2 nights · Easy · Temple town at the foot of the Tirumala hills, base for the Sri Venkateswara shrine.
Day 1: Tirupati
- Arrive and check in near the railway station.
- Visit Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple in the town centre.
- Go to Kapila Theertham at the foot of the hills.
- Rest early ahead of the climb.
Day 2: Tirupati
- Start before dawn by free bus, APSRTC bus or on foot to Tirumala.
- Darshan at the Sri Venkateswara Temple with a booked slot.
- Lunch at the free Annaprasadam hall.
- See Sila Thoranam and Akasa Ganga Theertham, then return to town.
Getting here from Tirupati: Road via Kadapa, about 4.5 to 5 hours. About 220 km by road.
1 night · Moderate · A fort on the lip of a red gorge above the Penna river, often called the Grand Canyon of India.
Day 3: Arrival day
- Travel from Tirupati to Gandikota (about 4.5 to 5 hours).
- Walk the fort walls in the late afternoon.
- Sunset over the gorge from the rim.
- Dinner at the tourism canteen; the village has little else.
Day 4: Gandikota
- Sunrise at the rim, which is the best light of the day.
- Madhavaraya and Ranganatha temples, the mosque and the granary.
- Drive to Belum Caves, about 1.5 hours west.
- Continue to Kadapa for an evening train.
Afterwards: Gandikota to Kadapa or Jammalamadugu station is about 1 hour.
Travel times between stops are rough estimates for planning; check current timetables and road conditions before you go. Each day links to the full guide for that place.
