Bhubaneswar, Nov. 17: Similipal forest has started a unique package service to lure tourists from India and abroad.

A 13-seater vehicle with guide service has been pressed into service from November 13 in the Similipal Tiger Reserve, which can be hired by visitors to explore the beautiful surroundings.

Now visitors do not need to worry about hiring vehicles from the local operators. All they now need to do is to deposit entry fees with the Similipal Tiger Reserve authorities at the designated forest entry points. Visitors who want to go on a jungle safari in the 13-seater vehicle, will have shell out Rs 5,500.

There are two entry points. A tourist can enter Similipal from Jashipur end and also from another point at Pithabata.

While entering the forest from Jashipur, tourists can visit Gudugudia, Uski, Barehipani and Joranda waterfalls, Nawana landscape and Chahala meadows famous for sighting of wild animals. From the Pithabata entry point (Baripada end) one can go through Lulung on the bank of Palpala river, a tributary of Budhabalanga, Joranda and Barehipani waterfalls, Nawana and Chahala. If lucky, tourists can also experience snowfall at Nawana.

Similipal Tiger Reserve field director Anup Kumar Nayak said: “We have started the package service for the first time this year. It will be available for the tourists all the days of the week. At present, we have only one vehicle and if the demand increases, we will add to the fleet.’’

Nayak said from last year, elephant ride had also become a hit with the tourists. Four tourists can take a ride near the forests of Gudugudia by paying Rs 500 each. If the tourists want to travel further and for more time, the individual cost will increase to Rs 1,500.

Tourists can also stay at some of the facilities inside Similipal. As several rest houses are at present being used for housing security personnel after the Maoist attacks, a tourist complex in Gudugudia and another at Jamuani can be used with the permission from the officials of the forest.

Tourist complex at Gudugudia charges Rs 500 to Rs 600 per day and for Jamuani room rent is Rs 400 per day. Both the tourist complexes can accommodate 18 tourists and one can book their rooms in advance through the deputy director (eco-tourism) at Jashipur and enquiry stations in Baripada and Jashipur.

Tourists can also hire vehicles from the local operators by paying between Rs 3,000 and Rs 3,500 per trip either from the Pithabata-end or the Jashipur-end.

“In the near future, we are also going to have a pool of vehicles under our control to provide better service for the tourists coming to the forest. At present, here is a controlled entry of tourist vehicles and while in a day 40 are allowed entry from the Jashipur-end, 20 are allowed from Pithabata-end,’’ said the field director.