HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) is all set to launch its Heritage Corridor Bus in the Old City on the occasion of Ugadi on Friday. The same day, it will also launch its new Tirupati Darshan package operations in association with Spice Jet. Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy will formally launch the two at the Ravindra Bharathi auditorium.
The heritage corridor bus in the Old City, according to information from the department, is being introduced to provide a guided tour for tourists and foreigners. The tour from the Taj Faluknama would take tourists to various heritage destinations like Nizam Museum, Salarjung Museum, Mecca Masjid, Charminar and a few other sites falling in between before ending the trip at the Chowmahalla Palace.
The APTDC currently operates a City Sight Seeing Bus tour, covering Birla Mandir, Qutb Shahi Tombs, Golconda Fort, Salarjung Museum, Nizam Jubilee Pavilion, Chowmahalla Palace, Zoo Park, Charminar, Mecca Masjid (drive around) and the Lumbini Park.
Asked what is the difference between the new Heritage Corridor Bus tour and the existing day-long City Sight Seeing bus tour, Deputy General Manager, APTDC, B Manohar said that the new bus tour will cover only heritage sites across the Old City. “This will be a specialised city tour for tourists interested in the heritage aspect,” pointed out B Manohar. The fare for the City Sight Seeing bus tour is `300 for adults and `240 for children.
“The Tirupati darshan package in association with Spice Jet would operate from March 25. Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy will launch the new package at Ravindra Bharathi,” informed B Manohar.
The new package is available for Rs 9,199 including transportation, food, accommodation and darshan, added the deputy GM.