Kolluru Maredumilli Trip

So to fulfill this year end's ghumakkadi ritual, we decided to follow our 2-year-old plan of visiting Kolluru Bamboo Hut and Maredumilli region. Everything was already planned, it just that we couldn’t accomplish that time for some obvious reasons.

No much research required just booked tickets for 2 days- 1 night stay at Kolluru bamboo Hut online through Punnami Tourism. They have online booking facility, as soon as You book, your ticket will be emailed to you.

Our Itinerary included Rajahmundry, Kollur Package, 2 night stay in Bird's nest, Rampachodavaram then back to  Hyderabad via Bhadrachalam.

25 Dec, 2015 Day 1:

We started almost by 9 am, picked another friend at Uppal and headed towards Vijayawada.

Hyderabad-Vijayawada road is a breeze for drivers but it does have too much toll as well.

Had lunch at Palle Ruchulu, Suryapet. I tried natukodi [country chicken] pulusu [curry] and Ragisankati.

Taste was average but the place theme is worth to stop by.

Though we could see many items in menu but it looks like they have only thalis at lunch and dinner time

Maybe snacks/starters will be available at evening.

Palle Ruchulu Entrance

Ragi Sankathi with Natukodi Pulusu

We took a diversion through Rajahmundry bypass as it said 80 kms while it would be 120 kms if the NH was taken.

Sticking with NH all the way to Rajahmundry is advisable as this bypass road was full of lorries and tractors. We couldn't hit more than 50/60 kmph thus ended up reaching Rajahmundry by 8:30 pm.

ATMs are well operational here 24x7 so no issue for cash. Hotels/Restros remains open till 10:30 PM.

After inquiring a  couple of hotels to let us park car for an extra day, we checked in VIJAY residency AC lodge with ample parking space and they agreed to let us park for next day when we were traveling to kolluru.

They have very reasonable tariff 1300 for ac room double occupancy + extra bed, given that you have to ask for everything starting from soap to blanket.

Hotel’s restaurant is good for meals you won't get more options but whatever they have is tasty.While roaming around after dinner we saw another hotel Jetty Grand, it looked a decent one for families. Their tariff was reasonable as well approx 3k per night.

26 Dec, 2015- Day 2:

Woke up early as we had to reach by 7:30 Am to Punnami tourism office beside Markandaya Swami temple, about 2 kms from our hotel. Autos are readily available around main cross road near Kotipalli bus stand. It took hardly 10 minutes to reach there. We were directed to a person who was arranging for buses to Polavaram, the boarding point. He checked our tickets and asked to wait for few minutes for the bus to arrive. Waiting here is worth as you can see magnificent morning view of grandiose Godavari River with both the bridges; all you have to do is neglect the Cow dung and other unpleasant garbage.

And finally bus arrived, that responsible person gave us two boarding passes, 1 for the boat (including return journey) and other for entry in bamboo huts for night stay. Bus route goes along river Godavari, so better to find a window seat at the right side.

After around 1 hr of journey bus reached to boat boarding point Polavaram there you will find boat managers announcing their boat names so we didn't had any difficulty to find our boat - Jalashree.

The boat was nice and clean, lower compartment was AC and there were eating arrangements at the roof as well, one can get a nice view from rooftop no wonder why the AC was empty and hubbub at the roof.Breakfast was being served as people were getting settled to their seats.

Boarding point

AC Cabin

Roof View

It was a common south Indian breakfast 2 idlies, 1 wada and a little quantity of upma. The taste was just about ok.

Boat stops for 20 minutes at Gandipochamma temple then it moves to check point where policemen checks for liqueur and other illegal stuff.

Post checking it takes approx 3.5 hours to reach kolluru bamboo huts. Meanwhile the boat guys started activities like dance, playing music, jokes etc.

Very often and then the program guide told the legends about the places we passed by.

Lunch was served by 1pm; again it was usual veg south Indian thali. No idea if it was hunger or the food quality, I liked it a lot.

The boat was on the move and we kept seeing nice landscapes, songs and dance was on the go suddenly guide said to watch ahead, he called it a view point, I'd call it picturesque, I ran towards the front to secure a place for taking shots. For 10 minutes we were mute, spell bind just kept on watching and framing the scene. I was so indulged in the view that I forgot that I'm blocking the view to those who are sitting on chairs; finally I got it reminded by scolding of an elderlyJ.

Below are few pic of our boat journey.

After spending 4 hours on the board we reached to Perentalapalli, this is the last point. Here it stopped for 20 minutes then returned to kolluru bamboo huts. Those who had night stay got down at kolluru, others returned to Rajahmundry in the same boat.

I was little disappointed coz it was cloudy, and full moon night. I had imagined taking star trails in kolluru but cloud ruined it all. Still happy with the boat journey though.

When we started boat journey, I lost the mobile signal and it continued to be absent until Khammam three days after. Same case with my friends as well, you won't get network here unless you have BSNL.

It was too much rush at hut ticket counter as there was only 1 counter and everyone wanted to get their hut number without being in the queue.

We were allotted hut number 44.

Bedding was moist and so thin that you can feel the bamboo strips beneath the bed. Those strips were unevenly placed, I got back pain, but on second thought what you would expect in a bamboo hut in winters with wind and temperature sub 10 degrees, any bed can be humid.

They announce for each event like lunch, dinner, snacks, breakfast or don't go in the river, there are crocodiles etc. J

Have patience and be in the queue when food is being served as too much rush happens these times.

Food quality is worth to be in the queue.

A torch/power bank is must to have here.

Walk on sand can be tiresome and fun at the same time.

Better to go in sandals.

There is a shop as well where you can buy water bottles, cold drinks and packaged snacks.

You can find charging point near the main place.

In winters jacket is must I was literally shivering at midnight  as I couldn’t help myself to come out and watch the area in the full moon.

Hut No. 44

Wooden Bridge to the Huts

This is how the Bamboo huts looks like in full moon

After settling down, we went to front view to get some golden time photos, walked on the bank, took some pics of boat as well as the sunset landscape. You will get an amazing view of sunset from the front view. We stayed here on the bank until stars came out; alas it was cloudy and too much light for star trailsL.

Dinner was served by 7:30 pm.

After having dinner we went again to front sand land did some long exposure photography and funny trials.

Campfire

Wrote my name in the air

27 Dec, 2015- Day 3:

I woke up before sunrise; actually, I couldn't sleep properly due to cold wind; the sinusoidal bed and the thin bedding.

Tea/coffee was arranged in a sack at river bank by the dawn; such a beautiful view with coffee took away all my pain, I think I had at least 3 cups of coffee, can’t remember exactly, just kept on sipping and watching the River changing its color from red to orange, then I got reminded of toilets by nature’s call.

Plenty of toilets but if you are late, there may be water outage; no, I didn’t face it. Bring towel, soap and other toiletries with you.

After breakfast, they announced for a trek. It is just a 2 km walk to a waterfall.

I took some wide angle pics.

Took lunch by 1 pm, there they announced that the boat to Rajahmundry will arrive in 30 minutes so we packed our bags and went to the river bank.

Return journey was little boring as the same scene were passing by, but you can have good photos at evening.We were dropped to Kotipalli bus stand by approx. 8:30 PM. We stayed at same lodge, the Vijay Residency AC lodge.

After dinner, I went to Godavari ghat to get some long exposure shots of the bridge. Taking pictures at night is a different fun but staying late night on a river bank reminded me Ganga ghats of Varanasi, where people population is the only difference and off course the number ghats as well.

28 Dec, 2015- Day 4:

We were so exhausted that everyone woke late.

After checkout, we set the map to Rampachodavaram and started driving.

Did breakfast on a road side bandi(food vehicle).

Rajahmundry to Rampachodacaram road is very scenic green hills both sides and road is shaded by trees.

We reached to Birds Nest Resort by 2 pm, received by Mr. Vinay, manager birds nest, such a nice and polite person, he helped us to make our next two days plan.

After checking in, we roamed around the premises and one thing we noticed was, this place was literally fascinating.

There was a lean waterfall/seasonal river flows by the resort where you have river crossing, campfire, rest bed, chairs etc. Such a calm and peaceful environment amidst nature, and obviously you will get ample place to park your vehicle

The best part about this place is it was spread so wide that you won't feel crowded even if it is full.

By the evening, we went to visit Rampa waterfall. After asking few people, finally we reached to this fall, you will have to walk up to approx 3 kms on the rough road along the fall.

A wooden bridge multifolds its beauty. I took some long exposure shots here.

I was so astray taking pics that I forgot it is getting dark and we are in a jungle, only we three were there by 6 pm. walking down in dusk made our journey more exciting.

Road to Rampa

Before leaving for Rampa waterfall, we told the hotel manager to prepare bamboo chicken and dinner.

The bamboo chicken was waiting for us when we returned to the resort.

Eating bamboo chicken by the fall around a campfire after this whole tiresome day was something I'd like to call worth living and spending money for it.

And yes the taste of the bamboo chicken was something I've never had before. The aroma and smoke of bamboo charcoal get infused and makes it ultra-tasty.

29 Dec, 2015- Day 5:

I woke up early morning and ran to the fall with my camera and tripod; I just wanted some long exposure of the fall in golden hour before it’s too bright.

And you know what, waking up early morning is always worth doesn't matter that you photograph or do anything else.

An HDR of 3 Long Exposure shots

Apart from this, the room was decent and big enough to accommodate 4 beds 2 chairs and a coffee table.

Here in Bird’s nest they will have limited food options, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner but whatever they cook, they cook it tasty.

After having breakfast, we left to visit two waterfalls, Jalatharangini and Amruthdhara. Road was picturesque with lush green surroundings.

Anyone can go to Jalatharangini but Amruthdhara is a tedious exercise to reach by.

Amruthdhara Waterfall

Amruthdhara Waterfall

On the way to Jalatharangini waterfall, just after VanaVihari resort, there are few small hotels selling bamboo chicken and bamboo Biryani.

We Stopped at one and asked the owner to prepare Bamboo chicken for us. When we returned from the falls, it was ready. Bamboo Biryani is having a unique taste, that too without using any oil.

Bamboo Biryani

Bamboo Chicken is being cooked

I tried star trails here but couldn’t get much of luck as too much light all around the resort. Still I managed to get one.

30 Dec, 2015- Day 6:      

 We checked out and headed back to Hyderabad via Bhadrachalam-Khammam. While leaving, Vinay told us to visit Polluru waterfall, 80 km from Rampachodavaram.

We had to ask directions to many people to reach here. This waterfall is one of the best waterfall I’ve ever seen, that too not even in mansoon.

It was clean and well maintained by locals; there is an entry fee of 10 RS [which holds true for all the falls].

After spending an hour or so we left for Hyderabad, It was dusk when we were crossing Bhadrachalam Godavari River Bridge and I got below pic.

By 10 PM almost we had dinner at 7 FoodCourt, Suryapet. Such a lively place to dine out if you are hitting Vijayawada highway.

  So, the Kolluru trip may suit to those who want an escape from urban Jungle and live without comfy lifestyle for a change. And The Birdnest Resort can be a perfect fit for the FAMILIES getaway.