Visitors to Southern India can enjoy a luxurious voyage of discovery thanks to a veritable 'palace on wheels' - the Golden Chariot.

This five-star train transports tourists between sites of cultural and historic interest throughout the Indian state of Karnataka.

While the neighbouring states of Kerala and Goa are firmly established on the tourist trail, Karnataka is only just entering the mass consciousness of international travellers.

With poor roads, no real air access and only limited hotels the state has remained largely untouched.

However, the Golden Chariot is now opening up this area and revealing its many wonders, all of which are encapsulated under the region's "One State, Many Worlds" slogan.

And the concept of exploring India's heritage sites from the opulent surroundings of a train that comes complete with its very own spa is proving increasingly popular.

The Golden Chariot's journey begins in Bangalore's Yeshwanthpur railway station before it embarks on a seven day tour that winds its way through Karnataka, stopping at some of its impressive heritage sites, and eventually finishing in Goa.

Those who embark on this journey can enjoy a host of luxuries that are packed into the eighteen coaches that form the Golden Chariot.

Eleven of these carriages are given over to sleeping quarters named after the dynasties - such as Rashtrakuta, Vijayanagara and Chalukya - which formerly ruled over territories in Karnataka.

Each of the carriages, which cost around $350 per night for double occupancy, have a full-time coach attendant who provides an attentive, butler-like service.

The decor of each cabin draws its inspiration from Karnataka's artisans; this includes bedspreads made of hand-woven silk and cabin designs influenced by the Mysore and Belur-Halebidu schools of art and architecture.

However, there are also no shortage of modern conveniences - a flat-screened plasma television is discretely hidden behind a panel of light-coloured wood, while each cabin also has its own en suite bathroom facilities.

Those looking to relax can head to the Aragoya carriage, which houses an ayurvedic spa and a compact gym with cardiovascular fitness machines.

Treatments on offer include aromatherapy and Swedish massages, as well as detox and de-stress packages. There are also, despite the obvious space constraints, two steam rooms.

Top quality food, using fresh and seasonal ingredients, is also one of the highlights of the Golden Chariot experience.

The onboard meals are served in two dining cars, named Ruchi (Sanskrit for 'fine taste') and Nalapaka (after a king and legendary chef from the Hindu epic, The Mahabharata).

With an impressive menu on offer, both continental and Indian options are served at every mealtime with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices.

The artfully arranged dishes are created by Executive Chef Deepak Chaubey and his team, who work using electric ovens and hot-plates - gas cooking is not permitted on the Indian Railways - in two narrow galley-style kitchens.

Following a good dinner guests can then retire to the bar for a nightcap - settling down at the lounge-bar in 'Madira', a carriage named after the nectar of the gods.

The Golden Chariot's well fed and well rested passengers also have a wide variety of excursions at their fingertips.

And the luxury doesn't stop when you leave the train - an air-conditioned coach follows the train throughout Karnataka and picks guests up from railway stations along the route to take them to a myriad of different attractions.

At each stop in-depth commentaries are provided by guides and local specialists who join up with the group at each of the stations.

With 609 of India's 3,600 centrally protected monuments located in Karnataka there is certainly no shortage of things to see and historic and cultural sites make up the mainstay of the attractions visited by the Golden Chariot.

Two of these destinations, Hampi and Pattadakal, offer guests the chance to explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Hampi was once the capital of the powerful Vijayanagar Empire and the ruins of the once great city are spread over an area of 26 square kilometres. Highlights include the Virupaksha and Vitthala temples. The latter, dedicated to an avatar of Vishnu, is known for the Stone Chariot and Saptasvara Mantapa, which has 56 pillars with musical tones.

Meanwhile, at the seventh century temples of nearby Pattadakal visitors can, unusually, find examples of both north and south Indian architectural details. The Dravidian Mahakuteshwara Temple, dedicated to Shiva, and the Mallikarjuna Temple, with sculpted details of gods, goddesses and couples in love, are among the highlights of the site. Local men in this region wear distinctive white cotton dhotis and Nehru-style kapis.

Shravanabelagola, which translates as the 'white pond of the monks', is also on the itinerary. Voted as one of the 'Seven Wonders of India' the site is home to the world's tallest monolithic statue. Depicting Jain ascetic Lord Bahubali (Gomateshwara), this statue stands 58ft 8in tall and was built in 981AD. To reach it pilgrims and tourists must either climb 612 steps or charter a palanquin and team of bearers to carry them to the top.

Badami, meaning 'almond coloured,' is named after the hue of the region's sandstone. The South Fort's sandstone caves, overlooking Lake Agastya, are famed for their stone sculptures of Shiva, Vishnu and Jain saints.

And then there is Mysore's Indo-Saracenic style Amba Vilas Palace and the nearby fountains, steps and walkways of Brindavan Gardens, which Bollywood fans are sure to recognise.

Along the way there's also a chance to enjoy some of the region's impressive wildlife, with an overnight stay at the Kabini River Lodge providing opportunities to take jeep and boat safaris within the Rajiv Gandhi (Nagarhole) National Park.

In Goa, the train's final stop, passengers have the opportunity to enjoy the golden sands and warm waters of the Arabian Sea.

MUST CREDIT PHOTOS BY: Stuart Forster / Rex Features