Pune, December 21, 2020: With the opening up of Pilgrimage and other Tourist places, the Domestic Tourist is aspiring to Travel again. Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the Tourism arm of Indian Railways, is at the forefront of facilitating Tourism in the new normal conditions. To foster confidence and ensure peace of mind of the tourists, IRCTC has started COVID safe tours by adhering to COVID protocols.
Amongst all variants of IRCTC Tourism Products, Bharat Darshan and Pilgrim Special Tourist Trains offer most economic, wide coverage and popular tours.
Bharat Darshan was introduced in 2004 with the objective of fostering the “Right to Tourism” and bringing Tourism to the masses. It is one of the most affordable packages available in the tourism industry.
Bharat Darshan tourist trains facilitate tourists to visit various destinations within India at a very nominal Price notified from time to time, the present cost of Bharat Darshan is Rs. 900+GST for Sleeper class and Rs.1100+GST for 3AC. This includes the cost of arrangement for train journey by the chosen class, dormitory /Hall accommodation at places of Night stay, road transportation, all meals, sightseeing, tour escorts 86 security arrangements etc.
Tour itineraries range from 7 to 14 days covering major tourist and religious places across India.
Another recently introduced Mass Tourism Product is the Pilgrim Special Tourist Train with slightly higher levels of facilities of accommodation and Transport.
Some of the most popular and upcoming Bharat Darshan and Pilgrim Special Tourist Train Tours are
1. North Darshan covering places like Vaishnodevi, Agra, Mathura, Amritsar, Jaipur.
2. South Darshan including a visit to Rameshwaram, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Guruvayur, Trivandrum.
3. Jyotirlinga Yatra,
4. Puri Gangasagar Yatra, etc.
Bookings have started for the following Bharat Darshan /Pilgrim Special Tourist Tours:
A. The first post lockdown Bharat Darshan tour from Mumbai is planned to be operated on 04.01.2021 – Package code: WZBD293 -Package name – Bangalore & Mysore with Dakshin Darshan Yatra. This package is for 9 Nights/ 10 Days and reaches Mumbai on 13.01.2021. The all-inclusive package cost is Rs.9,450/- (Standard) 86 Rs.11,550/ – (Comfort) per person.
Boarding points are CSMT, Kalyan, Lonavala, Chinchwad, Pune, Daund, Kurduvadi, Solapur, Gulbarga and Wadi. It will cover tourist places such as Mysore, Bangalore, Kanyakumari, Trivandrum, Madurai, Rameshwaram and Tirupati.
B. The Bharat Darshan tour from Pune will run on 31.01.21 – Package code: WZBD295 – Package name – Ayodhya – Varanasi – Prayagraj – Chitrakoot Yatra Special. This package is for 7 Nights/8 Days and reaches Mumbai on 07.02.21. The all-inclusive package cost is Rs.7,560/- (Standard) & Rs.9,240/- (Comfort) per person. Boarding points are Pune, Lonavala, Panvel, Kalyan, Nasik, Manmad, Chalisgaon, Jalgoan and Bhushwal. It will cover tourist spots such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj and Chitrakoot
C. The first Pilgrim special Tourist Train from Kolhapur will run on 13.03.2021 – Package code: WZPSTT06 – Package
name – Puri Gangasagar Yatra. This package is for 9 Nights/10 Days & reaches Mumbai on 22.03.2021. The all-inclusive package cost is Rs.9,450/- (Standard) & Rs.15,750/- (Comfort) per person. Boarding points are Kolhapur, Miraj, Satara, Pune, Lonavala, Panvel, Kalyan, Igatpuri, Nashik, Manmad, Jalgoan and Bhushwal. It will cover pilgrim places such as Varanasi (Kashi Vishwanath), Gaya (Bodh Gaya), Kolkata (Gangasagar), Puri (Jagannath Puri, Konark Temple & Lingaraj Temple).
C. The first Pilgrim special Tourist Train from Kolhapur will run on 13.03.2021 – Package code: WZPSTT06 – Package
name – Puri Gangasagar Yatra. This package is for 9 Nights/10 Days & reaches Mumbai on 22.03.2021. The all-inclusive package cost is Rs.9,450/- (Standard) & Rs.15,750/- (Comfort) per person. Boarding points are Kolhapur, Miraj, Satara, Pune, Lonavala, Panvel, Kalyan, Igatpuri, Nashik, Manmad, Jalgoan and Bhushwal. It will cover pilgrim places such as Varanasi (Kashi Vishwanath), Gaya (Bodh Gaya), Kolkata (Gangasagar), Puri (Jagannath Puri, Konark Temple & Lingaraj Temple).