Grand Canyon Gandikota and Belum caves,Andhra Pradesh

On 10th October 21 after darshan of Shriniwasa Mangapuram Temple and Iskcon Krishna temple, Tirupathi at 2 PM we started for Gandikota, but near Kadappa  we stayed at hotel Anjana Grand.
On 11th October at 12.30 PM leaved hotel Anjana Grand for Gandikota to see grand canyon of India. On the way had lunch and reached Gandikota at 4PM. 
First we went to visit Gandikota Fort. Gandikota is a small village and historical fort on the right bank of the Penna river, in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, India.  Nayaka constructed the huge fort at Gandikota with 101 towers replacing the previous sand fort constructed by Kaka Raja,  Gandikota is uncommercialised village,  you don't find much crowd of tourists here. But this is also one of the best places to visit in South India. While most of the structure of the fort is in shambles now,  garbage littered about everywhere! If you walk around a bit, you will spot some interesting stuff, like a watch tower, a jail and a granary. The place also holds the Madhavaraya Swamy and Raghunatha Swamy Temples and Jamia Masjid, all of which are in ruins.
Best and worth seeing place is Grand Canyon. Pennar river flows through the canyon. To have a good view of the canyon along the river path, climb on the rocks to the top point. Slightly difficult but  it's ok. Best time to see the Canyon is from 4-30Pm onwards till sun set and in the morning from 5-30am onwards. Sunrise over the canyon is really beautiful.
We halted 1 night on 11th Oct 21 at Gandikota in tent.  We took camping package at Rs. 800/- per person which includes evening tea, nonveg dinner, next day morning unlimited breakfast with tea. But one major problem is that toilets are far away from camping point. Experience is good but it was too hot in tent, unable to sleep, could sleep only 3 hours - 3 to 6AM. Experienced beauty of sunset and sunrise, both are awesome.
But overall excellent nature, hardly explored, lots of adventurous treks, historical buildings, remote village,  camping facilities, the grand canyon of india. If you like to roam around in ruins like Hampi but without the crowds this is the best place - Explorer's Paradise.

On 12th October 21 after breakfast at paradise hotel at 9 AM we headed to Belum caves in Koornul dist. In Andhra Pradesh. Which is 62 km away from Gandikota. We reached at 11 AM. As soon as you enter the gate, you witness a large size majestic white Buddha statue near the caves. 
Car parking is Rs.25/-, entry ticket is Rs 65/-.  We hired a guide at only Rs.200/-
Belum caves is a awesome place. Very beautiful and natural caves.  It is second largest cave in India. It is hidden underground gem.  walking distance till patalganga is 1.5 km. Before entering the caves food intake is must, wear loose comfortable clothes and shoes because it's very slippery at some points, carry water bottle and a napkin with you. It is very suffocating inside the caves. 
The Belum Caves have long passages, galleries, spacious caverns with fresh water and siphons. This cave system was formed over the course of tens of thousands of years by the constant flow of underground water from the now-disappeared river Chitravathi. The system reaches its deepest point  151 ft from entrance level at the point known as Pataalaganga.  It is one of the centrally protected monuments of National importance. Guide showed us simhadwaram/lions gate,   kotilinglu chamber, patalganga, thousand hoods of Sheshnag/cobra, baniyan tree hall, meditation hall, formation of Ganesh, elephant, eagle, nandi etc. If we would not have taken a guide, I don't think it would be possible for us to locate all this places. We were out by 12.30 PM with almost completely wet clothes due to sweating. But definitely it is worth visiting place.
Then we started for Hyderabad, on the way had lunch but distance between Belum caves and Hyderabad is 322 Km and my daughter is annoyed to travel, we stayed at Royal Residency at Burgula Gate from where Hyderabad is 65 km away.