Hyderabad - Alampur - Mantralayam - Yaganti - Ahobilam - Mahanandi - Nallamala forest - Nagarjuna sagar - Warangal - Hyderabad.

[RoadTripper]

Road Trip:  

Hyderabad - Alampur - Mantralayam - Yaganti - Ahobilam - Mahanandi - Nallamala forest -  Nagarjuna sagar - Warangal - Hyderabad.

 

 

Total Distance Covered: 1300+ KMS

Vehicle : Nissan Micra 
Fuel : Petrol

Mileage: 20 kmpl with 70% of A/C

No. of Days: 4

From Dec 24th to 27th 2017.

Route expedition Via Google Maps

 

Day 1:

Route: Hyderabad - Mahbubnagar (NH 44) - Alampur - Kurnool - Mantralayam

Total distance covered on day 1 :  320+ KMS

 

 

It was Christmas holidays and decided to have a long trip, planned for Lonavala at first but due to personal reasons the above mentioned trip was confirmed and this was my 3rd trip with family.

 

Started off early in the morning 5AM from Hyderabad towards alampur through Highway NH44. Once you have crossed the shamshabad, you will directly connect to the NH 44, the road condition is excellent with 2 toll gates in between of toll fee Rs.110+ total.  

 

4 lane national highway, cruised on the road around 80kmph and covered total distance of 220 in 3+ hrs with a small tea break in between.

 

Reached  Alampur -Jougulamba temple around 9am, stayed around 1.5hrs and visited all the temples around and the view of Tungabhadra river as well.

 

Then started towards Mantralayam  via Kurnool from Alampur, had breakfast at surroundings of Kurnool as we are not able to find anything to eat at alampur area.

 

Alampur - Mantralaym: 115 kms.

Duration: 2.5 hrs

Reached mantralayam around 1pm , boarded into sreeniketham lodge for a day. Devotees were all around due to holiday season.

After having some rest, explored the location of mantralayam .

 

 

 

 

Day 2 : 

Route  : Mantralayam - Kurnool - Yaganti - Ahobilam - Mahanandi

Total distance covered: 328 kms 

Journey time: 10 Hours with 5 Halts

 

 

Mantralayam - Yaganti via Kurnool.

Road condition was good until we left the NH 40(As shown in the map), after that we need to pass through many villages and the road is just Okay at a speed of just above 40 kmph.

But i can guarantee that the visit was worthy, even though the road condition was just Okay. 

 

Temple is surrounded by the mountains and the over view was awesome.

 

 

 

 

 

From yaganti, we started towards the Belum Caves, but due to bad road condition and time constraint we have driven towards Ahobilam . 

 

Road was in very bad condition from Yaganti to Ahobilam, I would suggest one not to visit ahobilam as of now. 

Yaganti to Ahobilam:  78 kms, Single road.

It was almost 4pm in the evening, visited lakshmi narshimha swamy temple ASAP at ahobilam and departed to Mahanandi. As there was no accommodation available during that day and the temple is situated in the Nallamala forest range so before its dark, decided to move on to our next destination MAHANANDI.

 

Ahobilam to Mahanandi - 60kms , Single road

Travel Time: 2+ hrs

Road condition - Poor

 

Reached Mahanandi @7:30 pm, after a lot of struggling finally got accommodation at temple devastanam. 

Roads are in very bad condition at Ahobilam and Mahanandi, which needs to be repaired as many devotees visit these places.

My suggestion is to visit Mahanandi via Kurnool - Nandyal route.

 

Mahanandi Temple is in vast area.. Very peaceful and lookout for monkeys all the time  

 

 

Day 3:

Route: Mahanandi - Nallama Forest - Nagarjuna sagar

Distance : 271 kms, 6 hours journey

Road condition was excellent with 2 lane, drive was very smooth until we reach Yerragondapalem, After that again its a single road and it was very tough to reach a speed of 50+ kmph with lots of curves and ghat roads.

In Between, we crossed the Nallamala forest  Ghat road and it was an awesome experience driving through it, Wonderful view of forest from the top of the ghat road.

 

 

 

Nagarjuna sagar:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 4:

Route: Nagarjuna sagar - Nalgonda - Suryapet - Warangal

Distance : 240 kms, Journey time: 5+ hrs

 

Started at 3pm from nagarjuna sagar and reached warangal around 8pm.

Road condition was just Okay, From nalgonda to suryapet, half of the way was very poor but once we touch the vijayawada highway it was very smooth. From Suryapet to warangal its a double road with less traffic, drive was very smooth. 

 

Stayed one day at warangal and then moved on to Hyderabad. Distance 167 Kms total.

 

Over all experience was very good throughout the Roadtrip. 

 

 

[Guest HSB]

Hello Sir,

I believe it was a wonderful trip and you enjoyed it.

I need your help and suggestion as I am planning (short trip) to visit Nallamala Hills.

Shall I go via Srisailam, stay there for a night. Start next day and visit Nallamala Hills and get back to Hyderabad? or is there a better way around or visit/stay at any other place nearby?

Please suggest.

Thank you.

HS.

[sagar]

@RoadTrip Brilliant travelogue buddy. Great attention to details and you have shared all that is necessary for anyone to do this road trip. It was quite amazing that you had done a too many in a single go and cheers to that.

One more interesting fact about this was your mention on the Nissan Micra which had given a mileage of 20 kmpl. Kudos!

Also, Could you share more details on the hotels you stayed if any.. Your reviews on the motels can be of great help.

 

 

21 hours ago, Guest HSB said:

Hello Sir,

I believe it was a wonderful trip and you enjoyed it.

I need your help and suggestion as I am planning (short trip) to visit Nallamala Hills.

Shall I go via Srisailam, stay there for a night. Start next day and visit Nallamala Hills and get back to Hyderabad? or is there a better way around or visit/stay at any other place nearby?

Please suggest.

Thank you.

HS.

 

Hi HSB,

Your idea of doing a trip to the Nallamala forests and hills is quite perfect especially when it includes a night stay.

I shall share a few links below which will have all the information you need.

Apart from just Pacherla Jungle camps, You can also check out the Nallamala Jungle camps at Bairluty. Accommodation needs to be booked well in advance online to comfort your stay at this place as these are on high demand.

[Gowtham]

On 1/6/2018 at 12:07 PM, RoadTrip said:

Hyderabad - Alampur - Mantralayam - Yaganti - Ahobilam - Mahanandi - Nallamala forest -  Nagarjuna sagar - Warangal - Hyderabad.

 

In one word? Temple RUN 

Fantastic report, Ahobilam is in my checklist from the past two years.
I think December/January is the right time to visit this place.

How would rate this place?
 

 

[sahil]

21 hours ago, Guest HSB said:

Hello Sir,

I believe it was a wonderful trip and you enjoyed it.

 

Staying in Srisailam is a good option. You can do boating in the Srisailam backwaters towards Akka Mahadevi temple. I'ven't been there last time when I visited, as the water level is very low.

Also, there are options for Safari in the rout from Srisailam to Hyderabad. But don't expect tigers. But the Safari people told me that you have a good view of Srisailam reservoir and surrounding hills and you can spot some animals as well

[Gowtham]

21 hours ago, Guest HSB said:

I need your help and suggestion as I am planning (short trip) to visit Nallamala Hills.

Shall I go via Srisailam, stay there for a night. Start next day and visit Nallamala Hills

 

You need to book the accommodation well in advance, rooms are not available during long weekends. 

You have three options Bairluty, Pacherla and Thummalabailu.
Once you decide the place, we can guide you the route and plan. 

http://nallamalaijunglecamps.com/index.php

 

 

[sahil]

5 minutes ago, Ranger said:

How would rate this place?

 

I have been to Ahobilam and stayed there for a night as reached ahobilam @ 6 PM. Visited temple in the morning at 7 AM. For my view 5/5. Fantastic place and all our family members wanted to visit again.

Also, there is a trekking/walking we can do to reach some more small temples in the nallamala forest from Ahobilam temple. They told me that it will take 3 to 4 hrs to go and come back.

[Gowtham]

1 minute ago, kailash310@gmail.com said:

Also, there is a trekking/walking we can do to reach some more small temples in the nallamala forest from Ahobilam temple. They told me that it will take 3 to 4 hrs to go and come back.

 

I'm interested in the trekking part. 
Any accommodation suggestions around Ahobilam?

[sahil]

On 1/6/2018 at 12:07 PM, RoadTrip said:

Road Trip:  Hyderabad - Alampur - Mantralayam - Yaganti - Ahobilam - Mahanandi - Nallamala forest -  Nagarjuna sagar - Warangal - Hyderabad.

 

 

Wonderful photos. I like your itenary.

I did this similar tour some 3 years back in my wagonR with kids (7 months old baby) and parents.

My itenaary was 

Day 1

Hyderabad (started at 5 AM) - Manathralayam (reached by 10 AM) via Raichur 

Mantralayam to Ballery (stayed there for a night) -

 

Day 2 , Day 3

Hampi (stayed in Hospet for 2 days)

 

Day 4

Hospet - Yaganti via Gooty

Ahobilam (Stayed for 1 night)

 

Day 5

Ahobilam - Mananandi - Alampur - Hyd

Back to home by 10 PM.

 

[sahil]

10 minutes ago, Ranger said:

 

I'm interested in the trekking part. 
Any accommodation suggestions around Ahobilam?

Try to book in APTDC hotel. if not available.

Try this private hotel accommodation . 94905 15284 (3 years old) in the lower Abonilam near APTDC hotel. Small rooms. They charged my 700 rupees per night that time.

Edited January 8, 2018 by kailash310@gmail.com
spell mistake

[sagar]

29 minutes ago, kailash310@gmail.com said:

Try to book in APTDC hotel. if not available.

Try this private hotel accommodation . 94905 15284 (3 years old) in the lower Abonilam near APTDC hotel. Small rooms. They charged my 700 rupees per night that time.

 

Finally some source on stay options at Ahobilam . Thanks a lot for sharing the contact @kailash310@gmail.com . Can you also share a short review on the rooms neatness and if it is safe to stay with family?

[sahil]

21 minutes ago, sagar said:

 

Finally some source on stay options at Ahobilam . Thanks a lot for sharing the contact @kailash310@gmail.com . Can you also share a short review on the rooms neatness and if it is safe to stay with family?

This page has lot info about the places to visit (Treck) and accommodation

http://www.ahobilamutt.org/us/information/visitingahobilam.asp

 

What sort of accommodation is available at Ahobilam?
Sri Ahobila Mutt maintains a Guest House called Malola Guest House. There are a total of 14 rooms, 4 single rooms, 6 double rooms, and 4 triple rooms. Of these, two double rooms and two triple rooms are air conditioned. In addition, there are 10 dormitory type rooms.

At this point we are unable to take online reservations.

For reservations please call Badri Narayanan
PH:-08519-252045/252024 
9490515284

[sagar]

This is a superb share. @kailash310@gmail.com Thanks a lot for sharing this valuable information. Cheers!

[Gowtham]

2 hours ago, kailash310@gmail.com said:

Try to book in APTDC hotel. if not available.

 

Thank you for the update. Will check it out.
Any idea about the road condition between Kurnool to Ahobilam?

[sahil]

@RoadTriphe mentioned that 

"Road was in very bad condition from Yaganti to Ahobilam, I would suggest one not to visit ahobilam as of now. 

Yaganti to Ahobilam:  78 kms, Single road"

 

How is the Road from Allagadda to Ahobilam now (25 KM)? 

when I travelled its a single lane road and road is good. Some distance the roads goes via forest. 

Edited January 8, 2018 by kailash310@gmail.com

[RoadTripper]

Hi Guest HSB ,

 

Yes enjoyed a lot, Nallamala forest via srisailam(Night stay) is the best option.

 

You can check the below links for accommodation as well:

http://nallamalaijunglecamps.com/index.php

 

[RoadTripper]

Thank you @sagar 

 

Yes, I am in love with Micra. About mileage, not exceeded above 80kmph.

 

Staying details: 

 

Day 1 Halting @Mantralayam at sreeniketanam lodge(maintained by Mutt) 

          Single room(With bed) - 300/- for 24hrs (advance 300) , very well maintained with all the facilities including hot water

          Single room(Without bed) - 200/- which is in TTD mandapam block. 

         My suggestion is dont look for private hotels as an option, single room 2000+/- per night and maintenance is very bad. These are in no comparison to MUTT rooms.

        **Charges at private hotels might be high due to vacation season. Even though not worthy. 

 

Day 2 Halting @Mahanandi at Temple's trust building. Which is right beside the AP tourism hotel.

          Single Room : 400/- for 24hrs  (Advance 400) , Rooms are Okay.

 

Day 3 Halting @Nagarjuna sagar at Matha sarovar resort - Best thing about this hotel is Half of the room Balconys are towards the Sagar water view. Luckily I got the water view room.

           Non-A/C room charges 800/- for 24hrs, restaurant also available with pretty good menu and taste as well.

           Details at:    http://mathasarovarresorts.com

 

       ***@ahobilam the best staying option is the AP tourism. I have checked other staying options as well but not opted due to a feeling of insecure. 

           pavana narasimha hotel(9492612923) - Which is behind the main temple, but the rooms are not well maintained bro.

 

 

[RoadTripper]

@Ranger Yes, its a Temple run  

You are right its a right time to visit in Dec/Jan for temple visit/Trekking ..etc..But the temple is in renovating stage as of now, lots of work going around the temple so U wont be having a good view of the temple.

@kailash310@gmail.com Some repair works are going on between allagadda and ahobilam route, and at the same time road is in very poor condition from narasapuram to ahobilam. Repair works started and they might get completed in a couple or more months as per the locals. 

 

My suggestion is not visit at this time due to the above conditions. 

 

 

 

[sahil]

[mention=1]Ranger[/mention] Yes, its a Temple run [emoji4] 
You are right its a right time to visit in Dec/Jan for temple visit/Trekking ..etc..But the temple is in renovating stage as of now, lots of work going around the temple so U wont be having a good view of the temple.
[mention=1121]kailash310@gmail.com[/mention] Some repair works are going on between allagadda and ahobilam route, and at the same time road is in very poor condition from narasapuram to ahobilam. Repair works started and they might get completed in a couple or more months as per the locals. 
 
My suggestion is not visit at this time due to the above conditions. 
 
 
 

Thank you for the detail!

[Naveen1]

20 hours ago, RoadTrip said:

Yes, its a Temple run

 

I'm planning a similar drive with my parents.

Nice pictures and information.

Look like 4 days are good enough to cover the above mentioned place.

 

[RoadTripper]

@driveking Yes bro.. 4 days are more enough