Luxury train to Karnataka's tourist destinations

New Delhi, Apr 21: In a move to convert business travellers to the IT city into tourists, the Karnataka government is starting South India's first five-star luxury train this November covering various tourist destinations of the state and Goa, considered the pearl of the orient.

Giving a preview of the 19 coach train capable of taking 110 passengers on the lines of Palace on Wheels in Rajasthan, providing every possible luxury on the wheels including conferencing, Internet connectivity, gymnasium and a Spa lounge, Secretary Tourism, Vittala Murthy told newspersons here that the trial runs will start from October. The train, having an ambience of royal heritage of Karnataka, also has a library both in physical and digital form.

International Tourist inflow into Karnataka is bound to increase due to improved air connectivity with Bangalore and as also the intra-state air connectivity, which is currently being upgraded at Mysore, Torangal and Bajpe airports.

The project, conceived five years ago, was now taking off with partnership of IRCTC of the Indian Railways and Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation. The luxury train, as planned, will start a round trip from Bangalore taking the tourists around the best tourist spots of the state for six nights and seven days.

It will touch Mysore,the city of palaces, the rich architectural Somanathpur, Halebid and Belur temples and Wildlife Santuary of Dandeli in Western Ghats.

The train will also link two world heritage sites Badami, the capital of early Chalukyas besides Aihole and Pattadkal temples and the world heritage site of hampi, the seat of Vijay Nagar empire.

The tourists will also be able to see the tallest Bahubali idol at Shravana Belagola, a Jain pilgrimage centre.

About the cost of week long travel, Mr Murthy said it was being worked out and the exact cost will be known after receiving inputs from the partner offering hospitality facilities. The passengers will have the advantage of choosing from a variety of cuisines besides the Karnataka's delicacies. The bookings can be done on the Internet to ensure transparency.

To a question, Mr Murthy said the state wanted the package tour to be for the entire week but was not against the idea of tourists opting for a certain part of the journey via the luxury train or even starting their journey from Goa. He said the state was also not averse to the prospect of the train being used for wedding and honeymoon special packages.

UNI