The first week of June marks the beginning of monsoon in Telangana’s capital city, Hyderabad. As the first rain shower graces this city, the warm weather takes a turn and cools down the overall temperature. But this change never lasts as the heavy humidity starts to set in. Luckily, the city is surrounded by numerous tourist spots that can become your sanctuary in this cruel weather.
It’s best to visit these sites amidst the rainy weather as the beauty of the hills and lush greenery becomes more prominent after rainfall. So, whether you are planning a weekend getaway or a quick trip, here are the best spots to visit near Hyderabad during the monsoon for you.
1Ananthagiri Hills
Photo by Pixabay
To spend a relaxing day amidst nature, you must-visit Ananthagiri Hills, located in the Araku Valley of Andhra Pradesh. Amongst the places to visit near Hyderabad, this destination located approximately 79 km away from the city is the best one. These hills are at a 1168 meter altitude with a standpoint, offering a great view of the whole area. One of the most famous aspects of this destination is its coffee plantations that look magnificent during the monsoon as the lush greenery takes a vibrant color. And if the coffee estates and the rich foliage weren’t enough, these hills are home to numerous waterfalls that offer you a relief from the scorching weather.
Other attractions include the ancient Ananthagiri temple with stunning architecture, a coffee museum displaying the rich coffee culture, and a tribal museum that gives you a peek into the life and customs of the local tribes. You can get to this weekend getaway near Hyderabad by various means like flights, trains, and buses.
2Pocharam Forest and Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo by Erik Karits
Want to catch the best of flora and fauna? Visit the Pocharam Forest and Wildlife Sanctuary. Named after the Pocharam Lake that was constructed by Pocharam Dam between 1916-1922, this sanctuary is located at a distance of 115 km from Hyderabad and can be reached through Medak. It is spread in a vast 130 sq km of land and is laden with rich greenery, and the monsoon season brings a vibrancy to the sanctuary.
The flora here is a point of attraction for Bar-Headed Goose, Open Billed Stork, and Brahminy Bucks birds. When it comes to animals, you will find a number of antelope and deer species here as well as leopards, wolves, forest cats, sloth bears, nilgai, and more. You can make this trip a weekend trip as there are accommodations available in Pocharam and Medak’s inspection bungalow and forest rest house. These amenities and a plethora of wildlife makes this sanctuary, one of the tourist spots near Hyderabad. To make the most of your trip, you can view the Pocharam Dam and lake when visiting the sanctuary, which is open to the public. To reach here, you can either book flight, train, or bus tickets.
3Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
Photo by Medak Govt.
In the list of places to travel near Hyderabad, the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam tops the list. This dam is located near Krishna river in Nalgonda and is approximately 157 km away from Hyderabad. It’s a large dam protected by 26 gates, making it a wide space to explore. This dam was constructed by the Government of India’s first irrigation project in the Green Revolution and is a great source of hydro-electricity today. Throughout the year, and especially during the monsoons, this dam attracts a huge amount of tourists. Owing to the Nallamala forest, this spot is famous for its green landscapes. To explore the reservoir and the surrounding island, you can take advantage of the boating facilities here and visit the island museum for Buddhist artifacts.
You can pack refreshments and beverages to spend a day with your family as it is one of the picnic spots near Hyderabad. To reach here, you can opt for a train, bus, or flight.
4Warangal
Photo by Medak Govt.
Warangal is a district located near Hyderabad and is deemed one of the best heritage cities. While this city is filled with a number of spots to visit during monsoon, there are two that stand out – Warangal Fort and Pakhal Lake. The Warangal Fort is 150 km away from Hyderabad. The history plays a major role in Warangal as it was built by Prola Raja, a Kakatiya ruler during the 12th century. Their reign continued from the 12th to 14th century. It was in the 13th century, during the reign of Ganpati Deva that the fort came to be. Due to the stunning arches and pillars and four stone gateways, hundreds and thousands of people visit the fort throughout the year, making it a famous place to visit around Hyderabad.
The next popular attraction in Warangal is the Pakhal Lake. This lake was built in 1213 AD by Ganpati Deva as well. While the lake is the main attraction, it is not the only one. The Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary surrounding it is the perfect getaway for you and your family. This sanctuary shelters various species of mammals, reptiles, and fish. From leopards, sloth bears, and langurs to cobra, pythons, kailam and kodipe, you will find all sorts of fauna in its dense forest. This forest comes alive during the monsoon seasons, making this lake and sanctuary a must-visit spot near Hyderabad during Monsoon.
5Kuntala Waterfalls
Photo by Manuela Adler
The Kuntala Waterfalls are located a whopping 266 km away from Hyderabad, in the Neredikonda village. While this may seem distant for a little trip, it is the perfect place to visit around Hyderabad for a weekend getaway. At this spot, the Kadem river falls from a height and transforms into a breathtaking waterfall. During the monsoons, the waterfall gets an influx of water, which elevates the flow. Not only this, it is surrounded by dense foliage that replenishes you. For a calming and spiritual experience, you can visit the Lord Shiva image that is worshiped as Someshwara Swami. You can reach this spot via train, flight, or bus.
Waterfalls, wildlife, and wonderful forts, the spots to visit near Hyderabad are plenty. So, this monsoon season, choose your destination and spend your off days relaxing and adventuring. To find out about new spots and sites to explore, follow Things2Do.