IRCTC offers tour packages for Gatimaan Express travellers to Agra

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) on Saturday announced tour packages for passengers travelling to Agra via the newly-introduced Gatimaan Express, labelled as the country's fastest train.

Launched by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on April 5, it runs at a speed of 160 km per hour to cover the 188-km distance between Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin station and Agra in 100 minutes.

"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," IRCTC CMD A K Manocha said in a statement.

The two comprehensive packages -- a full-day guided tour package and a two-day package (with stay in a 5 star hotel) -- can be booked through the IRCTC portal or purchased during the train ride.

The full-day package, which includes a guided visit to the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, lunch at a reputed local restaurant, an AC vehicle for sightseeing, entry ticket to monuments and time for shopping, is priced at Rs.2,100 per person and Rs.2,000 for children aged between 5-11 years. For foreigners, it will cost Rs.3,900 and Rs.2,000 respectively.

The two-day package comprises visit to the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Itmad-ud-Daulah's tomb, Mehtab Bagh, Fatehpur Sikri and Sikandra, buffet lunch and dinner, accommodation at 5-star Jaypee Palace hotel, guide services, AC vehicles for sightseeing and entry tickets to monuments.

Its tariff is Rs.14,500 (single occupancy), Rs.10,800 (double occupancy) and Rs.10,300 (triple occupancy). For children between 5-11 years, the cost is Rs.7,000 if a separate bed is required for the child, and Rs.3,800 otherwise.

For foreigners, the tariff for two-day package is Rs.17,600, Rs.13,900 and Rs.13,400 respectively while for children aged 5-11, the costs are the same as in the case of Indian kids.

The tourists opting for these packages will be welcomed by IRCTC's special representatives at the Agra station and escorted to AC coaches with guides onboard.

"We are getting daily booking and we expect it to increase manifold in the coming days. In particular, from foreigners who plan their holidays well in advance," Manocha said, adding the packages "offer an affordable and convenient option to both domestic and foreign tourists who want to travel in India's fastest train and also visit the monuments".

Painted in royal blue and grey colour combination with a yellow strip in between, the indigenously-built Gatimaan Express runs six days a week, except Friday. It starts from Nizamuddin station at 8.10 a.m. and reaches Agra at 9.50 a.m. While return, the train departs from Agra at 5.50 p.m. and reaches Nizamuddin at 7.30 p.m.