New Delhi : For those travelling in India’s fastest train Gatimaan Express, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has planned to make their ride an unforgettable experience by offering attractive packages for a tour of the world famous medieval monuments in the ‘City of Taj’.
IRCTC has chalked out two comprehensive packages: a full-day Agra Guided Tour Package (City of Love and Heritage) and 01N/02 Days Package (with stay in a 5 star hotel).
The train, which was launched by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Tuesday, cruises at a top speed of 160 km per hour to connect Hazrat Nizamuddin with Agra, a distance of 188 km, in 100 minutes.
The tariff for the full-day package, which includes guided visit to the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort, lunch at a reputed local restaurant, AC vehicle for sightseeing, entry ticket to monuments and time for shopping, has been fixed at Rs. 2,100 for an Indian adult and Rs. 2,000 for a child (5-11 years). For foreigners, it is Rs. 3,900 for an adult and Rs. 2,000 for a child.
The two-day trip to Agra comprises visit to the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Itmad-ud-Daulah, Mehtab Bagh, Fatehpur Sikri and Sikandra, buffet lunch and dinner, accommodation at Jaypee Palace five star hotel, guide services, AC vehicles for sightseeing and entry tickets to monuments.
The tariff for the two-day package is Rs 14,500 (single occupancy), Rs 10,800 (double occupancy) and Rs 10,300 (triple occupancy). For child with bed (5-11 years), the tariff has been fixed at Rs 7,000 and for child without bed (5-11 years), it is Rs 3,800.
For the foreigners, the tariff is Rs 17,600 (single occupancy), Rs 13,900 (double occupancy) and Rs 13,400 ((triple occupancy). For child with bed (5-11 years), the rate has been fixed at Rs 7,000 and for child without bed (5-11 years), it is Rs 3,800. (ANI)
While booking tickets on the IRCTC portal, passengers have the option of choosing either of the two packages. Once payment is confirmed on the gateway for tickets for Gatimaan Express, passengers can see a pop up of the Taj Mahal with a “Book Now” message.
Tickets for the Agra packages can be booked by clicking on it. Alternatively, spot purchases for the tour packages can also be made during the 100-minute journey onboard the train.
IRCTC is also sending SMS and mailers to passengers who book tickets for Gatimaan Express on its portal.
IRCTC CMD A K Manocha said Gatimaan Express, which heralds India’s entry in the era of semi-high speed rail travel, has tremendous tourist potential.
“Our packages have been synchronized with the timings of the train, and it will be a boon for time-conscious travellers. The packages are comprehensive and hassle-free and take care of every single need of a tourist,” he added.
Attired in neat and sparkling dress and skilled with proficiency in English and Hindi, hostesses in the train – the first for Indian Railways – welcome passengers and usher them to their seats with soft music playing in the coaches.
Tourists opting for the Agra packages will have their entire end to end needs taken care of by IRCTC once they arrive at Agra station. They are welcomed by IRCTC’s special representatives at the station and escorted to AC coaches with guides onboard for sightseeing.
“We are getting daily booking and we expect it to increase manifold in the coming days. In particular, foreigners plan their holidays well in advance. The Agra packages are expected to get an enthusiastic response from then during the coming winter,” Dr Manocha said.
“It offers an affordable and convenient option to both domestic and foreign tourists who want to travel in India’s fastest train and also visit some of the finest monuments of Incredible India. Tourists opting for the Agra packages can be rest assured of a completely different experience,” he added.
IRCTC has been mandated to manage the entire onboard arrangements of the train, ranging from catering to housekeeping to provision of stewards and hostesses.
Another unique feature of this train is free of cost on board entertainment facility as passengers can view various entertaining videos during travel on their smart phone, tablets or laptops even without internet connection through WiFi.
The coaches used in train have been fitted with bio-toilets.
The train will run six days a week except Friday on both directions and will start its journey from Nizamuddin at 8.10 AM and will reach Agra at 9.50 AM.
During its return, the train will depart from Agra at 5.50 PM to reach Nizamuddin at 7.30 PM.
The fare for fully air conditioned chair car is Rs 750, while for executive Class, it is Rs 1,500. (ANI)