Never heard of Gandikota? 5 reasons to make it your next weekend getaway

In the cold and hostile December of 2020, there is nowhere to run, but hide. Ask me why and I would tell you that 5 degrees on the terrace of my house Jammu is in extreme contrast to the pleasant, windy and warm gorge of Gandikota in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh. But if you are anywhere nearby, come out of your dens.

283-286km from namma Bengaluru, across the boundaries of Karnataka lies the Grand Canyon of India (where you won’t get lost). Before I tell you top 5 reasons to visit Gandikota, promise me you won’t litter and travel responsibly.

5 reasons to drive to Gandikota

Steering my kayak while fiddling with my phone: yes I dared to do that 😛

Step down from the land into the Penna river

1. It’s only a stone’s throw away

We booked a tempo traveller and reached in around 6-7 hours. Vast, open barren land welcomes you. You see the horizon splits into the sky and the earth.

You can take a detour and stop by Leepakshi temple (the one with hanging pillar) for a 2 hours or so.

Note: Contact Rohit for Tempo traveller – 9916204079
Note: Avoid bike ride, it’s exhausting (as heard from friends).

2. Stay in a tent on the edge of the cliff

Your tent is on the edge of the rocks, your campfire dancing to the cold breeze under open sky. Sing, dance, have booze and jump off the cliff into the gorge. Or simply enjoy the star-studded sky with a not-so-quiet neighborhood. Unzip your tent to the most magnificent view of the gorge, the Gandikota gorge at the Penna river, slowing going about its way into the dam far ahead.

Morning view from my tent

Note: Haritha resort, 5-min drive (don’t try to walk the distance, it’s far) to the campsite stay, offers (expensive) stay and basic (expensive) food. You can freshen up there and use the common (of course messy by the time you get there) washroom. Not for budget travellers, good stay for families.

3. Plunge into Penna River

They do not know how deep the lake is 😛

kayak ride is a must do at Gandikota