[Arkin evoisrevo]

I went to Belum caves almost 10 years ago IIRC.
If you need info, check out these threads that "Search" yielded:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...e-ratings.html
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ay-700kms.html
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...bangalore.html
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...g-caverns.html

Well, I do remember the place was a bit interesting and the route was as usual somewhat scenic, however, I also remember I found it difficult to breathe in the caves. (No, I don't have Asthma, TB and such stuff )

[spadix]

Originally Posted by ampere

Has anybody done Belum Caves? Since its near Gooty and off the NH7, I thought might ask this question in this thread.

I visited Belum once in June/July 2005. This was a 2-day motorcycle ride ex-Bengaluru, with some friends joining in from Hyderabad and a separate group riding in from Chennai.

It's a very nice place but there's little else to do/see there. There's a reservoir a couple of kms away and a temple or two in Tadipatri. APTDC has a guest house there so staying overnight isn't an issue.

The route we took from Bengaluru was via Penukonda, Puttaparthi, Dharmavaram and Tadipatri. Scenic and empty route but tons of cross winds which made riding difficult (and fun ).

The caves themselves are good, but make sure you spend time beneath the air drafts from time to time to rid yourself of the humid feeling and re-energize yourself.

Regards,
spadix

[tmnraghu78]

Hi Folks,

Please let me know good pit stops on the way from Hyderabad to Bangalore. I am planning to leave this weekend around 3 PM. So want to know stops for petrol, food after kurnool without going into city which kills time.

Thanks,
Raghu Lakshman

[MileCruncher]

Originally Posted by tmnraghu78

Hi Folks,

Please let me know good pit stops on the way from Hyderabad to Bangalore. I am planning to leave this weekend around 3 PM. So want to know stops for petrol, food after kurnool without going into city which kills time.

Thanks,
Raghu Lakshman

There is a Ghar Dhaba after Gooty with decent food and clean toilets.

In any acse if you cross Devnahalli by 4pm, you can expect to be in Shamshabad airport by about 9.30 PM. Dinner and other things then can happen in Hyderabad.

Given the current condition of the road, I think the only thing to ask now is how fast can I do this stretch.

Cheers

[tmnraghu78]

Hi Milecruncher,

Thanks for the quick reply. Actually I am travelling from Hyderabad to Munnar via Bengaluru. I am planning to start at around 3 PM from Hyderabad. Planning to reach around 9-10 PM to Bengaluru. I believe Ghar dhaba would be there in either side before gooty. I want to stop around Chikballapur for dinner. Is there any restaurants on the Highway itself around Chikballapur or do we need to go into the city?

Thanks,
Raghu Lakshman

[SILVERWOOD]

Originally Posted by tmnraghu78

I want to stop around Chikballapur for dinner. Is there any restaurants on the Highway itself around Chikballapur or do we need to go into the city?Thanks,Raghu Lakshman

Shanti Sagar and Brindavan on NH7, but they serve only Veg.

[tmnraghu78]

Originally Posted by SILVERWOOD

Shanti Sagar and Brindavan on NH7, but they serve only Veg.

Thanks Silverwood. Its been a while since I traveled to Bengaluru. I know these are on old NH7 road that cut across city. Are these now on new NH7?

Raghu Lakshman

[ranjitp1]

At Chikballapur,you have the Kamat Upachar on your right on the NH7 itself,attached to a BP pump,it is open till 12 in the night.It is approx 7kms before Chikballapur flyover.You cant miss it.

[SILVERWOOD]

Originally Posted by tmnraghu78

Thanks Silverwood. Its been a while since I traveled to Bengaluru. I know these are on old NH7 road that cut across city. Are these now on new NH7?

Raghu Lakshman

Same here, its been a while since i drove down to bangalore.

All i remember is that Shanti Sagar was bang opp to a temple.

[neo45007]

Originally Posted by ranjitp1

At Chikballapur,you have the Kamat Upachar on your right on the NH7 itself,attached to a BP pump,it is open till 12 in the night.It is approx 7kms before Chikballapur flyover.You cant miss it.

+1 for this suggestion. Best place to stop & refuel if required.
Your 1st stop for tea / snack break can be at Gooty (Ghar Dhaba). Just before toll gate (On other side if you are coming from Hyderabad).

[sriturl]

Originally Posted by SILVERWOOD

Same here, its been a while since i drove down to bangalore.

All i remember is that Shanti Sagar was bang opp to a temple.

These places are by-passed now. They no longer appear as you drive on by-pass.

[tmnraghu78]

Thanks all for your information. Now I got good idea. Hope I execute the same.

Raghu Lakshman

[spadix]

Originally Posted by tmnraghu78

Please let me know good pit stops on the way from Hyderabad to Bangalore. I am planning to leave this weekend around 3 PM. So want to know stops for petrol, food after kurnool without going into city which kills time.

I've done this route a few times now by car/bike and I've realized that not many good options exist other than the Kamat near Chikballapur and a few other restaurants nearby (Brindavan being one of them) where the Blr - Hyd Volvos stop for dinner.

We usually pack some food from home and carry it along with us.

If that's not an option, Kamat it will have to be.

By my reckoning you'll reach Kamat by 9 pm (tops) if you really leave here by 3 pm and hit Shamshabad-NH7 interchange by say 3:30 pm.

As far as petrol bunks are concerned I have relied on clean-looking BP/IOCL outlets (not necessarily CoCo) and haven't been let down. I base my choice on appearances only, which isn't scientific.

Regards,
spadix

[Neilguy]

I'm planning to start around 5am from Hyderabad and onwards to Mysore and Nagarhole. Any good/recommended place to stop for breakfast? How far (time-wise) will it be from Hyderabad?

[spadix]

Originally Posted by Neilguy

I'm planning to start around 5am from Hyderabad and onwards to Mysore and Nagarhole. Any good/recommended place to stop for breakfast? How far (time-wise) will it be from Hyderabad?

There is an A1 plaza somewhere just after Shadnagar if I remember correctly. It'd be too early though. You'll reach Shadnagar in around half an hour.

Best might be some idli stall along the Kurnool bypass. That would be around 2.5 hrs (220 kms). Ideal time for breakfast (7:30 am).

Gooty would be another 1 hr or so away, so you can wait and have breakfast Ghar Dhaba as others have suggested. You should reach Gooty in around 3.5 hrs (by 8:30 am or thereabouts).

Regards,
spadix