Patna: Residents are looking ahead to escape the city's scorching heat and visit cooler climes this summer.

City-based travel operators also have special packages up their sleeves keeping the clientele's pick in mind.

The top holiday picks within the country this season are Shimla-Manali in the north, and Gangtok and Darjeeling-Kalimpong in the east. Those eager to travel outside the country have the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Italy and Belgium to choose from. Nepal and Mauritius are also among the favourites for vacationers, said tour operators.

A section of residents are also planning holidays in Goa, which is hotter at this time of the year but promises attractive discounts.

Vikas Kumar from EasyGet Holidays & Events Pvt Ltd said his agency was offering an exciting road trip to Nepal, covering Kathmandu and Pokhra. "We are providing AC deluxe bus. The road trip will be interesting for the people as they can see the hills and the Nepalese lifestyle up close - which they cannot if they take a flight," said Vikas. "Those who take up this package will also visit the famous Manokamna temple en route to Pokhra. The four night-five day package includes transport, food, accommodation and sightseeing. Double-share rooms are for pay Rs 9,500 a person and triple-share rooms for Rs 8,000 a person."

The trip package is open for a group of 40. "Seven bookings have been done for the tour starting May 24 and the June 6 tour is half done," he said, adding that the holidaymakers will also be able to see the hotspots of Gupteshwar cave, Phewa lake, and also enjoy paragliding. "Tourists can paraglide in Pokhra, which is supposed to be best paragliding spot in Asia," Vikas said.

Patliputra Colony resident Akanksha Bhardwaj has already booked a slot for June 6. "We are looking forward to the road trip . Had we booked flights, it wouldn't had been this exciting," she gushed.

Lodipur-based Anjali Tour & Travels has on the itinerary Shimla-Manali, Gangtok, Kerala, Goa and Thiruvananthapuram. Owner Kavindra Kumar said the Shimla-Manali and Gangtok packages were the hot favourites.

"We are charging Rs 74,000 for two in the five night-six day Shimla-Manali package. It will include accommodation, Patna-Delhi-Patna flight cost, accommodation, food and sight-seeing," said Kavindra. The Gangtok package is for Rs 40,000 for two people, the owner said.

Rajeev Nagar's Travelia Holidays owner Abhishek Kumar said his Europe package was the most sought-after among Patna residents.

"We have two Europe tour packages - an eight-day and another 14-day package. In the first, tourists go to two countries while the 14-day package takes them to the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Italy and Belgium. The eight-day package will costs Rs 1.5 lakh a person and the 14-day package Rs 1.75 lakh a person," he said.

Travelia also has a five day-six night Mauritius package for Rs 60,000 a person.

Abhishek said he has received 45 bookings for the Europe package and 150 for the Mauritius package.