Kollam: The KSRTC Kollam Budget Tourism Cell has released a calendar featuring new tour packages ahead of the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays, offering travellers a chance to explore fresh destinations and make the most of the festive season.

The newly introduced packages include popular destinations such as Cumbum-Madurai-Thanjavur, Palakkad-Nelliampathi, Velankanni, and Malamel Nadukani Para.

The calendar includes a Munnar trip on the 14th and 28th, a boat ride on the 21st and 23rd, and a Vagamon New Year trip on the 31st.

The trip, organised on the 14th and 27th, offers sightseeing in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, along with the Water Metro and Kochi Metro, for Rs. 870.

For those seeking spiritual journeys, the Ayyappa temple pilgrimage will take travellers to Kulathupuzha, Aryankavu and Achankovil Shastha Temple. The trip will also include a visit to Pandalam, where they can witness the Thiruvabharanam (sacred ornaments of Ayyappan). This pilgrimage is scheduled for the 14th and 28th. The pilgrimage fare is Rs. 770, which includes all entry fees.

In addition to the spiritual trips, there’s a special Thanjavur Brihadeeswara Temple tour, set to depart on the 20th at 10 pm. This journey will take tourists through Madurai Meenakshi Temple and the Cumbum grape farm, all for Rs. 2,350 per person. Bookings are also underway for the Nefertiti cruise, planned for the 21st and 23rd, which marks the beginning of the Christmas holidays. The trip departs from Kollam bus station at 10 am, taking an AC low-floor bus to Ernakulam, followed by a five-hour cruise on the Arabian Sea. The fare for this trip is Rs. 4,240.

For adventure lovers, the Illikkallal-Ilaveezhapoonchira trip, available on the 21st and 29th, will take travellers through Kerala’s beautiful landscapes for Rs. 820. Another exciting option is the Ayyappankovil to Ramakkalmedu trip, which will take travellers through the suspension bridge. It will depart at 5 am on the 22nd and costs Rs. 1,070.

There will be two trips to Kanyakumari and Rosemala on the 24th, with a fare of Rs. 800. The trip includes visits to Thiruparappu Waterfalls and Padmanabhapuram Palace. Once in Kanyakumari, travellers can enjoy the sunset. On Christmas Day, the Anchuruli-Calvary Mount-Idukki trip will start from Kollam at 5 am, with a fare of Rs. 1,020.

For those looking to explore Palakkad, KSRTC offers a trip that departs at 8 pm on the 26th. This two-day trip will include visits to Palakkad Fort, Kalpathy, Malampuzha, Thasrak, and Kollengode village, followed by a tour of Nelliyampathy. The cost is Rs. 2,750.

Another special trip on the 29th will take travellers to the Palode Botanical Garden, Mankayam Waterfalls, Kuriyottu Farm, and Malamel Para, giving tourists a chance to experience the best of Kerala’s natural beauty.

To mark the beginning of the new year, the Velankanni trip on the 31st offers the chance to attend the first Malayalam Mass at the Velankanni Church. The fare is Rs. 2,760. For a fresh start to 2024, the Vagamon New Year trip will also depart on the 31st at 9 am, offering an unforgettable celebration for those looking to ring in the New Year in style.

For more details and bookings, contact 97479 69768 or 94954 40444.