We took train from Chennai Egmore(MS) to Tadipatri Railway station (TU) @6:20am, destination- yerraguntla junction, from there two minutes walk to bus stop, catch bus to jammalamadugu, had lunch @jammalamadugu. There are only scheduled bus available to Gandikota, so we took auto for 250rs to Gandikota
Canyon and gandikota fort is above the bank of Penna river, 15kms from jammalamadugu, famous madhavaraya swamy temple, mylavaram dam is also situated in Gandikota
In Instagram there are lot of options available for tent stay, waterfall trekking, dinner, breakfast, sightseeing, camping with campfire. We chose gandikota_mountain_trekking and he charged us 900rs per person with decent service-provides only common rest room. If you want other options, you can contact Haritha resort, ap tourism for standard stay or tent stay with AC and private restroom access, the average rate for those kind of accomodations are 2500+
We reached gandikota by 1:30 or so, guide took us to waterfall trekking from there, he also provides life jacket for swimming at the waterfall. Trekking is not so hard until you have proper shoes
After waterfall trekking, you can take a short break and proceed for sightseeing and sunset, do not miss sunset and great grand canyon view. Once done with sightseeing, you will be taken to the tent spot(It's pretty safe for ladies too), we had friends staying in private AC tents, so we used their bathrooms instead of the common bathroom, once you freshen up, dinner would be provided, post that camp fire. Please have a look at the sky near the tent spot where no lighting (electric light) is there-the view would be majestic. End of Day1
Since we loved the waterfall trekking and sunset spot, we again went for sunrise(near grand canyon view) Sunrise spot would also be so cool for photos, around 5:45 to 6:30 in the morning, had tea break and went for waterfall trek. Post that we got our refreshments, completed our breakfast and went for zip line activity which costs around 600rs per person, there are other activities too like rappelling, mountain climbing etc, it's run by adventure sports academy and it's pretty safe, you can contact jaswanth_arcot(so friendly) who is from adventure sports academy for activities.
Pack bags and leave to next destination, reach jammalamadugu from gandikota. Catch bus to belum caves which will cost around 70rs.
Sunset from belum caves will also be so good, post that take bus to tadipatri bus stop- from there auto to tadipatri railway station, catch train @11:50pm to Chennai. Bus from belum caves to tadipatri is available frequently, ask locals help for stopping the bus. Belum caves will close post sunset so reach belum caves by 4 or so. End of trip.
Review: Gandikota is a offbeat place in India which is worth visiting, visit: during winter, avoid summer. Do not spoil the spot with plastics. Budget for two person with above mentioned details is 6000rs. If u catch scheduled bus from jammalamadugu to gandikota, budget will be less than what I mentioned, those who do not like common bathroom, go for ap tourism tents but do not order food with them, as it is really costly, local hotels available in gandikota
