Luxury train Southern Splendour launched

The extended tour itinerary of luxury train Golden Chariot that will take the travellers through Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala, christened Southern Splendour was unveiled in Bangalore on Monday (March 8). The decision to extend the ambit of Golden Chariot, operated by Karnataka Government, was taken in view of demand in the upmarket segment for an itinerary that covers South India in a seamless manner, Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy said told reporters launching the new circuit.

The extended itinerary of seven nights and eight days includes a mix of temples and heritage sites in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, including the world famous Auroville; verdant backwaters of Kerala including a tour to the Jewish town, a sunset cruise and other attractions in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. The tourists have the option to choose between the earlier circuit of Karnataka-Goa, Pride of Karnataka or Southern Splendour, Managing Director Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) Vinay Luthra said.

The first trip of Southern Splendour will be on March 15 and the next will be on October 4. From then onwards the two circuits will operate back-to-back on alternate weeks, he said. The trip is priced at USD 450 for one night per person for international tourists and Rs 15,000 per person for domestic tourist. We already have 35 confirmed passengers for the first trip, Luthra said. He said Golden Chariot which has been quite popular with tourists from the UK, the USA and Europe, has also received enquiries from China, Japan and Russia.

We are talking to tour operators to have General Sales Agents for this circuit to cater to tourists from these three countries (China, Japan and Russia), he said. Luthra said there has been a three per cent increase in the occupancy of Golden Chariot over last year. It has risen to 38 to 40 per cent from 35 per cent last year. On the occasion, an MoU was inked between KSTDC and Our Native Village, a resort near Hesarghatta which makes it a convenient, additional check in point for passengers who arrive at the Bengaluru International Airport.