Hill Station - The India Explorer

Do you live in Hyderabad or nearby and are wondering where to go for the perfect weekend? Fret not! We have composed a list of 4 amazing hill stations that you can visit this weekend to escape the scorching heat of the summer! These hill stations near Hyderabad provide the perfect escape from the daily hustle and are great for visiting with friends and family. Let’s take a look! Explore Hill Stations near Hyderabad1. Ananthagiri Hills – the Nearest Hill Station from Hyderabad at 80 Kilometres2. Kuntala Waterfalls3. Nallamala Forest4. SrisailamConclusion Explore Hill Stations near Hyderabad 1. Ananthagiri Hills – the Nearest Hill Station from Hyderabad at 80 Kilometres image source: holidify Ananthagiri Hills are one of the best places you can visit for the weekend. They are one of the most gorgeous hill stations near Hyderabad within 100 kms and are great for a picnic outing with friends and family. You will find cascading waterfalls, gorgeous coffee plantations and more here. There is a stunning waterfall here that you can visit for a refreshing retreat. As you reach it, you will find lush greenery on one side and aromatic coffee gardens on the other. You can see coffee being harvested here and buy some coffee beans as souvenirs. There is also a coffee museum here for those who wish to dive deep into the aromatic world of coffee, its history and brewing. Ananthagiri Hills are inhabited by tribals, and there is a Tribal Museum here as well for those who want a historical and educational trip. You can buy tribal handicraft items from here as well. You can also pay a visit to the Ananthapadmanabh Swamy Temple here. A forest park leads to the famous waterfall. The park provides a nice trek and picnic spot. With an entrance fee of just Rs. 20, you can have an adventurous day in the midst of nature. There is also a viewpoint here from which you can take in the breathtaking view of the Godavari River. Ananthagiri Hills also houses the Kotapally Reservoir. It’s a famous dam where you can engage in many activities like boating. Two more lesser-known temples are nearby—the Lotus Temple and the Bhukailash Temple—which you will find on your way from Hyderabad. You must visit these on your return trip. 2. Kuntala Waterfalls Kuntala Falls is one of the most beautiful and roaring waterfalls in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, where you can have a great day out. It is perfect for dipping and swimming and also for picnics. The best way to reach here would be by your own car from Hyderabad. A highway connects these waterfalls to Hyderabad quite well, and it is just 267 kilometres from the city. Here, you will have to shell out an entry fee of Rs. 30 per person. If you have a car, parking charges are Rs. 50, and for bikes, the charges are Rs. 20. It is a beautiful location where you can marvel at the gushing waterfall cascading from the Godavari River. From the entry point, there is an easy 2-kilometre trek with many steps to the waterfall. The trek is easy and can be done by young and old people alike. The area is open to visitors from 09.00 A.M. to 05.00 P.M., and you can visit it for a full day here. 3. Nallamala Forest Nallamala Hills is a dense and beautiful forest area spread across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Situated just 250 kilometres from Hyderabad, this amazing place is great for those who want to see nature up close. Nallamala also houses the largest tiger reserve in India, the Nallamal Tiger Reserve. The forest department here has organized jungle stays and safaris for all who wish to stay here. Nallamala is the perfect place to spend a weekend with tranquillity while also engaging in adventures. The best way to reach here would be by driving your own vehicle, preferably a car. Two jungle camps are available here—one in Pachrela and the other in Bairluty. They are amazing, and you can experience luxury in the middle of the jungle at low prices! Bairluty: In Bairulty, a beautiful jungle camp with cottages and tent options is available. The rooms are available for a minimum of two people and a maximum of three, with each cottage costing Rs. 4000 a night and each tent costing Rs. 5000 a night. On the premises, there are four cottages and five tents. One safari and all meals are also included in the price for the night for all the people accommodating! Pachrela: In Pachrela, a cottage costs Rs. 6000 a night, and a tent costs Rs. 6500. As usual, one safari and meals are free with the cost. You can also engage in activities like archery and volleyball here at minimal extra charges. Pachrela is less visited than the jungle camp in Bairluty. You can opt for this place if you want to stay away from the hustle and bustle. There are many monkeys here, so beware of them and keep children supervised. At each camp, evenings are winded up with bonfires that you can sit around and relax in. It gets quite cold in the evening, so make sure you carry a light sweater or jacket, even during summer. As for the safaris, you get two options – morning and evening. Morning safaris should be preferred as that’s the time when animals and birds are most active. You can also opt for two safari in a day at the extra cost of the other safari. At both locations, if you add an extra person (people over the age of 6) to the room, Rs. 1500 will be charged for each extra person. This also includes meals, one safari and accommodation. 4. Srisailam Srisailam is one of the most popular places to visit in India. It is also one of the most beautiful and spiritual hill stations near Hyderabad, within 300 km. Srisailam is a place with many tourist attractions. The most famous place to visit here is the Srisailam Mallikarjun Shakti Peeth, an important and revered temple in Hindu mythology. There is also a Jyotirlingam here, which is another important Hindu place of worship. The town is home to many temples and is religiously important. The Akka Mahadevi Gufa is one of the most popular religious sites here, and you can visit it by walking through a cave. Pre-booking is done here for darshan, and you must pre-book your place before visiting here, as the temple is always bustling. Another temple here is Hatkeshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Sakshi Ganpati temple here is a unique temple. It is claimed that Lord Ganesha keeps a record of visitors and worshippers in Srisailam and sends the record to Lord Shiva for blessings and wish fulfilment. Apart from the temples, the town is also endowed with natural beauty, with many streams flowing through it. There is a dam here that you can visit for a fun and relaxing time. You can boat here as well or just marvel at the expansive views of the area. The Octopus View Point is another place from which you can get expansive views of the rivers and forests around the town. Pataldhara Panchadhara is another important place to visit here, and a river flows next to it. You can dip in it or just relax by its side with your friends and family. It is often said that Sir Adi Shankaracharya meditated here during the 8th century. A statue dedicated to him can also be found here. Another beautiful place here is the Patal Ganga. It is a beautiful dam from which you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding river. As it is a popular tourist place, there is also a ropeway service here, from which you can enjoy views of Srisailam like no other. It is a must-visit place for all who visit Srisailam. Conclusion This was our list of the 4 best hill stations near Hyderabad for a day trip or for the perfect weekend. These are the places you can visit and be back in one day or the next! They are best for escaping the scorching heat of Hyderabad and perfect for spending quality time with yourself or your loved ones. You must visit them at least once in your life.