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Luxury on rails

Train journeys are intriguing and inspiring as these whisk past one landscape to the other. And a thought of a journey of a week in the moving luxury ‘The Golden Chariot’can enchant the dreamer in you.

Luxury on rails

A riot of colour: The train is glossy violet on the outside and inside the guests stay in well-detailed cabins. All coaches are inspired from the state’s rich architectural heritage. The furnishings on the walls are resplendent — deep red and gold in the bar and violet in the restaurants. The deliberate overuse of gold in the floral designs on the walls imparts it a regal look Photos by the writer



Aakash Mehrotra

Train journeys are intriguing and inspiring as these whisk past one landscape to the other. And a thought of a journey of a week in the moving luxury ‘The Golden Chariot’can enchant the dreamer in you. So splendid is the draped and twinkling luxury of the train, that for a moment it seems you have stepped into a Bollywood set.

Golden Chariot, a luxury train in South India, runs across the state of Karnataka, taking you from one incredible spot to another. The name of the train conjures historical tales, bejewelled scimitars, ornate thrones and a romantic tale of history long lost. Every coach is named after a dynasty that ruled the state or a part of it, and detailed historical accounts of the dynasty hang in lounges in every coach. The train is glossy violet  on the outside and inside guests stay in well detailed cabins. The  carved wooden panelling and carpeted floor gives an upscale hotel room touch.

History and heritage is its major stay, with moments dipped in wildlife in tiger territory of the Nagarhole park and relaxed moments on white sands beach of Goa to end the journey. Each day the train would stop at one destination and disembark to get on the Volvo bus to see the sites. The first stop is the heritage city of Mysore, city of palaces and temples, and ancient buildings with outlandish domes and turrets. From there, it heads to jungles lodges and resorts, Kabini for wildlife refuge and an overnight stay.

The next three days are particularly tempting, like a roll-call to India’s greatest cultural hits. From ancient stone temples of Belur and Halebidu in Hassan, to the remains of the Vijaynagar empire in Hampi, a Unesco world heritage site, running for more than 10 square miles and then to the rock temples of Badami, another world heritage site. 

The train has 11 guest coaches, two restaurants, one bar and one coach with a gym, spa and business centre. The keen attention given to detail and service is a stealer. All coaches are inspired from the state’s rich architectural heritage. The two restaurants Nalapaka and Ruchi reflect the intricacies of the Vijayanagara and Hoysala architectures. Madira, the bar, bears semblance to the Mysore palace. The furnishings on the walls are resplendent — deep red and gold in the bar and violet in the restaurants. The deliberate overuse of gold in the floral designs on the walls imparts a regal look.

The service is impeccable. Travellers feast off fine china, white damask and heavy silver. The executive chef on the train, Deepak Acharya, personally inquires your taste preferences and suits your meals accordingly. Mahendra Rathore, the F&B Manager, overlooks all your needs as a friendly guardian and almost doubles up as your guide on the field. The results of the detail paid to know each guest personally is evident on the dinner table. The soups are adventurous classics, rich and unmissable. The meal times outclass any five-star buffets and the effort paid to serve guests what they desire is unmatchable.

The train staff and the design bathed in luxury makes you feel pampered and privileged, cocooned in luxury, both materialistic and philosophical. Golden Chariot is an adventure in comfort, a romance on rail tracks, and a sojourn well served, to be spent in stealing moments from our mundane lives. 

The Golden Chariot is run by the Karnataka State Tourism Board in partnership with Mapple Group of Hotels, who manage the hospitality on and off the board. For Indian nationals, the journey costs Rs 1,82,000 per person. 

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