Patna: Travellers looking to explore Bihar’s religious, historical and natural attractions in comfort can now opt for a luxury caravan operated by the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC). The vehicle allows tourists to choose destinations and routes with travel options extending to Uttar Pradesh and Nepal. Designed for families, groups of friends and private travellers, the service allows itineraries to be customised according to destinations, routes and travel duration.The caravan has already been used for trips to Rajgir, Nalanda, Pawapuri, Bodh Gaya, Gaya, Mundeshwari Dham, Kaimur, Vaishali, Buxar, Ara, Bettiah and Dhanbad. Tourists have also travelled to Ayodhya and Varanasi, as well as Kathmandu and Pokhara in Nepal.According to a statement issued by the information and public relations department (IPRD), “under its ‘Caravan Patna Darshan’ service, BSTDC offers a luxury tour of the capital’s historical, religious and cultural landmarks. The itinerary includes Takhat Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib, Bihar Museum, Bapu Tower, Golghar and Sabhyata Dwar. Tourists can also opt for a speedboat ride on the Ganga.”The proposed sightseeing schedule runs from 8am to 8pm with the package priced at Rs 16,000.The caravan can accommodate eight passengers in seats with sleeping arrangements for four. It has 360-degree rotating chairs, a sofa, kitchen and bathroom. Entertainment facilities include a television and individual screens near the beds. A generator provides power support, while a camping canopy offers an additional outdoor facility. CCTV cameras and an SOS button are also installed.BSTDC charges Rs 75 per kilometre, with a minimum booking requirement of 250km a day. This works out to a basic daily fare of Rs 18,750, excluding 5% GST. Tolls, parking, overnight stays and other applicable charges may be extra and should be confirmed with the corporation before booking.For Nepal trips, travellers should check applicable permits, cross-border travel requirements and other formalities in advance.Tourists can enquire about bookings at BSTDC offices at Sikh Heritage Building, the corporation office on Daroga Rai Path, or the Kautilya Vihar counter in Patna. Online booking enquiries can also be made through the corporation’s official website.
