore
    20:00 hrs Dinner on board The Golden Chariot

    Goa: A World of Golden Beaches

    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, travellers to Goa love the laid-back, peaceful, warm and friendly nature of the Goan people. After all, more than anywhere else on planet earth, this is a place where people really know how to relax.

  8. Day 8 Bangalore
    08:00 hrs Breakfast onboard The Golden Chariot
    11:00 am Reach Yeswanthpur railway station, farewell by the entire crew.