Things to Do in Andhra Pradesh

Known by the locals as Borra Guhalu, the Borra Caves of Vizag are one of the most adventurous places to visit in Vizag.  This tourist attraction of Vizag is located in the Ananthagiri Hills of the Araku Valley. The hills rise to a staggering height of 800-1400 m.

The Borra Caves are filled with speleothems, stalactites, and stalagmites at an elevation of 705 m themselves. Roughly 80 m deep, these caves consist of karstic limestone and are considered the deepest in the country. As a tourist, you will enjoy the scenic beauty of the caves as you walk on complex trails to reach the caves. Do not forget to revel in the locals’ stories about the history and the presiding deity of the caves. 

Location: Andhra Pradesh 531149

Price: Rs. 40 for adults, Rs.30 for children and Rs. 25 for camera

Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM

The Ananthagiri hills are a stretch of lush, green, dense forest in the Telangana region. The Hills are situated in the Vikarabad district of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh. The springs on these hills give rise to water that flows to Hussain Sagar and Himayat Sagar respectively.

The famous Musi River, which flows through Hyderabad, originates in the Ananthagiri Hills. There are numerous tourist attractions near the Ananthagiri Hills such as the Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple and the Nagasamudram Lake. Apart from these, you can, of course, take advantage of the stunning natural beauty and the fresh air of the hills, where you can go trekking and hiking.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Ananthagiri Hills is during the monsoon and winter season since it is a hill station. However, there are benefits of visiting this place throughout the year.

Summer:  Ananthagiri Hills experiences summer between April to June. The summers are generally hot and humid and the temperature can soar up to 40 degrees Celsius. The sky generally remains clear and the sun shines brightly into the late hours of the day, which also increases humidity in the area.

Monsoon:  The hills of Ananthagiri look magical during the monsoon season, which is between June and September. Several mountainous streams and waterfalls flow throughout the hills during this time, which makes the place even more attractive. The average annual rainfall recorded in this region is about 1,008 mm. But sometimes, torrential rain during monsoon might hinder tourism and sightseeing in the hills.

Winter: Winter in Ananthagiri Hills are cool and pleasant. The region experiences winter between October to February, when the temperature ranges from 13 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. Ideally, this is the best time to visit Ananthagiri Hills to enjoy adventurous activities like trekking, hiking and rock climbing.

The village of Lepakshi is situated in the Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh. The name of the place is derived from an episode of the epic called “Ramayana”. It is believed that Jatayu landed in this place after his wings were severed by the demonic Ravana. However, Lepakshi is known for more than just its interesting urban legends. It is the site for many famous shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Veerabhadra.

These ancient shrines were built by the Vijayanagara Kings during 1336- 1646. The mural paintings and the Kannada inscriptions of the Vijayanagara Kings are of immense historical and archaeological value, which makes the village of Lepakshi an attractive tourist destination. Several stone monuments and structures in Lepakshi such as the Lepakshi Temple, the Nandi Bull and its surroundings paintings are also worth a visit when you are in the vicinity of this village. 

Best time to visit: The best time to explore Lepakshi is during the wintertime. However, there is no drastic rise or drop in temperature throughout the year, which means you can visit whenever it is convenient for you.

Summer: The Lepakshi region experiences summertime between March and June.  The temperature during these months generally ranges from 20 degrees Celsius to as high as 40 degrees Celsius. Therefore, the weather remains very hot and humid throughout these months. Sightseeing and long treks can be slightly exhausting because of the intense sun, during this time.

Monsoon:  Lepakshi experiences monsoon between July and August. This region receives moderate to heavy rainfall during this season. The annual rainfall recorded in Lepakshi is 526 m on average. Nature in Lepakshi is at its best during the monsoon season when the rain makes the trees look greener and the waterfalls and lakes look brighter. However, it is also sometimes prone to flooding and heavy rainfall, which can hamper your plans.

Winter: Winters are the most pleasant season in Lepakshi. The weather is always cool with a warm, pleasant sun present in the sky, making this season the best time to visit Lepakshi. Winter in Lepakshi arrives in October and stays till February, and the temperature ranges from 18 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees Celsius during these months. This is the most ideal time for touring and exploring the area.

The historical town of Nagarjunakonda is situated near Nagarjuna Sagar in the district of Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.  It is located 160 km west of the famous Amaravati Stupa. The city is named after Nagarjuna, the well-known southern Indian master of Mahayana Buddhism who lived in the 2nd century AD. Today, Nagarjunakonda is one of the most important centres of Buddhism in the world. But most of the relics now lie under the Nagarjunasagar Dam. These relics have been excavated in the recent past and have been transferred to a drier island to keep them dry and safe.

The beauty of Nagarjunakonda lies in its ancient relics. This city is an important and popular tourist spot because of its rich historical value and its unique insight into the history, growth and tenets of Buddhism. Nagarjunakonda is home to some major tourist attractions in Andhra Pradesh including the Nagarjunakonda caves and Museum, situated at the top of the hill, which caves provide a lot of information about the Buddhist population that existed there centuries ago.

The Dhamma Nagarjuna is a meditation centre that was established by the Chief Abbot of the Nalanda University to preach Buddhism in Southeast Asia.  The Nagarjunasagar Dam cum Waterfall is the largest masonry dam in the world.

The Kaman Bazaar is a popular place in Nagarjunakonda, a famous market, known for clothes and various accessories. You can also visit Gandhi Chowk, which is the main market for jewellery trade in the area. One of the most thrilling activities to enjoy in Nagarjunakonda is a river cruise on the Krishna, where you can travel to an ancient island which has prehistoric and Medieval relics that have been excavated by archaeologists. it is also a great place to learn about the tenets of early Buddhism while experiencing the incredible natural beauty of the place. 

The tropical city remains hot and humid through most part of the year. The summer months are from March to June when the temperatures can reach up to 45 degrees Celsius. The region receives moderate to heavy rainfall in monsoon between July to September. The winters are cool and pleasant and it lasts between October to February.

The holy town of Srikalahasti is the Mandal headquarters of the Srikalahasti Mandal, and is considered an incredibly holy place. The name of the town – SriKalahasti – is derived from the symbolic creatures Sri (spider), Kala (snake) and Hasti (elephant) who are all associated with Lord Shiva according to Hindu mythology.

The most beautiful aspect of the city of Sri Kalahasti is the famous Vayu Linga Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, where Vayu Lingam represents “wind”. The spirituality of Sri Kalahasti blends in seamlessly with the serenity of its natural surroundings, creating a spiritual ambience that is sought after by thousands of people. This is one of the primary attractions of this town.

There are several beautiful places to explore when you are visiting the Temple city of Sri Kalahasti. Some of the most popular places are the Srikalahasteeswara Temple, also known as the “Kailash” of  South India, the picturesque Veyilingala Kona Waterfall – which means “the valley of a thousand lingas”, the Sri Subrahmanya Swamy Temple which is famously dedicated to Lord Murugan, the Bharadwaja Tirtham, and the Sahasra Linga Temple where 1,000 Shiva Lingams are carved out of a single rock.

Srikalahasti is, however, not only famous for its temples and spirituality. When you are in town, you can also engage in other outdoor activities as well. The lush green mountains, the cascading waterfalls and an undulating terrain present the opportunity for many adventurous sports such as boating, trekking, paragliding, and other interesting water sports. You can try your hand at kayaking and windsurfing as well.

Since the city of Sri Kalahasti lies almost at a sea level at an elevation of 69 metres, the climate of this region is mainly tropical. Rainfall is moderate to heavy during the summers, which is followed by the monsoons. Rainfall is scarce during the winter months, which is between October to February. The average temperature remains at around 28.8 degrees Celsius throughout the year.

The beautiful town of Puttaparthi is situated on the banks of Chitravathi River, in the Anantapur District in Andhra Pradesh. The original name of Puttaparthi used to be Gollapalli. The town of Puttaparthi is surrounded by rolling hills with the Chitravathi River flowing through it. This river is a tributary of the Pennar River and is the main highlight of Puttarparthi’s natural wealth.

The undulating ranges of lush green hills and the winding Chitravathi River, together with the spirituality of the town population is one of the primary attractions of Puttaparthi. It is not as densely populated as some of the other places in Andhra Pradesh, making it the perfect retreat for nature-lovers.

There are several interesting places to visit in Puttaparthi besides the main temple you can visit the Chaitanya Jyoti Museum which features the stories from the life of Sai Baba, the Sathya Sai Ashram, the Wish-Fulfilling Tree which is believed to grant wishes, and the Sri Sathya Sai Space Theatre or the Planetarium.

From shopping to meditating under the Meditation Tree, tourists are offered several outdoor activity options in Puttaparthi. Depending on how adventurous you are feeling or what kind of activity would help you relax, you can try your hand at kayaking, water skiing, white water rafting, windsurfing, trekking, hiking, camping and much more.

The climate of Puttaparthi generally remains hot and dry throughout the year. The temperature in summer ranges from 34 degrees Celsius to 42 degrees Celsius. But the winters are comparatively cool and pleasant with temperatures ranging between 22 degrees Celsius to 27 degrees Celsius. The months between March and July are the hottest, while a very pleasant season prevails between November to January. The annual rainfall is approximately 603 mm.

One of the most preferred places to visit in Andhra Pradesh among the eco-tourists, Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary features diverse flora, fauna, and spellbinding views of sea intertwining with the river. The wildlife abode houses around 35 species of mangrove plants, as well as, 120 species of exotic birds.

If you get lucky, you might also spot the endangered long-billed and white-backed vulture. Moreover, it has gained utmost popularity for its saltwater crocodiles and salt-tolerant flora species including Rhizophora and Avincinia.

Sprawled over an area of 235 square kilometres, Coringa welcomes you with its unspoiled habitat which is marked by lush green forest lands and wooden bridges from where you can admire the birds-eye view of the surrounding region.

Highlight of the place: Saltwater crocodiles, White-backed vultures, Mangrove trees, Wooden walkways.

Location: Coringa, East Godavari District, Kakinada.

A scenic spot located on the border of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Pulicat Lake or Pulicat Bird Sanctuary is sprawled over an area of 759 sq km. The lake is known to be the second-largest lagoon in India and it forms one of the most ideal places to visit in Andhra Pradesh for nature lovers and bird watchers.

While here, relax with the sight of some fascinating bird species such as Flamingos and Kingfishers or just sit idle to soak in the serene atmosphere of this place. Moreover, you can also take it as an opportunity to indulge in numerous water sports activities.

Highlight of the place: Bird species such as Flamingo and Kingfishers, Aquatic sports, Bird photography, Boating villages around the lake.

Location: Coromandel Coast, Andhra Pradesh.

Reckoned as the largest cave system in India, Belum Caves is popular for its unique formations that comprise of stalagmite and stalactite. The magnificent cave is nestled in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh and has been marking their presence since aeons.

It encompasses numerous pathways with meandering water streams which create a picture-postcard view for the visitors. The deepest point of the cave, Pataalganga, is 46 Km inside and is not accessible to the common tourists.

It also houses a unique musical chamber called Saptasvarala Guha which when hit with anything, creates musical notes. Though around 3.5 Kilometers of this cave is successfully explored, only 1.5 Kilometers remain accessible to the visitors.

Highlight of the place: Limestone formations, Saptasvarala Guha, Pataalganga, The three sinkholes formed by the relentless flow of Patalganga.

Location: Kolimigundla, Andhra Pradesh.

Popularly known as the Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh, Lambasinghi is a quaint hill station that experiences snowfall in the winter months. Just 100 Km away from Visakhapatnam, this hill beauty is cradled at an altitude of 1000 meters above the sea level.

While here, you can cherish the surreal views of verdant forests and Chintapalli Valley from the top, get some fresh air at Kothapalli Waterfalls, explore the local pepper and coffee plantations, or enjoy a leisurely stay in the slow-paced town of Narsipatnam. If you are in a mood for some action-packed adventure, feel free to head for a camping trip with your group to Lambasingi.

With sightseeing spots such as Kondakarla Bird Sanctuary and Yerravaram Waterfalls, the village also abounds with a diverse variety of flora and fauna making it an ideal weekend getaway for wildlife buffs. For all those nature lovers who wish to unwind in a peaceful atmosphere, a short trip to Thajangi Reservoir is the best bet.

Highlight of the place: Kothapalli Waterfalls, Susan Garden, Ghat Road, Yerravaram, Kondakarla Bird Sanctuary, Annavaram Temple.

Location: Chintapalli Mandal, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Known for its palm-fringed canals, virgin backwaters, and pathways lined with coconut plantations, Dindi is a scenic village located on the banks of Godavari River. It also houses two attractive houseboats which form the bedrock of its popularity.

As you enter this sleepy village, get ready to be taken aback with its natural splendour and serene vibe which will relieve your stress in just no time. Whether you are up for a beach vacation or want to take a trip to the backwaters, Dindi encompasses a little bit of everything.

Looking to indulge in some memorable camping experiences? Make your way to this little paradise and spend your night gazing at the star-lit sky amidst the lush green fields of Dindi.

Highlight of the place: Beach treks, Backwaters, Houseboats, Antarvedi.

Location: Dindi, Kondicionali district, Andhra Pradesh.

Revered as one of the remarkable hilly places to see in Andhra Pradesh, Nallamala Hills is stretched over the regions including Nellore, Kurnool, Prakasam, Chittoor, and Kadapa. With its mesmerizing backdrops and lush green surroundings, it has become a favoured destination among the nature lovers and photo fanatics.

The hilly abode also attracts a large influx of adventure junkies who wish to climb the scenic trails rising to an altitude of 4000 feet above the sea level. In addition to being a major sightseeing attraction, it is also a perfect getaway for wildlife buffs with Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve covering over half of its area.

To top it all, Nallamala houses several sacred spots where you can offer prayers to the almighty, as well as, admire the enchanting surrounding views.

Highlight of the place: Nagarjunasagar Tiger Reserve, Srisailam Dam.

Location: Rayalaseema, Andhra Pradesh.