Hyderabad to Gandikota, Grand canyon of India

[Gowtham]

Sharing a post by Radhika Kundur:

 

History of Gandikota from Wiki

Gandikota is a village and historical fort on the right bank of the Penna river, 15 km from Jammalamadugu in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, India.

 

The fort was the center of power for various dynasties, such as the Kalyani Chalukyas, Pemmasani Kamma Nayakas, and the Golconda Sultanate. Gandikota was the capital of Pemmasani Kamma Nayakas for more than 300 years. Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayaka constructed the huge fort at Gandikota with 101 towers replacing the previous sand fort constructed by Kaka Raja, Vassals of Kalyani Chalukya rulers. 

 

Best route from Hyderabad to Gandikota

Hyderabad ->Kurnool ->Nadyal -> Gandikota

If you take above route you can cover following places as well:

• Belum Caves
• Ahobilam

 

Place is open to public, please check before visiting has great adventure activities:

 

https://www.facebook.com/Adventuresportsacademygandikota/
 

You can contact the academy on this number : +917671963346
 

A MUCH needed break from the monotony.

With the wildest bunch of friends 3 days 2 nights.

 

Stayed at this amazingly comfortable tourism place which is not open yet.

A place which will surprise you soon.( we could go because it was friend’s/family )

 

On offer are Rappelling , quads on a quad trail inside the property , kayaks , guided treks through the paths unknown (they open up to breath taking views ) , guided tour to the fort and its little secrets.also coming soon is a ropeway cable car scene.

 

One of the partners is the only Indian who has scaled Mt Everest solo. His team is just simply amazing. They were very encouraging, experienced and kind.

 

6.3hrs /382 km with 1 hr lunch break and 2 tea breaks. 11 of us ages ranging from 7 to 82.

 

Team Skoda with a Creta cretin thrown into the melee (we like our Skodas )

 

Lunch going to Gandikota was at Hill park at Jadcherla (we could not make it to Pyramid near Kurnool on time ) and while coming The Pyramid food park at Kothakota.

 

During our stay the accommodation provided us with hot piping meals on time - ragi Sangati , uggani and the likes.

Simple yet hearty.

 

We thankfully got home before Nandyal and the area got flooded yesterday. (But we absolutely would not have minded being stranded where we stayed )

[Gowtham]

The kids doing their own thing.
The Sequel (foreground ) guarding his fort
The Prequel (background ) doing what she does best - living in the moment.

The sequel built a campfire but it rained.

 

When the only Indian who has scaled Everest Sumit solo says ‘it’s only a trek ‘ , note that his definition might vary from your’s 

I did many things that I did not plan to or thought was capable of - scaled the cliff , cane down rappelling and got to the road trekking. The team is fantastic ! They are very encouraging and the kindest strangers I had a chance to hang out with.

As you can see , I did not come prepared for any of this. I LOVED every moment.

 

Notice my husband standing below ?
I hope he was praying I would not fall -... because guess where I WOULD land if I did 

My friends would wager that I did not rappell or climb cliffs - I have an unreasonable fear of heights. But one foot after the other. The team noticed my hands shaking when putting on the gloves. That’s when the magnanimity of what I was going to do hit me.

They simply tied another rope and didn’t overplay on my fears. Just encouragement. And my husband shouting ‘imagine you’re floating on the water Radhi. You love that. You will love this too 

 

 

 

We got taken to a little cave inside the fort

The paths less taken and the unknown.

 

The team took us another trek which is generally unknown. Opened out to phenomenal views of the dam.

The view of the dam from the trek

 

[karthik]

Excellent Report Radhika garu. It was fun reading through your travel story. From the pictures, I can see you guys had great fun. Keep travelling and keep posting. Stay safe.

[sagar]

Excellent post Radhika.. Thank you for compiling such an informative post for the record @Gowtham. Adventure sports is something new that we are getting to see around Gandikota and this place always demanded such activities. This place is best for rock climbing and rappelling.. Would love to see more information about this place. 
Also, I am scared to imagine this place growing commercial.. 

[uday]

Good post Radhika. Any update on when they will open the services to general public? Planning for a quick getaway with family. 

[mit1682]

Wow nice trip. Reminds me about my trip in January 2020. One of the best place for relaxation. Grand canyon of India. But we noticed the place is becoming more commercial. AC tents they were charging some where around 3k to 4k. We stayed at Haritha. And it was decent one. If got opportunity, will surely plan trip in future.

[shiva]

Very refreshing travel log.

Looks like an ideal place to visit during covid times. I think Saturday and Sunday are good enough to visit?

 

19 hours ago, uday said:

Any update on when they will open the services to general public?

 

I guess they are open now. Check their Facebook page. 

[karthik]

Are they allowing self camping over here? This way we can be safe from COVID as well.