New Delhi, Oct 20: Revamping its tour package, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited has swung back into action with launching Padharo Rajasthan Tour which will start from here on November 18, 2020 and cover Jodhpur and Jaisalmer.
IRCTC, railways catering and tourism arm, known for its train tours had halted all train tour operations owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With reopening of economy activities, we have carefully redrawn our action plan with SOPs and are ready with several tours for train travel enthusiasts in the coming months, said a senior IRCTC official.
The first in this series is the 4 nights/5 Days Padharo Rajasthan Tour. The Deluxe Tourist Train which was launched by IRCTC in 2018 has a host of envious features including two fine dining restaurants, a modern kitchen, shower cubicles in coaches, sensor based washroom functions, foot massager.
The fully air-conditioned train provides two types of accommodation – First AC and 2nd AC. The train has enhanced security features in the form of CCTV cameras. For enhanced security, IRCTC has also deployed private Security Guards on the train.
The 4 Nights/ 5 Days trip shall cover the sand dunes at Sam in Thar desert, Gadisar lake, Jaisalmer fort, Jain temples, Royal Havelis, War museum etc at Jaisalmer and Mehrangarh fort, Jaswant Thada, Ummaid Bhawan palace museum, Maa Chamunda temple & Mandore garden etc at Jodhpur.
In line with the Government of India initiative “Dekho Apna Desh” to promote domestic tourism, IRCTC has planned the tour packages at a very competitive package cost starting from Rs. 23,350/- per person for domestic tourists providing safe and healthy travel during the tour. Government/PSU employees can avail LTC facility on this tour as per eligibility based on the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Finance, Govt of India.
In order to ensure the safety measures post COVID 19 in the new normal in this deluxe tourist train, provision for booking is limited to around 120 tourists against the total capacity of 156 tourists.
Besides this, IRCTC will also provide a safety kit to all tourists having face masks, hand gloves, sanitizer and also a face shield. Regular temperature check of tourists, train sanitisation at halt stations etc and other precautions will be ensured. Staff shall be screened thoroughly and the kitchen shall be sanitised after every meal service.
The package cost is inclusive of train journey in respective classes booked, all onboard & off board meals, hotel stay/Fresh up arrangements at Jaisalmer and Jodhpur, guided excursions with friendly English-speaking tour escorts in air-conditioned buses, monument entry fee and travel insurance for the passengers.
Booking is available on a first come first serve basis and can be booked online on IRCTC Tourism portal.