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The Southern Jewels

Trivandrum – Chettinad – Thanjavur – Mahabalipuram – Mysore – Hampi – Goa – Mumbai


Durations: 7 Nights / 8 Days
Season: October - April
Starting From: GBP 5705

The Southern part of India boasts of innumerable delights for tourists, who visit its various wonderful cities. There is no better way to explore and experience all this than opting for the Southern Jewels, a meticulously-crafted journey of Maharajas' Express.

Some of the most popular South Indian destinations are a part of this 8-day itinerary including Trivandrum, Chettinad, Thanjavur, Mahabalipuram, Mysore, Hampi, and Goa, lying on the Konkan coast. Special meals at grand venues, splendid mansions of Chettinad region, UNESCO World heritage Site of Mahabalipuram, old ruins of Hampi, magnificence of the Mysore Palace, and elegant churches of Old Goa, are some of the highlights of the trip. Guests enjoy world-class comforts while on-board, amid regal interiors.


Rating 4.5

Detail Itinerary

Assemble at Vivanta by Taj Hotel at 18:00 hours. Complete the registration and check-in formalities. Proceed to the railway station where you enjoy a traditional welcome with garland and tikka. Enjoy the welcome drink. Now go on-board the Maharajas' Express. Settle in your cabins and explore the facilities offered here. At 21:15 hours, the train starts chugging away from Kochuveli Railway station towards its first destination, Chettinad, home to Chettiars, the most prosperous trading community of South India.

Overnight stay on-board.

The Indian luxury train has arrived in Chettinad today as you savour sumptuous breakfast. De-board the train for sightseeing including the splendid royal Chettinad Mansions and Athangudi Tile Factory where you can see the local craftsmen making tiles with their hands. Later, head towards one of the heritage hotels of Chettinad for enjoying exciting activities like Henna Art, Mundu/Dhoti Draping, Sari Draping, etc. Back to the train for lunch. The evening is at leisure. You can enjoy the facilities inside the train. Relish sumptuous dinner.

Overnight stay.

In the morning, breakfast is served on-board. At 08:00 AM, get down form the train, which is now in Mahabalipuram to explore the UNESCO World heritage Site of Mahabalipuram group of monuments. This historical port town is known to have a rich past and heritage. The monuments are around 40-minute drive away from the railway station. Once you reach, visit the popular architectural marvels such as Shore Temple, Arjuna's Penance, and 5 Rathas. Enjoy lunch at a special venue along with a folk dance performance. Return on the Maharajas' Express, which starts its journey for Mysore. Enjoy dinner on-board.

Overnight on-board the train.

On the 4th day, the train has entered the delightful city of Mysore. After breakfast, get down from the train for exploring the outstanding Mysore Palace, also called the Wodeyar Palace. The royal residence of the Wodeyars (Mysore's royal family), it is one of the largest South Indian palace complexes. Several courtyards, well-maintained gardens, and 2 capacious ceremonial halls are a part of this palace. Lunch is planned at the Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel, commissioned by the Wodeyars in 1920's for the then Viceroy of India. The Ball room, Viceroy hall and the restaurant are huge. Thereafter, you can either go back to the train or can visit the capital of Tipu Sultan, Shreerangapatnam. Dinner is served on-board the luxury train, which at 20:00 hours, starts for Hampi.

Overnight inside the train.

After breakfast, de-board the train for visiting UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi, housing amazing specimens of Dravidian style of architecture. The splendid temples were built by the rulers of the Vijayanagar Empire. Some of the popular attractions of Hampi are the Elephant Stables, Virupaksha Temple, Ganesha Statue, and Narasimha Statute. Do not miss out on exploring the Musical Pillars Temple and the Stone Chariot at the Vittala Temple complex. A ride in tuk tuk would be memorable. Back to the train for lunch. At 15:45 hours, get down from the train for heading towards Anegudi Village, located right across the River Tungabhadra. It is said that the village dates back to the Neolithic age. Interact with the locals and get an insight into their way of living. Another option is to visit a popular city hotel for enjoying a relaxing spa session. Dinner on-board the Maharajas' Express.

Overnight on-board.

On day 6, the train has entered the party capital of India, Goa. Enjoy breakfast in the train while admiring wonderful vistas. The morning is at leisure, you can enjoy the facilities in the train. Lunch on-board is followed by de-boarding the train at 16:00 hours for an evening of dance and music performances. En-route, take a halt at the Goa Chitra Museum- housing a wonderful ethnographic collection of musical instruments, palanquins, pottery, carts, and farming tools. In the evening, enjoy Goan music and dance performance. Dinner at a special venue. Return to the train.

Overnight stay.

Breakfast is served on-board. Thereafter get down for sightseeing tour of Goa. The first visit of the day is to the UNESCO World Heritage site. Basilica of Bom Jesus- housing the mortal remains of Saint Francis Xavier. The next visit is to the Se Cathedral, which is just on the opposite road of the Basilica of Bom Jesus. The Portuguese rulers had commissioned this cathedral for commemorating their victory over the Muslim army. Lunch at a special venue. Later on, enjoy a Walking Tour of the Old Panjim, an amazing amalgam of the Portuguese and Goan culture. Return to the train for a special evening with drinks and dinner.

Overnight stay on-board the train.

The train has returned to Mumbai today. Enjoy an early morning breakfast. Around 08:15 hours disembark the train and complete the check-out formalities.

The Southern Jewels Departure Dates for Season 2019 - 2020
Month Departure Dates
SEPTEMBER, 2019 14
The Southern Jewels (8 Days/ 7 Nights)
Cabin Adult Single Supplement
Deluxe Cabin GBP 5,705 GBP 4,303
Junior Suite GBP 8,243 GBP 7,432
Suite GBP 11,500 GBP 11,500
Presidential Suite GBP 19,750 GBP 19,750

Terms & Conditions:
  • All the above prices are on per person per journey on twin sharing basis.
  • The above cost is exclusive of 5% service tax that will be charged extra.
  • All Optional Tours are on chargeable basis and are subject to availability. Details and pricing will be made available on board during the journey.
  • Please note all bookings confirmed are non-transferable and will invite a cancellation charge as applicable.

Inclusions
  • Accommodation in double / twin bedded cabins with attached bathrooms.
  • All meals, soft beverages, house brands of Indian wines, beer and spirits.
  • Butler service, complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water on board.
  • Guided off train tours as included in the journeys inclusive of entrance fees, still camera fee, transport and services of a guide.
  • Porter charges at stations.
Exclusions
  • Any optional tours as mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Taxes, insurance, gratuities, telephone calls, laundry.
  • Alcoholic beverages (apart from the house brands).
  • Video, film and professional still camera fees and arrival and departure transfers.
  • International and domestic air tickets.
  • Pre and post tour accommodation.
  • Any tour extensions unless specifically mentioned as part of the journeys.

Payment
  • Pay 25% of tour cost at least 90 days or more prior to departure date and pay remaining amount 60 days prior to departure date.
  • Pay 100% of the tour cost if you are booking 59 days prior to departure date.
  • You will have to pay all bank charges.
  • The prevailing rate of exchange on the date of transaction would be applicable
Cancellation Policy

The cancellation policy that is followed by the train is as:

  • 60 days or more prior to departure, 25% of published price.
  • 45 to 59 days prior to departure, 50% of the published price.
  • 0 to 44 days prior to departure, 100% of the published price.


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