Horsley Hills. Andhrapradesh. ~150 km from Bangalore. 1265 m above sea level. Cool and pleasant.
We went to Horsley Hills again on a weekend. So I thought I should be adding more to this entry.
This time, we were three families – 6 adults and 5 children. So, age group range: 3 months to 34 yrs.
And Horsley Hills? Moist. Flowery. More beautiful.
A Summer Morning. Photo by Deepak.
We started around 3.15 PM from Marathahalli, Bangalore in two cars. Lots of things to eat and intermittent rains. Good start.
Because we went by bus last time, we took the bus route again. The route was Bangalore – Hoskote – Chintamani – Madanapalle – Horsley Hills. It is just a straight road through Hoskote with only a couple of decisive turning points. You cannot be lost very easily. We took the Double road and stopped at M G Road, Chintamani. The roads were getting laid and it was a horrible drive. Little did we know we could have completely avoided Chintamani in our route.
Again a stop at a forked road for tea.
Then it was a straight drive and we reached Andhra Pradesh. You can actually feel the difference without reading the milestones. Just look for the difference in the road.
AP - Karnataka Border. Photo by Sanjeev
By the time we reached Madanapalle, it started raining heavily. Luckily by the time we took the hairpin bends, rains stopped. My brother drove his first set of hairpins! And here we were, in Horsley Hills APTDC resort by 7.30 PM. They have changed the name to Haritha from our last visit.
I opened the car door and cool whiff of mist greeted me. Looked around and I could not see more than a feet distance. What a summer it is! Surely none of us had brought enough wools with us.
We checked into the cottages we had already booked from Bangalore APTDC office [near Race Course]. The rates are quite reasonable: Rs. 600 for single and Rs.1000 for double. The cottages are not too extravagant, but decent. If you want plush rooms, they can provide Governor’s Bunglow with a view of the hills or if you want more economical ones, even dormitories are available. Some of us had a quick drink and all moved on to dinner.
Next day morning the men folk went for a misty morning walk and they say the whole trip was worth just that walk.
Deepak and my brother walking through the mist. Or cloud? Photo by Sanjeev.
I had a nice sleep under the warm blanket.
There aren’t many things here apart from the Andhra Pradesh Tourism resort, Forest department zoo and guest house and BSNL towers. There aren’t many tourists either. Only on the Saturday there was a busful of people landed there. So, in a nutshell: the best place to get cut off, relax, breathe clean air and laze around doing nothing. In fact I found the blog entry apt in describing: Doing nothing @ Horsley Hills.
You can be at the resort and enjoy the swimming pool or massage. But it was raining on and off so we could not take out our swim suits and caps. Though the children were waiting for the swimming session, there were enough things to distract them. Me, Neethu and Deepak tried the new adventure sports the resort has newly developed. Slightly expensive for Rs.75, but we enjoyed a lot.
Deepak on Burma Bridge. Photo By Sanjeev
Or you can opt to walk and treck around the thick hilly forest. The forest is dense and green, but not impenetrable. They say there are bears and panthers in it, but we didn’t go deep down, just walked on the periphery.
And all that we found on our last visit, is a deer, very friendly and tame.
Nisa feeding deer on our last visit. Photo Smrti.
Food is not too exceptional. The usual South Indian items as buffet and other things ordered separately. The costs are not very reasonalbe when you compare with Bangalore darshinies. Many people then visit the small Devadas shop run by Devdas. He prepares food as per your order. Good food. Try it, if you are going there. We ordered pepper chicken and sat down there to polish off more than a dozen mirchi bajis. Last time I had made friends with an old lady running a smaller shop there. She was not to be seen. Devdas said she moved out. Missed her.
My brother and me at Devdas Shop. Photo Sanjeev.
We played cards in the room, when rains didn’t allow us to go out. Otherwise we went down a couple of kilometers to show the kids what forest is. We couldn’t go trekking inside the forest.
Then we went around the place. Good landscape. Fresh Air.
Then we had to return. Bid farewell to the hills and the forest and the friendly staff of the resort. Sun was trying to come out of the clouds by then.
On our way, we stopped near a few pottery shops. They make pottery and sell there. It is quite reasonable and you get most of the items you get anywhere else.
If you are looking for a getaway place, and this one suits you, ask me more. I might be able to offer a tip or two. Like – carry enough cash with you, there is no ATM in the vicinity and nobody accepts cards over there.
There are more pictures here
Hi Smrti,
We are a team of about 80 members (24 from Bangalore) and (56 from Chennai), planning to have a joint CORPORATE outing. You could consider this to be a team-building / get-to-know kind of activity. The idea is to find a mid-point w.r.t travel and have a good time. I have no idea w.r.t Madanapalle / Chittoor. I found a resort “Bans The Hotel”. Do you have any knowledge of how good this resort is? Any inputs in this direction would be of great help. Awaiting your response,
Regards,
Shiv
Hey…this is my blog on horsley hills and has pretty much all information you would want.
the blog is here: http://vikasgopalakrishnan.blogspot.com/2009/08/bangalore-to-horsley-hills.html
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. 🙂 Cheers! Sandra. R.
Hi quite interesting about the comments. inspired about it… Well is there any contact no at that place so tat v can push ourselves systematically..
very useful post, thanks a lot
Hey Smrti,
I went to Horsley and luuuurrved the place completely. Do check out my blog link My Travelogue – Horsley Hills
Hi,
We are french people. Travelling in India soon.We think Horsley hills a good place for us , because we are interesting by Rishi Valley.
Are booking very easy at resort ?
Thank you for help ! Sorry but my english is short.
Merci beaucoup !
Jean-Pierre,
Horsley Hills is a very good place.
You can book at the resort also, but it would be safer if you book in advance in any tourism offices. For example, it is not very easy to get Governors Bunglow.
Or, call up and find out. The contact details are in their website http://www.tourisminap.com
ur photos r excellent and can u give me details about the distances
hi guys,
i am planning for a visit to horsley hills next week…..heard that there is only 1 bus in morning at 8:00 am and one in evening ,but say if i want to take a auto/taxi from madanapalli to horsley hills , how much on average it will cost ? any idea?
regards,
Kiran
Yes, Kiran. You are right.
There is only morning and evening trips for the bus. We met a very good station master in APSRTC bus stand. He arranged an auto Autorikshaw. IIf I remember right, 2 years ago it costed us Rs. 150.
hi guys,
we are planing to visit horsley hills next week.Can someone tell me how will the climate be in summer i.e in may..
Thanks
nihi
Hi Smriti
I am glad to see your posting on Horsely Hills. But i was a bit unfortunate to find it only after returning from there on 19 May 2010. Anyways, your work gave me a fresh feeler of the experience that i had over there on the hills. Although i visited the place in peak summer, i could get the feel of chill winter through your description and photoes. About that Devdas…. hahaha, he is a nice guy who talks sweeter than his cuisines. We had a dhamaka of country chicken from his own yard ( although he charged a bit unevenly), it was a nice feasting. Guys… if you want to visit this place and have nice Rayalaseema taste of food, please establish a lesion with any local guy that commutes between MAdanapalli and H Hills. You can get good ‘ Ragi Sangati’ with nice chicken or mutton soup.
Martin LK
indusmartin@yahoo.co.uk
Thanks Martin. Will try Ragi Sangati next time.
Hi,
We are planning to visit this place , is it good one for summer vaccation. How long we can stay there,
Hey Guys,
We are a group of 4 guys planing a trip to Horsley Hills sometime within this month.
I have a specific question:
1. Howz the road from Hyd to Horsley Hills I mean if we were to drive to there.
2. Any buses from Horsleys to Bangalore? Also what are the timings?
Thanks,
Himanshu
Hello Himanshu,
The road from Hyd to Horsley Hills, must be too long. :).
I mean, I dont know how the road condition is….It would be better to reach Bangalore and take one of the Ananthpur buses that ply every 1 hr or so. Get down at Madanapalli and take a cab or auto to Horsley hills.
Sign: zdbrw Hello!!! xstub and 4990tnandbeuwe and 1161 : Thanks. We look forward to hearing from you again and for your opinions on the world of work.
Hi Smrti,I have done my part of research for sending a friend for Honeymoon to this place.
Have found that AP Tourism Guest House charges for AC Suite 1880,
VIP (Non AC) – 1575 , Luxury Room – 1260, Cottage – 735
But not very sure which one of these has good enough ambience, would you be able to suggest any alternatives (that are a bit economical than above)? I mean to say Rs.1000 per day, also is it better to take AC or Non AC hotel?
The trip is planned around 1st week of Sep 2010, and I could not find any other contact numbers apart from AP Guest House Phone Number which is 08571 – 279323
Hope you would be able to help me get some additional contact numbers of Hotels and other suggestions?
Has anyone here taken a Cottage before?
regards,
Rishi
Hello Rishi,
AC rooms are not at all required for Horsley Hills; the best thing about the place is its cool and pleasant temperature.
There is only AP tourism resort up there. So you wouldnt find any other contact numbers or hotels.
Cottage is a nice option if you are going as a small group, but they are not recently built. The rooms are all newly built and looks good. I would think that the luxury room should suit your friend.
Hope your friend has a nice stay!
Hi Smrti,
Thanks for the detailed info. We are visiting the place tomorrow. We are drivin from Bangalore. I will post my pics!!!
Thanks again for the info.
Regards
Arch
next month we r planning to visit horsely hills, we r from vizag,tell us the way to reach there and also the accomidation too pls
I am planning too for horsely hills and ur blog inspired me to go there. nice blog.
Horsely hills in a single line….sometimes doing nothing is such a beautiful thing!…pure tranquil..but beware (as we went in the Diwali holidays) of a)unruly crowds in peak season usually drunks who like to bum around the place. b) people insensitive to the environment i.e people bursting crackers & fireworks at nite and littering the place. c) only one restaurant at APTDC and some shacks, so be well prepared food wise.
Recommend to stock up essentials like water, biscuits etc..n ascend. must try the chilly pakodas, avoid the mini zoo like plague..its not worth it, monkeys..pigeons..rabbits..ducks and i pity the two infant crocodiles..one cannot sight any wild animals..but nature can be best admired..the only valley view point is pathetic…one can hardly appreciate the beauty of the valley from here..
APTDC accommodation is good, but one would observe that they have failed to capture any of the valley views in any sort of accommodation which i believe is the charm of horsely hills..badly planned..all units are scattered over the place..service is good..so is the food though we felt it was overpriced.
Thanks Rohit, for those additional comments. I agree with you that food was slightly over priced. And yes, they could have made use of the hill view from the rooms. Good observations.
I would also suggest this route B’lore-Devanahalli-Vijaypura-Melur-Sidhlaghata-Chintamani-Gownipalli-Madanapalle-Horsely Hills (165km). The stretch from Vijapura to Sidhlaghata is littered with speed breakers and hence once can really appreciate rural life & nature. The stretch from Chintamani-Madanapalle is a gr8 road, lots of scenic views. Madanapalle to Horsley Hills is also good. Happy motoring.
HI Smrti,
One of my friend is planning to go to H.hills from Chennai. Pure vegetarian. Is there any decent restaurant that you can suggest me? Also, is there any nearby place other than h.hills? Saw the AP tourism & development and is it safe to stay there with the kids?
Thanks so much for sharing.
Hello Rama,
There is only one APTDC restaurant there. Otherwise you can ask Devdas to cook something for you, if you tell him in advance.
It is extremely safe a place, for kids and anyone else…….
Thanks a lot for the info., The restaurant itself is called APTDC restaurant? If you dont mind, who is this person Devdas? MY friend does not want anything in specific as long as there are vegetarian foods available.
Sorry to bother you with lots of queries. Thank you for the patience.
Hi Smrti,
Nice travelogue!!
APTDC resort in Horsely Hills has too many stay options (refer to the link below)
http://aptdc.in/accomodation/index.php
Can you suggest what would be the best choice for a couple. Thanks in advance.
horesly is more beautiful.
Hi Smriti,
Nice info about horsley hills..i am an ex-student of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya and have spent around 7 years in HH..very nice place. We used to get food cooked from Das anna (Devdas) for special occasions.. Pls give me Das anna’s number if u have..i am planning to visit HH soon..
hey Smriti,
great write up on Horseley..
we were looking at featuring Horseley Hills as a weekend getaway from Bangalore on http://www.lifeisoutside.com. Wanted to check with you if you would be alright with us using some pictures and content from above..
Please drop me a line if it is a problem in any way.. (vipul@lifeisoutside.com)
Hi Smriti, Thanks for your info on Horsely Hills.
Planning for vocation in April middle. How is the temperature in Apr middle?
Hello,
Can u give me some info about the Forest Department Guest House there? Can you also tell me how to book rooms there? I couldn’t find any info on it. I read somewhere that is cheaper than APTDC resort.
I stay in Hyderabad.
Do reply asap.
thanx.
-nisa
Hello Nisa,
As far as I know, Forest guest house is not open for tourists. You can try getting a letter from any of the Forest offices to get accommodation. Please ask any Forest offices for correct information.
Oh!
Then I think I’ll book in APTDC resort.
Thanx 🙂
-nisa
Did any one book the accommodation through APTDC website in online. Is there any difference in booking online and booking through AP tourism counter.
http://www.tourisminap.com/weekend_getaways/wg_horsleyhills.php
hey smrti…
thanks for the info….and u have a lovley family too 🙂 …
i have a small query….i am planning to go to tirupathi in the first week of june … so we thot of covering HORSLEY HILLS also in this trip …is tht time a good time to vist ??? coz my friends who live in tirupathi are tellin tht the place is deserted and dry these days 🙁
is it really tht borin place to visit ?? waitin for ur reply …
thanks
-yashwanth
hai.thank you verymuch for the information. we are agroup of five and planning to visit harsily hills. which is the best season to visit the place? thank you
Hello Yashwanth,
You may not like Horsley Hills as a sight seeing place to be covered during a long trip. Your friends are right that there is nothing to “see” there.
Go to Horsley Hills to stay there a night and relax, to get up to see the foggy morning, to walk around and breathe fresh air. Plan a special trip
Hello Adithya,
You can book only through AP tourism counters. You may have to call up Horsley Hills and find out if there are rooms available, though.
hi, horsely hills is agood for corporate outing lot of enjoy ments main climate makes u move many times to hills
hi guys,
we are planing to visit horsley hills this week.Can someone tell me how will the climate be in summer i.e in may..
Thanks
m.gopi
hi guys,
we are planing to visit horsley hills next week.Can someone tell me how will the climate be in summer i.e in Aug..
Thanks
Hello Gopi,
Sorry that I didnt reply earlier. I heard it is raining right now in Horsley Hills. But usually, summer is a good time to visit this place.
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Hi Smriti,
It was nice reading your blog on horsley hills… I love nature and always wanted to spend some quality time near to it…
i am getting married in the second week of november, 2011 and will be visiting tirupathi the same week. As we are almost there, i want to visti horsley hills with my husband (if you can call it honeymoon…. 🙂 ) for 2-3 days……. now i have some quries regdng the same…:
1) how good is it to visti HH during this period (Mid November)?
2) how suitable is this place or surroundings for a honeymoon couple?
3) will 2-3 days time here turn out to be boring?
4) which hotel (accomodation) would you suggest if i want to have a better view of thh hills or the nature?
5) any more voluntary suggetsions from your side are welcome….
Thanks a lot in advance mam……
Also, adding to the above….. how good is an idea to add Talakona into our trip from tirupathi to HH?
Hello Bhavs,
Horsley Hills is good any time of the year and it would be very good for a couple.
2-3 days must be real good time. You can even go for a walk into the forest if you finish all the activities available in the resort. As I said in the blog, it is not a place to go for sight-seeing and shopping spree. If you do not like to spending time in peace without doing much, you may get bored in 2 days.
There is only the APTDC Punnami resort available. So you need not worry about choice of accommodation. The best view there is from the collector’s bunglow, but all other rooms are also good.
Have a nice honeymoon
Smrti