Weekend Getaways Close To Hyderabad

“All work and no play make Jack a dull boy” is the adage that most of us are familiar with but only few of us who work in the corporate sector understand it completely. The work is strenuous and we need to break away at times to recharge ourselves to get back to the humdrum of regular life. Luckily, Hyderabad has a lot of places that suit the taste and sensibility of different kinds of people. These places can be toured over the weekend and within a limited budget.

Dig through the ruins of Hampi and Badami

If you love to nurture the explorer in you, you can ride off to Hampi. Situated in Karnataka, it is an estimated 6 to 7 hours drive away from Hyderabad. Here, you can witness the ruins of the Vijaynagar kingdom. The ruins have been classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Anegondi, Anjeyanadri Hills and the Achyutaraya Temple are places that you shouldn’t miss out when you are visiting Hampi. Admirers of temple architecture should visit the Vittala Temple Complex that houses the chariot which serves as the emblem of the Tourism Department of Karnataka. The Virupaksha Temple should also be visited as it was the foundation of the Vijayanagar kingdom. This temple is dedicated to Shiva. This place is well-connected by rail and roadways. The intricate handiwork is sure to leave you spellbound.

If you have already visited Hampi, consider visiting Badami, which is also situated in the northern fringes of Karnataka. Yet another site rich in cultural heritage, Badami is named so because of color of the soil, which is red sandstone. The temple caves that were built in the time of the Badami Chalukyas increase the splendor of Badami. They are carved on the sides of a hill, just by the ravine. The hill is situated along the lake Agastya. On entry you will spot the cave walls that contain the Nataraja pose of Shiva carved on them. Carvings of other Hindu deities like the Mahishasurmardini can be seen here too. The Bhoothnath cave that faces the Agastya Lake is worth a visit and so is the Badami fort.


Enjoy a Ferry ride through the highest stone masonry dam in the World

You could also visit the Nagarjuna Sagar dam, which is built across the river Krishna. The dam diverts the water of the river to places like Guntur, Khammam etc. The dam is the highest stone masonry dam in the world. A lot of artifacts and monuments were discovered during the construction of the dam. These have been transported to a museum on the Nagarjuna hill which is now an island in the reservoir. Ferry services are available to this island.

You cannot possibly derive more pleasure from nature than watching a cascading waterfall. Ethipothala Falls is formed from the flowing waters of the Chandravanka River, a tributary of the river Krishna. This magnificent spot is located only 11kms from the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam.

An adventure enthusiast’s paradise!

If you are passionate about adventure, you can visit the Horsley Hills, which is an ideal spot for activities like zorbing, rappelling, trekking and hill climbing. It is one of the few places to offer zorbing in India. In order to try the sport, there should be a prior reservation of a party that is at least 20 in number. Trained instructors are present there to help you guide through these activities.For the less active people, Lake Gangotri and the Gaalibanda Environmental Park is the perfect place for relaxation. Incidentally, Horsely Hills is also the starting point for an adventure safari to Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary. You can drive to this hill resort from Hyderabad as it is situated only 521kms away from it.

Religion too finds place in nature’s lap in the form of the Shiva temple, 15 kms towards Madanapalle.

Off to the Exotic Beach

For a weekend away at the beach, a long drive of close to 10 hours will take you to the port city of Vishakhapatnam or Vizag. You can also take a train from Hyderabad to this place. There are many beaches in this city like the RK Mission beach, the lovely Rishikonda beach etc. Centers of Buddhism too abound this place. Pavurallakonda, Bavikonda etc. were Buddhist settlements some eons ago. Their fascinating statues and monuments are there for you to observe with admiration. You can also visit the serene Araku Valley, which is situated 112 kms away from Vizag. On the way, you will come by the intriguing Borra Caves which have become a hotspot for tourists, due to the miraculous formations of the stalactites and stalagmites.

The best thing is a trip to these places suits travelers with all kinds of budgets. So, be it your family, friends or even members of your corporate entity, the next weekend be off to the ideal spots near Hyderabad to enjoy, rejuvenate and bring with you a fresh lease of energy to get back to work again. 

Tourist Attractions and Landmarks in Hyderabad and Secunderabad

Hyderabad and Secunderabad have a lot to offer to all kinds of tourists. Whether its architectural delights or excursions or amusement parks and shopping, the city has it all.
Some of the most visited attractions are:

Charminar - Synonymous with Hyderabad, this is one of the most visited tourist spots in the city. Also the shopping around Charminar is something not to be missed.
Check the bus services to Charminar here

Golconda Fort - Golconda Fort, located around 11kms from Hyderabad is one of the most magnificent fortresses in India and its history dates back to the early 13th century, when this part of the country was ruled by the Kakatiyas.

Shilparamam
Shilparamam is an arts and crafts village located near Hitech City. It is spread over 50 acres of land and is surrounded by wild vegetation and unique rock formations. The village was conceived with an idea to create an environment for the preservation of traditional crafts.
Click here for bus services to Hitec City and Shilparamam

Salar Jung Museum - The Salar Jung Museum is located on the banks of the Musi river. It is the third largest museum in India and boasts of having one of the largest one-man collections of antiques in the world. This museum was set up by Mir Yusuf Ali Khan, popularly known as Salar Jung III, the prime minister of the erstwhile Nizam of Hyderabad.

Nehru Zoological Park - opened to the public on 6 Oct 1963, the park extends over 380 acres, and is a sought after recreation spot in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. A must visit if you are in the city.

Runway 9 - located at Kompally Village on Medchal road, is around 9 kms from Paradise, Secunderabad.Runway 9 is the first and the largest international standard Go-karting track in India with a length of 711 meters.

Apart from these you could visit Paigah Tombs, Qutub Shahi Tombs, HITEC City, Birla Planetorium, Dhola Ri Dhani, NTR Gardens, Tank Bund, Ramoji Film City, Public Gardens, Lumbini Park and the multitude of shopping malls all over the city.

APTTDC conducted weekend tours from Hyderabad

Tours from Hyderabad

Basar Tour: Every Saturday
Starts friom CRO hyderabad
2 day tour covers Sarawati temple
Departure 5pm and Arrival 4pm on 2nd day

Nagarjunsagar Tour
Daily - from 7am to 9:30pm
Tour covers - nagarjunsagar dam, nagarjunaknda museum(closed on fri), right canal and Ethipothla water falls

Mantaralayam Tour
Twice a week - 2 day trip
Wed and Sat - departure at 9am and return on Thu/Sun at 8pm
Places covered: Shivalayam, Tungabhadra sangam in Alampur, Mantralayam, Pillalamarri

Srisailam Tour
4 times a week - 2 days trip
We, Fri, SAt and Sun at 9am and return on 2nd day at 8pm
Places covered: Srisailam, Mallikarjun Swamy temple, Patalaganga, Paladhara, Panchadhara, Shikaram, Sakshi Ganapati

FOR BOOKINGS CONTACT

APTTDC
Yatri Nivas
SP Road
Secunderabad
Tel: 23450165

or at
Secunderabad Railway Station
Tel: 27816375/27893100

Mercury Tours - Travels, Hyderabad

Mercury Travels Ltd is one of the most widely recognised and respected Indian companies in the area of travel, tourism and travel-related foreign exchange.

The primary focus is on providing reliable, personalized and professional services to customers with equal emphasis on product and process innovation.

Mercury Travels has a comprehensive portfolio of travel-related services that include Outbound Holidays, Indian Holidays, Foreign Exchange Services, Business Travel Management for Corporates, Managing Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Events for corporates in India and overseas, & Travel Insurance services.

The company delivers outstanding travel services and has stood the test of time by constantly reinventing itself to meet changing customer needs and expectations.

The company was set up in 1948 as a subsidiary of the East Indian Hotels Ltd (EIH Ltd), which owns the Oberoi Group of Hotels & Resorts. It is currently a joint venture between the EIH Ltd and Mr. Ashwini Kakkar, a leading travel industry professional who has helped bring a paradigm shift in way travel services are promoted in India.

Locations:

126, Jaya Mansion,
S. D. Road,
Paradise Circle,
Secunderbad 500 003.
Tel: +91 40 2781 9222/9333


PTB (Level D, 221) Arrivals,
GMR - Hyderabad International Airport Limited,
Shamshabad 501 218.
Tel + 91 40 6660 3703.
Open 24 hours, 365 days.

redBus Hyderabad

Book bus tickets in Hyderabad online, over the phone or over the mobile

redBus has moved beyond providing value over the internet by reaching out to customers using all media that provide them convenience - be it the phone, home delivery, physical outlets or SMS.

redBus Advantage

* Home delivery service of bus tickets @ Rs.25 in major cities
* Book bus tickets online, over the phone or over the mobile
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* Special offer for visa card holders

Red Bus
6-2-1/10,
Beside G P Petrol Bunk,
Lakdi Ka Pool,
Hyderabad - 500004

Phone: 040-30420899

Kesineni Tours and Travels - Hyderabad

KESINENI TOURS & TRAVELS is the largest provider of Inter-City bus transportation, serving more than 75 destinations with about 425 schedules daily across Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamilnadu.

Kesineni Regional Office

Kesineni's
#1-124, Nizampet,
Hyderabad-500072,
Andhra Pradesh,India.
Voice: 91-40-23892333 / 23892444
Fax: 91-40-23892580

Hyderabad - Lakdi ka Pool
Dwaraka Complex,
Lakidikapool, Hyderabad.
Phone: 040 - 23236868 / 23230045
Mobile: +9198490 51414

Hyderabad - SR Nagar
Opp: S.R.Nagar Bus Stop,
S.R.Nagar, Hyderabad.
Phone: 040 - 23817326 / 23420232
Mobile: +9199495 51414

Hyderabad - Ameerpet
6-3-8012803, Beside Jeans Corner,
Ameerpet,Hyderabad.
Phone: 040 - 40143373
Mobile: +9199590 51414

Hyderabad - Mehdipatnam
Beside Crystal Garden Function Hall,
Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad.
Phone: 040 - 23511122
Mobile: +9199497 51414

Hyderabad - King Koti
Santhok Towers,
King Koti, Hyderabad.
Phone: 040 - 23244266 / 23242777
Mobile: +9198497 82266

Hyderabad - Ranigunj
Beside Nallagutta Masjid, Ramgopalpet,
Ranigunj, Secunderabad.
Phone: 040 - 27895588 / 27895544
Mobile: +9198497 82255

Help Line: +91- 9885 777 777 (Open: 24/7)

S.V.R. Tours & Travels

S.V.R. Tours & Travels
Ameerpet x Roads, Hyderabad- 500 073
Ph: 040-23735005, 23755442, 23732444.

&

Beside Amaravathi Theatre out gate
Lakdikapool, Hyderabad-500 004
Ph: 040-23210101, 23230464.

&

232, MIG, Shanti Plaza, Travels Road,
K.P.H.B, Hyderabad
Ph: 040-23158888, 23158888

Opp. Huda Swarna Jayanthi Complex, Srinivasa Colony: 040-2375 8066, 2374 9271
Paradise Circle, Secunderabad: 040-2781 7949, 6638 7588
Opp. Sai Temple, Dilsukhnagar: 040-2406 0553, 6683 1350
4-138, Near Bus Stop, Chandanagar (B.H.E.L.): 040-2303 4859 6521 4955

Sree Kaleswari (SK) Travels Hyderabad

Sree Kaleswari Travels is the leader in online bus reservation services, operating premium bus servies in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

SK Travels is a pioneer in the online bus reservation in India which utilizes the advantages of the internet to provide our clients with the best in bus transportation services from the comforts of their homes and offices. SK Travels provides real-time Internet quotations and real-time bus booking services to direct customers, agents and tour operator partners.

Address:

Sree Kaleswari Travels
6-1-1060D,
Shop No: 5&6, Meera talkies road,
Lakadi ka pool,
Hyderabad – 500 004
Ph: 040-23244799, 040-23297380,040-66745999
Cell: 98484 97681

Sree Kaleswari Travels
MIG - 7, Opp. Bharat petroleum,
Dharma reddy colony,
Phase-1, KPHB,
Hyderabad-500 072
Ph: 040-66177558, 040-66171689

Sree Kaleswari Travels
MIG - 237,KPHB,
Hyderabad-500 072
Ph: 040-23057555


TIRUPATHI

Sai Ram Travells,
Opp. RTC bus stand,
Near Ambedkar Statue.
Tirupathi
Ph: 0877- 2227198, 0877-5569956

Ticketvala expands to Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore!

Now bus travellers all over the South can enjoy the same ease and convenience that was until now available on routes between Mumbai, Pune, Goa, Ahmedabad and surrounding areas. Ticketvala's network will soon be expanding to Delhi and the northern belt to encompass virtually every bus route in the country. So wherever you may be, Ticketvala convenience will soon be close at hand.

India's largest online bus ticket platform.
• Book your bus tickets online or on phone.
• Book bus tickets for over thousands of routes
• Home delivery of bus tickets in selected cities

Sri Sai International Travels

Established in the year 1989, Sri Sai International Travels, Hyderabad, undertakes both Domestic & International Flight Ticketing for all Major airlines.

Sri Sai International Travels
B/101, 2nd Floor
Pancom Business Centre
Ameerpet 'X' Roads,
Hyderabad 500073
AP, India

+91-40-23742604 / 66622771 / 23740106

+91-9848120704 / 9391063836 / 9849038617

Email: saiinternationaltravels@hotmail.com

Model Travels

Model Travels is travel service agency, based in Hyderabad.

International Ticketing - They undertake International Air Ticketing for any Airline of your choice and also assist you in securing Passports, Visas and every other Travel related services.

Tour Packages - Arrange package Tours for large Groups and individuals in almost all the continents of the world. Specially designed tours are available for South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Far East, Marutious and Maldives. These Tours consist of accommodation, air tickets, Airport Transfers and local Sight Seeing.

Model Travels
1st Floor, Model House,
Punjagutta,
Hyderabad

Tel No : 23350550, 30605868
Fax No : 23350352

Akbar Travels

Travel Agent in Hydearbad and Secunderabad

Akbar Travels was started by Mr. K.V. Abdul Nazar 25 years ago, in the year 1978.

Today, the company has become a leading IATA agency in India and in process has earned a lot of goodwill from all the airlines, Government departments, travel fraternity and above all, the “highly valued customers”.

Akbar Travels offers a wide spectrum of travel related services and facilities, across its 25 IATA branches, spread al over India and over 30 satellite offices.

Akbar Travels
Hyderabad
101,Liberty Cross Road
Panani Estate,
Himayath Nagar Road,
Hyderabad – 500 029

Tel : 040-23260622/33/44

Travel Tours

Travel Tours - Travel Agent in Hydearbad and Secunderabad

Set up by visionary and forward thinker, Shri. Nagaraja Gupta in 1977, the Travel Air Group continues to remain true to its original vision -- that of making a borderless world where travel is both easy and affordable.

Services Offered

* Customized holiday packages within India and abroad
* Incentive tour planning
* Group tour packages to the Far East and Europe
* Honeymoon vacations
* Weekend getaways
* Cruise vacations
* Pilgrimage travel
* Adventure travel


Travel Tours
No 8-2-596/3, Opp. Karvy,
Bank of Baroda Lane,
Road No. 10,
Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad 500034

Tel: 91 - 40 - 23350030 / 23350048
Fax: 91 - 40 - 23350030 / 23350048

Ascon Travel

Ascon Travel - Travel Agent in Hyderabad and Secunderabad

Ascon Travel is a part of US $4 billion ETA / ASCON / AL GHURAIR conglomerate based in Dubai.

Established in 1995, with the objective of achieving new levels of service excellence through specialization in each of our products, Ascon Travel has come a long way and today provides a comprehensive range of travel services. From domestic and international ticketing and travel related tours to incentives travel, leisure products and holidays and travel related documentation, all under one roof.

Ascon Travel Private Limited
G-1, “Sreenivasa Towers”
6-3-1187, Begumpet
Hyderabad - 500 016

Ph: 91-40-23404743 / 23404745 / 23404746
Fax: 91-40-23404881
Mobile: 98480-55996
E-mail: asconhyd@yahoo.co.uk

Hansa Holidays

Travel agent in Hyderabad

Hansa Holidays was established in Hyderabad on Jan 2003 as a division of Hansa Aviation (P) Ltd..

Since January 2005 Hansa Holidays has become an independent IATA Agent handling various Travel Services.

Hansa Holidays has been retained by Lufthansa as their exclusive Service Partner for Hyderabad. They are also an exclusive Passenger Sales Agent in Andhra Pradesh for Tirun Travel Marketing, the India Representative of Royal Caribbean Cruises and Celebrity Cruises. Also represent Trafalgar Tours through Comfort Travel.


Hansa Holidays
3-5-823 B1, Ground Floor
Hyderabad Business Centre
Hyderguda,
Hyderabad - 500 029
Andhra Pradesh, INDIA

Tel : +91 40 23235537, 23297626, 23296516, 23210327/326

Holidays Dept : +91 40 55255600/01

Fax : +91 40 23232011

APTDC

APTDC has now raised its own building 'Tourism House' with state-of the art facilities at Himayatnagar, Hyderabad to locate its Corporation Office. The office started functioning from the new premises since July 2003.

APTDC
"Tourism House", 3-5-891, Himayatnagar,
Hyderabad - 500 029. Andhra Pradesh, India.
Tel: +91 40 2326 2151/52/53/54/57

Andhra Pradesh Tourism and Development Corporations Information and Reservation Offices in Hyderabad and Secunderabad

Basheerbagh: Central Reservation Office
Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation
Shahkar Bhavan, Opp. Police Control Room
Basheerbagh, Hyderabad.
Ph: 23298456, 23298457

KPHB Colony: Information & Reservation Office
Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation
Surya Complex, Remedy Hospital Lane, Opp. Viswanath Theatre
KPHB Colony, Hyderabad-500 072.
Ph: 23052028, 23052038 Cell: 98485 40374

Tank Bund Road: Information & Reservation Office
Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation
Tank Bund Road, Opp. BRKR Bhavan
Hyderabad-500 063.
Ph: 23453036, 23450165 Cell: 98481 25720

Secunderabad: Information & Reservation Office
Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation
Yatrinivas, S.P. Road, Secunderabad-500 003.
Ph: 27893100, 27816375 Cell: 98481 26947

Divisional Offices
Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.
Tank Bund Road, Opp. BRKR Bhavan
Hyderabad-500 063.
Ph: 55511150 Fax: 23453086

Hyderabad

Hyderabad also called as - The City of Nizams, is the capital city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Hyderabad is known for its rich history and culture. It is a hub of information technology, ITES and biotechnology.

Hyderabad and Secunderabad are twin cities, separated by the Hussain Sagar, a man-made lake made during the time of Ibrahim Qutub Shah in 1562.

This blog aims to provide information about the sights to see in Hyderabad/Secunderabad.