Hill Stations in Andhra Pradesh are mesmerising locations where you will find the majestic mountains whispering the sky, rolling valleys and enchanting green canopies. The fragrant meadows set the mood while the silent breeze will carry away your worries. In some places, you can smell the coffee beans while others will offer you an enchanting climate suitable for going on a walk with your loved ones. It is as though the very atmosphere is infused with the elixir of life and the more you stay in these places, the better you feel mentally and physically.
The people who have been to hill stations in Andhra Pradesh will know what we are talking about! Well, if you want to experience the same, pack your bags and book your tickets to reach Andhra Pradesh. Include these 8 hill stations on your ‘Must-Visit’ list and stay assured that you will have the time of your life!
You may also like to read: Experience the Serenity of 9 Beautiful Hill Stations in the Western Ghats
8 Gorgeous Hills Stations in Andhra Pradesh
1. Araku Valley
Araku Valley is one of the most famous hill stations in Andhra Pradesh. Seeing how it is only 115 km from Vishakapatnam, a lot of people come here during the weekends. It is one of the most preferred vacation spots not just for Andhra Pradesh residents but also the ones from Telangana. It has an elevation of 1300m above sea level and is home to dense trees and rich natural vegetation. Here, you will find vibrant coffee plantations where you can click a lot of pictures. The indigenous Paroja tribe reside in Araku and you must definitely see their traditional Dimsa dance. Tourists can buy bronze antiques as souvenirs in this region and the ladies will find the finest silk sarees for regular wear. You will be surprised to know that Araku is also referred to as the ‘Ooty of Andhra Pradesh’! It is very soothing to the soul and the perfect place to visit with your family and friends.
People who are visiting Araku will have to make a pit stop in Vishakapatnam first. You can book hotels in Vishakapatnam, and relax for a while before setting out on a 3-hour journey toward the alluring valley.
Things to See: Borra Caves, Sangda Waterfalls, Araku Valley Tribal Museum, Coffee Plantations, Padmapuram Gardens, Galikonda viewpoint.
Ideal duration: 2 days
2. Nallamala Hills and Srisailam
Do you want to go to a place that completely encompasses you in its gorgeousness? Then the Nallamala Hills are the right fit for you! This is one of the hill stations in Andhra Pradesh where you will hardly find any mobile signal. So, if you are ready to disconnect from the metropolitan world, come here and enjoy nature’s bounty! The humongous hills are spread across 5 districts and the entire region is famous for the thick forests. There are wildlife sanctuaries and tiger reserves in the region that offer Safari rides. You are most likely to find tigers, leopards, elephants, mongooses, wild hogs and snakes like the Indian python and king cobra. There are simple trekking trails that anyone can go on.
If you drive a little further, you will reach Srisailam. It is a splendid place where you will find lakes, rivers, waterfalls and the magnificent Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy temple.
Things to See: Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam tiger reserve, Cumbam Lake, Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy temple, Malellateertham waterfall in Srisailam, Paatala Ganga in Srisailam, Akkamahadevi Caves
Ideal Duration: 3 days to cover both Srisailam and the Nallamala belt.
3. Papi Hills
Papi Hills are also known as Papikondalu. It is one of the best hill stations in Andhra Pradesh that also holds great spiritual significance in Hinduism. People believe that Lord Ram and his wife Sita visited this place when they were exiled from their palace in Ayodhya. Papikondalu are magical and have the perfect scenery that is sure to tug at your heartstrings. The hills are shielded by translucent mist and the stream of the Godavari River passes through twists and turns between these towering beauties. You can either reach Kunavaram, Polavaram or Rajahmundry first to go to Papikondalu. These places are 50 km, 20 km, and 60 km away from the hill station respectively. You will have to take a 5-seater motorboat or a river streamer with the capacity to carry a maximum of 60 people. This is the only way to reach the spot. Bhadrachalam is a historic place that is discussed in the Ramayana epic. People usually plan a boat trip from Rajahmundry to Bhadrachalam which also covers the journey through Papi hills. Adventure seekers can also make camp and trek around the surroundings of these hills.
Things to See: Munivaatam Waterfalls, Jamalapuram Temple, Papikonda National Park, Perantalapalli village walk, Gandi Pochamma Temple.
Ideal Duration: 2 days
4. Lambasinghi
Lambasinghi is one of the most famous hill stations in Andhra Pradesh that is famous for its juicy strawberry farms and apple orchards. Lambasinghi was once a full-fledged forest and civilisation slowly started taking shape in the region. Today, it is popular as one of the famous honeymoon spots in the Andhra Pradesh region and couples come here in good numbers throughout the year. The peaceful atmosphere coupled with delicious local food makes Lambasinghi one of the most sought-after hill stations in Andhra Pradesh. The climate remains cool in all months and especially during winters, you will also see the scale dipping to minus degrees Celsius. There are trekking and hiking trails in the region and finding your way around the hilly terrain is rather easy. You will also find a lot of coffee and tea plantations in Lambasinghi and local stores sell authentic chai leaves that are completely devoid of left-over tea dust.
Things to see: Kothapally Waterfalls, Strawberry Farms, Apple Farms, Hope Island, Tea and Coffee Plantations.
Ideal Duration: 2 days
Venture Into the North!
Also Read: The Mountain Chronicles: Best Time to Visit Shimla for an Unforgettable Travel Experience
5 – Nagari Hills
The Nagari Hills is one of the best hill stations in Andhra Pradesh to visit if you are a photography lover. The place is serene, at a decent elevation of 860m and offers panoramic views of the surrounding Nagari village, towering tall coconut trees and thick green bushes. Tirupati is only 70km or an hour’s drive from this place so you can plan your trip to include both of these splendid locations. Nagari Hills is one of the best places to visit during the summer months. The atmosphere is appreciably cool and there is enough sunlight to not make the day seem too gloomy. You can easily go here and about without worrying about heat strokes which are not uncommon in the South Indian state. Nature enthusiasts will find a lot of native flora and fauna, exotic plants, wild twigs and medicinal flowers in the region. The locals often visit here as it is one of the best one-day picnic spots in the nearby Nagari village and Renigunta premises. Reaching here early in the morning or evening is ideal as you can see charming sunrise and sunset scenes. Ladies should definitely buy hand-woven cotton sarees from Nagari seeing how they are available at wholesale prices!
Things to See: Gurramkonda Fort, Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary, Desamma Temple.
Ideal Duration: 1 day
6. Horsley Hills
Horsley Hills gets its name from W.D Horsley, a British Collector, who built his house in the region. Previously, it was called Yenugu Mallamma Hill, named after an old woman who used to stay on the mountain peak. It is believed that the elephants of the dense olive forests used to bring her food and treat her like family! Horsley Hills is one of the most enchanting hill stations in Andhra Pradesh and stands at an impressive elevation of 4312m. So, tourists can expect some of the most breathtaking panoramic views of the surroundings. It is a rather calm and pleasant region where you can relax for a day or two. The adrenaline junkies can explore rock climbing, rope course, bungee jumping, and zip lining amidst the rich greenery. You will also find ATV rides and rappelling in certain spots in Horsley Hills. The hilltop sunrise and sunset are too magical to miss out on!
Things to See: Whisper Winds View Point, Gali Bandali or Wind Rocks, Mallamma Temple, Kaundiya Wildlife Sanctuary, Kalyani Big Eucalyptus Tree, Oldest Banyan Tree, and Gangotri Lake.
Ideal duration: 2-3 days
7. Maredumilli
The ones who are fond of the roads will surely enjoy driving on the Ghat road that leads to Maredumilli. This is one of the most underexplored hill stations in Andhra Pradesh. During monsoons, this place becomes all the more magical! You can take shelter under traditional huts, enjoy a cup of elaichi chai or feast on the region’s famous – Bamboo biryani! The meat along with the biryani rice and flavours will be stuffed into a bamboo and steamed under high flame. The flavours are rich and juicy, prompting you to order one more round of this lip-smacking delicacy. There are impressive waterfalls, viewpoints and parks around the hill station that you can explore. The freshwater streams are so pure that you can directly drink from them! The locals do it all the time. There is minimal pollution, less noise and stunning views are almost everywhere. For couples, this will prove to be the most romantic getaway and you can definitely have your ‘Tum Se Hi’ moment under the pouring sky! For the ones who don’t like rains, you can always visit Maredumilli during the winter months when the maximum temperature rarely crosses 25 degrees Celsius.
Things to See: Amruthadhara Waterfalls, Jalatharangini Falls, Manyam Viewpoint, Bhupathipalem Reservoir.
Ideal duration – 2 days
8. Tirumala and Nagalapuram
Everyone must have heard about the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam and the immense religious significance that this place holds for Hindus. Tirumala is a steep hill that has pleasant weather throughout the year! This is where you will find lush greenery, exotic wild plants, wild animal spottings in the dense forests and small ethereal waterfalls. What’s the bonus? You can also seek blessings at one of the richest temples in India – Tirumala Devasthanam! Close to Tirumala-Tirupati is a place called Nagalapuram. If you are short on time and do not plan on going to the temple, we would suggest that you visit both Tirumala and Nagalapuram. This place is popular for its decent trekking routes, waterfalls and hiking trails. This is an underexplored location so you won’t be finding a crowd like in Tirumala.
Things to See: Varaha Swamy Temple in Tirupati, Tirumala temple, Akasha Ganga waterfall in Tirumala, Swami Pushkarini in Tirumala, Nagalapuram Falls, Kailasakona and Ubbalamadugu Waterfalls in Nagalapuram.
Ideal Duration: 2 days; 3 days if you want to go for Devasthana Darshanam.
The hill stations in Andhra Pradesh are so serene and calm that you will fall in love with their natural ambience. On one side, you can hear the rhythmic melodies of the cascading waterfalls. On the other side, the viewpoints offer you with the most stunning visuals that will imprint themselves in your mind. At the end of the trip, while going back from these hill stations in Andhra Pradesh, you are sure to have a sweet and satisfied feeling in your heart.
A few of these hill stations are very close to each other. If you have a week’s time on your hands, plan your trip to include most of these splendid getaways. Try the regional food, go on cultural walks, dance with the indigenous tribes, and buy goods to promote local livelihood. Do you see? There is no way for you and your company to be bored.
Already visited one or more of these hill stations in Andhra Pradesh? Tell us all about the memories you made in these charismatic locations! Leave your comments below.
