IRCTC, the online ticket booking arm of the Indian Railways, has decided to resume the services of its luxury train Golden Chariot. The train will commence its first journey of the season on March 14, 2021.
According to IRCTC, on March 14 the Golden Chariot will start a 6 nights/7 days journey on the pride of Karnataka starting and ending in Bengaluru, covering Bandipur, Mysore, Halebidu, Chikamangalur, Hampi, Aihole and Pattadakal and Goa. Another 3 nights/4 days trip is planned on March 21, 2021, which will also start and end in Bengaluru covering Mysore, Hampi and Mahabalipuram.
Owned by Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC), the Golden Chariot train, which commenced in 2008, was taken over by IRCTC in January 2020 for operations, marketing and maintenance. The Golden Chariot is again going to hit the tracks in a new look and feel on an exciting week-long itinerary, the statement said.
The renewed train has a host of features including complimentary WiFi and OTT streaming onboard, complimentary house pours and wines, choice of international and Indian cuisines, services of an experienced Tour Director onboard, all monument entry tickets, off-board evenings with meals and cultural performances etc to make the train a completely memorable experience.
Partial booking covering part of the itinerary for a short journey in this premium luxury train has also been allowed so as to enable tourists, experience the unmatchable journey of a lifetime. The unique position of the southern peninsula, surrounded by the Arabian Sea in the West, the Indian Ocean in the South and the Bay of Bengal in the East saw several dynasties having trade and political linkages with both the West and East. Destinations on the Golden Chariot route have been chosen to showcase the architecture, culture and history of this region.
The Guest carriages of the Golden Chariot train are named after the dynasties which ruled South India over several centuries. Each guest carriage has four cabins with a mix of twins and doubles. The guest cabins are a mix of 13 Double Bed Cabins, 30 Twin Bed Cabins and 1 Cabin for specially-abled. The two restaurants, Ruchi and Nalapaka, serve delectable meals from across the world with an array of Indian options. Madira, the bar serves the choicest of wines, beers and spirits. Arogya, the Spa cum Fitness Center, combines traditional Ayurvedic Spa therapies with modern workout machines, the statement said.