Karnataka’s luxury train, the Golden Chariot, is ready to go on the tracks again. Run by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC), the train was temporarily suspended last year due to the absence of enough passengers.
Reportedly, early this year, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) was tasked with renovating the train interiors. However, the work was halted owing to COVID-19, and the luxury train is now ready to resume operations though it was supposed to restart services during the summer of 2020.
According to the KSTDC, the Golden Chariot has been equipped with upholstered furniture, refurbished rooms and bathrooms, new linen and cutlery. Every vestibule has a smart TV with Wi-Fi for streaming facility. In addition, safety features like CCTVs and fire precautions have also been upgraded in the train.
Considering the ongoing pandemic, the IRCTC has also framed certain safety norms for the health safety of all passengers and staff members during the train journey.
- Train coaches and passenger luggage would be disinfected at regular intervals during the trip.
- Tour managers, drivers, guides and other personnel deployed by the IRCTC will go through regular thermal screening and medical checks. Staff members need to be equipped with sanitation kits, masks, gloves and sanitisers.
- Information regarding protocols to be followed when visiting heritage sites and monuments—including guidelines and forms—will be supplied in advance to passengers.
The Golden Chariot, a prestigious product of #KSTDC, is all set to start it’s luxury tours from January.
Golden Chariot luxury train packages
The tour starts from January 2021 and will run till March 2021. The train will be to and from Bengaluru. Tickets can be booked through the luxury train’s official website.
Itinerary
6N/7D – Bandipur National Park, Chikamangalur, Aihole, Mysuru, Halebid, Pattadakal, Hampi and Goa.
6N/7D – Mysuru, Thanjavur, Chettinad, Hampi, Mahabalipuram,Kumarakom and Kochi.
3N/4D – Bandipur, Hampi and Mysuru.
Package inclusions
The package cost includes meals onboard meals, beers and spirits, complimentary house wines, entrance fees for monuments and heritage sites, air-conditioned bus tours with tour guides, and meals during tours.
