Hyderabad to Bhongir Fort - Breakfast drive report

[shammy]

Hyderabad to Bhongir fort drive meetup - February 25th - 2017

 

Start point - Gachibowli (ORR)
End point - Bhongir fort
Start time - 6:30 a.m.
Distance - ~110 kms

 

Objective :

A small gathering to meet all the new folks of the club for breakfast at Viveria hotel and drive towards Bhongir fort in a union spirit to continue this year on a cheerful note.

 

Destination description:

 

The Bhongir fort was built upon a single rocky hill in Bhongir, a town in Telangana, located in the Nalgonda district of the state. The Western Chalukya ruler, Tribhuvana malla Vikram aditya VI, built the fort from one single monolithic rock in the 12th century. The fort was originally named Tribhuvanagiri, and eventually the name metamorphosed into Bhuvanagiri and eventually, into Bhongir, which is its present name.

It is spread across an impressive area of 50 acres at a height of around 500 feet over the top and is about 50 kms from the Hyderabad skirt.

 

Highlights:

Bhongiri fort is the highest fort in India, It is constructed on a single large stone. The shape of the hill is very unique.

 

Bhongir fort tips:

• No food and water are available at the fort, carry your own water and snacks. Make sure you carry back the trash instead of littering around. 
• Vehicle parking is available at foot hills of the fort.
• Less crowded.
• Trek is easy, no gear required as most of the ascent carved of steps on the rocky surface.
• Not advisable to visit after sunset.
• Early morning is the best time to visit.
• Should be extra careful during the monsoon, it may be slippery. 

Bhongiri Fort timings:
Fort is accessible between 10AM to 5PM.

 

Early morning is the best time to visit, you can get into the fort at 6AM from the back entry. 
It is against rules, but you can buy the ticket while coming back.

Bhongiri Fort entry fee:

10/- per head and 50/- per camera.

 

Hyderabad to Bhongir fort route:

Hyderabad --> Ghatkesar --> Bhongir fort.
 

Hyderabad to Bhongiri Road condition:
It is a 4-lane route, it will not take you more than two hours from Hyderabad.

 

Hotels in Bhongiri: 

All the hotels are available on Highway as soon as you cross Bhongiri.

 

1.Hotel Vivera

2. Coffee day 

3.Hotel Sankalp  
 

Participants:

 

1) Maruti Suzuki Baleno - Sai Chand
2) Ford Aspire - Harshita
3) Skoda Rapid - Kaushik
4) Hyundai Creta - Sagar
5) Honda Civic - Saran
6) Honda Civic - Gowtham varma
7) Toyota Innova Crysta - Akhil
8) Audi Q3 - Bhargav

 

PS: This report was compiled by pictures taken by me, Gowtham and Sagar.

[shammy]

All the 'India-drive men' have lined up at the start point for usual introductory session.

 

And the drive towards our destination has begun around 6 30 a.m. with our marshall leading the convoy

 

The whole crew has displayed a perfect co-ordination throughout the drive spacing up quite beautifully

Good to see slow moving vehicles sticking to the left most lanes.

 

The pinks and oranges in the sky showed us some tranquility during the sunrise hour while we burnt the rubber on this beautiful ORR

 

 

The early morning fog obscures the sunlight and road while we cruised ahead

 

ORR has more lights than before and the toll price hike is pretty steep, we paid 120/- from Gachibowli to Warangal exit.

 

Kaushik - proud owner of his new Skoda Rapid 

[shammy]

Akhil - a youngest newbie in the crew of the drive meet up

 

Can anything get better than a foggy morning sunrise on the open road!

 

 

We never fail to miss out on such a line up which we are quite evident of..

 

 

 

Hyundai Creta leading the convoy towards its destination

 

The new Skoda Rapid looked so elegant during the drive 

 

We have taken the Exit-09 and moved towards the Warangal highway exiting the ORR

 

[shammy]

Sai Chand - A cheerful newbie in his smart looking Suzuki Baleno

 

Saran - This petrol head is as dynamic as always driving his Honda Civic

 

A juncture as we exited the ORR to meet a few other folks of the crew

 

Our drive towards the breakfast point was set to pace on the beautiful Warangal highway from Ghatkesar

 

All the participants lined up for a small shoot as we reached the breakfast point - Hotel Vivera, Bhongir highway

 

After a sumptuous breakfast, we moved into the Bhongir town area bifurcating from the highway

 

We reached the Bhongir fort and a quick click from the foot hill

 

The sun was shining bright on us as we started to take the stone carved stairs 

 

If you can call them 'The Powerpuff Girls' , they have been as energetic as always throughout the trek

[shammy]

The stairs as we moved up the ascent got a little harsh on us which in turn was quite adventurous 

 

A small breather when we found a little space in shade to rest

 

From right to left - @sai86 @gowtham @Saran @akhil_redd @Tej @varun @bhargav @kaushik @sagar

 

The trek up the hill wouldn't have been so much fun without these cheerful souls

 

 

 

The rocky terrain up the hill has made the trek a little more adventurous offering more fun 

 

We never miss out on any drive with 'India-Drive' 

 

The trek up the hill throughout has been under the hot sun. Don't forget to carry your water bottles with you during your visit 

 

We thought we half covered at least half the way but then, there was a lot more to do ahead of us

[shammy]

Few glimpses of the trek as we moved up further

 

View of the Bhongir town from the mid way of the trek

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harshita - One of the coolest drive enthusiasts who always makes sure not to miss any of the drive meets

 

 

[shammy]

View of the Warangal highway from the top of the hill during our trek 

 

A panoramic view of the whole Bhongir town

 

There is a railing along the steps to support you during the trek

 

And then we were almost there

 

The fort on the top does not have much to offer as it is very old and ruined, but you are going to love these steep rocks while you climb up

 

By the 18th century, the fort has fallen into decay, and until recently, it had just remained a silent fortification ruin.

 

 

Tej + Sruthika - One of the most cheerful couples in the crew

 

 

Don't forget to climb the roof!

 

Mission Accomplished! We then rested between the human spoilt inside walls of the fort and trekked down back to the base

 

Over all, It has been a wonderful drive and trek with a great crew of enthusiasts.. Looking forward to join you guys for the upcoming drives this year. Cheers!

Edited February 27, 2017 by sagar

[sagar]

Awesome pictures and report @shammy, It has been one of the most amazing drives and trek. A big shout to the whole crew for keeping it all alive. Cheers everyone!  

 

Here are a few pictures from my side

 

Selfie with the whole crew at Hotel Vivera

 

Top of the hill

[Gowtham]

Thank you for sharing the report shammy.

Had a great day. One of the best meets ever.
It was nice meeting all you guys. Pour in some ideas for the next meet.
Thank you all for making this meet so much fun.

Few mobile clicks.

Meeting point on the ORR.

View of the Warangal highway from the fort.

I like to wander where the mobile signal is weak.

Bhongiri village view on the other side.

Bhongiri fort is a must visit place. Winter is the best time to visit. Last picture for the day.

[swez]

Amazing clicks @shammy .. I would love to make it for the next drive, It so looks like a fun group. Please keep us updated about the upcoming drives

[Harshita]

Power puff girls ,hehe.

Wonderful report Shammy. Looking forward to the upcoming drives.

[etoor]

Vow that's a wonderful narration.. pictures best definitely I've seen new shades of the bongir fort

[shammy]

Amazing clicks [mention=49]shammy[/mention] .. I would love to make it for the next drive, It so looks like a fun group. Please keep us updated about the upcoming drives [emoji4]

Yes you will meet all the like minded enthusiasts and I am pretty sure that you will definitely gonna love this group!! You can check our website for more information and updates.

[Saran]

Its was a nice breakfast meetup! Here are few clicks from me. Didn't click much though! After the half way climbing fallen sick. You guys supported me to manage it. Thank you soo much to all of you [emoji5]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Saran]

@bhargav's Q3

[Gowtham]

56 minutes ago, Saran said:

Its was a nice breakfast meetup! Here are few clicks from me.

Awesome clicks Saran and your civic sounds great, best part is it is muted under 3k rpm.

 

47 minutes ago, Saran said:

@bhargav's Q3

 

Nice shot.

[Saran]

Just now, gowtham said:

Awesome clicks Saran and your civic sounds great, best part is it is muted under 3k rpm.

 

 

Nice shot.

Thanks @Gowtham

[sagar]

awesome clicks @Saran 

[Saran]

awesome clicks [mention=488]Saran[/mention] [emoji4]

Thanks@Sagar [emoji4]

[sai86]

Wow great report and wonderful narration, just awesome pics..

[Gowtham]

Bhargav testing his Audi 4 wheel drive system.

 

[Pralay]

Thanks guys for the report.. Looks like you guys had great fun..!! [emoji4]

Btw, our favourite ORR looks stunning..!!

[Gowtham]

11 hours ago, Pralay said:

Looks like you guys had great fun.

It was a fun and equally challenging to climb the hill.

 

12 hours ago, Pralay said:

Btw, our favourite ORR looks stunning..!!

A drive on ORR, during sunrise will never disappoint us.

Try to join the next drive. 

[Pralay]

1 hour ago, gowtham said:

It was a fun and equally challenging to climb the hill.

 

A drive on ORR, during sunrise will never disappoint us.

Try to join the next drive. 

Hey @gowtham, Its great that you guys had a lovely drive & much fun over bhongir..!!

Actually we both have 6 days week  , so Saturday is working day for us!! And you know Sunday all our household work and all.. sometimes it gets too much  Every Friday we regret..!!! 

 

But will surely try to join you guys..!! 

[PareshBhinde]

Haven't got a chance to visit bhongir fort yet, Its in my list now. Thanks for sharing the lovely pics and all the details everyone!!  

[sagar]

Early Morning drive to this place during this season is the best way to do it. You can probably plan this during some weekend for a sunrise trek. Make sure to reach there between 6 or 7. Many decent food joints have also come up for good breakfast post the trek.

Available options are Vivera, Palle ruchulu, Sankalp, and Coffee Day (if you are planning to do this post 10 AM)  

[PareshBhinde]

Thanks for your valuable input @sagar Will plan it soon.

Edited January 29, 2020 by PareshBhinde