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Orient Rail Journeys · Luxury train tour

Glimpses of Karnataka (Golden Chariot)

Four-day luxury train loop through Karnataka's palaces and ruins from Bengaluru

Illustration of Glimpses of Karnataka (Golden Chariot)

Glimpses of Karnataka is a four-day, three-night luxury train journey operated by Orient Rail Journeys aboard the Golden Chariot. The tour departs Bengaluru on Saturday morning, loops through the state's historic destinations, and returns to Bengaluru on Tuesday. All accommodation is onboard the train, and meals are provided throughout the journey. Day 1 includes an evening safari from Nanjangud. Day 2 features a visit to Mysore Palace and an optional excursion to Srirangapatnam. Day 3 focuses on the ancient ruins at Hampi. The Golden Chariot carries passengers through three nights of overnight rail travel, combining sightseeing by coach with the immersive experience of traveling on a luxury train. This itinerary suits repeat rail travellers and luxury seekers drawn to India's palaces and archaeological sites, as well as history enthusiasts with moderate mobility for palace and ruin walks.

What to know before you look closer

  • All three nights are spent aboard the train; there are no hotel stays in this itinerary
  • The route is a loop returning to Bengaluru; it is not a point-to-point journey
  • The optional visit to Srirangapatnam on Day 2 is not included in the base package

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Onboard the train (en route to Mysore)

    Bengaluru to Nanjangud

    Registration and check in from 08:30 hrs onwards. Morning departure from YPR (09:45 hrs). Lunch onboard as train arrives into Nanjangud (13:30 hrs). Evening Safari (16:30 hrs to 18:30 hrs). Return to train by 20:15 hrs and dinner onboard as train proceeds to Mysore.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Onboard the train

    Mysore

    Breakfast onboard. Proceed to visit Mysore Palace. Return to train for lunch after which optional visit to Srirangapatnam. Dinner onboard as train proceeds to Hospet (20:00 hrs), watering and fuelling.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Onboard the train

    Hospet

    Breakfast onboard. Visit Hampi ruins. Lunch onboard. Evening free. Dinner onboard. Train proceeds to Bengaluru.

  4. Day 4

    Bengaluru

    Breakfast onboard. Deboard at Bengaluru (YPR).

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Evening safari from Nanjangud, returning to the train for dinner as it proceeds to Mysore
  • Day 2Visit to Mysore Palace after breakfast, with an optional coach excursion to Srirangapatnam
  • Day 3Breakfast onboard followed by a morning visit to the Hampi ruins

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. All accommodation, meals, and train travel are included aboard the Golden Chariot. Coach transport to sightseeing activities is also included.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Orient Rail Journeys organizes the itinerary and coach excursions. A guide accompanies visits to Mysore Palace and Hampi.
Which train is used?
The Golden Chariot, a luxury train that operates the full loop: Bengaluru, Nanjangud, Mysore, Hospet, and back to Bengaluru.
What are the main sights included?
Mysore Palace, the ruins of Hampi, and an evening wildlife safari from Nanjangud. An optional visit to Srirangapatnam is available.
How many nights are spent onboard?
All three nights of the tour are spent aboard the Golden Chariot. You check in on Day 1 morning and depart on Day 4 morning.
When does the tour depart?
The itinerary departs Bengaluru on Saturday morning (09:45 hrs) and returns on Tuesday morning.

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