India and the Himalayas
12 Day South India and The Golden Chariot Train - From: $7,840
Trip Summary
Southern India's coastal beauty, architecture, ancient Dravidian culture, and unspoiled wild places are revealed on this 11 day journey that includes four days aboard the luxurious Golden Chariot Train.
Begin in the port city of Cochin and explore its multi-cultural history and watch a private Kathakali performance (a traditional Indian dance-drama). Take an overnight cruise on the backwaters of Kerala on a houseboat which will comfortably transport you past colorful river scenery and into villages. Discover India's wildlife, including Asiatic elephants and Indian bisons on an Indian safari in Nagarhole National Park. Board your richly appointed train for a four-day journey north from Mysore to Goa with stops to discover the architectural treasures of Srirangapatna fortress, Asia's largest monolithic statue at Shravanabelagola, the 14th-century ruins of Hampi, Badami's sculptures, and Pattadakal's temples. Conclude your travels at a five-star beach resort in idyllic South Goa.
Highlights
- Discover the many cultural and historical influences of the port city of Cochin, and go behind the scenes of a Kathakali dance performance.
- Ride a houseboat on Kerala's backwaters to experience southern India's rural life.
- Enjoy the luxury and convenience of 4-day train ride aboard the Golden Chariot Train with stops at Mysore, the Jain pilgrim destination of Shravanabelagola, Halebid, Hampi and Badami.
- Recline on the beaches of Goa and enjoy the amenities of a five-star beach resort.
Trip Details
Per Person Double Occupancy Price:
| October - March | $7,840 |
Based on two guests traveling together. Note that prices may be higher during peak Holiday travel time from mid-December to mid-January.
Departure Dates:
- Daily
Itinerary
Day 1
Cochin
Arrive Cochin off your international flight where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. From time immemorial, the port city of Cochin has been an important maritime entry port trading with Arabian and Mediterranean regions to the west and China and the Orient in the east. Your first day is at leisure for independent activities.
Lodging: Taj Malabar
Day 2
Cochin
After breakfast, visit the Portuguese built Dutch Palace, former residence of the rajahs of Cochin and now a fascinating museum; the Jewish Synagogue and the Chinese tile-floored synagogue, which houses scrolls from the Old Testament; the original antique art stores; St Francis Church, where Vasco da Gama was buried and the ubiquitous Chinese fishing nets. Stroll through the old quarters whose lanes, homes and antique stores are a source of immense fascination. In the evening, watch a private performance of Kathakali by a renowned artist, who will explain the background of this dance form. You will also watch the artists putting on their elaborate make up. Enjoy lunch and dinner at your hotel.
Lodging: Taj Malabar
Day 3
Cochin - Alleppey
In the morning drive to Alleppey to board your houseboat for an overnight cruise. These boats are specially adapted from old traditional rice boats, once used to ferry cargoes of rice and agricultural produce from villages to markets. Each comfortable houseboat comes equipped with a bedroom, bathroom, a seldom used, though well-maintained outboard engine, and a crew of two rowers and a cook. Set sail after embarkation and enjoy a lunch featuring the delicious speciality cuisine of Kerala. During the afternoon, the houseboat cruises through a network of lakes, lagoons, and canals known as the backwaters: a geographical feature of rural southern Kerala. Pass curious and colorful waterborne traffic: the age-old, sometimes precariously overloaded rice boats, commuter boats, float bottomed punts. Walk along shores, viewing villages, markets, churches, schools, children at play, livestock rearing and artisans workplaces.
Lodging: Kerala Houseboat
Day 4
Alleppey - Cochin - Bangalore
In the morning drive to Cochin airport and board your flight to Bangalore. On arrival at Bangalore airport, you will be met and transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure for independent activities before enjoying dinner at the hotel.
Lodging: Taj West End
Day 5
Bangalore - Nagarhole National Park
In the morning drive to Nagarhole National Park, and en route visit the Ranganathitoo Bird Sanctuary. About 136 miles from Bangalore, Nagarhole National Park was once a hunting reserve for royalty and is today one of India's most pristine wildlife sanctuaries. The park covers hills bordering Kerala, includes swampland, streams, moist deciduous forest and valuable timber in teak and rosewood trees. Wildlife in the park includes Asiatic elephants, Indian bison, Indian wild dogs, wild cats, four horned antelopes, flying squirrels and panthers. Nagarhole is also home to over 250 species of birds, including pied hornbills, woodpeckers, Indian pittas and green imperial pigeons. After your arrival in the national park, you'll check into the rooms and take an evening game drive into the national park with dinner at the resort.
Lodging: Orange County, Kabini
Day 6
Nagarhole National Park
Take morning and afternoon game drives into the park and enjoy an evening slideshow and talk on the park's wildlife.
Lodging: Orange County, Kabini
Day 7
Nagarhole National Park - Mysore
In the morning drive to Mysore, where you will board the Golden Chariot Train. After lunch take a Mysore city tour and visit Srirangapatnam. Mysore, once the state capital, today is a vibrant city known the world over for its exotic sandalwood and rich silks. Visit Mysore Palace, built in Indo-Saracenic style with domes, turrets, arches and colonnades, and a treasure-trove of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world. Later visit Srirangapatna, an island fortress located just 9 miles from Mysore city. In the evening, dine at Lalita Mahal Palace anjoying a cultural show.
Lodging: Golden Chariot
Day 8
Mysore - Hassan
This morning depart from Mysore to Hassan for a visit to Shravanabelagola. Shravanabelagola, an important Jain pilgrim centre. Asia's largest monolithic statue, Lord Gomateswara, towers 58 feet, looming atop the picturesque Vindhyagiri Hill. Enjoy lunch on board The Golden Chariot, then continue on to Belur and Halebid for sightseeing. Halebid was the capital of the Hoysalas and has one of the finest Hoysala temples. The Hoysaleswara Temple, perched on a star-shaped base amidst lawns, is a sculptural extravaganza with richly carved walls representing an endless variety of Hindu deities, sages, stylized animals, birds and friezes depicting the life of the Hoysala Kings. This evening, board the train and depart to Hospet. Dinner will be onboard the Golden Chariot.
Lodging: Golden Chariot
Day 9
Hospet
After breakfast depart for Hampi, the seat of the famed Vijayanagara Empire and the capital of the largest empire in post-moghul India, covering several states. Although in ruins today, this capital city once boasted riches known far beyond the shores of India. The 14th century ruins of Hampi lie scattered in about 16 square mile area, amidst giant boulders and vegetation. Most of the important structures and ruins are located in two areas, which are generally referred to as the Royal Centre and the Sacred Centre. After lunch, visit Anegundi village by traversing the gushing Tunga Badra River on a coracle to glimpse the traditional country life in Karnataka. Return to the Golden Chariot for dinner on-board.
Lodging: Golden Chariot
Day 10
Hospet - Badami
Early this morning depart from Hospet to Badami and visits to the Badami Caves and Pattadakal. The Badami Cave Temples are a complex of Indian rock-cut archictecture picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills. The first sculptural embellishment to dazzle the eye is the 18 armed Nataraja striking 81 dance poses. Continue to the beautifully chiseled 7th and 8th century temples of Pattadakal, a World Heritage Site located on the banks of the Malaprabha River. Pattadakal reached its pinnacle of glory under the Chalukyan Kings and was once used as a ceremonial center where kings were crowned. Return to The Golden Chariot for lunch and depart for Goa.
Lodging: Golden Chariot
Day 11
Goa
Today after breakfast on board The Golden Chariot you will disembark from the train and be transferred to The Leela Hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the many amenities of your 5-star beach resort, or simply stroll and recline on the sands of Mobor Beach.
Lodging: The Leela Kempinski Goa
Day 12
Depart
This afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Mumbai. On arrival at the Mumbai airport, you will be met and transferred to the hotel where a room has been booked for day use. Dinner at the hotel. Late night transfer to the airport to board international flights home.