Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC), that operates the famous ‘Golden Chariot’, is expecting an increase in occupancy of the luxury train by about 40 per cent this forthcoming season. The luxury train will depart from Bangalore on September 20th thus marking the onset of the new season.
Vinay Luthra, Managing Director, KSTDC said “About 1,500 tourists experienced the Golden Chariot journey in the last two seasons. We are hopeful of increasing the occupancy by 40 per cent this year compared to the last season.”
The train has undergone a makeover both in terms of interior and exterior, and the Corporation is offering 2 itineraries this year- Pride of the South, the traditional route of the train, which is a 7 night and 8 days journey covering Bengaluru Srirangapatnam - Mysore - Kabini - Shravanabelagola - Belur - Halebid - Hampi - Badami - Aihole - Pattadakal – Goa.
Southern Splendour, a new route added in the end of the last season, is a 7 nights and 8 days itinerary covering Bengaluru - Chennai - Mamallapuram - Pondicherry - Tiruchirapalli and Thanjavur - Madurai - Thiruvananthapuram and Poovar - Backwaters and Kochi – Bengaluru. These 2 itineraries will be operated alternatively throughout the season.
