With the mercury level hovering over 40 degree Celsius, the number of people thronging Horsley Hills in the district has spiked. At the peak of summer, the hill station generally records temperatures below 30 degree C. The hill station usually attracts a large number of nature lovers and tourists from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka between April and June second week.
Going by the online reservation status, all the accommodation units being maintained by the Tourism Department at the hill station have been booked till the end of May.
At present, the Tourism Department administers as many as 52 rooms, including bungalows, which are sufficient to accommodate 500 visitors. These are apart the forest guest house. And the tariff ranges from ₹900 to ₹2,700.
Tariff increased
Keeping in view the high demand this summer, the officials have increased the tariff by 15 to 20% with effect from April 1, and the increased tariff will be in force up to July 30. This is applicable on all the days of the week. Earlier, tariff used to be increased only during weekends. Tourism Manager (Horsley Hills) G. Murali told The Hindu that since April first week there was a tremendous flow of tourists, and this would continue for the next four months. “We have visitors from Chennai and Bengaluru throughout the year. But their flow peaks in summer. The increase in accommodation tariff is affordable. We have taken all measures to cater to the most important requirements of the tourists, particularly water,” he said.
Ambitious plans
Tourists who are not fortunate enough to get accommodation atop the hill station make night halt in Madanapalle town, and head to the tourist spot early in the morning.
The Tourism Department has ambitious plans to improve the accommodation facility so as to cater to the needs of the more number of tourists. There are proposals to construct cottages downhill with all modern facilities.
