Gandikota

About Gandikota

Gandikota is a 13th-century fort perched where the Penna river cuts a deep gorge through the Erramala hills, and the drop from the fort wall to the water is the reason it gets called India's Grand Canyon. It is small, dusty and largely unrestored — Jamia Masjid, the Madhavaraya temple, granaries and a magazine — which is exactly its charm. Groups camp on the rim, kayak on the reservoir below, and pair it with Belum caves two hours away. **Getting there.** About 280 km from Bengaluru (5–6 hours) via Kadapa, and 360 km from Hyderabad — the classic overnight camping weekend from both cities. **Where to stay.** Tented camps on the gorge rim and the Haritha resort in Gandikota village.

Things to do

• • Sunset over the Penna gorge
• • Gandikota fort and Jamia Masjid
• • Rim camping and stargazing
• • Kayaking on the Penna reservoir
• • Madhavaraya and Ranganatha temples
• • Belum caves day trip

Best time to visit

October to February. Summers in Rayalaseema regularly cross 42°C — avoid March to June.

How to reach

About 280 km from Bengaluru (5–6 hours) via Kadapa, and 360 km from Hyderabad — the classic overnight camping weekend from both cities.

Where to stay

Tented camps on the gorge rim and the Haritha resort in Gandikota village.

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