The Southern Jewels
- Home /
- Journeys /
- The Southern Jewels
The Southern Jewels
This journey begins with visit to a soon to be declared UNESCO World Heritage Site at Chettinad, explore the group of monuments at Mahabalipuram - an ancient town on the south eastern coast, get close to the royal heritage at Mysore, experience village life at the ancient Anegundi village at Hampi, visit one of the country's finest ethnographic museums at Goa culminating with a Goan Carnival evening.
Tour Schedules
This afternoon, assemble at 1800 hours at Vivanta by Taj Hotel, Trivandrum and complete your registration and check in formalities at the hotel for the Maharajas' Express. Proceed to the train station for a traditional welcome as you board the Maharajas' Express.
Dinner shall be served onboard.
The Maharajas' Express departs Trivandrum (Kochuveli Railway station) at 21:15 hours for Chettinad, land of the South India's most influential trading community Chettiars.
- Dinner on board.
- Overnight on the Maharajas' Express.
Arrive into Chettinad. After onboard breakfast, visit famous Chettinad Mansions and Athnagudi Tile Factory. Proceed to visit one of the Chettinad Heritage Hotels for activities including Mundu/Dhoti Draping, Saree Draping, Henna Art etc.
Return to the train for lunch.
Dinner shall be served onboard as the Maharjas' Express proceeds to Mahabalipuram.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner onboard.
- Overnight on the Maharajas' Express.
After onboard breakfast disembark at around 08:00hrs to visit Mahabalipuram, the historical port town from where sea trade with South Asian countries flourished. A 40 minute drive from the train station brings you to this historical town. Visit 5 Rathas, Arjuna's Penance and Shore Temple, UNESCO World Heritage site.
Proceed for lunch at an exclusive venue with folk dances .
Return to the comforts of Maharajas' Express as the train proceeds to Mysore.
- Breakfast and dinner onboard, lunch at an exclusive venue.
- Overnight on the Maharajas' Express.
After onboard breakfast, visit the Wodeyar Palace popularly known as the Mysore Palace. The residence of the royal family of Mysore, the Palace is one of the largest in South India and house two ceremonial halls coupled with an array of courtyards, gardens and other buildings.
Proceed for lunch at the Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel. The heritage building, was built by the Wodeyars for the exclusive stay of the Viceroy of India in the 1920s. The structure, particularly the central dome, resembles, St. Paul's Cathedral, London and houses a Viceroy Hall, a Ball Room and a restaurant.
Return to the comforts of Maharajas' Express
At around 20:00 hrs, Maharajas' Express proceeds for Hampi.
- Breakfast and Dinner on board; Lunch at Lalitha Mahal Palace.
- Overnight on the Maharajas' Express.
- Requires removal of footwear at Mysore Palace
After an early breakfast, proceed to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi. The group of monuments with several stone structures spread over a vast expanse speaks volumes about the highly developed Dravidian architectural style of the Vijayanagar empire. Prominent sites include Ganesha Statue, Virupaksha Temple, Narasimha Statute, Elephant Stables and the Vittala Temple complex, housing the Musical Pillars Temple and the Stone Chariot.
Enjoy the surroundings as you travel around the ruins on Tuk Tuks and Battery Operated Carts.
Return to the train for lunch. At around 15:45 hrs, proceed to visit Anegudi Village. The sylvan village across the Tungabhadra river dates its history to the Neolithic Age. Interact with the locals and participate in activities to get a glimpse of the village life.
Return to the comforts of Maharajas' Express. Dinner shall be served onboard.
- Breakfast, lunch and Dinner onboard.
- Overnight on the Maharajas' Express.
After onboard Breakfast proceed by road to visit the churches of North Goa including the Basilica of Bom Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where the remains of Saint Francis Xavier are preserved. Visit the Se Cathedral, just opposite the Basilica of Bom Jesus. The Se Cathedral was built to mark the conquest of Goa by the Portuguese after defeating a Muslim army. A Walking Tour of the Old Panjim houses will give a glimpse of the amalgamation of the Portuguese culture with Goanese. Return to the train for lunch.
Deboard at around 15:45 hrs for an evening of dance and music. Enroute, visit the Goa Chitra Museum, one of the finest private ethnographic museum in the state. The museum houses a collection of pottery, farming tools, musical instruments, carts and palanquins depicting the growth of civilization in Goa.
Later enjoy an exclusive Goan evening of carnival music followed by dinner at an exclusive venue. After dinner, return to comfort of Maharajas' Express as the train proceeds to Ratnagiri.
- Breakfast and Lunch onboard. Dinner at an exclusive venue.
- Overnight on the Maharajas' Express.
After onboard breakfast, disembark at Ratnagiri to visit the Ratnadurg Fort ruins, Govt Aquarium and Thibaw Palace and Tombs. Return to the train for lunch. Enjoy an Indian Evening onboard - an evening of Bollywood dance and music with dinner as the train proceeds to Mumbai.
Return to the train.
Enjoy an 'Indian Evening' onboard raising a toast to this memorable experience as the Maharajas' Express proceeds to Mumbai.
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on board.
- Overnight on the Maharajas' Express.
Early this morning, after breakfast, you will disembark at around 08:15 hours at Mumbai, the financial capital of India.
- Breakfast on the Maharajas' Express.
Note
- It may be required to remove footwear to enter monuments, sites, temples at one or more or all destinations. Wherever possible, shoe covers shall be provided by the accompanying Maharajas' Express staff.
- All 'Options' / 'Optional Tours' are on chargeable basis and are subject to availability. Details and pricing will be made available on board during the journey.
- The itineraries and timings are subject to change, due to factors beyond our control such as 'force majeure' events, strikes, fairs, festivals, sport events, weather conditions, disruptions/diversions of rail services, re-routing of railway, closure of / restricted entry at a place of sightseeing, non availability of venues etc.
- The tour will generally be organised as per details given above. However one may please check any changes in the program/timings provided in the travel document during check in formalities and/or Check with Train General Manager during the tour for any last minute changes/updates.