Chilika Ready To Host Garuda

Chilika Ready To Host Garuda

Chilika lake has long been one of the major attractions for tourists not just from across the country but also from all over the world. Its tourism potential is immense and is yet to be tapped into. Now the Tourism Department has decided to launch ‘Garuda’, the first luxury cruise boat ready to sail in Chilika lake. 

Sources said that the luxury houseboat, indigenously designed, developed and manufactured in Barkul, Odisha, will soon be launched for commercial purposes. The project was approved by Odisha Tourism through the single-window mechanism and received licenses/legal authorizations from the Chilika Development Authority, Directorate of Ports and Inland Water Transport.

Director, Tourism, Sachin Jadhav mentioned this initiative during his detailed presentation on Odisha’s strategic advantages for cruise tourism – sea-based and river-based and steps taken by the state government to develop and promote this segment during the Cruise Tourism Conference in Mumbai on May 14-15.

There are two suite rooms and four premium rooms and a bar-restaurant on the houseboat, besides an open-air lobby on the upper deck for meetings/conferences. It is an initiative of Vikas Eco Resorts with an investment of more than Rs 3 crore, this houseboat will take you on an exciting, comfortable and enjoyable journey in the lake.

Packages include overnight stay along with full board meals, activities and cruising covering different islands in Chilika.