Gandikota & Belum Caves

Gandikota is 370kms from Hyderabad via Kurnool and Betamcherla. Belum caves can be visited after  Gandikota. Route via Gooty is a better optional route for reaching back to Hyderabad. Kurnool is ideal place for lunch break. Gandikota is known as Grand canyon of India because of its deep Gorge on river Penna. Nearest railway station is 26 km away at Muddanuru (railway code: MOO) in Kadapa District. There are number of trains from Gooty Junction and also a good tourist bus service from Bangalore

The fort has two ancient temples, dedicated to Madhava and Ranganatha. On request, tent can be pitched inside the temple compound. Fort has Jamia Masjid with two minarets. A heritage festival is held every year in the fort area. River bank can be reached with the help of guide/freakout. Rappelling and river Kayaking can be done on prior booking.  There is only one lodging facility available, if you don’t have tent. A humble APTDC resort is located in the vicinity with limited available rooms and food facility. Dormitories are also available. Open toilet/bath facility can be used by outsiders.   

Recommendations: Prior booking for resort is a must for weekends. It is possible to stay without even tent in side temple complex under covered temple mandala.  

Belum caves can be reached in one and half hour by car, on way back toward Gooty. Caves are beautiful and must to visit kind of stuff. They have been formed with centuries old underground flowing river. Caves were explored by German team in 1982-83. It is the largest and longest cave system open to the public on the Indian subcontinent. Fresh air is supplied even in the deepest point of the cave, Patalganga which is 151ft deep and 2km away from entry point. Good lighting provision with music system is provided for visitors in scary narrow passages.  Cave timings are 10am to 6pm.

Recommendations: Take water, headlamp and good trekking shoes, caves are humid and dark.