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Worldwide Rail Journeys · Luxury train journey

Golden Chariot - Jewels of South

Illustration of Golden Chariot - Jewels of South

Worldwide Rail Journeys operates this 6-day, 5-night luxury train journey aboard the Golden Chariot, starting and ending at Bengaluru's Yeshwantpur Railway Station after a round trip through Mysore, Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Thanjavur, Chettinad and Cochin to the Kumarakom backwaters. Each day follows a similar rhythm of breakfast onboard, a daytime excursion, and dinner as the train continues overnight toward the next stop, so guests wake in a new region without repacking. The route moves from Mysore Palace on day 1 to the UNESCO Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram on day 2, the Brihadisvara Temple and Chettinad mansions on day 3, Mattancherry Palace and Kerala dance in Fort Cochin on day 4, and a houseboat cruise on the Kumarakom backwaters on day 5. The trip suits travellers who want a guided tour of South India's temples, palaces and waterways without arranging their own transport between sites.

What to know before you look closer

  • The evidence for this trip lists no current departure dates or prices; confirm scheduling and cost with Worldwide Rail Journeys before booking.
  • The operator's highlights list also references Hampi ruins and a Goa Bollywood evening, destinations that do not appear in this trip's day-by-day itinerary; this description follows the itinerary rather than the highlights list.

Day by day

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

    Bengaluru to Mysore

    Arrive at Yeshwantpur Railway Station around 08:30, proceed to Mysore after welcome and registration. Lunch served onboard as the train arrives into Mysore. Visit Mysore Palace. Return to the train as it proceeds to Chengalpattu. Dinner onboard.

    Meals: Lunch, Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Onboard the train (en route to Thanjavur)

    Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram

    Breakfast onboard as the train arrives into Chengalpattu Railway Station. Optional excursion to Kanchipuram. Lunch onboard. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram, followed by dinner at a beachfront hotel. Return to the train as it proceeds to Thanjavur.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Onboard the train (en route to Cochin)

    Thanjavur-Chettinad/Karaikudi

    Breakfast onboard, then visit the UNESCO World Heritage Brihadeshwara Temple. Lunch onboard as the train proceeds to Chettinad. In the evening, visit the Athnagudi tile factory and Chettinad mansions. Dinner onboard as the train proceeds to Cochin.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Onboard the train (en route to Kumarakom)

    Cochin

    Breakfast onboard as the train arrives at Cochin Harbour Terminus. Visit Mattancherry Palace in Fort Cochin and watch Kerala dance performances. Return to the train for lunch. Optional excursion to the Chinese Fishing Nets and St. Francis Church. Dinner onboard as the train proceeds to Kumarakom.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Onboard the train (en route to Bengaluru)

    Chertala/Maraikulam

    Breakfast onboard, then a houseboat cruise along the backwaters with lunch at an exclusive venue. Return to the train by evening as it proceeds to Bengaluru. Dinner onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6

    Bengaluru

    Breakfast onboard. Deboard at Bengaluru (YPR).

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The tour visits the UNESCO World Heritage Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram, followed by dinner at a beachfront hotel.
  • Day 3Guests visit the UNESCO World Heritage Brihadeshwara Temple at Thanjavur, then the Athnagudi tile factory and Chettinad mansions in the evening.
  • Day 4At Fort Cochin, the tour visits Mattancherry Palace and watches Kerala dance performances.
  • Day 5Guests take a houseboat cruise along the Kumarakom backwaters, with lunch served at an exclusive venue.

Also sold by

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

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The entire trip takes place aboard the Golden Chariot, running from Bengaluru through Mysore, Mahabalipuram, Thanjavur, Chettinad and Cochin to the Kumarakom backwaters and back to Bengaluru.
Which train is used?
The Golden Chariot, a luxury train travelling the route Bengaluru, Mysore, Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Thanjavur, Chettinad/Karaikudi, Cochin, Chertala/Maraikulam and back to Bengaluru.
What are the highlights?
Mysore Palace, the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram, the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, Chettinad mansions, Kerala dance performances in Fort Cochin, and a backwater houseboat cruise at Kumarakom.
What meals are included?
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served onboard most days, with a dinner at a beachfront hotel in Mahabalipuram on day 2 and a lunch at an exclusive venue during the day 5 houseboat cruise.
What optional excursions are offered?
An optional excursion to Kanchipuram on day 2 and an optional excursion to the Chinese Fishing Nets and St. Francis Church on day 4.

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