Golden Chariot - Karnataka's first luxury train

A journey aboard on luxury train has always been a fascinating experience. However, if you get a chance to spend a week long vacation on train the adventure increases many fold. Palace on Wheels, Deccan Odyssey, and Heritage on Wheels are such trains which offer the luxurious journey. The Golden Chariot is the latest addition in the list of India’s luxury trains.

Introduced by KSTDC (Karnataka Tourism Department) few months back, the luxury train has become very much popular among the tourists. Named after the popular stone chariot in Hampi, in South India the train travels trough historic heritage sites, magnificent palaces, rich and varied wildlife and golden beaches of Goa. The Golden Chariot’s 7 Nights / 8 Days journey starts every Monday from Karnataka’s capital city Bangalore and finally ends at Bangalore as well.

On your journey you will traverse through Mysore, visiting Srirangapatna, Mysore Palace, Nagarhole National Park (Kabini) and the historical sites of Shravanabelagola. Further you visit Belur-the 11th century cradle of Hoysala architecture and a world heritage site, Halebidu, Hamp. Thereafter you enter into the triangular heritage site of Badami, Pattadakal, Aihole, and finally reach the Golden Beaches of Goa before coming back to Bangalore.

Golden Chariot Journey Details
Places Covered : Bangalore - Mysore - Kabini - Hassan - Hospet - Gadag - Goa - Bangalore

Duration : 07 Nights / 08 Days

Facilities in the Golden Chariot
Golden Chariot is equipped with all the contemporary luxurious amenities, you will yourself like Maharaja. In fact, while traveling you get a wonderful chance to experience the royalty of the bygone era. Highlights of the train are :

Coaches – Each coach of the train has been named after the dynasties that ruled Karnataka. The coaches have been named as Kadamba, Hoysala, Rastrakota, Ganga, Chalukya, Bhahamani, Adhilshahi, Sangama, Shathavashna, Yudukula and Vijayanagar. Every coach has fully air-conditioned 26 twin beds, 17 double bed cabins and 1 cabin for the physically challenged.

Each cabin is equipped with Wi-Fi, LCD television, DVD with 6 satellite channels, wardrobe, vanity/writing desk and private bathroom with luxurious amenities and accessories. The chambers in which you travel narrate tales of the Mysore Maharajas. Admire the intricate carvings on the ceiling, the wall panels and furniture inspired by Mysore and Hoysala architecture.

Restaurants – The Golden Chariot has two restaurants namely Nala and Ruchi serving a range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies. Enjoy the culinary delights of South India in 4-seater and 2-seater dining cabins amidst the interiors inspired by the timeless aesthetics of Hampi and Halebid.

Madira (Lounge Bar) – Madira the lounge bar aboard serve invigorating range of spirits alongwith life performance of local artisans. Order the liquor of your choice and relax in the bar, enjoying the soothing music in the royal interiors modeled after the Mysore Palace.

Conference Coach – Conference Coach can accommodate 30 persons and is equipped with 42 inch LCD television and high-speed internet surfing area.

Gym Coach – Gym Coach has fully equipped gymnasium, and ayurveda and spa centre as well. While on board discover age old traditions and cures to modern day stress. The coach has two massage rooms for exhilarating rejuvenation experience. For those who prefer a local flavour - Ayurveda massages are provided.

Kalka - Shimla Railway now a world heritage property

UNESCO on Monday (July 8) approved Kalka - Shimla narrow gauge railway as new World Heritage Site. Built in the 19th century, Kalka – Shimla railway became one of the four Mountain Railways of India being included in World Heritage list. Other railways include the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway in Tamil Nadu State. Kalka – Shimla Railway is the ultimate victory of style and serendipity over speed and in this route journey is as important as the destination. An extraordinary engineering feat, Kalka - Shimla Railway has its heritage as well cultural values.

Considered as the greatest narrow gauge engineering feat in the country, Kalka – Shimla railway line was opened on November 9, 1903 by Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy of India. Still the line doesn’t go faster than 25 km per hour, but according to the railway authorities, in comparison to British period more people are using the line today. The journey begins at Kalka, the track rises from 640 mtr (Kalka) to 2,060 mtr (Shimla), the train passes over 864 bridges, under 102 tunnels (longest tunnel Barog – 1.1 km) and around 900 sharp curves and bends.

The scenery along the Kalka – Shimla route is spectacular – flanked by lofty hills, the line cross through the sides of steep cliffs and ventures over arch bridges. The toy train begins its corkscrew ascent immediately above the small town of Parwanoo and enter into the forested hills. After an hour the track straightens out, curving in and out of the hills. There are 18 stations along the way, Barog is the most popular among them. From Barog to Kandaghat, the train crosses the beautiful places of Solan and Saloghra. The final climb of the train starts at Kandaghat, through lush oak and rhododendron forests, Finally, Shimla comes into view as the train winds its way through the picturesque hills to the alpine reaches of the lower Himalayas.

An another interesting aspect of the Kalka – Shimla railway is the age-old communication system, which is still in use. Block phones and control phones are being used by the stations en-route, the former established links between two stations, while the latter helps to keep in touch with other important stations. Beside, the Red and green lanterns, used as signals in British period are still part of the operating system.

Mountain railways is one of the major tourists attractions of India. Developed by the British East India company, about hundred year ago, mountain railways even today serve as the most convenient mode of transport to reach the hill stations. In fact, mountain railways have become the precious jewell in crown of the Indian Railway. Addition of Kalka- Shimla Railway in World Heritage list is a big achievement for Indian Railways. According to reports the Railways are now planning to offer special tour package on Kalka – Shimla rail line.

Deccan Odyssey, Maharashtra’s own Palace on Wheels

One of the luxurious trains of India, Deccan Odyssey is commonly referred as ‘Maharashtra’s own Palace of Wheels’. Deccan Odyssey offers guided tour to some of Maharashtra’s unexplored and less-explored destinations alongwith contemporary services on board.

Run by the Maharashtra State Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), the train is maintained by the Taj group of hotels. Deccan Odyssey derives its name from the rocky, undulating terrain of Deccan plateau. All the coaches are named after forts, monuments and historic sites, except the bar, which is called Mumbai High. Each coach has its own lounge, where you can sit during journey. To keep you entertained there are TV – cum – conference room, restaurants, bar, spa, salon and a gym.

Travelling in Deccan Odyssey is one of the most luxurious ways to closely observe the lives of people living in the virgin, un-touched tourist spots of Konkan, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Pune, Aurangabad and beach paradise Goa.

Deccan Odyssey leaves Mumbai every Wednesday evening and returns to its origin following Wednesday morning. Leaving from Mumbai’s CST (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal) the train winds its way through Konkan, Sindhurdurg, on to Goa, through the Deccal plateau and then on to Aurangabad. Last destination of the train is Nasik.

The train makes two stops along the Konkan coast that allow tourists to discover the backwaters of Maharashatra and the golden beaches of Ganapathiphule and Tarkarli Beach Resort, as well as visit some of the most famous sea forts of Maharashtra. From here the train runs south to Goa where people on board get the chance to explore the exquisite churches of Old and also relax on one of its serene beaches.

Further it turns around and pushes north to Pune, and then covers the heritage circuit of Ajanta and Ellora vaces, with stops at Jalgaon and Aurangabad respectively. While returning back to Mumbai the train swings past Nasik, where passengers get to toast the Maharashtrian odyssey at the Sula Winery.

Tickets for Deccan Odyssey are priced at Rs 15,000 a day all inclusive, except drinks and use of health spa.