Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

It’s time for an outing with family, friends

— Photo: K.R. Deepak

PICTURESQUE LOCATION: Students on a trip to the Kambalkonda sanctuary near Visakhapatnam.

VISAKHAPATNAM: ‘Karteeka maasam’ (picnic season) is the right occasion to spend time with friends, relatives and family at tourist hotspots. Proper planning and advance reservation of accommodation, especially for those who stay overnight, will go a long way in ensuring a happy holiday.

Those with an adventurous bent of mind can plan a trip to Kambalakonda eco-tourism project located opposite the zoo. One can feel the gush of adrenaline as he/she crosses the river via ropeway. The trek through the thick forest with the help of a guide is another interesting feature. There are steep ascents and descents and only the ‘brave hearted’ are advised to go on the trek. One can find pugmarks of leopards and quills of porcupine along the path. The leopards roam in the jungle or come up to the stream to drink water after dusk. Porcupine, wild deer and birds can be seen during the day.

The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (zoo) is no less crowd-puller either. Visitors to the zoo have a choice either to trek on the vast expanse of the zoo or travel in a car or taxi after paying the charges. The zoo is drawing thousands of visitors during the last one week.

Yarada is another picturesque place that offers a visual treat to visitors. The lush green hills on one side and the silver sands and blue waters of the sea and the trees on the coast are the ideal place to chill out.

Those with a spiritual bent of mind can visit Simhachalam hill, the abode of Lord Varaha Lakshmi Nrusimha and those who wish to take a peep into the past can visit the Buddhist heritage sites at Thotlakonda and Bhavikonda. “There is a small lake atop Thotlakonda. We (Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority) have plans to develop it into a botanical garden. In view of the rush, arrangements have been made to provide drinking water and for regular cleaning of these places,” says VUDA DFO B.V.A. Krishna Murthy.

Those who are hard-pressed for time and wish to finish their picnic either in the pre-lunch or post-lunch session can go for VUDA Park, Kailasagiri, the Vaisakhi Jala Udyana Vanam and Madhavadhara.

“About 5,000 and 6,000 people visited the VUDA Park and Kailasagiri respectively on Sunday. Sixty five thousand people visited the Submarine Museum. We have made arrangements to provide drinking water here also in view of the heavy rush,” Mr. Krishna Murthy said.

Those who wish to spend a day or two can visit Araku and Borra Caves. Winter is the best time to visit Araku. The yellow flowering (niger), that virtually spreads an yellow carpet at many places in the valley, is a visual delight. The rail-cum-road package of AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) is a big hit.

“We witnessed a very good rush this October compared to last year. Holidays coming in a row between October 1 and 5, Dasara and Deepavali falling in the same month has seen a jump in the tourist arrivals at Araka,” Divisional Manager of APTDC P. Jeevan Prasad says.

“While the tourist arrivals in October 2007 was 48,034, the figure jumped to 70,198 this October. The room occupancy registered 46 per cent growth from 3,773 during October 2007 to 5,208 last month. The tourist arrivals at Borra increased from 2,06,714 during April – October 2007 to 2,49,650 during the corresponding period this year, registering a 21 per cent growth,” he says.

“We have just begun online reservation system, which we hope would stabilise by the end of this year. By January, the online network would be extended to cover agents. This would enable tourists to book tour packages and cottages at the click of a button,” Mr. Jeevan Prasad said.

The APTDC is organising city tours covering some of the places of interest in the city. “We have included the Rama Naidu Studio in the itinerary and it’s a big draw,” he says. It’s also operating a package tour to Bhadrachalam by road.

The Kodakarla Ava (lake) and the Buddhist heritage site of Bojjannakonda near Anakapalle and the historical Bheemunipatnam town are a tourist delight.

The APSRTC is operating special buses during Karteeka maasam to some of the destinations for the benefit of the picnic crowd.

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