Thursday, 23 MAY 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
After the successful run of the first special tourist train named Manaskhand Express from Pune to Tanakpur to promote lesser known destinations spread across Kumaon region through train tours, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) in association with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched the second trip of the train from Pune on Wednesday with 302 tourists. Notably, the first train with 280 tourists left Pune on April 22 and reached Tanakpur on April 24.
As per the package under Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train category, IRCTC will arrange hotel, bus and taxi for all the tourists while they will be visiting the major and lesser known destinations of Kumaon region. The services included in the package are being provided by IRCTC at a starting price of Rs 28,020.
The State tourism secretary and chief executive officer, UTDB Sachin Kurve said that the special train departed from Pune at 5 pm with 302 passengers on board and would reach Tanakpur railway station on May 24 via Lonavala, Kalyan, Vasai, Vapi, Surat, Vadoda, Ratlam and Ujjain among others.
The trip encompassing 10 nights and 11 days will include visit to various places, including Nainital, Bhimtal, Almora, Chaukori, Purnagiri temple, Haat Kalika temple, Katarmal, Kainchi Dham, Chitai Golu Devta, Jageshwar, Shardha Ghat, Patal Bhuvneshwar temple and Nanakmatta Gurudwara among others.
While the 3AC train is being provided to the pilgrims, four persons have been booked for a coupe to enhance their train travel comfort. Interestingly, the train’s exterior is showcasing Uttarakhand’s natural, cultural, architectural and spiritual heritage while the pantry car coach depicts various popular dishes from the State’s rich cuisine. Besides, one of the coaches depicts various folk festivals and another coach shows people wearing different attire in vogue in the State. On the top of this, revered temples and other places of importance are depicted on the coaches.
After deboarding at Tanakpur, the tourists will be taken to various destinations where they will stay at hotels/homestays booked in advance by IRCTC.
