Kalpetta: As part of its latest budget tourism initiative, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has announced a ‘Wildlife night jungle safari’ through the Wayanad wildlife sanctuary. The safari bus will be operated from the Bathery depot of the KSRTC and the authorities are planning to start the service from next week.
As per the schedule, the safari bus will leave Bathery depot at 9 pm and take travellers along Vadakkanad and Kapippooru-Moolankavu inside the wildlife sanctuary to Muthanga. From Muthanga, the bus will travel to Irulam and return to Bathery depot by 11.30 pm. “This is the safest route through the forest which offers a chance to watch wildlife at close quarters. Moreover, no night travel ban exists along this forest road,” said Joshy John, district transport officer, Wayanad.
Presently, the safari bus is getting final touches at Bathery depot and the ticket fare per person for the night journey would be Rs 90. Initially, the KSRTC will be taking travellers utilizing the sleeper bus facility at Bathery depot for the night jungle safari.
Sleeper bus a big hit
The sleeper bus facility was launched for tourists at Bathery depot in August this year and has received very good response. According to official data, KSRTC has earned Rs 1,87,050 from the four sleeper buses so far.
Each bus can accommodate 48 persons and two families. The tariff per night for an air-conditioned family suite is Rs 890. “Considering the demand, we are planning to arrange more sleeper buses,” said a KSRTC official.
Trip for school students
Meanwhile, the budget tourism cell is planning another trip exclusively for school students. During this journey, students from Wayanad would be taken to Thusharagiri, Kozhikode Planetarium and Beypore. The fare will be very low, said the KSRTC official.