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.
