The Golden Chariot - An Indian Train with unimaginable luxury, unforgettable travel experiences, great food, outstanding services and a lifetime experience
We have shared quite a lot about 8 days trip with one of the India's luxury train Golden Chariot but in this post we are going to focus only on the train. What makes this train so special if we forget about great travel experiences to some of the gems of Karnataka State in India. In this post, I am going to answer some of the most obvious questions I have been asked in last few years and hope this will help many who are looking to find about Golden Chariot, services available onboard, along with details on how everything is done very professionally when you are on a 8 days journey with Golden Chariot. Let's get started and know more about the train.
We are going to share details in form of frequently asked questions I came across in last few years and hopefully that will help understanding how the Golden Chariot train looks like, what it offers and what not.
Who runs these luxury trains in India and how these trains are different from other trains run by Indian Railways?
These are Indian railway trains converted with better infrastructure by keeping the experience in mind. As we share more, you will realise that these are completely transformed trains.
Do you get a full coupe for yourself on Golden Chariot Train?
So on Golden Chariot you can assume a coupe as a resort room. Configurations of these rooms are different. Double bed rooms, rooms with 2 single beds etc. So you get your private space with good interiors. In one coach of the Golden Chariot train, there are 3 coupes/rooms like the one you see in above photograph.
How is washroom quality on the Golden Chariot Train?
Every room on the Golden Chariot train has attached toilet and bathroom with appropriate fittings and essentials. Room along with washroom is cleaned on daily basis and you can ask for service in between.
Washroom essentials are provided to all guests and all this is managed by a private hospitality partner. You will also see Karnataka Tourism branding on these things placed in your bathroom.
How is Food quality, variety & service on Golden Chariot Train?
Food served on the Golden Chariot is pretty good with quite good variety and the team of chefs also show flexibility if you are accompanying kids or old people who may have certain dietary conditions. Make sure you inform about the same upfront and double check before booking.
There is a great team of chefs who serve fantastic food for you on the Golden Chariot train.
Everyday during the 8 days trip, menus for Breakfast, lunch and dinner are different. Usually there are different options you can chose from. On certain days meals are served in hotels where you are staying and a dinner is planned in one of the popular hotels in Mysuru - Lalitha Palace.
The food menu is different on different days of the journey and with appropriate choices. On first day, in dinner we were served Grilled pineapple & prunes salad, followed with Mulligatawny Soup. In main course, there were two options - Thali or Cajun Grilled Fish with Supreme of Chicken in Black Olive sauce. Thali comprised of Men MilGU, Manguluru Chicken Curry, Dharwadi Bendekai, Mysuru Brinjal Curry, Drumstick Ulli Sambr, Tawa Chapati, fluffy steamed rice & Khajur, kale ka raitha. In desserts, there were 2 options - Tender Coconut Souffe or Gulab Jamun. I used to spend good amount of time in restaurant on Golden Chariot train to enjoy great food served by a fantastic team of chefs.
During one of the days lunch started with Greek a Salad followed by Cream of spinach soup with sun-dried tomatoes. In the main course, there was option between Thali and Roasted Chicken (Tender spring chicken roasted in jus and served with brown sauce). Thali comprised of Men Kozhambu, Gobi Masala, Lehsuni Moog Daal, Tawa Parantha, Coconut rice and Onion mint raita. I opted for Roast Chicken & it was awesome. Mango delight was served in the end.
Above photograph shows Ruchi Restaurant on the Golden Chariot train. There are 4 seater tables on side and 2 seater table on other side with walking space in the middle. On other side this coach is dedicated for kitchen and on other side, it's connected to 'Madira' coach, which is bar on the Golden Chariot Train.
Breakfast menu on one of the days on Golden Chariot train included cut fruit, Mango/Pineapple/Orange juices, cornflakes, wheat flakes, Muesli, oatmeal, cheese, eggs accompanied by ham, bacon, chicken sausages, grilled potatoes, masala dosa, aloo parantha, fresh breads and beverages.
As I mentioned earlier, breakfast menu is different on different days in a journey with great variety. Along with that fresh ingredients are procured on the way through reliable vendors, especially for meat, vegetables and diary products.
Dinner Menu for one of the other days on the Golden Chariot Train included Beetroot & Horseradish salad, Creme Broccoli, Penne Marinara, Roast Lamb, Murgh Masala, Khubani Kofta, Bhawaan Shimla Mirch, Methi Malai Mutter, Palak dal, Parti Parantha, Badami Pulao, Burrani Raita, Exotic Fruit Tart and Makai Jhajharia.
A photograph of roast lamb served on Golden Chariot on the 4th day around Hassan district of Karnataka state.
Above photograph shows Exotic Fruit Tart over Makai Jhajharia.
Another Dinner menu included - crispy coleslaw, creme du barry, grilled fish, coq-au-vin, gosht nilgiri korma, murgh kundan waliya, palak aloo, panchras dal, tawa paratha, jeera rice, tomato raita, tiramisu and sheer korma. This was about the non-veg menu and I didn’t check the veg menu, so sorry for that ignorance.
So overall food is pretty good on this luxury train in India called Golden Chariot.
Is there any provision for serving alcohol on Golden Chariot Train?
"Madira" coach is the bar room on the Golden Chariot. The photograph above shows the bar on the Golden Chariot train. Seating arrangement is similar to the restaurant but there are low chairs with tables in the middle. 4 seater arrangements on one side and 2 seater on the other side. Arrangement is the bar is changed on the basis of various activities they do during 8 days trip. Most of the common activities take place in the bar coach.
Is there any doctor onboard Golden Chariot Train?
I am not sure if there is any doctor on the Golden Chariot train or not. When I travelled. There were multiple doctor families on the train. This is worth checking before making booking, if this is important aspect for you. During days most of the times you will be out of the train where doctor access will be available. During night train is mostly parked in one of the stations in Karnataka, so there should be doctors nearby. I am just trying to guess the situation.
Are all stops for Golden Chariot single day or multi-day? Are these stops only during the day or night as well?
There is no place on the way where the Golden Chariot stop for more than a day. Detailed and day-wise information can be checked here. So everyday you are exploring new place. During one of the nights, train is parked in Mysuru railway station and guests stay in Kabini River resort.
Most of the other days, train is parked and you sleep in your room on the Golden Chariot train with one exception. Train is on the move on the night when it has to reach Goa. It's an overnight journey and some of the guests had problem sleeping because of the train sound/movement. I was able to sleep well.
Is there enough security on Golden Chariot Train?
The space feels safe and staff ensures all guests are taken care well. If you mean by security in terms of police/security-person deployment, I didn't see any. I will try to find more about safety & security protocols on the Golden Chariot Train and will update this section.
What's there on Golden Chariot for entertaining kids?
I couldn't notice anything specific on the Golden Chariot train for kids. I am confident that restaurant caters to the kids' needs. Usually schedule is quite busy with various activities, so I don't think there will be moments of boredom. If your kid is interested any specific kind of game/activity, try to keep some games/toys with you.
As above photograph shows, there are some activities done on the train and I noticed kids enjoying those.
Is there any relation to the world 'Gold' when we talk about Golden Chariot? Why this name?
I need to read about it, but the name is taken from famous "Stone Chariot" in Hampi. It's worth checking. I can't recall any specific reason behind it.
What kind of facilities you get in your room on Golden Chariot Train?
Are there enough charging points on Golden Chariot Train?
Yes, don't worry about that. There are enough charging sockets in your room as well as common areas. Rely more on room charging sockets as common area slots are in high demand.
How much luggage can I carry on Golden Chariot Train?
There is no limit as such. But better check before making booking, as these kind of conditions keep changing with time.
Is there any salon/spa available on Golden Chariot train?
I am not sure about the salon, but Spa is there with trained male and female staff. So guests can certainly enjoy spa.
There is a gym on Golden Chariot train which is available which is a complimentary service.
Do they host parities on Golden Chariot Train?
Yes, there is one night when DJ kind of setup is arranged with some snacks. You can order your drinks from the bar on the Golden Chariot. It's hard to plan for most of the days as schedule is usually packed and guests prefer taking rest. You can plan your own party by ordering your snacks, drinks in Madira coach of the Golden Chariot.
During one of the evenings the Chief Chef of the train demonstrates his recipe of Kundapur Kolisaaru (Kundapur Chicken Curry). It was super delicious.
Is there wifi available on Golden Chariot Train?
Yes, wifi is available on Golden Chariot but only in Restaurant and Bar area. This is nothing but a dongle which means bandwidth will be what you will get on your phone hotspots.
Are there televisions in rooms on Golden Chariot train?
I didn't have TV in my room and not sure if there is any TV on Golden Chariot train. Most probably not.
Is room service available on Golden Chariot train in India?
Yes, room service is available in Golden Chariot train but keep in mind that they have limited staff so at times you may need to wait more. Ideally I will say that don't rely on room service on Golden Chariot Train.
Mr Mahendera Singh Rathore and Mr Abhijay Verma along with chief chef Mr Deepak Chaubey ensure best services to the guests travelling with Golden Chariot train in India.
Do they have laundry facilities on Golden Chariot train?
I am not sure about it, so need to figure out. Somehow I feel that they must have some arrangement for laundry.
In terms of hygiene and cleanness, Golden Chariot staff takes good care when moving out from the train and coming from day tours. Above photograph shows sanitiser and cold towels being served when guests are coming back from their tour.
Action during Registration for Golden Chariot Journey : Taj WestEnd
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