Daisy
Speed Post News Network
Patna : Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Indian Railways have launched an innovative tour package that would take travellers and tourists to a fascinating odyssey of the majestic tigers at ‘ Bandhavgarh’ and ‘Kanha’ national parks in Madhya Pradesh.
The first of its kind package christened as ‘Tiger Express’ will start from Delhi’s Safdarjung station on June 5, 2016, coinciding with the World Environment Day. The 5 nights / 6 days tour programme has a tariff structure starting from Rs 38,500, said IRCTC chairman cum managing director ( CMD ) A K Manocha.
According to Manocha, the IRCTC has planned that the visits to Bandavgarh and Kanha national parks would be carried out by a semi-luxury train and air-conditioned road transportation so that travellers can also visit the famous Dhuadhar Falls at Bhedaghat in Jabalpur.For travelling in 1AC, tariff has been fixed at Rs 49,500 for single occupancy while Rs 45,500 for double occupancy, Rs 44,900 for triple occupancy and Rs 39,500 for child with bed (5-11 years), he said.
The fares for those travelling in AC 2-tier is Rs 43,500 for single occupancy, Rs 39,000 for double occupancy, Rs 38,500 for triple occupancy and Rs 33,500 for child with bed (5-11 years). All the rates are on per person basis, he said adding these rates are valid for Indian citizens only.
However, an additional surcharge of Rs. 4,000 per person will be charged from foreigners for the Safari booking at Bandhagarh and Kanha. Besides, it is mandatory to mention that one has to carry the same ID proof during the entire trip, the number of which was given at the time of booking tickets with the IRCTC.
IRCTC CMD said the package includes accommodation in air-conditioned standard rooms of three star or equivalent hotels for three nights (one night in Bandhavgarh and two nights in Kanha in Mogli Resort). All sightseeing and transportation will be made by a fleet of Innova cars which include serving international standard buffet meals, bottled water, game safaris, inter-city transfers and travel insurance.” Sighting of Indian tigers has always been a huge attraction for travellers and wildlife enthusiasts from India and abroad. The Tiger Express has been chalked out to make it an affordable and glitch-free experience for those who want to have a brush with India’s famed wildlife,” A K Manocha said .
Giving details of the itinerary, an IRCTC official said that the train would leave Safdarjung station( Delhi ) at 2.30 pm on June 5, 2016. On Day 2, travellers reach Katni station in the morning and will check in a hotel and then proceed for evening safari (Khitauli Zone). On Day 3, passengers arrive at Kanha and they will go for evening safari (Mukki Zone) in Kanha. On Day 04, after morning safari lunch at Hotel, a documentary will be screened in the evening followed by a talk by naturalist on Tiger. On Day 5, they will leave for Jabalpur (135 km from Kanha) for a visit to Dhuadhar waterfall in Bedhaghat. In the evening tourists will proceed to Jabalpur station for boarding the train for Safdarjung station at 8 pm and they will reach Safdarjung station in the evening on Day 6, he said .
An IRCTC official said that tickets for the ‘Tiger Trail Circuit’ can be booked online at www.irctctourism.com. For further information, one may email at tourism@irctc.com or dial 9717648718, 9717645648, he said .