Wayanad: The budget tourism cell of KSRTC has resumed its KSRTC tourism trip (Anavandi Yathra) from Kannur to Wayanad. The trips were suspended since the devastating landslide that partially wiped out two villages Mundakkai and Chooralmala in the wee hours of July 30. According to Verghese CD, the North Kerala zonal coordinator of the Budget Tourism Cell, the first trip with the slogan ‘Support Wayanad’ started last Sunday morning with the members from the Taluk Library Council, Taliparamba.
The KSRTC tourism service included Pookkode Lake and Banasura Sagar Dam, apart from other destinations opened in Wayanad. "We have conducted more than 125 trips to Wayanad from Kannur till date, " he said. "The landslide had hit the region when our monsoon packages were picking up," he added. Wayanad is a major tourism destination in Kerala and the industry has been hit hard since the landslide”, he said. We aim at chipping in our tiny share to support the industry and its people helping to revive the industry”, he added.
Safari packages of KSRTC
The safari packages rolled out by the KSRTC Budget Tourism cell are still on with several jungle safari packages for tourists through various jungle routes at Sulthan Bathery and Mananthavadi depots. Herds of deer and elephants crossing the road, peacocks dancing, bunches of bison grazing and wild boars roaming, have been regular scenes for the passengers. The jungle safari at the Sulthan Bathery depot starts at 5.30 am and 7.30 pm from the Sulthan Bathery depot. After covering a 60 km stretch the journey would end at Ponkuzhy, the Kerala-Karnataka border at 9 pm. The bus would cross the interior villages including Moolamkavu, Odappallam, Karipur, Valluavadi and Vadakkanadu. Once returned to Sulthan Bathery town the bus would again go through jungle roads to Irulam village riding through the Kurichiad forest ranges. Though the vehicle will not enter the restricted area of the sanctuary, it would cover the majority of hamlets nestled on the edge of the forest. In the morning the trip would end by 9 am whereas during the night by 11. 30 pm. For more details contact: 098959 37213.
Forest Safari at Mananthavadi
The safari would start at 5.30 am from Mananthavadi depot covering 60 km through roads that move through forest zones. Jungle hamlets like Tholppetti, Bavali and Thirunelli also are part of the itinerary. The bus returns at 9.30 am. The fare is Rs 300 per person. For more details Contact: 7560855189, 9446784184, 949634383.
Stay at KSRTC
For a change, the tourists can also enjoy a comfortable stay in the three AC KSRTC buses converted into rooms either at the budget dormitory facility (Rs 160 per person) or in the deluxe family suite (Rs 1000).
