Bhubaneswar, Aug. 25: Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) has launched monsoon packages for visitors who want to spend time amidst nature away from the chaos of urban life.

The packages are mostly one-day tour or weekend trips to places such as Chilika's Satapada, Barakul, Panchalingeswar, Rambha, Gopalpur-on-sea and Taptapani.

"The packages can be booked online or from our office," said OTDC marketing manager Alok Mishra.

Cost of the packages range from Rs 1,155 to Rs 4,650 a person. The price includes air-conditioned transport and accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner, entry fees and guide services.

Customised packages are also available. All these packages are available till September 30, sources said.

Anshita Behera, an IT professional in Bhubaneswar, had been planning to visit Panchalingeswar for a long time with his friends.

But things had not been working out because he couldn't find time to organise a car and secure permission from the forest department.

"Such short-trip packages are perfect for busy professionals like us because we hardly find time to sit and plan for a trip. If a travel service provider - such as the OTDC in this case - does half the planning bit, it becomes easier for us," he said.

Tour operators feel the state government can earn handsome revenue with packaged tours such as these.

"With a plethora of choices for tourism development and package tour destinations, the state tourism department has the opportunity to tap them and earn significant revenue," said Sarita Nanda, a local tour operator.

"The state is a treasure-trove of Buddhist sites. The government can also offer tours of those sites," he said.