A short trip - Hyderabad - Bhadrachalam - Papikondalu

TrueDreamer · 8th March 2010, 16:47

I have contacted APTDC and here is the info i collected :

There are boat services from Pattiseema (35Km from RJY) depending on the water levels but no service direct from RJY as of now.

There are private operators who offer better fares than APTDC. One of them has given me a quote of Rs 1100 per head for complete package from RJY to BDC including road travel, breakfast and lunch. It can be done for Rs 1000 per head if you have 10 members in your group. There is almost no water at BDC as well and the boats stop at Koonavaram and you can go to BDC by road from there.

vamsi.kona · 8th March 2010, 17:59

I believe most boats stop at Koonavaram itself as it is from here we sterted our trip. And how many day's is this package for.

bbkp · 8th March 2010, 17:59

As rightly pointed out in one of the previous posts, the "best" visit will be towards November / December. The river is generally at it's full glory in these months.

Godavari can be as dry as it gets in the summer season. Added to that, summers are horrible at this part of the world - It can go upto 48 / 49 degree C with an added special effect of high humidity

Fordy · 8th March 2010, 19:29

Very Good travelogue. I would like to do one trip to Paapi Kondalu. I guess we can do it from Rajahmundry too

TrueDreamer · 8th March 2010, 19:33

You are right. Most boats stop at Koonavaram but these people claim to operate a smaller 20 seater boat which takes further up few kms to some other point but not until BDC.

The package is a 13 to 14 hour package which includes road cum water travel. You start around 6:30 AM in the morning at RJY (any hotel you stay) and they use Tata Magic / Winger kind of vehicles to transport you until Pattiseema. From there you board their boat until Koonavaram or wherever feasible and you are transferred to another smaller boat until next point. From here you are taken by road up to Bhadrachalam. He said it would be about 7:30 or 8 PM by the time you reach BDC.

There you have guest houses / hotels from both private people and temple owned / managed and the prices are very economical. You can have the early morning darshan at 5 (Suprabhata seva) or any other of your choice. You can also visit Parasala, 36 Kms to the north of BDC and board a Hitech bus or any other means of transport to RJY, VZA, VZG, HYD, etc;

This journey back to RJY is about 4 to 5 hours depending on the service.

vamsi.kona · 8th March 2010, 23:07

TrueDreamer, actually there are facilities for a night stay right at the banks of the river. The place is situated just before the river narrows and before the hills become a bit higher. Also a stream joins the river there. A stay there would be wonderful. Its better to plan it that way. Plan it so that you could be there around Full moon day and the scene would be majestic in the night, with the white sands and river shining in the moon light. Going from RJY to Koonavaram in a single stretch without night stay would be less exhilarating than staying at that place for a night. If I could recollect it right it is called "Merudumalli". I believe someone else in this forum has mentioned it in their travelogue.

sree70 · 9th March 2010, 08:18

Nice travelouge & photos. Been to Bhadrachalam in 2005 & due to time restrictions visited only the Rama temple. Missed places around it especially Pappikondalu.

ampere · 9th March 2010, 08:46

Nice snaps. Just saw them now. Water levels are full and brimming. PLUS its green on all fronts !

TrueDreamer · 9th March 2010, 09:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by vamsi.kona

TrueDreamer, actually there are facilities for a night stay right at the banks of the river. The place is situated just before the river narrows and before the hills become a bit higher. Also a stream joins the river there. A stay there would be wonderful. Its better to plan it that way
.
.
.
.Going from RJY to Koonavaram in a single stretch without night stay would be less exhilarating than staying at that place for a night. If I could recollect it right it is called "Merudumalli".

Thanks Vamsi. Our plan is almost confirmed for Apr 2nd and 3rd but I have a concern regarding secured parking of the cars. I would like to know if the cars can be parked securely for the entire night at the boating unit without being worrying of some elements playing any tricks? Also do we have cell phone signal around that place ? I may need internet (through gprs) access at night. I read some areas around papikondalu may not be having mobile coverage.

If you or anyone been to RJY railway station before, can please advice if the parking at Rly Stn is as good enough to park securely for 15 hours ? I don't mind using public transport there if I can park car securely at Rly Stn or Airport (if allowed for non-fliers).

vamsi.kona · 9th March 2010, 11:28

I have never been to RJY, but I think you could park at Rly stn. If you are staying at any hotel in RJY it would be better to park it there. I am sure there would be pickup for you by the boat operator. Even if there isn't any pick up I am quite sure that there would be bus facilities till Pattiseema.

subbaraomr · 21st January 2015, 06:08

I drive a Renault-Fluence, a sedan. My wife and I, both senior citizens, have done a couple of road trips Pune-Delhi in last two years and one trip Delhi-Amritsar-Srinagar-Dharmasala-Delhi as well. We now propose to drive Pune-Hyderabad- Bhadrachalam- Vizag-Guntur-Warangal-Hyderabad-Pune starting from 23 jan 15 to 3 Feb 15. We do not use a driver on these trips and I drive myself.

Most of this route Pune-Hyderabad-Vijayawada- Vizag and back is NH and well documented. However the Bhadrachalam to Rajamundry route is not well covered.

The last post on the Bhadrachalam to Rajamundry road is four years old. I hear conflicting reports.

The road from Bhadrachalam to Rajamundry via Rampachodavaram is said to be excellent and scenic but is through agency areas with little habitation and traffic so if one has any problem there is little likelihood of help.

on the other hand the road from Bhadrachalam to Rajamundry is said to be good from Bhadrachalam to Aswaraopet but from Aswaraopet to Rajamundry is said to be poor road condition particularly from Kovvuru to Rajamundry.

We would appreciate any information we can get on best option from BHadrachalam to Rajamundry

rav11stars · 22nd January 2015, 13:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by subbaraomr

I drive a Renault-Fluence, a sedan. My wife and I, both senior citizens.
The road from Bhadrachalam to Rajamundry via Rampachodavaram is said to be excellent and scenic but is through agency areas with little habitation and traffic so if one has any problem there is little likelihood of help.

Hello Sir, I'm from RJY and in Pune. It was two years back when we took the route from HYD to Warangal and then onto Bhadrachalam. From there we reached RJY via Rampachodavaram and it being in September the experience is awesome.
Of late I've begun to hear of day-light robberies in this route. I'll try calling up some friends and will get back to you. I'll PM you my number so we can have a chat

Just realized I can't PM you. Please email me at rav11stars@gmail.com

--Ravi

subbaraomr · 22nd January 2015, 13:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by rav11stars

Hello Sir, I'm from RJY and in Pune. It was two years back when we took the route from HYD to Warangal and then onto Bhadrachalam. From there we reached RJY via Rampachodavaram and it being in September the experience is awesome.
Of late I've begun to hear of day-light robberies in this route. I'll try calling up some friends and will get back to you. I'll PM you my number so we can have a chat

Just realized I can't PM you. Please email me at rav11stars@gmail.com

--Ravi

Hi Ravi: Thanks for the response and look forward to update from you. We are leaving for Hyderabad 23 Jan 15 morning so too late to meet you. Since we plan to travel Hyderabad to Bhadrachalam and Rajamundry only on 27 Jan 15 we have a few more days for you to get feedback. my email id is subbaraomr@yahoo.co.in and cell no 9326018011. I will drop you a mail as well Regards Subbarao

deepv · 23rd January 2015, 00:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by subbaraomr

...

Most of this route Pune-Hyderabad-Vijayawada- Vizag and back is NH and well documented. However the Bhadrachalam to Rajamundry route is not well covered.

...

Subbaraomr,

Hyderabad to Bhadrachalam is best taken through Suryapet.
Then Bhadrachalam to Rajahmundry through Maredumilli & Rampachodavaram works great during daylight, its not suggestible to take this route in low light conditions (mostly, 5pm is considered close of day in these places).

I had done this trip in 2013 and stayed in Maredumilli for 3 days, wasn't a problem except you should be inside by evenings - suggestible mostly due to chance of encounter with animals (I suppose both two legged & four legged).

Check these threads:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...ml#post3034208
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ml#post3034202

8th March 2010, 16:47	#16
TrueDreamer BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 277 Thanked: 19 Times	I have contacted APTDC and here is the info i collected : There are boat services from Pattiseema (35Km from RJY) depending on the water levels but no service direct from RJY as of now. There are private operators who offer better fares than APTDC. One of them has given me a quote of Rs 1100 per head for complete package from RJY to BDC including road travel, breakfast and lunch. It can be done for Rs 1000 per head if you have 10 members in your group. There is almost no water at BDC as well and the boats stop at Koonavaram and you can go to BDC by road from there. Last edited by Dippy : 8th March 2010 at 17:56. Reason: Editing on request
	() Thanks

8th March 2010, 17:59	#17
vamsi.kona BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 280 Thanked: 573 Times	I believe most boats stop at Koonavaram itself as it is from here we sterted our trip. And how many day's is this package for.
	() Thanks

8th March 2010, 17:59	#18
bbkp BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Mumbai Posts: 88 Thanked: 9 Times	As rightly pointed out in one of the previous posts, the "best" visit will be towards November / December. The river is generally at it's full glory in these months. Godavari can be as dry as it gets in the summer season. Added to that, summers are horrible at this part of the world - It can go upto 48 / 49 degree C with an added special effect of high humidity
	() Thanks

8th March 2010, 19:29	#19
Fordy BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 100 Thanked: 0 Times View My Garage	Very Good travelogue. I would like to do one trip to Paapi Kondalu. I guess we can do it from Rajahmundry too
	() Thanks

8th March 2010, 19:33	#20
TrueDreamer BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 277 Thanked: 19 Times	You are right. Most boats stop at Koonavaram but these people claim to operate a smaller 20 seater boat which takes further up few kms to some other point but not until BDC. The package is a 13 to 14 hour package which includes road cum water travel. You start around 6:30 AM in the morning at RJY (any hotel you stay) and they use Tata Magic / Winger kind of vehicles to transport you until Pattiseema. From there you board their boat until Koonavaram or wherever feasible and you are transferred to another smaller boat until next point. From here you are taken by road up to Bhadrachalam. He said it would be about 7:30 or 8 PM by the time you reach BDC. There you have guest houses / hotels from both private people and temple owned / managed and the prices are very economical. You can have the early morning darshan at 5 (Suprabhata seva) or any other of your choice. You can also visit Parasala, 36 Kms to the north of BDC and board a Hitech bus or any other means of transport to RJY, VZA, VZG, HYD, etc; This journey back to RJY is about 4 to 5 hours depending on the service.
	() Thanks

8th March 2010, 23:07	#21
vamsi.kona BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 280 Thanked: 573 Times	TrueDreamer, actually there are facilities for a night stay right at the banks of the river. The place is situated just before the river narrows and before the hills become a bit higher. Also a stream joins the river there. A stay there would be wonderful. Its better to plan it that way. Plan it so that you could be there around Full moon day and the scene would be majestic in the night, with the white sands and river shining in the moon light. Going from RJY to Koonavaram in a single stretch without night stay would be less exhilarating than staying at that place for a night. If I could recollect it right it is called "Merudumalli". I believe someone else in this forum has mentioned it in their travelogue.
	() Thanks

9th March 2010, 08:18	#22
sree70 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: bengaluru Posts: 176 Thanked: 15 Times	Nice travelouge & photos. Been to Bhadrachalam in 2005 & due to time restrictions visited only the Rama temple. Missed places around it especially Pappikondalu.
	() Thanks

9th March 2010, 08:46	#23
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 18,324 Thanked: 13,602 Times View My Garage	Nice snaps. Just saw them now. Water levels are full and brimming. PLUS its green on all fronts !
	() Thanks

9th March 2010, 11:28	#25
vamsi.kona BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 280 Thanked: 573 Times	I have never been to RJY, but I think you could park at Rly stn. If you are staying at any hotel in RJY it would be better to park it there. I am sure there would be pickup for you by the boat operator. Even if there isn't any pick up I am quite sure that there would be bus facilities till Pattiseema.
	() Thanks

21st January 2015, 06:08	#26
subbaraomr BHPian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Bangalore Posts: 35 Thanked: 11 Times	Bhadrachalam to Rajamundry I drive a Renault-Fluence, a sedan. My wife and I, both senior citizens, have done a couple of road trips Pune-Delhi in last two years and one trip Delhi-Amritsar-Srinagar-Dharmasala-Delhi as well. We now propose to drive Pune-Hyderabad- Bhadrachalam- Vizag-Guntur-Warangal-Hyderabad-Pune starting from 23 jan 15 to 3 Feb 15. We do not use a driver on these trips and I drive myself. Most of this route Pune-Hyderabad-Vijayawada- Vizag and back is NH and well documented. However the Bhadrachalam to Rajamundry route is not well covered. The last post on the Bhadrachalam to Rajamundry road is four years old. I hear conflicting reports. The road from Bhadrachalam to Rajamundry via Rampachodavaram is said to be excellent and scenic but is through agency areas with little habitation and traffic so if one has any problem there is little likelihood of help. on the other hand the road from Bhadrachalam to Rajamundry is said to be good from Bhadrachalam to Aswaraopet but from Aswaraopet to Rajamundry is said to be poor road condition particularly from Kovvuru to Rajamundry. We would appreciate any information we can get on best option from BHadrachalam to Rajamundry
	() Thanks