The Old World charm of Cruise beckons Hyderabadis for a digital detox

Hyderabad:While there are cruise options for people from coastal cities, Telangana Tourism has come up with an idea that allows Hyderabadis to experience the charm of an old-world cruise: the annual Krishna River and Road Cruise.

The journey, which resumed on Saturday after years of the COVID-19 pandemic, includes a road trip from Hyderabad to Srisailam and a scenic boat ride from Nagarjunasagar to Srisailam.

The bus departs from Hyderabad at 6 am. Through green fields, stretches of wild grass and smooth roads, he heads towards the promised land of Srisailam via Nagarjunasagar.

At Nagarjunasagar, people board a boat to Srisailam, a six-hour journey across the border between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The double-decker boat has an air-conditioned lower deck and open-air seating on the upper deck.

As the ride began, hills rose on either side of the water, creating a landscape reminiscent of scenes from Southeast Asian islands such as Phi Phi.

One of the passengers, Shashank Rao, a physiotherapist from Hyderabad, shared that he came across an advertisement for the boat launch in a newspaper. “I was intrigued. So I decided to make the trip myself,” he said. For him, it was a chance to experience something new — to take a break from the routine.

When the boat cut the water, lotto games were held and the winners received between 200 and 500.

However, in the middle of the trip, the phone network disappeared. But it provided a rare chance for passengers to truly disconnect. With no screens to distract them, many turned to each other for company. It also opened up the experience to the sights around them. Some even reported seeing deer on the shore.

Navya A., a lecturer at the College of Social Welfare of British Columbia, was on the trip with her husband, mother and mother-in-law. She shared that this walk was a much needed break. “We got married four years ago but could not afford the trip due to finances. I started working four months ago, so we decided this was our first outing,” she said, grateful for a moment away from the daily grind.

The dishes were served piping hot, perfectly South Indian. As the holy month of Kartika started after Diwali, the boat trip attracted a large number of people, both pilgrims and sightseers.

The vessel has a capacity of 100 passengers. The duration of the service is seasonal as it depends on the water level – the propellers can get stuck if the water level drops too low. A one-way ticket for an adult costs EUR 2,000, and a round-trip ticket costs EUR 3,000. The cruise includes lunch and tea.

Another cruise route that starts at Somasila and ends at Srisailam offers breathtaking views of lush bays surrounded by tranquil natural landscapes.

The cruise departs from Somasila around 9 am and ends at Eegalapenta, where passengers can then board a trolleybus to reach Srisailam Temple.

The highlight is the mesmerizing natural beauty that unfolds along the 120-km stretch of the Krishna River, a haven for nature lovers and photographers.

For now, it’s just a one-way trip on a twin-engine boat. They may choose to return the next day by boat, but the cost of their stay at Srisailam will have to be borne by the passengers themselves.

“In the coming months, with the increase in the number of passengers, we may also plan accommodation at Srisailam. However, accommodation options are not available as of now after the month of Kartika,” said Mohammad Ibrahim, General Manager Water Fleet, Telangana Tourism Corporation Ltd.

He said that the cruise is absolutely safe and people can travel as families. Travelers are required to wear life jackets while on board. There are currently no entertainment options, but they will be added in the coming months, including dance routines, games like Tambola, cards and other board games to keep people entertained.

“A six-hour trip can be very boring if you’re traveling alone. There are no phone signals and no internet for six hours,” said Jahnavi, a teenager who had come on her first-ever cruise with her family from Vanaparthi.

Another attraction of the tour is the ancient temple of Akka Mahadevi, which is located among impressive rocks. This temple has deep cultural significance and visitors often reach out to touch the forehead of the idol in the hope of a divine encounter with the goddess. However, the cruise does not offer a visit to the temple but only tells its location from afar,” said Balveer Prasad, assistant guide with Telangana Tourism Corporation Ltd.

The boat is steered by Captain G. Tirupathi, who has undergone a year’s training at Kakinada Port. “I was trained in boat driving, swimming and rescue. The crew of each boat consists of ten people: two captains, one driver, three swimmers, two assistants, a mechanic and an electrician, assigned to monitor the safety of passengers during the trip. While there are no doctors on board, there is a first aid kit for emergencies,” said G. Tirupati.