Itinerary of Southern Splender
- Day 1 - Bangalore - Chennai
- Day 2 - Mamallapuram - Chennai
- Day 3 - Pondicherry
- Day 4 - Tiruchirapalli - Thanjavur
- Day 5 - Madurai
- Day 6 - Thiruvananthapuram - Poovar
- Day 7 - Backwaters - Kochi
- Day 8 - Bangalore (return)
| Day of Travel | Destination | Time | Particulars |
| Day 1 Monday | Bangalore | 1500 hrs | Check in at the Taj West End hotel followed by high tea |
| 1700 hrs | Introduction to the Golden Chariot - Southern Splender journey | ||
| 1730 hrs | Visit an Art Gallery | ||
| 1830 hrs | Cultural Show performance | ||
| 2000 hrs | Arrival at the Yeshwanthpur Railway station for welcome and embarkation | ||
| 2100 hrs | Dinner and departure to Chennai | ||
| Alternative Itinerary | |||
| Bangalore | 1100 hrs | Check in at the eco resort, Our Native Village | |
| 1200 hrs | Lunch to be served | ||
| 1400 hrs | Introduction to the Golden Chariot - Southern Splender journey | ||
| 1500 hrs | Eco resort tour | ||
| 1530 hrs | Art and culture tour | ||
| 1600 hrs | Organic Farm Tour | ||
| 1630 hrs | Bullock cart ride, pottery experience, participating in other rural games | ||
| 1830 hrs | Depart for the Yeshwanthpur Railway station to embark on the luxury train | ||
| 2000 hrs | Arrive at the station and be welcomed | ||
| Day 2 Tuesday | Chennai | 0600 hrs | Reach Chennai |
| 0800 hrs | Breakfast to be served | ||
| 0900 hrs | City exploration begins – St. Thomas Church, Art and Sculpture gallery | ||
| 1300 hrs | Leave for Mamallapuram | ||
| 1330 hrs | Lunch | ||
| 1630 hrs | Explore the attractions of Mamallapuram | ||
| 1830 hrs | Return to Chennai to board the train | ||
| 2000 hrs | Dinner to be served aboard | ||
| 2300 hrs | Leave for Pondicherry | ||
| Day 3 Wednesday | Pondicherry | 0700 hrs | Breakfast to be served aboard the train |
| 0930 hrs | Explore the city attractions Auroville Ashram and Matrimandir | ||
| 1330 hrs | Return to the train for lunch | ||
| 1630 hrs | Explore the French quarters, beach and Pondicherry market | ||
| 1900 hrs | Arrive at the Eco Dune resort for cultural tour and dinner | ||
| 2200 hrs | Return to the train for travel to Thanjavur | ||
| Day 4 Thursday | Thanjavur | 0600 hrs | Arrival in Thanjavur |
| 0800 hrs | Breakfast to be served aboard the train | ||
| 1100 hrs | City exploration | ||
| 1300 hrs | Return to the Golden Chariot train for lunch | ||
| 1600 hrs | Explore the Thanjavur Paintings Factory | ||
| 1800 hrs | Return to the train | ||
| 1900 hrs | Dinner to be served | ||
| 2000 hrs | Depart to Madurai | ||
| Day 5 Friday | Madurai | 0700 hrs | Breakfast to be served aboard the train |
| 0930 hrs | Disembark and explore city attractions | ||
| 1100 hrs | Shopping in Madurai markets | ||
| 1300 hrs | Return to train for lunch and leisure | ||
| 1630 hrs | Visit to the Poompuhar handicrafts emporium | ||
| 1800 hrs | Thirumalai Nayakar Museum, Light and Sound show | ||
| 2000 hrs | Arrive at The Heritance for folk art show and dinner | ||
| 2300 hrs | Return to the train to depart for Nagercoil | ||
| Day 6 Saturday | Kanyakumari | 0415 hrs | Arrival at Nagercoil Station |
| 0515 hrs | Leave for Kanyakumari | ||
| 0545 hrs | Enjoy sunrise views and embark on city tours | ||
| 0830 hrs | Return to the train for breakfast | ||
| 1000 hrs | Leisure aboard the train | ||
| 1300 hrs | Lunch aboard the train | ||
| 1400 hrs | Depart to Thiruvananthapuram | ||
| Thiruvananthapuram | 1500 hrs | Arrival at Thiruvananthapuram station | |
| 1600 hrs | City exploration | ||
| 1700 hrs | Leisure in the Kovalam beach | ||
| 1930 hrs | Arrive at The Leela for dinner and cultural show | ||
| 2130 hrs | Return to the train for overnight stay | ||
| Day 7 Sunday | Alappuzha & Kochi | 0500 hrs | Leave for Alleppey |
| 0700 hrs | Breakfast aboard the luxury train | ||
| 0830 hrs | Arrival in Alleppey | ||
| 0900 hrs | Cruise aboard a luxury houseboat | ||
| 1300 hrs | Lunch in a backwater resort | ||
| 1500 hrs | Arrival in Kochi | ||
| 1530 hrs | City exploration | ||
| 1900 hrs | Return to the train for dinner and overnight stay | ||
| 2300 hrs | Leave for Bangalore | ||
| Day 8 Monday | Bangalore | 0700 hrs | Breakfast and farewell on arriving at the Yeshwanthpur Railway Station |
The capital city of Karnataka, Bangalore is a melting point of traditions and modernity. While on one hand it is known as the Silicon Valley of India, it, on the other hand also boasts of a colorful historical past remnants of which can still be seen throughout the city. Bangalore is located on the Deccan Plateau and flaunts a tropical climate with wet and dry seasons.
Chennai was earlier known as Madras and is the capital city of the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Nestled cozily on the Coromandel Coast, Chennai is one of the major metropolitan cities in the country that is home to several historical monuments, pristine beaches, ancient temples and luxury hotels.
Traditionally known as Mahabalipuram, Mamallapuram is one of the most popular destinations in Tamil Nadu, renowned for its architectural wonders. Once a medieval port city (the town dates back to the 7th century), today, Mamallapuram is fondly visited by devotees and tourists alike who come here to worship in the ancient temples that are housed here.
Pondicherry is one of the 7 Union Territories in India and was the largest French colony in the country. The French connection is still exhibited through the numerous French styled mansions that are housed here and even through the numbering of the houses! The city is divided in to Ville Noire and Ville Blanche meaning the town of the blacks and the town of the whites, respectively.
Tiruchirapalli is located on the banks of the Cauvery River and is one of the largest cities in Tamil Nadu. The very fertile lands of this place are home to several attractions such as the Rock Fort, the Sriranganathaswamy temple, and the Trichy Museum. While here, do make sure that you relish on the delectable local cuisine that is painstakingly prepared and tastefully served across all restaurants housed here.
Thanjavur is an ancient seat of art and architecture and still manages to woo the spectators through its world heritage monuments that are located in and around the city. An ancient city in Tamil Nadu, Thanjavur offers a number of sightseeing attractions and excursion options to the nearby areas including the Brahadeeshwarar temple, a magnificent palace, and the Schwartz Church.
Popularly known as the temple town of India, Madurai is located in Tamil Nadu and is the oldest inhabited city in the country. It was once an important political and commercial seat of ancient Indian civilization especially of South India. Madurai boasts of a historical past that is more than 2500 years old.
The capital city of rajasthan, Thiruvananthapuram is an enchanting base for all sojourns across the state. Housing a number of temples, renowned educational institutions and a host of science and technology centers; Thiruvananthapuram is a tropical city that is built on seven hills.
Located not very far away from the rajasthan - Tamil Nadu border is the quaint and sleepy village of Poovar. Although small, the place nevertheless boasts of magnificent natural beauty fitted with rivers, lakes, fine silvery beaches, and a host of activities that wait to enthrall the guests on vacation here.
The colonial name for the place was Cochin that is nestled comfortably on the south-western banks of India. Owing to its strategic location and the role it has played in shaping the history of the place, Kochi is also fondly referred to as the Gateway to rajasthan.
One of the most enchanting Indian lands is the rajasthan backwaters. The tranquility and serenity of the place almost demarcates its non-existent boundaries making it a world on its own. Located in the Malabar Coast, the mesmerizing locations of the rajasthan backwaters include areas such as Kollam, Alappuzha, Kumarakom, Kasargod, Kozhikode, and Kuttanad.
