This is a little known hill station in the southern state of Andra Pradesh. I think the location of this hill station makes it unknown. Its around 165Km Bangalore and makes it a good weekend getaway.
We started from banaglore at 11:30 AM. Took the Old Madras road towards Hoskote. From Hoskote there are two routes. One through Chintamani and another via national highway through Kolar. We decided to take the Kolar road as we had information from other travel blogs that Kolar road being a highway will be a smooth drive. That was wrong assumption. Well as we rode, we encountered pot holes and narrow alleys making our drive a bad experience. From Kolar take deviation towards Madanapalli. As we were carrying our lunch along, we stopped soon after Madanapalli and had a quick lunch. After Madanapalli on Anantpur route, need to take a left towards Horsley Hills. The turn very prominent with an arch with board clearly showing the direction. We were having a jolly time and very happily missed the turn. Nearly 8 km later we realized and had to take turn. Ascend of the hills is not so steep with only a couple of hairpin bends. May be some wouldn’t agree with me as my comparison was with the ascend of other hill stations like Yelagiri and Yercaud.
We reached the AP tourism guest house “Haritha” at 5 PM. Formerly it was called Punami guest house and still is better known as Punami than Haritha. It’s a well maintained and moderately priced guest house. Its safe to confirm the booking before you travel as there isn’t any other alternative accommodation available here. Booking can be done in any of the AP tourism Booking Office in your city. In Bangalore the office is located at Race Course road, above Mahesh Motors. The phone number is 080-41136373. You can check for availability by directly calling the guest house number 08571-279323
The AP tourism accommodation is very good as compared to other state. It caters to guests from moderate to luxury accommodation ranging from Rs 850 to 2000/-. These categories have very catchy names like Wild Winds, Whispering Winds, Wind whistles etc. The governor’s bunglow is located at the highest point and has beautiful view. The rooms are pretty spacious with a clean toilets and an airy balcony. The restaurant serves good south Indian and average north Indian food.
We rushed to the restaurant for some snacks and coffee. The onion Pakoda was awesome and the hot coffee was more than satisfied. Nights are chilly as temperature dipped steeply after 5 PM. Morning was misty even at 8 AM with some rays peeping out at 8:30AM. Breakfast is available till 10:30AM with a good blend of south Indian and North Indian at the buffet priced Rs 65/head.
There’s absolutely nothing to do here. But it has some good view points for Sunset and sunrise. One nearest is the spot behind the governor’s bungalow. Another is the last bend uphill on your way to Horsley hills. Apart from it there is a zoo with a handful of animals. There is a swimming pool and play area for kids. Unlike Kodaikanal, Ooty and Yercaud, Horsley hills its good for a lazy holiday with nothing much to see and do.
We spent the next day just roaming around the resort and taking rest. We then started at 11AM from Horsley hills and decided to go through Chintamani. The road was better than expected and we reached Bangalore at 2:30PM. Had lunch in a Chinese restaurant in Kasturinagar before we proceeded home.
Where to stay:
Haritha resort: 08571-279323
Book via AP tourism: 080-41136373
You will have to go to AP tourism office, pay cash and get the voucher for confirmation
How to Reach:
Bangalore->Hoskota->Chintamani->Madanapalli->Horsley Hills ( 165 KMs depending on from where you start in Bangalore)
View Larger Map
4 comments:
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Route & Guide Map to Horsley Hills (AP)
1) We take the NH 4 (Old Madras Road) towards Hoskote.
2) At an HP Petrol Bunk in Hoskote we take LEFT towards Chinthamani - SH 82.
3) As we proceed further, at the "Y" junction we take RIGHT towards Chinthamani.
4) Proceeding ahead Govt. Higher and Primary School would come to the LEFT side of the road.
5) A long journey from here you would pass by the village "KAMBIGANAHALLI", we proceed ahead.
6) We would then intersect the "KOLAR - CHIKKABALLAPUR (SH 96)" and continue driving straight.
7) We would then pass by the villages BEECHAGONDAHALLI, VAIZAKURU, TALAGAVARA.
8) We would then intersect the "SH 05" which goes to Chinthamani. We need to proceed straight.
9) After a good straight ride we would pass by the village of RAYALPADU and come across SUMAVANA SCHOOL to the right.
10) As we approach Madanapalle, we would find MADANAPALLE MILK FACTORY to the right.
11) Entering the town, we would see the below buildings on our way.
- Pappi Reddy Gari Palle School (right side)
- PWD Office (right side)
- Giri Rao Theosophical School (right side)
12) At the Dead end of this road, we need to take a RIGHT and then proceed straight. As we move one we would find:-
- RMN Reddy Petrol Bunk (right side)
- Jyothi Talkies (left side).
- Public library (left side).
- Hope School (right side).
13) This road would then enter into the NH 219 and we need to take left on the NH and continue straight.
14) At the "Super Speciality Hospital" the NH would divide out. We need to take LEFT and head to the NH 205.
15) You would then find "Sir Visveshwariah Engineering College" to the left as we move ahead.
16) We need to take LEFT on the road that heads towards "Madanapalle Institute of Technology and Science" (which would come to the left).
17) At "Amara Narayana Swamy Temple" we take LEFT away from the NH 205.
18) Continue ahead then we take the FIRST LEFT towards Horsley Hills.
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