Jewels of the South
6 Days / 5 Nights
Aboard the Golden Chariot
Fixed Departures
South India is the India that most international travellers haven't done, which is also the most honest description of where to go next for anyone who has already fallen in love with the north.
The Jewels of the South journey covers the four states that contain the most architecturally and culinarily distinct expressions of Dravidian civilisation: Tamil Nadu's temple cities, Kerala's backwater villages and spice gardens, Karnataka's Hampi ruins and Coorg hills, and Andhra Pradesh's Buddhist heritage at Amaravati. Each of these territories is a complete cultural world in itself, and the journey between them — by road through the Western Ghats, by boat on the Kerala backwaters, by train through the Tamil plains — is as interesting as the destinations it connects.
The food on this itinerary is as significant as the monuments. The Sadhya feast in Kerala, the banana-leaf thali in Kumbakonam, the Chettinad kitchen at a family lunch in Karaikudi, the Coorg pandi curry on a coffee estate — these are not meals arranged for tourists but the domestic and ceremonial cooking of cultures whose relationship to food is as sophisticated as their relationship to architecture.
Check in at Yeshwantpur Railway Station in Bengaluru and board the Golden Chariot. The train departs mid-morning and arrives in Mysore by early afternoon, where you'll head straight to the magnificent Mysore Palace — a blend of Indo-Saracenic, Hindu, and Gothic styles that was once the seat of the Wodeyar dynasty. Return to the train for dinner as it departs overnight toward Tamil Nadu.
Wake up at Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu. An optional morning excursion to Kanchipuram, the silk-weaving temple city, precedes an afternoon at the UNESCO-listed Mahabalipuram monuments — the Shore Temple and the rock-cut Pancha Rathas. Dinner is at a beachfront hotel before returning to the train, which departs overnight for Thanjavur.
Disembark at Thanjavur for a morning at the Brihadeeswarar Temple, the 11th-century Chola masterpiece and one of the largest Hindu temples in India. The train then proceeds to Chettinad, where the afternoon covers the Athangudi tile factory and the area's famously ornate, slightly faded merchant mansions, before returning to the train for an overnight run toward Kerala.
Arrive at Cochin Harbour Terminal. The morning covers Mattancherry Palace, once home to the Kings of Cochin, followed by a traditional Kerala dance performance. Optional afternoon excursions take in the iconic Chinese fishing nets at Fort Cochin and the centuries-old St. Francis Church, before the train departs for Kumarakom.
The day's highlight: a houseboat cruise through Kerala's backwaters, with lunch served at an exclusive waterside venue along the way. It's a deliberately unhurried day after four days of fairly packed sightseeing, and most guests find it the most memorable single day of the whole journey. Return to the train by evening for the overnight run back to Bengaluru.
Breakfast on board as the train arrives back at Yeshwantpur Railway Station in Bengaluru, concluding your journey. Onward flights or extensions can be arranged separately.
| Cabin Type | Occupancy | Price Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| Deluxe Cabin | Twin/Double Sharing | From $4,740 |
| Deluxe Cabin | Single Occupancy (supplement) | From $3,560 extra |
Pricing reflects the Golden Chariot's published fares for the "Jewels of South" itinerary and is per person for the full 5-night/6-day journey. Fares are revised periodically by the train operator and are confirmed at the time of booking; GST and other government taxes apply on top of the published fare. The train operates seasonally from October to March, with a fixed departure calendar — exact dates are confirmed once you let us know your preferred travel window.
Tell us your preferred travel window and we'll check current departure dates and cabin availability, and arrange your Bengaluru pre- and post-tour stay.
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