Day 1 - Monday - Bangalore - Chennai

After High Tea at Banquet Hall proceed to Chitrakala Parishad / Art Gallery. Towards the evening check In at the Bangalore Railway Station on your hotel train "The Golden Chariot – Splendor of The South“.

Day 2 - Tuesday - Mamallapuram & Chennai

Excursion to Mamallapuram, an ancient coastal port, south of Chennai, world famous for its shore temple, Mamallapuram was the second capital and sea port of the Pallava Kings of Kanchipuram, the first Tamil dynasty after the fall of the Gupta Empire. The whole of Mamallapuram is a fabulous open-air museum of sculptures in living rock, Monolithic shrines scooped out caverns magnificently sculpted within and the world’s biggest Bas relief in rock, are truly wondrous examples of the sculptor’s art. The famous temples of the Rathas, the Penance of Bhagirath, the Shore Temple and the eight Mandapams. (Shallow, rock cut halls) are also located at the beach.

 

Proceed for a sightseeing tour of Chennai. The tour begins from the ‘St. Mary’s Church’, built in 1678 – 80, was the first English Church in Chennai. The Saint Thomas Cathedral, built in 1504, and then re-built in neo - gothic style in 1893, this Roman Catholic Church is said to house the remains of St. Thomas the Apostle. Also visit the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, an ancient Shiva Temple, constructed in pure Dravidian style. The Sri Parathasarathy Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna, built in 8th century during the reign of the Pallavas. Other attractions include the National Art Gallery and Museum, which house some beautiful temple friezes, the bronze gallery, and archeological section. Drive past the High Court Building, Fort St. George and the famous film studios. Towards the evening return to the train and dinner onboard.

Day 3 - Wednesday - Pondicherry

Sightseeing tour of Pondicherry, visiting Auroville. Conceived as a tribute to Sri Aurobindo, Auroville is an entirely new concept in education and urban living. The Aurobindo Ashram is known to the world over as the "Centre of Integral Yoga". Sri Aurobindo, India’s philosopher around 1920 founded it.

Day 4 - Thursday - Tiruchirapalli & Thanjavur

Proceed for a sightseeing tour of Tanjore where you will visit temples built during the 10th and 14th centuries. These later became a part of the Vijaynagar Kingdom, which subsequently passed into the hands of the Marathas and went to the British. The most famous landmark is the Brihadeshwara temple, which is now a world heritage site.

Day 5 - Friday - Madurai

Proceed for a sightseeing tour of Madurai – The primary interest is the Meenakshi Temple, where Dravidian temple architecture may be considered to be at its best. Its Hall of a thousand Pillars is fabulous and is filled with worshippers at all hours of the day. The tour also includes a visit to the – Thirumalai Nayak Palace & Thiruparangundram temple.

Day 6 - Saturday - Kanyakumari

Breakfast and Lunch will be served on board and in the afternoon depart to Thiruvananthapuram. Visit Palace of Thiruvananthpuram and stroll through Kovalam Beach. In the evening there will be a Gala Dinner and Cultural Show at The Leela Kovalam.

Day 7 - Sunday - Backwaters & Kochi

On reaching Kumarakom, you enter another world of wonders. This small backwater village, which is a cluster of islands, has a life of its own, with a slow, serene rhythm. Lunch at kumarakom and afterwards drive to Kochi, In the evening Kathakali dance and dinner.

Day 8 - Monday - Bangalore

After breakfast departure to your next destination.