Mysore/Mysuru: The Golden Chariot Luxury Train is set to roll on tracks in a new avatar. Having completed 10 years of its launch by Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) in 2018, the only luxury train in South India was handed over to IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited), a Government of India Enterprise, during January 2020.
While the ownership of the train shall remain with Karnataka Tourism, IRCTC, the travel, tourism and hospitality arm of Ministry of Railways shall now be marketing and operating the luxury tourist train.
To add to the guest’s comforts, the train now boasts of several new features including newly- upholstered furniture, elegant drapery, renovated rooms and bathrooms, crockery and cutlery of reputed international brands and an exquisite range of linen.
For providing wholesome in-room entertainment, Smart TVs with variety of WIFI enabled subscription’s including Netflix, Amazon, Hot Star etc., have been installed. CCTV Cameras and Fire Alarm System have been added for more safety.
Experienced chefs have created menus presenting an eclectic mix of mouth-watering international as well as domestic fare. The package now comes with selected house wines and beers included in the cost with a host of spirits on offer. The guests can continue to enjoy relaxing spa therapies at the onboard spa which has also been provided with modern work-out machines for the fitness enthusiasts.
IRCTC has planned three itineraries departing from Bengaluru covering various destinations in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
• Pride of Karnataka: The 6 Nights/7 Days itinerary covers Bandipur National Park, Mysuru, Halebid, Chikmagalur, Aihole, Pattadakal, Hampi and Goa.
• Jewels of South: The 6 Nights/7 Days itinerary covers Mysuru, Hampi, Mahabalipuram, Thanjavur, Chettinad, Kumarakom and Cochin.
• Glimpses of Karnataka: A short 3 Nights/4 Days itinerary covers visit to Bandipur, Mysuru and Hampi. The luxury train tour package cost is inclusive of all onboard meals and house wines, guided excursions in air-conditioned buses, monument entry fee and meals at outside venues as per the itinerary.
IRCTC has launched host of special offers for Indian nationals in line with Government of India initiative to promote domestic tourism. IRCTC further adds to give them a taste of luxury train travel and is upbeat about a January 2021 launch for operations and guests can now choose to travel for 2 Nights/3 Days on any of the 6 Nights/7 Days journey for just Rs. 59,999 plus GST per person on twin sharing basis for the journeys planned between January 2021 and March 2021. In addition, other attractive offers for Indian nationals for full tours include pay for one and companion travels at 50%. For the internet savvy generation, an online booking discount offer of 35% on the published tariff has also been launched for Indian nationals only.
For more details, offers and bookings visit www.goldenchariot.org or call Mob: 8287931971 or 8595931291, according to a press release from B. Ramesh, Regional Manager, IRCTC, Bengaluru.
Who is this for? Expatriate Indians do not want to pay $1000 for 3 days visiting Belur, Halebeedu , Hampi etc.. which all of them would have visited in their younger days . Not every expatriate Indian in a Western country is a millionaire, and $1000 covers grocery bills for 3 months for a small family or 1 month dormitory expense for a son/daughter in a Western university. Foreigners do not want to spend this amount in a place like India, but would rather have a week of ravel in Italy where there are more interesting sights and food and water are clean and can be consumed without fear! Even in 1960s, during a trip with friends in the above places, we witnessed how run down the places were, with badly maintained historical relics, many of them were carted away and sold in the black market of arts.
This may be ideal free journey for a central minister from a N. Indian state or an administrator in te central government hailing in the North.
If one travels in Air India, one will find that every fee paying seat, there will be 3 others by the Air India employees travelling free, and that half of the business class will be occupied by the Indian VIPs, travelling free!
Going to visit Mother India, is preparing get fleeced right from the instant one lands at the airport. Often cheaper to send the relatives tickets to visit to see their sons/daughters in the West!
This train never had occupancy more than 25%, a wastefull experience to have luxury trains, where Foreign travellers deter, and Indian travellers do not want to pay. Indian Railways should concentrate on providing infrastructures like line doubling Bengaluru to Mumbai via Guntakal, and Miraj. Most of these sections have single line and it is a mockery to travel over 26 hrs for a journey of 1200Km. While most of the trains travel at a speed not greater than 55KMph, Railways are ambitious of bullet trains which ultimately travel at a speed not more than 110KMph.
Atleast clean the area around the railway tracks. It is very disgusting to see garbage strewn across the tracks. How would your high paying foreigners feel about this aweful sight? The garbage problem along railway tracks are most visible in urban areas…
@Prasanna
You are so right. What India needs is more clean trains, doubling of tracks and speedier and safer trains. Ticket prices must be at levels that even ordinary citizens can pay. India has to look at Europe: Germany and France where train tickets are subsidised: after all trains help to save the environment as public transport. They are fast, very comfortable and always on time.
This golden train nonsense, will not attract any one. India is not popular tourist destination for foreigners., This train as the poster above said will cater only for VIPs like ministers, and government officials who will not be paying passengers