Monday, 20 June 2011

The Golden Chariot - Bangalore to Bangalore Tour


Bangalore to Bangalore Tour



Tour Details: 7 Nights / 8 Days
Places Covered:
 Bangalore - Kabini/Bandipur - Mysore - Hassan - Hospet - Badami - Goa - Bangalore
The Golden Chariot - Pride of The South Train Tour starts on every Monday of the week from Bangalore and ends in Bangalore on every Monday morning respectively.
Detailed Itinerary:
The land once ridden by formidable armies is now traversed by the world's most unique railway - The Golden Chariot - Pride of The South beckons you to discover worlds that are enriched with history and culture. Recline and relax as the magnificent scenery unfolds outside your window with luxury on the inside, thus far reserved for royalty. We present The Golden Chariot - Pride of The South - a fine balance between a glorious yesterday and an omnipresent tomorrow in a magical land... that is Karnataka.
Day 1 - Bangalore (Monday)

3.00 pm to 4.00 pm:
Check-in at Taj West End
4.00 pm to 5.00 pm:
High Tea at Banquet Hall
5.00 pm to 5.30 pm:
Presentation on The Golden Chariot tour, Dos and Donts, safety and security, etc.
5.30 pm to 6.30 pm:
Visit to Chitrakala Parishad / Art Gallery
6.30 pm to 7.30 pm:
Cultural Show
8.00 pm:
Arrive at Yeshwantpur Railway Station, Platform
No. 6 to a traditional Indian welcome. Dinner
onboard The Golden Chariot
9.00 pm:
Depart to Mysore

Alternate Itinerary*
11 am onwards:
Check in at Our Native Village
12 Noon to 2 pm:
Lunch
3.00 pm to 3.30 pm:
What is it that makes us a 100% eco resort - Resort tour
3.30 PM to 4.00 pm:
The Revivalist movement - Art and culture tour
4.00 pm to 4.30 pm:
Living an organic life – Herbal & Medicinal plant tour, Organic farm tour
4.30 pm to 5.30 pm:
Pottery session & Explore the simplicity of village games – playing Indian village games & Bullock cart rides
6.00 pm to 6.30 pm:
Rest and depart to Yeshwantpur Railway Station
*Optional itinerary for those who do not opt for Leela Palace check-in and Bangalore sight seeing.
Bangalore: A World of Opportunity
The capital of Karnataka is known as the Garden City because of its salubrious climate and greenery. Perched 3,250 feet above sea level, temperatures seldom exceed 30oC (88oF). Founded by Kempegowda, a powerful chieftain, the city is unique with its rich cultural heritage that coexists with its modern day technological and industrial achievements.

Today Bangalore is popularly known as India's Silicon Valley.

Bandipur: 
Tread the path of the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore with a visit to Bandipur, about 80km south of Mysore on the Mysore-Ooty Road.
Day 2 - Mysore/ Kabini/ Bandipur (Tuesday)

10:00 am:
Depart for Kabini / Bandipur after breakfast
01:00 pm:
Reach Jungle Lodge

Lunch at the Jungle Lodge
Post Lunch:
Jungle / Boat Safari

Return in the evening for wildlife film

Dinner and stay overnight at Jungle Lodge
Alternate Itinerary*
- Raganatittu Bird Sanctary,
- Mysore Zoo,
- Lunch on board,
- Brindavan Gardens
*Optional itinerary for those who do not opt for Kabini / Bandipur tour
A minimum of 5 passengers required for Alternate Itinerary
Kabini: A World of Wildlife
Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Nagarhole (Kabini), the hunting retreat of the Mysore Maharajas, is definitely the perfect destination for wildlife lovers in South India.
Day 3 - Mysore (Wednesday)

08:30 am:
Breakfast and Depart for Mysore
11:30 am:
Back onboard The Golden Chariot - Pride of The South
01:00 pm:
Lunch on board The Golden Chariot - Pride of The South
03:00 pm:
Mysore sightseeing: Mysore Palace, Srirangapatnam
07:00 pm:
Reach the Lalitha Mahal Palace for cultural show followed by dinner
10:00 pm:
Back onboard The Golden Chariot - Pride of The South
Mysore: A World of Royalty
Mysore has been always associated with the royal families and their patronage, be it the Wodeyars or the Sultans. Mysore is a city known for its resplendent palaces and majestic buildings. A visit to the city conjures up visions of the glory, still evident of the illustrious Wodeyar Kings. This former state capital still retains its tradition in music and dance, art and literature and its time-honoured crafts.


Mysore Palace: Built in Indo-Saracenic style with domes, turrets, arches and colonnades, the Palace is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world. The magnificent jewel -studded golden throne of the Wodeyars is displayed here during the Dasara festival.

Srirangapatna: The island fortress of the legendary warrior king Tipu Sultan is just 14 km from Mysore city. Inside the fortress is Tipu's mosque with its twin minarets, the Wellesley Bridge and the dungeons where British officers were once imprisoned.
Day 4 - Hassan (Thursday)

06:00 am:
Depart from Mysore to Hassan
08:15 am:
Arrive at Hassan
09:00 am:
Depart for sightseeing to Shravanabelagola(Please note that you would have to climb close to 700 steps to
experience the architectural marvel. Only those who can undertake this are advised to do so. Guests unwilling to experience can stay back onboard The Golden Chariot - Pride of The South. Palanquins are available for those who cannot take the climb by themselves. This is available to the passengers at no extra cost
)
01:00 pm:
Lunch on board The Golden Chariot - Pride of The South
03:00 pm:
Depart for Belur and Halebid for sightseeing
07:15 pm:
Back onboard The Golden Chariot - Pride of The South
07:45 pm:
Depart to Hospet

Dinner onboard The Golden Chariot - Pride of The South
Belur & Halebid : A World of Worship
Belur in Hassan district 220 kms from Bangalore and 38 kms from Hassan) is famous for its magnificent Hoysala Temple Complex.
Halebid in Hassan district is 27 kms away from Hassan and was the capital of the Hoysalas. It has one of the finest Hoysala temples. The Hoysaleswara Temple, perched on a star-shaped base amidst lawns, is a sculptural extravaganza. Its walls are richly carved with an endless variety of Hindu deities, sages, stylized animals, birds and friezes depicting the life of the Hoysala Kings.

Shravanabelagola, 52km from Hassan, is an important Jain pilgrim centre. It is home to Asia's largest monolithic statue Lord Gomateswara here towers 58 ft., looming atop the picturesque Vindhyagiri Hill. Every 12 years, Jain pilgrims gather here to participate in a splendid head-anointing ceremony.
Day 5 - Hospet (Friday)
06:00 am:
Arrival at Hospet
08:30 am:
After breakfast depart for Hampi sightseeing: Virupaksha Temple. Queens's Bath, Elephant Stables, Local crafts bazaar
01:00 pm:
Return to The Golden Chariot for Lunch
03:00 pm:
Depart for sightseeing: Royal enclosure, Hazara Rama Temple. Illuminated Vittala Temple.
08:00 pm:
Back onboard The Golden Chariot - Pride of The South

Dinner onboard The Golden Chariot - Pride of The South
Hampi: A World Heritage Site
If dreams were made out of stone, it would be Hampi. Hampi has been classified as a World Heritage Center and is one of the major tourist destinations in India. 

Hampi, the seat of the famed Vijayanagara empire was the capital of the largest empire in post-moghul India, covering several states. The Vijayanagara empire stretched over at least three states -Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh. The destruction of Vijayanagar by marauding Moghul invaders was sudden, shocking and absolute.
Day 6 - Badami (Saturday)
05:00 am:
Depart from Hospet to Badami
08:30 am:
Arrival at Badami
09:00 am:
Depart after breakfast for sightseeing: Badami Caves and
Pattadakal
01:30 pm:
Return to The Golden Chariot - Pride of The South for Lunch
02:00 pm:
Depart for Goa
Relax and enjoy the facilities onboard The Golden Chariot - Pride of The South: Spa, Gym Dinner onboard The Golden Chariot - Pride of The South Reach Goa post midnight
Badami: A World Heritage Site
Badami is picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills. The exquisite sculptures and the rust red sandstone cliffs of Badami tell many a tale of yore.

Pattadakal, with its beautifully chiseled temples is a World Heritage Site located on the banks of the Malaprabha River.
Day 7 - Goa (Sunday)
09:30 am:
Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot - Pride of The South
10:00 am: 
Depart for sightseeing
11:00 am:
Visit the famous churches of old Goa
12:15 pm:
Visit an old Portuguese house: Sola Souto Maior for tea/coffee and cookies; shopping at the emporium
02:00 pm:
Reach Majorda Beach Resort for lunch
03:00 pm: 
An Ayurvedic massage, a visit to the casino, a dip in the pool / beach, etc. (Ayurvedic massage and casino charges extra as applicable)
06:00 pm:
Depart from the resort
07:15 pm:
Return to The Golden Chariot - Pride of The South.

Dinner onboard The Golden Chariot - Pride of The South
09:00 pm:
Depart for Bangalore
Goa: A World of Golden Beaches
Also known as "Pearl of the Orient" and a "Tourist Paradise", the state of Goa is located on the western coast of India in the coastal belt known as Konkan.
Besides the natural beauty, the fabulous beaches and sunshine, travellers to Goa love the laid-back, peaceful, warm and friendly nature of the Goan people. After all, more than anywhere else on planet earth, this is a place where people really know how to relax.
Day 8 - Bangalore (Monday)
08:00 to 09:30 am:
Breakfast onboard The Golden Chariot - Pride of The South
11:00 am:
Reach Yeswanthpur railway station, farewell by the entire crew.

No comments:

Post a Comment