About 20 km into the journey on the river Krishna, in the backwaters of the Nagarjunasagar dam, boat driver Jagan decelerates the propeller.
He is aware of the ‘speed-breakers’ put up by Chenchu tribesmen of the Nallamala forest along the way.
Speed-breakers
“Five thermocol cubes in a square-dot arrangement in the water serving as a cautionary sign of fishing nets beneath,” he says, are the speed-breakers.
The nets getting tangled in the propeller is a risk.
People of the Chenchu tribe can be found in these no man’s islands and forest covers, paddling their own canoes, transporting sheep or grazing cattle for a living.
The only other time the launch is slowed down is to ride out the strong waves.
The Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) will conduct the Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam-Nagarjunasagar package tour for three months beginning November 1.
The two-day-and-one-night trip at 20 kmph for six hours on the Krishna is an encounter with the nature for photographers and sight-seers.
Speaking of the cruise, K. Venkateswarlu, an environmentalist, says: “One could learn about the rivers, understand the life of aboriginals, breathe clean air, create some best memories, and also visit the Lord's home.”
Motoring amid the tree-covered mountains, and the blind curves in the watercourse, each landscape surely leaves one awestruck with the beauty of the nature.
“The only man-made thing one can smell during the cruise is the boat’s fuel, and the only noise one can hear is the whirring of its motor,” says Anjaneyulu, co-driver.
Phalguni, the boat, is a 120-seater with the air-conditioned lower floor for conference meetings and dining, and the side-open top level for viewing and entertainment.
For the tour, the TSTDC will charge ₹3,800 for adults, and ₹3, 400 for children for a round trip, including food and air-conditioned accommodation on/off board.
An eight-member crew — two drivers, five expert swimmers, a mechanic — and a tour manager with a guide and kitchen helper will oversee the package.
The launch also has a first-aid kit for emergency service and two cruise toilets.
The tourists can visit the Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy temple next morning, after which vehicles bring them down for return journey from the Lingalagattu, at the foot of the Srisailam dam, where the boat is anchored.
The food served as part of the package is vegetarian, cellphones do not work on cruise, and liquor is not allowed on board.
At the temple, sparsa darsan closes by 7.30 a.m.
Details can be had by logging in to the tstdc.in and telangantourism.gov.in, or by calling the tour manager on 7997951023.
