What Caves?
It has been more than four months since my last bike ride. Didn't even go to Mysore! But then, that doesn't mean I haven't gone anywhere since Nov' 07! Had been on a Kumara Parvatha / Pushpagiri trek. Then for a Goan X'mas, which turned out to be a tragic trip. I intend to chronicle the KP trek, someday.
To fill in the blanks - a lot has changed in these past few months, professionally that is. As a direct consequence, I can see myself riding or traveling a lot less, compared to last year. But then, fingers crossed!
Anyways, four months is a long abstinence from riding. Looking at the RTMC mailing list just makes me feel J. All over the place. So, this time, when the guys posted a ride to Belum Caves, I just had to, had to say yes. Can't explain that feeling.
The little bit of Googling and Wikipedia has revealed
- Belum is 100 kms from Kurnool and 270 kms from Bangalore
- It is a 3 km long underground cavern, with stalactite formation.
- The only acco, is a 32 bed dormitory run by AP-Tourism Development Corp.
- Must see the musical cave, where the seven notes can be produced by striking the stalactites.
- Don't know if we can camp nearby.
- These caves have been discovered, ok rediscovered, as recently as 1982 and thrown open to public view only in 2002.
- The nearest towns are Banganpalli and Tadipatri.
My favourite map site - mapmyindia, sorry Google Maps - you are no. 2 now, has revealed that Belum is 297.6 kms from Bangalore, which is what the RTMC mailing list claimed. The site, unfortunately doesn't let me display the route on my blog, so it will suffice to say that we head north on NH-7 towards Hyderabad, and then take a right on the Anathapur bypass to travel 84.7 kms on inside roads to Belum via Tadipatri. Unfortunately, I will be getting the GPS unit only in the week following the ride :(
Yennyways! Can't wait till the new weekend.... Itching to go onlee! Caman the rides! Caman the enjaiment!
Route map with google maps
