How much does it cost?

From $5,000 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $5,000 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes. The entire journey happens aboard the Golden Chariot, from Bengaluru to Kumarakom and back, with all meals served onboard.

Is this an escorted tour?

The tour follows a fixed schedule of registration, meals, and organized excursions at each stop.

Which train and cabin classes are used?

The Golden Chariot, booked in Twin/Double Cabin or Single Cabin.

What are the main sights on this trip?

Mysore Palace, the Hampi ruins, the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram, the Brihadeshvara Temple in Thanjavur, Chettinadu mansions, Kerala dance performances, and a houseboat cruise on the Kerala backwaters.

The evidence lists eight departures, running February and March 2027, October through December 2027, and January through March 2028.

Tailormade Journey · Luxury train journey

Golden Chariot - Jewels of South

7-day luxury rail circuit through South India's temples and backwaters

Tailormade Journey operates the Golden Chariot's Jewels of South, a 7-day, 6-night luxury train journey across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. The train leaves Yeshwantpur Railway Station in Bengaluru and travels overnight between stops, visiting Mysore Palace on Day 1, the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram on Day 2, the Brihadeshvara Temple in Thanjavur and Chettinadu's mansions on Day 3, Mattancherry Palace and a Kerala dance performance in Cochin on Day 4, and a houseboat cruise on the Kerala backwaters on Day 5, before returning to Bengaluru. All meals are served onboard, and travelers keep the same cabin for the whole trip. The route also passes through Hampi, home to the Hampi ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site, though the day-by-day breakdown in the evidence does not detail that stop. This trip suits travelers who want a fully organized introduction to South India's temples, palaces, and backwaters.

What to know before you look closer

The evidence lists this tour as 7 days and 6 nights, but the day-by-day itinerary in the pack only details 6 days; Hampi is named as a highlight and route stop but does not appear in that day-by-day breakdown, so confirm the exact schedule and Hampi visit timing with the operator.
Traveling solo costs substantially more: a Single Cabin starts at USD 8,800, well above the USD 5,000 per-person Twin or Double Cabin rate.
The Kanchipuram excursion on Day 2 and the Chinese Fishing Nets/St. Francis Church visit on Day 4 are both listed as optional, so they may not be guaranteed or included in the base price.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: On board (en route to Chengalpattu)
Bengaluru to Mysore
Registration and check-in at Yeshwantpur Railway Station from 08:30 hrs. Departure at 09:45 hrs. Lunch onboard as train arrives into Mysore (14:15 hrs); visit Mysore Palace at 15:00 hrs. Return to train as it proceeds to Chengalpattu. Dinner onboard.
Day 2railovernight: On board (en route to Thanjavur)
Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram
Breakfast onboard as train arrives into Chengalpattu. Optional excursion to Kanchipuram. Lunch onboard, then visit Mahabalipuram Monuments including the Shore Temple. Dinner at a beachfront hotel, then return to train as it proceeds to Thanjavur.
Day 3railovernight: On board (en route to Cochin)
Thanjavur and Chettinad/Karaikudi
Breakfast onboard; deboard at 09:00 to visit the Brihadeshvara Temple. Lunch onboard as train proceeds to Chettinad; visit the Athnagudi tile factory and Chettinadu mansions. Dinner onboard as train proceeds to Cochin.
Day 4railovernight: On board (en route to Kumarakom)
Cochin
Breakfast onboard as train arrives at Cochin Harbour Terminus. Visit Mattancherry Palace in Fort Kochi followed by Kerala dance performances. Lunch onboard. Optional excursion to Chinese Fishing Nets and St. Francis Church. Dinner onboard as train proceeds to Kumarakom.
Day 5railovernight: On board (en route to Bengaluru)
Chertala/Maraikulam
Onboard breakfast, then a houseboat cruise on the backwaters with lunch at an exclusive venue. Return to the train by evening. Dinner onboard as it proceeds to Bengaluru.
Day 6rail
Bengaluru
Breakfast served onboard as the train arrives at Yeshwantpur Railway Station, Bangalore, ending the tour.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1The train departs Bengaluru's Yeshwantpur Railway Station and reaches Mysore in time for a visit to Mysore Palace.
Day 2After an optional excursion to Kanchipuram, the tour visits the Mahabalipuram Monuments, including the Shore Temple, with dinner at a beachfront hotel.
Day 3Travelers visit the Brihadeshvara Temple in Thanjavur, then the Athnagudi tile factory and Chettinadu mansions before the train continues to Cochin.
Day 4In Cochin, the day includes Mattancherry Palace in Fort Kochi and Kerala dance performances, with an optional excursion to the Chinese Fishing Nets and St. Francis Church.
Day 5A houseboat cruise on the Kerala backwaters includes lunch at an exclusive venue before returning to the train for the journey back to Bengaluru.

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed on more than one site. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Worldwide Rail Journeys

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From $5,000 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $5,000 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes. The entire journey happens aboard the Golden Chariot, from Bengaluru to Kumarakom and back, with all meals served onboard.
Is this an escorted tour?: The tour follows a fixed schedule of registration, meals, and organized excursions at each stop.
Which train and cabin classes are used?: The Golden Chariot, booked in Twin/Double Cabin or Single Cabin.
What are the main sights on this trip?: Mysore Palace, the Hampi ruins, the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram, the Brihadeshvara Temple in Thanjavur, Chettinadu mansions, Kerala dance performances, and a houseboat cruise on the Kerala backwaters.
When does it run?: The evidence lists eight departures, running February and March 2027, October through December 2027, and January through March 2028.