| Day
1 - Bangalore (Monday)
12.00 Noon: Check-in at the
Leela Palace followed by lunch at Jamawar or
Citrus.
3.00 pm: Depart
for Bangalore Sightseeing Tippu's Palace, Bull
Temple & Lalbagh.
8.00 pm: Arrival at Yeshwantpur
Railway Station, Platform No. 6 Traditional
Indian welcome at Railway Station and escorting
to respective cabins. Dinner on board The Golden
Chariot
09:00 pm: Depart to Mysore
11:30 pm: Arrive at Mysore
Bangalore: A World of Opportunity
The capital of Karnataka is known as the Garden
City because of its salubrious climate and greenery.
Perched 3,250 feet above sea level, temperatures
seldom exceed 30oC (88oF). Founded by Kempegowda,
a powerful chieftain, the city is unique with
its rich cultural heritage that coexists with
its modern day technological and industrial
achievements.
Today Bangalore is popularly known as India's
Silicon Valley.
Bandipur:
Tread the path of the erstwhile Maharaja
of Mysore with a visit to Bandipur, about 80km
south of Mysore on the Mysore-Ooty Road. The
reserve is a playground for wildlife, with elephants
taking the lead role. Be prepared for an unforgettable
experience - you might see a tiger prowling
amidst the mix of deciduous, evergreen forest
and scrubland vegetation. Set against the picturesque
backdrop of the enchanting Niligiri mountains
with its mist-covered peaks, Bandipur was once
the Mysore Maharaja's private hunting ground.
It was brought under Project Tiger in 1973.
This is one of the best game sanctuaries in
India to observe and photograph wildlife in
close proximity. A temple perched atop Himad
Gopalaswamy Hill, the highest peak in the Bandipur
range, is worth a visit.
Day 2: Mysore/ Kabini/ Bandipur - (Tuesday)
10.00 am: Depart for Kabini / Bandipur after
breakfast
01.00 pm: Reach Jungle Lodge. Lunch at
the Jungle Lodge
Post Lunch:Jungle / Boat Safari. Return in the
evening for wildlife film. Dinner and stay overnight
at Jungle Lodge
Kabini:
A World of Wildlife
Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Nagarhole (Kabini),
the hunting retreat of the Mysore Maharajas,
is definitely the perfect destination for wildlife
lovers in South India. The excitement starts
with a safari into the heart of the park, where
you are sure to spot wild animals in their natural
habitat. Some of the popular sightings are elephant,
gaur, sambar, chital, wild boar and the more
exclusive predators like tiger and leopard.
A bird watcher's paradise, the park is home
to over 300 species of birds, many of which
are endemic to these jungles.
Day
3 - Mysore (Wednesday)
08.30 am: Breakfast and Depart for Mysore
11:30 am: Back onboard The Golden Chariot.
01:00 pm: Lunch on board The
Golden Chariot
03:00 pm: Mysore sightseeing: Mysore Palace,
Srirangapatnam
07:00 pm: Reach the Lalitha Mahal Palace
for cultural show followed by dinner
10:00 pm: Back onboard The Golden Chariot
Mysore: A World of Royalty:
Mysore has been always associated with the
royal families and their patronage, be it the
Wodeyars or the Sultans. Mysore is a city known
for its resplendent palaces and majestic buildings.
A visit to the city conjures up visions of the
glory, still evident of the illustrious Wodeyar
Kings. This former state capital still retains
its tradition in music and dance, art and literature
and its time-honoured crafts.
A 141 kms from Bangalore, the
city enchants you with its quaint charm, verdant
gardens, tree-lined boulevards and its sacred
temples.
Mysore, once the state capital,
today is a vibrant city teeming with tourists
and visitors. It is known the world over for
its exotic sandalwood and rich silks. Many culinary
delights await those inclined to sample the
regional cuisine.
Mysore Palace: Built in Indo-Saracenic
style with domes, turrets, arches and colonnades,
the Palace is a treasure house of exquisite
carvings and works of art from all over the
world. The magnificent jewel -studded golden
throne of the Wodeyars is displayed here during
the Dasara festival.
Srirangapatna: The island fortress
of the legendary warrior king Tipu Sultan is
just 14 km from Mysore city. Inside the fortress
is Tipu's mosque with its twin minarets, the
Wellesley Bridge and the dungeons where British
officers were once imprisoned.
Day 4 - Hassan (Thursday)
06:00 am: Depart from Mysore
to Hassan
08:15 am: Arrive at Hassan
09:00 am: Depart for sightseeing
to Shravanabelagola
(Please note that you would have to climb close
to 700 steps to
experience the architectural marvel. Only those
who can undertake this are advised to do so.
Guests unwilling to experience can stay back
onboard The Golden Chariot. Palanquins are available
for those who cannot take the climb by themselves.
This is available to the passengers at no extra
cost)
01:00 pm: Lunch on board The
Golden Chariot
03:00 pm: Depart for Belur
and Halebid for sightseeing
07:15 pm: Back onboard The
Golden Chariot
07:45 pm: Depart to Hospet
Belur
& Halebid : A World of Worship
Belur in Hassan district 220 kms from Bangalore
and 38 kms from Hassan) is famous for its magnificent
Hoysala Temple Complex. The Chennakesava Temple
here is the major attraction, built by Hoysala
Vishnuvardhana, to commemorate his victory over
the Cholas. The facade of the temple is filled
with intricate sculptures with no portion left
blank. It is the only Hoysala Temple still in
active worship.
Halebid in Hassan district
is 27 kms away from Hassan and was the capital
of the Hoysalas. It has one of the finest Hoysala
temples. The Hoysaleswara Temple, perched on
a star-shaped base amidst lawns, is a sculptural
extravaganza. Its walls are richly carved with
an endless variety of Hindu deities, sages,
stylized animals, birds and friezes depicting
the life of the Hoysala Kings.
Shravanabelagola, 52km from
Hassan, is an important Jain pilgrim centre.
It is home to Asia's largest monolithic statue
Lord Gomateswara here towers 58 ft., looming
atop the picturesque Vindhyagiri Hill. Every
12 years, Jain pilgrims gather here to participate
in a splendid head-anointing ceremony.
Day 5 - Hospet (Friday)
06:00 am: Arrival at Hospet
08:30 am: After breakfast depart
for Hampi sightseeing: Virupaksha Temple. Queens's
Bath, Elephant Stables, Local crafts bazaar
01:00 pm: Return to The Golden
Chariot for Lunch
03:00 pm: Depart for sightseeing:
Royal enclosure, Hazara Rama Temple. Illuminated
Vittala Temple.
08:00 pm: Back onboard The
Golden Chariot
Hampi:
A World Heritage Site
If dreams were made out of stone, it would
be Hampi. Hampi has been classified as a World
Heritage Center and is one of the major tourist
destinations in India.
Hampi, the seat of the famed
Vijayanagara empire was the capital of the largest
empire in post-moghul India, covering several
states. The Vijayanagara empire stretched over
at least three states -Karnataka, Maharashtra,
and Andhra Pradesh. The destruction of Vijayanagar
by marauding Moghul invaders was sudden, shocking
and absolute.
Although in ruins today, this
capital city once boasted riches known far beyond
the shores of India. The ruins of Hampi of the
14th Century lies scattered in about 26 sq.
km area, amidst giant boulders and vegetation.
Protected by the tempestuous
river Tungabhadra in the north and rocky granite
ridges on the other three sides, the ruins silently
narrate the story of grandeur splendor and fabulous
wealth.
The splendid remains of palaces
and gateways of the broken city tells a tale
of man's infinite talent and power of creativity
together with his capacity for senseless destruction.
A visit to Hampi is a sojourn into the past.
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.
A visit to Anegundi village
by traversing the gushing Tunga Badra river
on a coracle is an experience that provides
the guests with a glimpse into the traditional
country life in Karnataka.
Day 6 - Badami (Saturday)
05:00 am: Depart from Hospet
to Badami
08:30 am: Arrival at Badami
09:00 am: Depart after breakfast
for sightseeing: Badami Caves and Pattadakal
01:30 pm: Return to The Golden
Chariot for Lunch
02:00 pm: Depart for Goa
Relax and enjoy the facilities onboard The Golden
Chariot: Spa, Gym Dinner onboard The Golden
Chariot Reach Goa post midnight
Badami:
A World Heritage Site
Badami is picturesquely situated at the mouth
of a ravine between two rocky hills. The exquisite
sculptures and the rust red sandstone cliffs
of Badami tell many a tale of yore. The first
sculptural embellishment to dazzle the eye is
the 18 armed Nataraja striking 81 dance poses.
Pattadakal, with its beautifully
chiseled temples is a World Heritage Site located
on the banks of the Malaprabha River. It bears
testimony to the richness of the Chalukyan architecture.
Pattadakal reached its pinnacle of glory under
the Chalukyan Kings and was once used as a ceremonial
center where kings were crowned.
Day 7 - Goa (Sunday)
09:30 am: Breakfast on board The Golden Chariot
10:00 am: Depart for sightseeing
11:00 am: Visit the famous churches of old Goa
12:15 pm: Visit an old Portuguese house: Sola
Souto Maior for tea/coffee and cookies; shopping
at the emporium
02:00 pm: Reach Majorda Beach Resort for lunch
03:00 pm: An Ayurvedic massage, a visit to the
casino, a dip in the pool / beach, etc. (Ayurvedic
massage and casino charges extra as applicable)
06:00 pm: Depart from the resort
07:15 pm: Return to The Golden Chariot.
Dinner onboard The Golden Chariot
09:00 pm: Depart for Bangalore
Goa: A World of Golden
Beaches
Also known as "Pearl of the Orient"
and a "Tourist Paradise", the state
of Goa is located on the western coast of India
in the coastal belt known as Konkan.
The magnificent scenic beauty
and the architectural splendors of its temples,
churches and old houses have made Goa a firm
favorite with travelers around the world.
But then, Goa is much more
than just beaches and sea. It has a soul which
goes deep into unique history, rich culture
and some of the prettiest natural scenery that
India has to offer.
Besides the natural beauty,
the fabulous beaches and sunshine, travellers
to Goa love the laid-back, peaceful, warm and
friendly nature of the Goan people. After all,
more than anywhere else on planet earth, this
is a place where people really know how to relax.
Day 8 - Bangalore
(Monday)
08:00 to 09:30 am: Breakfast onboard The Golden
Chariot
11:00 am: Reach Yeswanthpur railway station,
farewell by the entire crew. |