Maharajas Express Luxury Train Crowned with extraordinary Luxury

The Southern Sojourn

Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Destinations Cevered: Mumbai – Ratnagiri - Goa – Hampi – Mysore – Ernakulam – Kumarakom - Trivandrum

Day 1- Saturday Ratnagiri

Welcome Onboard the Maharajas' Express as we proceed to Ratnagiri.
Early in the morning at around 0630 hrs assemble at Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus to board the Maharajas’ Express. Embark on this unique journey after a traditional welcome.
Disembark at Ratnagiri after lunch to visit the Ratnadurg Fort ruins, Govt Aquarium and Thibaw Palace and Tombs. Return to the train.

• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on board.
• Overnight on the Maharajas' Express.

Day 2- Sunday Goa

Arrive into Goa – the Queen of Beaches.

After onboard breakfast, deboard 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 onboard 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.

• Breakfast and Lunch onboard. Dinner at an exclusive venue
• Overnight on the Maharajas’ Express.

Day 3- Monday Goa

Breakfast onboard as the train shall proceed to Hampi. Enjoy the scenic ride through ridges. Lunch shall be served onboard.

Arrive HOSPET Railway Station and 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. Or you may choose for a rejuvenating spa at one of the deluxe hotels.

Return to the comforts of Maharajas’ Express.

Dinner shall be served onboard. Overnight on the Maharajas’ Express.

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner onboard.
• Overnight on the Maharajas’ Express.

Please contact the Guest Relations Executive for the Optional Activities.

Day 4- Tuesday Hampi

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 these on Tuk Tuks and Battery Operated Carts.

Return to the train for lunch as the Maharajas’ Express proceeds to Mysore.

Dinner shall be served onboard.

• Breakfast, lunch and Dinner onboard.
• Overnight on the Maharajas’ Express.

Day 5- Wednesday Mysore

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

Or you may choose a visit to Shreerangapatnam, the capital of Tipu Sultan.

Please contact the Guest Relations Executive for the optional activities.

Maharajas’ Express proceeds for Ernakulam/Cochin.

• Breakfast and Dinner on board; Lunch at Lalitha Mahal Palace.
• Overnight on the Maharajas’ Express.
• Requires removal of footwear at Mysore Palace

Day 6- Thrusday Cochin

Arrive into Kerala - God’s Own Country.

Breakfast and lunch shall be served onboard.

Disembark at around 14:15 hrs to visit a village complex practicing various traditional arts. Take a short Tuk Tuk ride to reach the Model Eco Tourism village. Witness the unique Chinese Fishing Nets in action, a traditional crab farm and other activities using coir products.

Proceed for dinner to an exclusive venue. Enjoy traditional South Indian dances while you relish a traditional South Indian lunch.

• Breakfast and lunch onboard.
• Dinner at an exclusive venue.
• Overnight on the Maharajas’ Express.

Day 7- Friday Kumarakom

After onboard breakfast, proceed for a Canoe Cruise on the famous backwaters of Kumarakom. Enjoy this scenic cruise into the hinterland as the canoe's pass through narrow canals with coconut palms dotting the landscape.

Proceed for lunch at an exclusive venue on the lakefront. Witness an exciting Snake Boat Race. Snake Boat Races with upto 60 boatmen rowing in provide a magnificent example of rigorous training and team spirit of the traditional sports of South India.

Return to the comforts of Maharajas’ Express.

Enjoy an ‘Indian Evening’ onboard raising a toast to this memorable experience as the Maharajas’ Express proceeds to Trivandrum.

• Breakfast on board; Lunch at an exclusive venue; Indian Evening and Dinner on board.
• Overnight on the Maharajas’ Express.

Day 8- Saturday Disembark in Trivandrum

Early this morning, after breakfast, you will disembark at around 08:00 hours at Trivandrum (Kochuveli Railway station), the capital city of Kerala. Bid farewell to the Maharajas' Express as the journey comes to an end. The journey is over, but the memory of which, will live on forever!

• Breakfast on the Maharajas’ Express.

The Southern Jewels

Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Destinations Cevered: Trivandrum – Chettinad –Mahabalipuram – Mysore – Hampi – Goa – Ratnagiri - Mumbai

Day 1- Saturday Chettinad

Welcome Onboard as we proceed to Chettinad.

Welcome aboard the Maharajas' Express.

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.

Day 2- Sunday Chettinand/Karaikudi

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.

Day 3- Monday Mahabalipuram

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.

Please contact the Guest Relations Executive for the Optional Activities.

Day 4- Tuesday Mysore

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

Or you may choose, as an optional activity, a visit to Shreerangapatnam, the capital of Tipu Sultan.

Please contact the Guest Relations Executive for the optional activities.

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.

Day 5- Wednesday Hampi

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.

Or You may choose for a rejuvenating spa at one of the deluxe hotels.

Return to the comforts of Maharajas’ Express. Dinner shall be served onboard.

• Breakfast, lunch and Dinner onboard.
• Overnight on the Maharajas’ Express.

Day 6- Thrusday Goa

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.

Day 7- Friday Ratnagiri

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.

Day 8- Saturday Disembark in Mumbai

Early this morning, after breakfast, you will disembark at around 08:15 hours at Mumbai, the financial capital of India.

Bid farewell to the Maharajas' Express as the journey comes to an end. The journey is over, but the memory of which, will live on forever!

• Breakfast on the Maharajas’ Express.