HYDERABAD: South Star Rail, India’s first private sector service provider in the Bharat Gaurav service of the Indian Railways, has started a holiday special train service to the Kashmir Valley, giving people an opportunity to explore the stunning and tranquil valleys of Kashmir and escape the oppressive heat of Hyderabad. The 12-day all-inclusive summer vacation package tour begins on May 11, and bookings are now open.
The train leaves Coimbatore and travels through Yelahanka in Bengaluru, Warangal in Telangana, where passengers from Hyderabad can board, and Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh.
Over the course of 12 days, the itinerary includes visits to the most prominent attractions in Srinagar, Sonmarg, Gulmarg, Amritsar and Agra. One can explore Uddhampur and prominent sights in Srinagar such as Mughal Garden, Nisaht Bagh, Sahlimar Bagh, Dal Lake, and take a shikara boat ride.
Passengers will also have the opportunity to witness the gate closing ceremony at the Indo-Pak Wagah border, as well as see the iconic Golden Temple in Amritsar and the Taj Mahal in Agra.
The fully air-conditioned train is equipped with a variety of amenities, including public announcement systems for information about destinations and routes, entertainment and music facilities, CCTV cameras, a tour manager for each coach, and a doctor onboard for medical emergencies.
The package includes varied cuisine, including South-Indian. Passengers will also be able to keep their luggage in the coach while visiting destinations, since security guards will be appointed to each coach to ensure the protection of the luggage.
Vignesh Kumar, product director, told Deccan Chronicle, "This is the first time that we will have this special train service for the people of Telangana as the train has two stops of Warangal and Kazipet. We intended for it to be a pan-South operation involving all four southern states. The train departs from Tamil Nadu and travels through Bengaluru, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. We will arrange special transportation from Hyderabad for passengers to board the train and enjoy this unforgettable journey on the Kashmir special holiday train tour."
The journey will be guided and hand-held for senior citizens. During the trip and stay at the locations, passengers will be given ID cards and emergency contacts. Further, the central and state government employees can use the Leave Travel Concession for this journey and claim reimbursement,” Kumar explained.
The packages begin at Rs 41,950 for 3 AC, Rs 54,780 for second AC and Rs 64,990 for first class AC. Bookings can done via www.railtourism.com or passengers can call 7876101010.
