The Golden Chariot – Splendor of South

Fly with British Airways overnight flight to Bangalore.

Arrive very early in the morning and transfer to the Leela Kempenski / Taj West End or similar for a 2 night stay. Room booked from previous night (Room available for immediate check-in)

Morning at leisure. Afternoon tour of Bangalore, the silicon capital of India, noted for its gardens, tree line avenues and Gothic Churches. Continue to the train station to board the luxury Golden Chariot train- Splendour of South. In the evening depart for Chennai. Dinner on board.

Morning arrival in Chennai. Excursion to an ancient costal town of Mahabalipuram, famous for exquisite rock-cut monuments, monolithic structures magnificently sculpted and Bas relief .After lunch proceed to visit the city of Chennai, India’s fourth largest city. Chennai was the site of the East India Company’s first settlement and built Fort St. George in 1653.In the evening return to the train. Dinner on board.

Morning arrival in Pondicherry, a former 18th centaury French colony, a seaside town with cobbled streets. Sightseeing tour of Pondicherry include a visit to Auroville, known as the ‘International city of Dawn’. Conceived by Mother Mirra Alfassa, a French woman, as a tribute to Sri Aurobindo, her spiritual collaborator.

Early morning arrival in Tiruchirapalli, an ancient city situated on the banks of the River Kaveri.Tour of the city visiting magnificent monuments & temples. Proceed for a sightseeing tour of Tanjore visiting 10th & 4th century temples including most famous landmark, the Brihadeshwara Temple, now a world heritage site.

Morning arrival in Madurai, a vibrant city and one of the Southern India’s oldest living cities that has been center of learning and pilgrimage for centuries. Tour of the city visiting,Thirumalai Nayak Palace and Shree Meenakshi Temple, with a hall of1000 pillars, an excellent example of superb Dravidian temple architecture.

Arrival in the morning and visit Padmanabhaswamy Temple, constructed in 1733 in the Dravidian Architecture, a 7 storey high tower with a pagoda Shaped Peak, Napier Museums, Sri Chitra Art Gallery, renowned for its collection of art from Tibet, China and Japan as well as North & South India. Lunch in Poovar, a beautiful island just off the coast of the Arabian Sea. Evening Gala Dinner.

Morning arrival in Allepy, in the backwaters. A scenic cruise in a traditional boat to Kumarakum in the backwaters of the Vembanand Lake. After lunch drive to Cochin and visit “The Dutch Palace’, built by Portuguese in 1555 and famous for its murals, Jewish Synagogue, housing Grand Scroll of the Old Testament, St. Francis Church, Vasco Da-Gama, who discovered India, was first buried here and nearly a century old Chinese fishing nets, still in use. In the evening Kathakali dance performance and dinner

Arrive and transfer to the Leela Kempenski / Taj West End or similar. Rest of the day at leisure.

Early morning flight to London with British Airways.