Wayanad: The Budget Tourism Cell of KSRTC has resumed its KSRTC Tourist Tour (Anavandi Yathra) from Kannur to Wayanad. The tours were suspended since the devastating landslide that partially destroyed two villages, Mundakkai and Chooralmala, in the early hours of July 30. According to Verghese CD, Zonal Coordinator of Budget Tourism Cell for North Kerala, the first tour under the motto ‘Support Wayanad’ began last Sunday morning with the members of Taluk Library Council, Taliparamba.
KSRTC’s tourism service included Pookkode Lake and Banasura Sagar Dam, among other destinations opened in Wayanad. “Till date, we have operated more than 125 trips to Wayanad from Kannur,” he said. “The landslide had hit the region when our monsoon packages were picking up,” he added. “Wayanad is a major tourism destination in Kerala and the industry has been badly hit since the landslide,” he said. “We want to do our small bit to support the industry and its people and help revive the industry,” he added.

Safari Packages by KSRTC
The safari packages offered by the budget tourism department of KSRTC further include several jungle safari packages for tourists through various jungle routes at Sulthan Bathery and Mananthavadi railway stations. Herds of deer and elephants crossing the road, dancing peacocks, herds of grazing bison and roaming wild boars are a common sight for the passengers. The jungle safaris from Sulthan Bathery railway station start at 5.30 am and 7.30 pm from Sulthan Bathery railway station. After covering a 60 km stretch, the journey ends at Ponkuzhy on the Kerala-Karnataka border at 9 pm. The bus passes through the interior villages including Moolamkavu, Odappallam, Karipur, Valluavadi and Vadakkanadu. After returning to Sulthan Bathery town, the bus again proceeds through jungle roads through the forest areas of Kurichiad to Irulam village. Although the vehicle will not enter the restricted area of ​​the sanctuary, it will cover most of the villages located on the edge of the forest. The morning drive will end at 9am and the night drive will end at 11.30pm. For more information, call: 098959 37213.

Forest Safari in Mananthavadi
The safari starts at 5.30 am from Mananthavadi depot and covers 60 km of roads through forest areas. Jungle villages like Tholppetti, Bavali and Thirunelli are also part of the itinerary. The bus returns at 9.30 am. Fare is Rs. 300 per person. For more details, call: 7560855189, 9446784184, 949634383.
Stay at KSRTC
For a change, tourists can also enjoy a comfortable stay in KSRTC’s three air-conditioned buses converted into rooms, either in the budget dormitory (Rs. 160 per person) or in the deluxe family suite (Rs. 1000).