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Orient Rail Journeys · Luxury train tour

Jewels of South (Golden Chariot)

Six-day luxury train journey through South India's temples and palaces

Illustration of Jewels of South (Golden Chariot)

The Jewels of South is a six-day, five-night luxury train tour operated by Orient Rail Journeys aboard the Golden Chariot, a named train that departs from Bengaluru every Saturday and returns the following Thursday. The journey covers the cultural heartland of southern India, traveling through Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala to showcase temples, palaces, and coastal heritage. Every night is spent aboard the train, and each day includes guided sightseeing at major destinations: Mysore Palace on Day 1, the Shore Temple and other monuments at Mahabalipuram on Day 2, the Brihadeshvara Temple in Thanjavur on Day 3, Fort Cochin's Matancherry Palace and Kerala dance performances on Day 4, and a houseboat cruise near Cochin on Day 5. All meals are provided onboard or as part of organized excursions. The tour suits luxury-focused travellers and history enthusiasts who prefer structured, all-inclusive experiences with minimal logistical planning.

What to know before you look closer

  • The tour is fully escorted with guided visits and meals included; little time for independent exploration
  • Optional excursions to Kanchipuram and to Chinese Fishing Nets and St. Francis Church in Cochin require booking separately

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Onboard the train

    Bengaluru to Mysore

    Registration and check in at Yashwantpur Railway Station from 08:30 hrs onwards. Departure from YPR (09:45 hrs). Lunch onboard as train arrives into Mysore (14:15 hrs). Proceed to visit Mysore Palace at 15:00 hrs. Return to train as train proceeds to Chengalpattu (CGL). Dinner onboard.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Onboard the train

    Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram

    Breakfast onboard as train arrives into Chengalpattu Railway Station. Forenoon optional excursion to Kanchipuram. Lunch onboard. Visit to Mahabalipuram Monuments. Dinner at a beachfront hotel. Return to train and train proceeds to Thanjavur.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Onboard the train

    Thanjavur-Chettinad/Karaikudi

    Breakfast onboard. Deboard at 09:00. Lunch onboard as train proceeds to Chettinad. Visit the Athnagudi tile factory and Chettinad mansions. Return on train for dinner onboard. Train proceeds to Cochin.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Onboard the train

    Cochin

    Breakfast onboard as train arrives at Cochin Harbour Terminus. Visit Matancherry Palace in Fort Cochin followed by dance performances of Kerala. Return to train for lunch. Deboard for optional activities to Chinese Fishing Nets and St. Francis Church. Dinner onboard and train proceeds to Kumarakom.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Onboard the train

    Chertala/Maraikulam

    Onboard breakfast. Houseboat cruise with lunch at an exclusive venue. Return to the train by evening. Dinner onboard.

  6. Day 6

    Bengaluru

    Breakfast onboard. Deboard at Bengaluru (YPR).

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Day 1: Depart Bengaluru at 09:45 and arrive in Mysore by 14:15, then visit Mysore Palace before dinner onboard
  • Day 2Day 2: Visit Mahabalipuram Monuments and dine at a beachfront hotel before returning to the train
  • Day 3Day 3: Tour the Athnagudi tile factory and historic Chettinad mansions during the day stop
  • Day 4Day 4: Explore Fort Cochin's Matancherry Palace and watch Kerala dance performances
  • Day 5Day 5: Take a houseboat cruise with lunch at an exclusive venue in Chertala/Maraikulam

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. All five nights and all rail segments between cities are aboard the Golden Chariot, a luxury train. The package includes accommodation, meals, and guided sightseeing.
Which temples and palaces does the itinerary cover?
The tour visits Mysore Palace, the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram (UNESCO World Heritage site), the Brihadeshvara Temple in Thanjavur, and Chettinad mansions. Fort Cochin's Matancherry Palace and optional visits to nearby sites are also part of the itinerary.
Is the tour escorted or independent?
The tour is fully escorted. Orient Rail Journeys includes guided sightseeing visits at each destination and onboard meals. Some activities, such as the visit to Kanchipuram and to Chinese Fishing Nets, are optional.
How many days and nights is the tour?
The tour is six days and five nights. Departure is from Bengaluru on a Saturday morning and return to Bengaluru on Thursday morning.
What activities are included?
The package includes palace and temple visits at each stop, a dance performance in Cochin, a houseboat cruise in Chertala with lunch, and all meals aboard the train. Dinner on Day 2 is at a beachfront hotel in Mahabalipuram.

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