ETW Staff – Mumbai
Andhra Pradesh is aiming to promote tourism in the state, with the announcement of 25 new packages for travellers. The tour packages have been segregated into the five tourist hubs of the state: Visakhapatnam, Konaseema-Rajahmundry-Kakinada, Amaravati-Vijayawada, Tirupati-Nellore and Ananthapuramu-Kurnool-Kadapa.
Visakhapatnam hub which covers Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakapatnam districts has announced four packages: Visakhapatnam -Araku-Anantagiri (three nights/four days), Visakhapatnam-Araku-Arasavalli (three nights/four days), Visakhapatnam-Borra Caves-Matchkund-Jeypore-Jagadalpur (three nights /four days) and Visakhapatnam-Jagadalpur-Konark Puri-Chilka lake (four nights/five days).
The second hub Konaseema-Rajahmundry-Kakinada, has announced four packages: Rajahmundry-Maredumalli (an eco-tour package), Kakinada-Samarlakota-Annavaram, Kakinada-Maredumalli and Rajahmundry-Maredumalli-Papikondalu. The third hub, Amaravati, covering the districts of Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam has announced a single day star package: Amaravati Capital tour package.
The fourth hub Ananthapuramu-Kurnool-Kadapa, has announced seven tour packages. Heritage Eco-Pilgrimage Tour: Bengaluru, Lepakshi, Penukonda, Horsley Hills, Pilgrimage and Heritage Tour: Bengaluru-Puttaparthy-Lepakshi; Temple Tour: Bengaluru, Srisailam, Mahanandi, Ahobilam, Temple and Eco Tour: Anantapuram-Puttaparthy-Kadiri-Katarupalli-Timmamma Marrimanu; Temple and Eco Tour: Kurnool-Orvakal-Yaganti-Belum Caves-Ahobilam-Mahanandi-Srisailam; Bengaluru-Mantralayam Tour and Heritage and Leisure Tour: Bengaluru-Kotilingeswra temple-Horsley Hills-Puttaparthy Lepakshi-Bengaluru. Whereas the fifth, Tirupati hub, encompassing the districts of Nellore and Chittor, has announced nine tour packages: Sri Kalahasti local package tour, Kanipakkam-local package tour, local packages starting from Vishnu Nivasam, Tirupati-Horsley Hills-Talakona-Tirupati; Temple Tours: Tirupati – Sriasailam – Mahanandi, Ahobilam-Yaganti-Belum Caves- Tirupati (on demand tour), Chandragiri Fort-Tirupati, an evening package (on demand tour), ex-Chennai (on joint partnership basis), ex-Madurai and Kumbakonam- Tirumala. Neerabh Kumar Prasad, principal secretary, tourism and culture, Government of Karnataka, said “The tour packages have been specially crafted for holiday travellers to make best use of. Convenience of traveller is of utmost importance for us and these packages have been designed keeping their comfort and convenience in mind. We aim to provide them with a memorable experience to cherish ever after every time they visit Andhra Pradesh.”