Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Oct 23: Karnataka’s flagship luxury tourist train, the Golden Chariot, will resume operations for the 2026-27 season on October 24, with its inaugural journey recording 100% bookings.

The train returns with upgraded onboard facilities and a curated itinerary spanning wildlife, royal heritage, UNESCO World Heritage sites, coffee estates and coastal attractions.

The first five-night, six-day Pride of Karnataka journey has received bookings for all available places, with 75 guests set to travel. Nearly 60 onboard staff members will provide hospitality and other services throughout the trip.

The itinerary brings together some of the region’s most prominent attractions, including the wildlife of Bandipur, Mysuru’s royal heritage, the architectural splendour of Belur and Halebidu, the coffee estates of Chikkamagaluru, the UNESCO world heritage site of Hampi and Goa’s coastal attractions and Indo-Portuguese heritage.

Maintenance and upgrades ahead of season

Ahead of its return, the Golden Chariot underwent scheduled technical maintenance at the Mysuru Workshop from May to August 2026. The train’s exterior was refreshed, while its hospitality facilities were strengthened to enhance the onboard experience.

The upgrades included modernisation of the onboard kitchen with a combi oven and high-capacity induction systems, along with an upgraded reverse osmosis (RO) water purification plant.

A total of 13 luxury journeys have been scheduled for the 2026-27 season. These comprise seven Pride of Karnataka trips, three Glimpses of Karnataka journeys and three Jewels of South tours.

Tourism secretary Dr Ram Prasath Manohar said the strong response to the inaugural journey was an encouraging start, while stressing the need to maintain demand throughout the season.

"The 100% booking for the first journey is an encouraging start. The priority now is to sustain this demand across the season by strengthening onboard hospitality, destination experiences, marketing and booking systems, and positioning the Golden Chariot more effectively in premium tourism markets," he said.

With its first departure fully booked and onboard facilities upgraded, the Golden Chariot is set to begin the new season with a focus on premium hospitality and immersive travel experiences across southern India.