 |
| APTDC Tour Package |
APTDC is the entity responsible for tourism development in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It offers many tour packages in and around Andhra Pradesh and to popular pilgrimage destinations of other states also. Here I will share my experience on Araku Valley and Vizag local sightseeing tour Packages as I have already taken these two tour packages.
1. Araku Valley Trip:
The first problem I faced on this trip was how to locate APTDC Central reservation office at Vizag. I already knew that it was near to the RTC Bus complex but Google Maps couldn't help me in that situation. So I asked 2 to 3 people at the bus complex, and they directed the path but the instruction was in Telugu which I don't understand. Finally, I located it after 15 minutes struggle.
Let me guide you if you find yourself in the same situation. First reach at the RTC Bus Complex Vizag. Then head inside of the bus complex and reach the last point. Then go to Sri Sairam Parlour, which is one kind of a restaurant. In the front of the parlour you can see APSRTC buses standing. Then turn to left, now you can see the main road under an over bridge. Then just walk for 7 to 8 steps in that direction. You will notice a small street on your left.And the first building in that street is the office of APTDC.
Then I reported and waited for 15 minutes as the timing of the tour was 7 a.m. Then We got our Tour Guide. Your seat numbers might have got changed to facilitate family members on that bus to sit together.
The tour guide was very good. Then we boarded the APTDC bus. The bus first stopped at a APTDC hotel and we had our breakfast there and were provided with a mineral water bottle.
Then our bus headed to Araku Valley which is at a distance of 120km from Vizag. Araku valley is situated near Koraput district at Odisha-AP border.
On the way we encountered the serene beauty of hills. The bus then made the second stop at an APTDC resort at Ananthagiri. Then we visited the first place Ananthagiri Coffee Plantation. The tour Guide gave us much information about this coffee plantation. Then the bus stopped at Golikonda viewpoint.
Then the bus headed for Tribal Museum and Padmapuram Botanical Garden. We had to give INR 80 per person as entry fees for these two sites. After visiting these two places the bus stopped at an APTDC hotel for lunch break. The lunch was good though it was veg.
We had bamboo chicken at the Tribal Museum also. It was so good. Make sure you have it. Then we enjoyed the Dhimsa dance performed by some Odia Tribes at that hotel. Then the last site came which was Borra Caves. Bora Caves is an important site. Make sure you invest most of your time there.
Then the bus headed back to Vizag. The bus stopped at a APTDC resort for the tea break on the way. Finally, we reached at RTC Bus Complex at 8.45 p.m.
The cost of tour package was INR 956 per person (Adult). The cost might differ from the stated cost if you are reading this blog after some days. So please check their website for confirmation. When I booked the tour Package, their website was not accepting RuPay Debit Card. So I booked it through Master Debit Card.
2. Vizag Local Sightseeing:
As I had already located the APTDC office so this time it was not a big deal for me. I reported at the office at 8.45 a.m. As I have already stated your seats might have got changed so some fellow passengers were very unhappy about that, so there was some issue. Finally all problems got settled and tour started.
The bus first headed to Simachalam temple. If there will be rush, the tour guide may ask you to go in INR 20 line rather than free line. But in our case there was no rush so we chose to go in free line. Then the bus headed to Kailasgiri. Here you can take some adventure activities like Rope-way or Toy Train. I took the Rope-way ride that costed me INR 100 (both Up and Down). Toy Train costs INR 80 per person.
Then we reached at Thotla Konda which is a very old Buddhist Monastery. It has been recently renovated by the AP government. Then the next stop was at Rishikonda beach.
Then we had our lunch at a APTDC resort near that beach as included in the tour package. Then the bus made its stop at the Sub-Marine Museum. The entry ticket was provided by APTDC. But we visited the Aircraft museum which is just in front of the Submarine Museum. The entry ticket which was INR 70 per person was borne by us.
Then the bus took us to one of the old light houses of Visakhapatnam. Though it is not functional now but you can view the Visakhapatnam Port by climbing the lighthouse. The Fishing Harbour was skipped though it was included in the tour package as it was closed for visitors at that day due to some unknown reasons.
Then the bus headed back to the RTC Bus complex. On the way if you want to visit RK beach, the bus will drop you there. If you have time, don't miss that evening at RK Beach. From there, APSRTC city buses are available to RTC bus Complex. So Don't Panic.
Finally, the tour ended, and we reached at 5.30 a.m. at RTC Bus Complex. This tour package costed me INR 534 (adult). Only you have to pay the entry fees at Aircraft Museum.
I would like to recommend you to take the tour package if you are travelling solo or 2 or 3 persons or in which case you are unable to book a cab or on a tight budget.
Keep Travelling.
0 Comments