IRCTC launches tour package to northeast

Coimbatore: Northeast seems to be a popular destination among the domestic travellers from the state for summer travel. To seize on the opportunity, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has unveiled a five-night, six-day tour package to destinations such as Guwahati, Kaziranga, Cherrapunjee and Shillong for this month.
This also marks the IRCTC’s diversification into flight packages.The package, which includes round-trip flight tickets to and from Chennai, is priced at Rs 36,500. The price would also cover entry tickets for sightseeing, all meals, tour escort and GST. The trip is scheduled to begin on February 27.
The IRCTC also operates flight packages to Andaman, Goa, Shirdi and Varanasi from Tamil Nadu.
Now that the summer is slowly setting in, travel firms are offering tour packages to wildlife sanctuaries such as Kaziranga, Pench and Ranthambore. C Saravanan, of Canopy Nature Academy, says, “Summer is a popular season for wildlife safaris, as animals tend to come out to waterholes more often. Safaris are by and large organized to the waterholes, providing more opportunities for sightings and photography.” A five-night, six-day package from Chennai would cost Rs 35,000 per person. If you want to fly out from Coimbatore, it would cost you an additional Rs 5,000.
Travel agents in the district say they are yet to put together a customized or group package to such safari spots. “We are, however, getting many inquiries for Kaziranga as part of northeast tour,” says P Krishnaraj, president, Travels Agents’ Association in Coimbatore.