Gandhikota Solo Backpacking

And I stumbled upon the Grand Canyon of India

“Though hesitant I completed my wish list desire of solo trip!”

I’m a travel geek and currently, my wish list is overflowing with the places I want to visit. I travel, explore and return with nothing but beautiful memories and stories to share with all. Amongst the never-ending destination list, the Gandikota trip was pending since the past 3 years.

The plan was chalked out with my friend and the backpacking was done as per the requirements. One fine morning I receive a call from my friend saying that he won’t be joining me on this short trip because of some important family issue. I was taken aback by the news for a few minutes. But my inner self was pushing me towards completing this trip as a solo traveller. Though hesitant I decided to take the plunge and complete my short solo trip.

Day 1

Dadar

I wrapped up my work for the day and rushed home to pick up my backpack. Within an hour I caught the evening local train to reach Dadar railway station. The train’s departure time was 8.30 pm and I had to reach the station by 8 pm. Keeping the lesser halt time at Dadar in mind I started my journey soon, also, I had to search for my coach. Everything went as planned, I reached before the arrival time, boarded the Chennai Express and embarked on my solo journey towards Gandikota.

Post 2 hours I shifted myself to the upper birth and relaxed by lying down and soon I fell asleep. As the night passed the weather started changing and I could feel it while I was asleep. It was 7 am and suddenly I felt extremely cold. I got up and started looking around for someone trustworthy who can take care of my backpack. I saw a girl sitting on the opposite berth and wasting no time I asked her if she could take care of my belongings. She agreed and asked me to do the same for her.

Photo of Dadar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India by Madhuri Prabhu

Day 2

Tadpatri

I immediately got down and went to freshen up and have breakfast. After having a wholesome breakfast I and Renu sat beside the window and started conversing. We didn’t realise how time passed with our conversations and by afternoon it was time for me to bid adieu to my friend Renu. Before I could alight down from the train Renu asked for a selfie with me and I could not deny it.

I reached Tadipatri railway station at around 12.27 pm and was excited at the same time. To reach Gandikota I had to commence on a break journey of approximately 83.4 km (2h 3 mins). The destination was far but my excitement to reach Gandikota held back all the travelling hassles. I got out of the station and within 15 minutes reached Tadipatri bus depot via rickshaw. I caught the 12.39 pm state transport bus towards Jammalamagudu and sat beside the window seat enjoying the spectacular lush green nature. Nostalgic set in as the bus passed through the open green fields and it reminded me of my native town.

I reached Jammalamagudu at around 2.45 pm and started enquiring with the locals about the next bus to Gandikota. To my dismay, the next bus was to arrive at 6 pm. It was already mid-afternoon and I could hear my stomach growling for food. I decided to check-in into the nearby restaurant and ordered a full meal thali. I thought it would be an ordinary thali but to my surprise, it was a huge traditional South Indian thali. Big enough to satiate my hunger pangs and keep my tummy full till the end of next journey. Also, the food was delicious!

Jammalamadugu

Although the locals of Andhra Pradesh don’t understand English or Hindi to the fullest they also don’t misguide you when passing out directions. They help you in every possible way. I could not wait for the evening bus as I had to reach Gandikota to complete my impending tasks. The next I did was to take the immediate rickshaw towards Gandikota. You got to acquire the bargaining skills here for a long-distance rickshaw ride. Why? Because they charge you exorbitantly if you are an outsider. After bargaining for 15-20 minutes for Rs. 200 – 300 one rickshaw guy agreed to take me to Gandikota for Rs. 200.

At around 4.30 pm I reached the hotel and called up the guy who was supposed to provide me with a tent for camping. The guy said that he will provide me with the tent by 6.30 pm and until then he asked me to freshen up, have some tea or coffee and explore the Gandikota fort. I freshened up and left the hotel to explore the nearby areas as I didn’t want to explore the fort today. Confused yet dazed I started walking towards the fort and surprisingly I reached the Grand Canyon of India.

Photo of Gandhikota Solo Backpacking by Madhuri Prabhu

The very next moment I was dumbfounded by the magnificent view of the sunset at the canyon. It was nothing less than a dramatic view of a reddish-orange ball on fire immersing itself in the sea. I consider myself lucky to have captured this moment unknowingly. If I would have waited at the hotel I would have missed this breath-taking view. A few minutes later I walked back towards my camping location near the Pennar river.

Gandikota Fort

I was expecting multiple tents and people on the camping site but I was the whole and sole person on the entire site. Usually, people are camping on the site on Saturdays and Sundays as these are non-working days. Finding myself alone in the middle of the camping site I asked the tent guy about my safety. He assured me that its 100% safe and I need not worry about anything.

As the night set in silence shrouded the area with insects chirping around. The night was serene with stars twinkling in the sky. I entered my tent, changed my clothes and ate 2 bananas because I wasn’t going to have dinner. I laid down and started watching The Lion King movie on my mobile. After a few minutes I was sleepy, so I set alarm for the next day and went to sleep.

In the middle of the night, I was woken up by not so friendly dog fights. Thinking that they would run away after a few minutes I went to sleep again. To my horror their fights became ugly and they fell on my tent sending shivers down my spine. I was lucky to have not been bitten by them because my tent was firm and sealed from all corners. After making loud noises from the tent they ran away and I finally slept peacefully.

Gandikota Fort

I was woken up by the 6.30 alarm and I stepped out of my tent to witness the morning beauty of Gandikota. Unlike the city’s air here it was fresh, cold and beautiful. Away from city life, this is what I have wanted all my life. Now, it was time for me to bid adieu to the beautiful and amazing camping site. I entered my tent, freshened up and handed over the tent to the guy and left to explore other sites by 7.20 am. The tent guy was humble, genuine and helpful. I did thank him for providing me with the tent at the perfect spot.

Gandikota Fort

With 2 hours in hand and few unexplored places, I decided to rush towards Gandikota Fort and explored its adjacent areas of Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Madhavaraya Temple, and Jamia Masjid.

Charminar

Juma Masjid

Grand Canyon of India | Gandikota Guide - A Ride to Gandikota

Madhavaraya Swamy Temple

Gandikota Fort

After the exploration of this vast and wonderful land I had a fulfilling breakfast and set out on a break journey again towards Belum caves. I caught the 10 am bus to reach Jammalamagudu and from there I caught another bus to reach Kolimigundala. After getting down at Kolimigundala I took a shared auto to reach Belum caves.

Did you know Belum caves are one of the longest caves and the largest caves in the Indian subcontinent? No right? History says it that these caves have been formed ten and thousands of years ago by the constant flow of underground water.

Belum Caves

While exploring the magnificent and magnanimous Belum caves I bumped into a long-lost office colleague of mine named Kotti. Kotti was here with his friends on a weekend trip and soon we decided to explore the caves together. Then we had lunch together and he dropped me on the bus depot.

I immediately caught the available bus and reached Tadipatri railway station 3 hrs early To my dismay, the 7.15 pm train was late by 20 min. Finally, the train arrived and I reached Dadar station at around 1.30 pm. From there I caught the next available local train and reached Borivali station to reach home.

My trip was short but the memories will remain intact forever as it was my first solo trip. Once in a life, one must go on a solo trip to discover oneself and the beauty of Gandikota and the Grand Canyon of India.

Not all know about Gandikota and its beauty! Nestled in the interior of Andhra Pradesh is the Grand Canyon of India. The Pennar river flows between the giant rock slabs at the foothills. All my life I thought there only one Grand Canyon in Arizona but the myth was busted when I discovered that India too has its own Grand Canyon.