Gandikota, Belum Caves and Tadipatri: the Rayalaseema stone circuit

Three of the most striking places in the state sit within 60 km of each other on the Rayalaseema plateau: the Penna's red gorge at Gandikota, the underground galleries of Belum, and the Vijayanagara temples of Tadipatri. They make a natural two-day loop from Bengaluru (280 km), Kadapa (80 km) or Anantapur (100 km).

Day 1 — Gandikota

Arrive by early afternoon. Walk the fort — Jama Masjid, the Madhavaraya and Ranganatha temples, the granary and the long walls — and be at the gorge viewpoint an hour before sunset. Stay in a tent camp on the rim or at the APTDC resort; sunrise over the gorge is the reason to stay.

Day 2 — Belum and Tadipatri

Leave by 8 am for Belum Caves (about 60 km), allow two hours underground, then continue to Tadipatri (30 km) for the Bugga Ramalingeswara temple on the Penna and the Chintala Venkataramana temple in town. If time allows, Yaganti's cave temple and 'growing' Nandi is 40 km from Belum.

Practical

• Best months: October–February. Summer on the plateau exceeds 40°C.
• Nearest railheads: Muddanuru (Gandikota), Tadipatri (Belum). A car is far easier.
• Carry water and sun protection for the fort; the caves are humid.
• Fuel and food are in Jammalamadugu, Proddatur and Tadipatri, not at the sites.