Gandikota - The Grand Canyon of India

Celebrate the coming of the New Year with an adventurous journey to the beautiful Gandikota, the Grand Canyon of India and the magnificent Belum Caves.

Highlights

• Explore Gandikota, also popularly called to be the "Grand Canyon of India"
• Visit Belum caves, the largest and longest cave open to the public on the Indian subcontinent
• Relax around the bonfire and camp under the stars

Detailed Overview

Gandikota is a village on the right bank of the river Pennar. The large granary, with a vaulted roof, is now used as watchman's quarters. There is an old cannon lying in the fort. If you’re looking for quirky stay options and wish to sleep under the stars with the river gushing beside you, then camping at Gandikota is the perfect thing to do. The Belum Caves is the largest and longest cave system open to the public on the Indian subcontinent. Belum is part of a larger complex of caves carved out of the limestone deposits in the Erramalai region.

Itinerary

Day 1: Roadtrip from Bangalore to Gandikota

• The guests are required to report at the nearest pick-up location in Bangalore between 6 to 7 am (Refer to meet-up information section for the pick-up points).
• Board the group tour vehicle and start the journey to Gandikota by 7:00 am.
• Gandikota is approximately 300 km from Bangalore city and may take up to 6 to 7 hours by road.
• The group is expected to reach the arrival point in Gandikota by 1:00 pm.
• Once freshened-up, visit Gandikota fort and explore the area.
• The group will have enough time to explore the canyon area and to capture some great shots on the camera.
• Around 7:00 pm, work with the team to pitch the tents at the campsite. 
• The area can get chilly at night during that time of the year, enjoy dinner by the bonfire at the campsite and welcome the New Year 2019 under the open sky.
• The overnight accommodation will be done in the camps under the stars. 

Day 2: Kayaking in the canyon, visit Belum caves and return to Bangalore

• Start the day early by 7:00 am, freshen-up and head to the river for kayaking.
• The group will be served freshly prepared breakfast before starting for Belum Caves.
• Belum Caves are the largest and longest cave system open to the public on the Indian subcontinent, known for its speleothems, such as stalactite and stalagmite formations. 
• Once the visit to the caves is complete, start the return journey to Bangalore.
• On the way back the group will also stop by Lepakshi temple, built in Vijayanagara style of architecture.
• The group is expected to reach back to Bangalore by 8:00 pm. 
• Members can choose to be dropped at any of the pick-up points of the trip.