Hyderabad to Srisailam road trip and guide

[Gowtham]

Hyderabad to Srisailam Guide

Distance :

220 kilometers

 

Route :
Hyderabad - Kadthal - Kalvakurthi (bypass) - Dindi - Munnanur - Mallapur - Sundhipenta - Srisailam
 

Road condition :

Hyderabad to Dindi, road condition is excellent. Super smooth road and has tolls.

 

Toll road : Hyderabad to Dindi

 

Dinidi to Srisailam, road condition is good, roads are narrow, difficult to overtake and many blind curves but the views are fantastic.

 

Ghat road : Dindi to Srisailam

[Gowtham]

Srisailam forest timings

Make sure you enter the forest section between Dindi to Srisailam between 6AM to 9PM.
You need to fill your name and car details at the forest check post and they charge 20/- per car. 

 

Forest opens : 6AM to 9PM
Forest closes : 9PM to 6AM

 

Best time to visit Srisailam

 

July to January would be a good time to visit Srisailam and It is best before monsoon ends. 

 

Hotels on Hyderabad to Srisailam highway

1. Hyderabad to Dindi

 Sai Surya family restaurant

https://goo.gl/maps/bKPQw2kRQTT2

 

Grand sai Balaji
https://goo.gl/maps/vc8e7E73Qur

 

2. Dindi to Srisailam
Very few hotels in this section.
All the hotels are almost near Srisailam
 

Hotel Grand Akkamadevi (non-veg available)
https://goo.gl/maps/pVt7aB8dvPE2

Haritha resorts
https://goo.gl/maps/V3JPVswqvRE2

[Gowtham]

Places to visit in Srisailam and on Hyderabad Srisailam highway. 

 

1. Dindi reservoir
Dindi reservoir is located at a distance of 120 kilometers from Hyderabad.

You can drive till the reservoir if you divert from the main road, just before the reservoir. 

GPS link : https://goo.gl/maps/JJSHUTkQ45p
Take a right turn just before the dam to drive till the lake edge.

 

2. Tiger Safari

Timings : 9AM to 5PM

Cost : 800/- per trip
Time : 40 mintues

 

GPS link : https://goo.gl/maps/rZ8ujX819dG2

 

Can we spot tiger at Nallamalla forest?
Nope, there are very less number of tigers in the Nallamalla forest reserve. 
You must be very lucky to spot a tiger.

 

What animlas can we spot at Nallamalla forest?

• Deer herds
• Monkeys
• Peacocks
• Squirrels
• Birds

 

3. Mallelateertham waterfalls

You need to divert from the main road once you cross the tiger reserve. 

 

One needs to descend around 200 steps to get the first sight of the beautiful waterfalls. Waterfalls is seen only during monsoons and would recommend to avoid it during summers.

GPS link : https://goo.gl/maps/CTe7CDmb6qQ2

 

4. Srisailam dam (view points)

 

5. Srisailam bridge

 

6. Cable car ride, Pathalaganga

 

7. Akkamma Mahadevi caves

 

How to reach Akkamma Mahadevi caves?

• Boats starts everyday at 9 AM
• Cost/head is around 300/-
• Boating time : 1 hour 30 minutes 
• You need to carry snacks and water
• Once you reach the destination you need to walk around 15 minutes to reach the caves.
• Avoid this place during a day trip, If you are planning a stop over for the night, this place is ideal to visit.

 

 

Best accommodation in Srisailam

AP tourism is your best bet in Srisailam, you wont find hotels in online booking portals.
All bookings are done by the agents and so finding a decent hotel is tough.

http://www.aptdc.gov.in/accommodations.html

 

[Gowtham]

Photolog of our Srisailam drive

Started from Gachibowli post breakfast at Village Aharam.
Speed limit on ORR is 100 kmph. If you cross the limit, get ready to pay 1435/- 

 

Long weekends, Long queues at the toll booths

 

Varun's EcoSport felt bumpy, we pulled over and reduced the air pressure. 

 

Our next stop at Dindi reservoir

 

Group picture! @Ravi is missing as he started the chasing birds. I am waiting for your pictures.

 

Most of the memories come from the off roads that we take.

 

Full attendance. Looks like @Omik was planning to punch me. 

 

After Dindi reservoir exploration, our next stop was at the ghat section entrance.

 

The forest road was waiting ahead

 

We enjoyed the view for some time.

 

And started our drive into the Nallamalla forest.

[Gowtham]

 

Drive through the Nallamalla forest turned out be better than expected. Greenery was just amazing.

 

We took a small break, enjoyed the wild breeze in calmness. 

 

Roads get narrow once you enter the forest area. It is tough to overtake the private buses in this stretch. A stop-over at the view point. 

 

We reached the Srisailam Dam in no time, We decided to drive till Sindhipenta and break for lunch.

We had our lunch at Grand Akkamadevi Hotel and drove back to the Dam.

 

Round table conference, @varunc Looks like everybody were interested in your shoes. 

 

Cars basking in the Sun.

 

Soon the temperatures started to raise and we left the place.

 

We took a tea break in the midway and reached ORR by 6:45 PM

- Thank you

[Naveen1]

Nice pictures, wish I could join the group on some weekend.

Few questions for you guys.

Should I wait one more month, or the monsoon has already arrived?

Is it crowded during weekends?

Tiger Safari is worth the money/time?

[Gowtham]

19 hours ago, driveking said:

Should I wait one more month, or the monsoon has already arrived?

It is green, Wait for 10 more days.

 

19 hours ago, driveking said:

Is it crowded during weekends?

It is fine on weekends, avoid during long weekends.

 

19 hours ago, driveking said:

Tiger Safari is worth the money/time?

If you are going on a two days road trip, it is don't miss it.
On a single day drive avoid it.
 

[sagar]

Superb pictures guys.. Next month will be perfect for a drive to this place. All you would find is just green out there

[Saran]

I went yesterday.. enjoyed the drive a lot. If theme is dam, August would be the best time.

If drive & rain are the theme, its time now.

[Gowtham]

23 minutes ago, Saran said:

I went yesterday.

 

Nice, saw few pictures.

You can post them here(on this link). 

[Saran]

Pictures from my recent Srisailam drive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Gowtham]

2 minutes ago, Saran said:

Picture log.

Love those pictures, any change in water levels and greenery?

[Sridhar Tandra]

Amazing Pictures Saran!

[Saran]

Love those pictures, any change in water levels and greenery?

No change in water level. But good noticable change in greenery.

Sent from my S7 - Using India-Drive App

[Saran]

Amazing Pictures Saran!

Thank you bro

Sent from my S7 - Using India-Drive App

[Lets DRIVE]

Nice Pics, i am sure you have enjoyed every bit of it.

 

[santoshraut80]

I want to join this group and explore the new areas .Please let me know how to join it.

[Gowtham]

9 minutes ago, santoshraut80 said:

I want to join this group and explore the new areas .Please let me know how to join it.

 

You are welcome to Join us.
Please go through the meetup section.

You can join our whatsApp group link

[sbhamidi]

saw in news that Srisailam Dam is full of water.... would love to visit sometime soon to try if the gates are lifted....

[Saran]

saw in news that Srisailam Dam is full of water.... would love to visit sometime soon to try if the gates are lifted....

Looks like the shutters are open as per the dam status.. but not sure how many shutters are open.

Dam full level is 885 ft ! And it has 881.3 ft now. Must be all shutters open if I'm not wrong!

Sent from my S7 - Using India-Drive App

[sbhamidi]

Quote

 

its level is now 882ft, might be a good time..... am sure this weekend should be good

[Gowtham]

Hope it will be opened on Saturday and Sunday.
It is usually over crowded, when they open dam gates.
We need to start early in the morning to beat the crowd.
We should be the first one waiting at the check-post. 

[Saran]

Time to go!

Sent from my S7 - Using India-Drive App

[Gowtham]

Heavy inflows into Srisailam, but no need to open gates immediately, say officials.

 

Quote

Updated: 12th Oct 2017  12:06 am

Hyderabad: With Srisailam dam level close to reaching its gross storage capacity of 215.807 tmc, the project authorities in Andhra Pradesh have decided to let out 84,000 cusecs of water to Nagarjunasagar Dam.

The Srisailam Project Chief Engineer Narayana Reddy told Telangana Today that the AP Irrigation Minister Devineni Uma Maheshwara Rao will open three spill gates of the project, each letting out about 28,000 cusecs on Thursday morning. “We will review the inflows thereafter to look into the scope of increasing further the volume of outflows”

Source

 

Spill gates are different from dam gates right?
According to the article, 3 spill gates will be opened today.  

[Gowtham]

Latest update, Srisailam dam Gates are open now.

 

 

 

[sagar]

That is nice now, Finally 2 gates have opened up. Waiting for the time to see when all the gates get opened again. Reminds me of our road trip in 2010 I guess when all of these gates got opened, that sight was so amazing.

 

Yeah, Actually spill gates operation is quite economical and is different from operating a dam gate. Dam gates are usually opened when its the case where the water flow is about to go out of control due to heavy flow before it gets over flowed. Before lifeting up these dam gates, these spill gates are operated when under control to control the direction and volume of flow at a certain regulation to keep the water level under control.

I think another day of heavy rain will cut loose the option of opening up the dam gate

[hsudhir]

Hi guys, I have been to Srisailam yesterday... 4 gates have been opened due to the heavy rains and the reservoir being reached to its neck. Hoping for more gates to get opened by the next weekend if the flooding continues as this way 

 

 

 

[sagar]

Thanks for sharing the update @hsudhir.

I guess they have opened up 2 more gates last night.. source : news on TV

[BORNDRIVER]

Hello Hsudhir,

Great pictures.

Have been to SRISAILAM many times but never saw the gate opening.

It looks so amazing in pictures.

It must be heavenly feeling in those view points with sound , water mists.

I guess the area must be over crowded with vehicles parking along the ghat road...beside the view points.

[sagar]

19 hours ago, BORNDRIVER said:

 Have been to SRISAILAM many times but never saw the gate opening....

 

@BORNDRIVER Now, is the time for you to experience it. As per recent update it's 8 gates  I feel you shouldn't miss it this time. Also, I would recommend you to do this drive during a weekday. I'm sure, it is going to be very crowded this weekend.

[Gowtham]

Any idea about how many days gates will stay open?
I think they wont keep it open till this weekend.

[sagar]

As per recent update from Vamshi, I am posting the latest picture o the dam here... 

 

[H-Hoppr]

As per recent update from Vamshi, I am posting the latest picture o the dam here... 
 

Dam Gates are closed

Source : Whatsapp

[karthik]

2 hours ago, H-Hoppr said:

Dam Gates are closed

 

Thank you for the update.

I planned this weekend, along with my family. ?

 

[sagar]

18 hours ago, H-Hoppr said:

Dam Gates are closed

 

Thanks a lot for putting up  the latest update @H-Hoppr. Helps a lot of members who have planned their road trip to Srisailam this coming weekend  

[sahil]

 
Thanks a lot for putting up  the latest update [mention=493]H-Hoppr[/mention]. Helps a lot of members who have planned their road trip to Srisailam this coming weekend [emoji4] 

Guys, Srisailam dam gates are closed today. So, check before u start if your purpose is to visit dam. Otherwise u can do many things there, you can visit safari, temple, drive in cool lush green forest, boating in the reservoir and vidit few places near temple

[Guest Rohit]

How do I check if they are open today?

[hsudhir]

On 8/23/2018 at 10:28 AM, Guest Rohit said:

How do I check if they are open today?

 

Hi Rohit, You can check out the link below for time to time updates on the dam and water levels. 

http://irrigationap.cgg.gov.in/wrd/dashBoard

[sahil]

 
Hi Rohit, You can check out the link below for time to time updates on the dam and water levels. 
http://irrigationap.cgg.gov.in/wrd/dashBoard

Will they update regularly in that page?
1. News channels. Some watches regularly all day. Need to ask them if there is any info.
2. Any agent/friend staying in that location..
3. Hotels near dam
4. Travel groups..

[varunc]

On 8/27/2018 at 1:11 PM, sahil said:

Will they update regularly in that page?

 

Dam opening/closing is unpredictable. 

Last year based on news, I drove to Srisailam but the gates are closed.

They were opened later in the evening, we came back to Hyderabad by that time.

 

It is purely based on luck. 

 

[BORNDRIVER]

1 hour ago, varunc said:

 

Dam opening/closing is unpredictable. 

Last year based on news, I drove to Srisailam but the gates are closed.

They were opened later in the evening, we came back to Hyderabad by that time.

 

It is purely based on luck. 

 

Yes Varunc ...agreed. Me too have travelled almost 10times to Srisailam in monsoon season but never have the opprtunity to see gate open....??

[uday]

22 hours ago, BORNDRIVER said:

Me too have travelled almost 10times to Srisailam in monsoon season but never have the opprtunity to see gate open.

 

I have witnessed it for the first time during 2016 monsoon. 

View are fantastic, don't miss it in the next monsoon.

 

I think we still have chance in this monsoon. 

[Naveen1]

Anyone recently visited Srisailam?

Need information for accommodation and road condition.

I couldn't find any accommodations online.

[Gowtham]

29 minutes ago, driveking said:

road condition.

 

Road are good to Srisailam.
Even though it is a single lane, overall road condition is excellent.

 

Once you enter ghat section roads get narrow.

Be cautious while overtaking heavy vehicles. 

 

Also there are many speed bumps once you enter ghat section. 

 

29 minutes ago, driveking said:

I couldn't find any accommodations online.

 

AP tourism is your best bet. 

[Naveen1]

On 9/5/2018 at 4:05 PM, Ranger said:

AP tourism is your best bet. 

 

Thank you for the update.

 

We completed the trip last weekend.

Roads are excellent but gets narrow in the ghat sections.

 

We started at 5AM and reached Srisailam by 10AM.

Did darshan and visited rope way. 

We had lunch at AP tourism, food is average. 

Started back to Hyderabad around 4PM and reached by 9PM.

 

We did not stay in Srisailam due to lack of proper accommodation.

Also Srisailam can be covered in a single day without any stress.

 

Drive through the forest is very relaxing and close to the nature. 

We spotted a deer and few monkeys enroute. 

 

 

[RajG]

Visited Srisailam last weekend,

Roads are very good guys. We completed the trip in a single day.

 

Started at 8am in the morning, We had  a breakfast stop before hitting the ghat section, reached temple by 1pm.

 

We finished lunch by 3pm and started back, reached Hyderabad by 8pm, including a tea break.

 

Overall roads are very good. Some sections are narrow.

 

Speed barkers are annoying. Overtaking heavy vehicles in ghat section is difficult, plan cautiously, due to blind curves. 

 

We stopped in forest for some pictures, Cops came and told us to leave Patrolling is high in the forest region.

[Gowtham]

Thank you for the updated.

 

Roads are pretty good from Hyderabad to Srisailam.  Even though it is single lane, it is very smooth and well laid. 

I have visited last year. Good to know that roads held up well. 

 

Ghat sections is not very smooth.

 

3 minutes ago, RajG said:

Overtaking heavy vehicles in ghat section is difficult, plan cautiously, due to blind curves. 

 

During our last meetup in Srisailam,

Our entire convoy trailed a RTC bus for 15 minutes.

Very difficult to overtake , on top that he is driving in the middle lane. 

 

5 minutes ago, RajG said:

Patrolling is high in the forest region.

 

We faced the same issue. 

[Sridhar Tandra]

32 minutes ago, RajG said:

Cops came and told us to leave Patrolling is high in the forest region

This is new to me, never happened to me at least when I have driven down and took a quick pit stop in my last couple of drives to Srisailam. Maybe situations changed now. 

[Naveen1]

There are some designated stopovers.
I have seen some people having lunch over there (packed food)

[Gowtham]

2 hours ago, driveking said:

There are some designated stopovers.
I have seen some people having lunch over there (packed food)

 

We used to carry food till 2008, there were very few food options on the route.

Now we have plenty of options.

 

During those days, people used to cook food in the forest.

While coming back, they buy fish near the dam and get it cooked in the forest area. 

 

Those days are fun.

[ksa171983]

4 hours ago, RajG said:

Visited Srisailam last weekend,

Roads are very good guys. We completed the trip in a single day.

 

Started at 8am in the morning, We had  a breakfast stop before hitting the ghat section, reached temple by 1pm.

 

We finished lunch by 3pm and started back, reached Hyderabad by 8pm, including a tea break.

 

Overall roads are very good. Some sections are narrow.

 

Speed barkers are annoying. Overtaking heavy vehicles in ghat section is difficult, plan cautiously, due to blind curves. 

 

We stopped in forest for some pictures, Cops came and told us to leave Patrolling is high in the forest region.

driving to srisailem and back always is very nice .. i generally prefer overnight stay near the temple and then start next day .. very peaceful during god's offseason days

[Tapahasu]

Three places missed in visits near srisailam one is shikaram, it's where devotees believes watching through the horns of nandhi at shikaram if u can see kalasha at main gopuram one will achieve eternal life.

 

 Second is ista kameswari temple no private vehicle entertained, u have to hire entire Jeep or share 900 bucks per head.

 

Third one is bheemuni kolanu no vehicle only trekking, from phaladhaara and panchadhaara.

Before going to srisailam u can visit Uma maheswaram temple on the way to munnanur starting of hills u get this on diversion towards achampet.

 

Farahabad view point which is the final destination in jungle safari for photography.

 

Pratapa rudra fort trek at the starting of hills on the way to munnanur.

[sagar]

10 hours ago, Tapahasu said:

Three places missed in visits near srisailam one is shikaram, it's where devotees believes watching through the horns of nandhi at shikaram if u can see kalasha at main gopuram one will achieve eternal life.

 

 Second is ista kameswari temple no private vehicle entertained, u have to hire entire Jeep or share 900 bucks per head.

 

Third one is bheemuni kolanu no vehicle only trekking, from phaladhaara and panchadhaara.

Before going to srisailam u can visit Uma maheswaram temple on the way to munnanur starting of hills u get this on diversion towards achampet.

 

Farahabad view point which is the final destination in jungle safari for photography.

 

Pratapa rudra fort trek at the starting of hills on the way to munnanur.

 

Wow.. I got to know about a lot of new places around Srisailam..  I guess @sridhar has shared a log previously about Bheemuni Kolanu. Is that the same one which opens only once in an year  

 

@Sridhar Tandra Could you reshare the link your travel story of the place which stays open to public only once in the whole year.. I am not able to recollect the name   

[Gowtham]

12 hours ago, Tapahasu said:

Three places missed in visits near srisailam

 

Never heard of these places, thank for the information.

Around 2012, we went on a trek inside Srisialam forest.
That temple is opened once in a year, Saleshwaram Lingayya swamy temple. 

Place is very beautiful but it may get over crowded, best time to visit is during midnight. 
Yes, during that time of a year, they allow people to go inside the forest during night time. (officially) 


https://www.india-drive.com/index.php?/topic/464-hyderabad-to-saleshwaram-temple-that-opens-for-only-4-days-in-an-year/

 

[Tapahasu]

3 hours ago, sagar said:

 

Wow.. I got to know about a lot of new places around Srisailam..  I guess @sridhar has shared a log previously about Bheemuni Kolanu. Is that the same one which opens only once in an year  

 

@Sridhar Tandra Could you reshare the link your travel story of the place which stays open to public only once in the whole year.. I am not able to recollect the name   

No bheemuni colanu is near phaladhaara panchadhaara, the one sridhar talking about is saleshwaram jatara, after mahashivaratri once ppl go there, the one I said about farahabad view point or jungle safari on the way u have to divert for this, beautiful place with treacherous trekking path recent conditions no idea did many times when I was a kid, u can hike a waterfall without slipping and no need for any ropes. Even in summer water will be child. U can plan for this on summer time

Edited November 22, 2018 by Tapahasu

[sagar]

2 hours ago, Tapahasu said:

No bheemuni colanu is near phaladhaara panchadhaara, the one sridhar talking about is saleshwaram jatara, after mahashivaratri once ppl go there, the one I said about farahabad view point or jungle safari on the way u have to divert for this, beautiful place with treacherous trekking path recent conditions no idea did many times when I was a kid, u can hike a waterfall without slipping and no need for any ropes. Even in summer water will be child. U can plan for this on summer time

 

Thanks much for this information. I think we need to explore this sometime  

[peddisetti]

All photos in this page is too good , May i know what camera you used to capture ?

[Gowtham]

On 4/30/2019 at 5:09 PM, peddisetti said:

All photos in this page is too good , May i know what camera you used to capture ?

 

Taken from Nikon D3200 and YI 4k action cam. 

[Guest Manikanta]

Bikes are allowed into the forest???

[Guest Raviteja]

Hello all

In google maps it is showing as 360 kms to srisailum. But in this thread it is showing as 242 kms. Please help in identifying best route. 

[RavitejaKunala]

Hello all

Planning to go to srisailam, but google maps shows 360kms. This thread shows only 230 kms. Please help in getting best nd shortest route.

[kvm]

Hello All,

We have been to Srisailam last sunday and the road conditions are "still" quite good - except for the above mentioned surprise speed breakers and few patchy stretches over the ghat sections but nothing unmanageable.

We were also intrigued by GMaps showing 360/230 kms depending on the time of day we search for route- if evening/night it automatically picks the longer route as the forest drive is closed from 9pm to 6am - quite intelligent in a way!

One good restaurant we found was "Sri Sai Balaji Hotel" near kalwakurthy by-pass -  quite decent and tasty veg-only food at reasonable prices. Also, the two toll plazas are "FastTag" enabled!

 

 

Few pics of the trip..

[Gowtham]

13 hours ago, kvm said:

We have been to Srisailam last sunday and the road conditions are "still" quite good - except for the above mentioned surprise speed breakers and few patchy stretches over the ghat sections but nothing unmanageable.

 

Thank you for the update.
How did the Seltos perform? 
It it DCT or manual? 

[kvm]

Quote

Thanks @Ranger; Seltos is DCT and it performed quite well. This was my first hill drive on DCT and I found a bit of lag during uphill during on-ward but not much so during return uphill stretches - maybe I need to get used to it too ? Rest of the journey it was a real joy to drive...

 

 

Edited January 2, 2020 by kvm

[sagar]

Thanks much for sharing a recent update on the road conditions enroute srisailam @kvm..  

What's the average mileage of your Seltos DCT ?

[kvm]

38 minutes ago, sagar said:

Thanks much for sharing a recent update on the road conditions enroute srisailam @kvm..  

What's the average mileage of your Seltos DCT ?

@sagar Thanks. Last T2T was some 12.x with a mix of sport/eco drive modes with AC all the while. 

[sagar]

2 hours ago, kvm said:

@sagar Thanks. Last T2T was some 12.x with a mix of sport/eco drive modes with AC all the while. 

 

Those are good numbers for a DCT  

[Gowtham]

On 8/15/2019 at 12:06 AM, Guest Manikanta said:

Bikes are allowed into the forest???

Yes, Bikers are allowed on forest roads. 

[Guest Vinay]

We are going today in few hours, will update the post with feedback.

[shiva]

Is it right time to visit Srisailam in pandamic situation?

 

And What are the guidelines to be followed to visit Srisailam temple?

[Guest Time]

Howmuch time it takes from Hyderabad to Srisailam. If we are planning single day trip then what time we should start     thanks