The Golden Chariot, the luxury train operated by the Indian Railway’s subsidiary IRCTC and the Karnataka Tourism department, is all to chug along the off-beat destinations of South Indian from the first week of 2021.

Named after the famous stone chariot in Hampi, a world heritage site, the Golden Chariot is among the first luxury train to begin bookings as the Covid-19 pandemic loosens its clutch around India. The South India’s only luxury train now boasts of several new features including upholstered furniture, elegant drapery and renovated rooms and bathrooms after it underwent a major refurbishment.

“The train will operate on three different circuits covering tourist destinations in Karnataka, Kerala, Goa and Tamil Nadu. The sojourns this season will be from January 2021 to March 2021. The luxury tours will be conducted with all safety precautions in place in view of Covid-19. If any of the guests couldn’t board the train or the journey gets cancelled due to the Covid-19 travel restrictions, the advance will be adjusted in future date of travel,” according to a senior IRCTC official.

The three itineraries include the six days and seven nights ‘Pride of Karnataka’ tour which will have halts at Bandipur, Mysuru, Halebidu, Chikmagalur, Hampi, Badami, Pattadakal and Aiholie and Goa. The second one is the ‘Jewels of South’ package, six nights and seven days tour to Mysuru Hampi, Mahabalipuram, Thanjavur, Chettinad, Cochin and Kumarakom (houseboat cruise through scenic backwater) and the final one – a three nights and four days tour titled ‘Glimpse of Karnataka’ to Bandipur, Mysuru and Hampi. The tour packages include on-board meals, wines on the house, guided AC bus tours, entry fee to monuments and meals at venues outside.

The luxury train offers eleven passenger saloons, two dining cars, a bar lounge, a saloon with mini gym and spa besides the onboard kitchen saloon. Each saloon offers four richly furnished sleeper cabins with private attached bathrooms having 5-star hotel level toiletries.

The IRCTC has announced a ‘Special Companion Promo’ offer for bookings made till March 20, 2021. Tourists can pay for one ticket and avail a 50 per cent discount for a companion ticket. They can also get a 35 per cent discount on the tariff for the entire tour. They can even take a 2 nights and 3 days package on any of the 6 nights and 7 days tours, for Rs 59,999 plus GST for each individual.