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GOLDEN CHARIOT – SOUTHERN SPLENDOURS TOUR – A RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL HOLIDAY
This holiday takes you on a journey on one of India’s wonderful luxury trains – The Golden Chariot. The tour starts in Bangalore and includes a six night stay on the 'Golden Chariot'. The route takes you through the temple towns of Tamil Nadu and then up through Kerala. The train returns to Bangalore but on this tour you disembark at Cochin and spend a further eight nights discovering Kerala.
Detailed itinerary on request.


DAY 1
Arrive Bangalore. Day in Bangalore before transferring to the station to board the Golden Chariot luxury train on their – ‘Southern Splendour’ itinerary. Overnight aboard the Golden Chariot.

DAY 2
Arrive at Chennai and take a morning tour of the city. In the afternoon sightseeing of Mahabalipuram (World Heritage Site). Departure for Pondicherry after dinner. Overnight aboard the Golden Chariot.

DAY 3
Arrive at Pondicherry. Sightseeing tour of Pondicherry, also visiting Auroville. Overnight aboard the Golden Chariot.

DAY 4
Arrive at Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) early in the morning. Visit the Temple towns of Tiruchirapalli and Thanjavur (Tanjore). Overnight aboard the Golden Chariot.

DAY 5
Arrive at Madurai. Day spent in Madurai visiting the town and the Sri Meenakshi Temple. Travel through the night to Trivandrum. Overnight aboard the Golden Chariot.

DAY 6
After breakfast take a tour of Trivandrum and visit the nearby beach resort of Kovalam. Overnight aboard the Golden Chariot.

DAY 7
Arrive in Alleppey and transfer to Kumarakom where you will take a boat trip on the backwaters before transferring to Cochin. After the city tour this itinerary departs from the Golden Chariot Southern Splendour tour. The other guests will return to Bangalore but you will transfer to your hotel in Fort Cochin. Overnight at the Malabar House.

DAY 8
Day free to relax/explore/shop. Evening – attend a Kathakali performance. Overnight at the Malabar House.

DAY 9
Transfer by car to Thekkady (Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary). Before arriving at your hotel visit Abraham's Spice Garden. Overnight at Aanavilasam.

DAY 10
Guided soft trek into the forest. In the evening experience the traditional Kerala martial art form of Kalaripayattu. Overnight at Aanavilasam.

DAY 11
Transfer to the backwaters. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Coconut Lagoon.

DAY 12
Full day at leisure at this delightful eco-friendly hotel. Overnight at Coconut Lagoon.

DAY 13
Transfer to Mararikulam. Overnight at Marari Beach Resort.

DAY 14
Full day at leisure at this environmentally friendly beach resort. Overnight at Marari Beach Resort.

DAY 15
Transfer to Cochin Airport for your flight home.

For more information about the Golden Chariot experience read Gary Tree's Diary
(see Updates Blog available from our home page).

Rates
(for the season starting 1 October 2011 through to 30 September 2012)

Suggested adaptations to this tour

Southern Splendours £3,936.00
  • The prices given are based on a typical high season price. During the peak season the rates will be higher; during the summer they may be lower.
  • The prices above are per person based on two people travelling together and sharing a double/twin room.
  • Please note that our prices do not include the costs of international flights to and from the destination. Airfares are on application.
  • Prices for single occupancy, more than two people travelling together, adaptations to the suggested tours and tailor-made tours on application.
  • Add a night or two on a houseboat as the time spent on the backwaters during the train trip is minimal.

  • Fly into Chennai and spend some time staying at a hotel at Mahabalipuram before joining the train.

  • If you have already visited Kerala, remain on the train and return to Bangalore and then visit some of the attractions of southern Karnataka (eg Mysore, Hassan, Nagarhole).

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