Belum Caves: First Breakfast, Then the Underground Adventure

HampiBadami & templesCanyons & caves

After Lepakshi's stonework and Gandikota's wide-open views, our weekend had one more change of scene waiting: Belum, where the walk takes you below ground. Caves have a way of making an ordinary outing feel like an exploration, though the enclosed stretches are not for everyone. We were looking forward to seeing this part of the route. First, however, there was a more urgent family expedition: finding breakfast. Skipping the hotel meal for an imaginary better option on the road had not been our finest decision.

This was the second day of our Lepakshi, Gandikota and Belum weekend.

A note on this archive story

From the travel archive, first published 27 Feb 2017. This is our experience at the time, not a current price or booking guide. Check opening hours, access, fares and services before making your own plans.

This was the second day of my weekend Trip to Lepakshi, gandikota and Belum. Any of the three could well be converted into a one-day solo trip if you are up for some drive. To read about first stop read the blog Part 1 - Lepakshi: Hidden Gem Part I, Part II : Grand canyon of India: Gandikota or for full transcript read Weekend drive: Lepakshi, Gandikota and Belum Caves. Belum cave is one of the most well-maintained caves in India and was always on the list of places to visit before you die checklist. Having covered the other two places yesterday we have kept Belum for the second day. So after relaxing in Haritha resort for the night, we were ready for the return to Bangalore.

Belum cave Entrance and Exit

The morning we got up and started at 8 am deciding to skip breakfast in Hotel but trying out something good on the road. Monumental mistake to the level of awesomeness of GandiKota, being a small town there was hardly any restaurant open at this time or maybe the people wanted to laze around on a Sunday morning. So we kept on driving empty stomach munching biscuits and cakes that we had packed for snacks.

Savouring each of them and looking out of place to eat we detour to a resort based on google selection, but no joke was still on us, the entire place was booked for some political meeting and lots of people with big flags furling everywhere were gathered at the gate. We cursed under our breath and took a U-turn to meet a random Police check.

Police guy was looking for something which they didn't find on us and ended up opening bags of diapers and baby milk.

Anyways good news was that we were only 30 min of our destinations and there would be restaurants open there as confirmed by the inspector. We were so hungry that we were not even enjoying the amazing roads we were travelling. Unlike GandiKota road to Belum is well laid out and with good markings throughout. We found many school buses doing local excursion tours to the place.

As soon as we reached the place the debate was on should we eat first and then go and visit the caves or first visit the caves and then eat so that we can do brunch and save some time as it was already 11 am.

But the rumbling in my stomach convinced everyone that it has to be food, the restaurant inside Belum cave campus opens very late but luckily there are small places just at the gate that serve some basic south Indian delicacies. We settled on paratha, dosa and alu ki sabji all tasting amazingly fresh and tasty.

I still don't know who was happier the shop owner for we being the first of the tour group or us devouring everything he said is available. After a smiling stomach, we entered the cave. There are few steps which lead you the cave and after that, it stretches for around 2 km.

There is only a common entry and exit so walk to the limit you can come back as inside it becomes kind of claustrophobic as there is no natural ventilation but only artificial pumps taking care of letting fresh air inside. We found parts of the cave tiring and enclosed. Do not push on if you feel unwell or uncomfortable; turn back and seek assistance rather than treating discomfort as part of the attraction.

So be careful. But back to the cave in itself, it’s another wonderful creation of nature.The government has done some good work here for the 50 Rs ticket they charge as the area is well lit and aired. Even the paths have been made in such a way that you can walk easily. Even my kid was running on her own most of the parts.

You should definitely go there at least once to get the feel of cave living.

Again after some heavy dose of picture clicking, we started back, where we found a storm of kids from the excursion tour of some local school. My kid became the instant hit among the crowd as she was the youngest one roaming around the place on her own. She happily waved to all her fans and we too said silent byes to the two wonderful places that we explored.

Both of its own kind but worth a visit to see nature at its most creative mood. Savouring all the moments we stormed back in the setting sun to the blaring headlights of Bangalore (No in Bangalore we the car owners don’t know how not to use high beam!#$@#$) as we neared home tired but enthralled.

And then, before reaching Bengaluru, we had a flat tyre. Changing it in the heat made us realise just how much the car AC had been doing for us. Not the return stop we had planned.

We managed to change the tyre and reach a puncture shop. The guy was very welcoming. While he fixed it, we had lunch at a nearby hotel, simple food but really tasty. Tyre sorted, stomach happy, we were finally on our way home again.

Tips: 

1. Take good amount of food with you as you will find nothing on long               stretch.

2. Caves could feel a bit claustrophobic so take precaution

5. If you want to stay in Haritha Gandikota do booking at least a month in         advance on aptdc official website.

What I would keep in mind

• Do not trade a confirmed breakfast for an imaginary roadside one.
• Remember that every step into the cave is also a step you need to walk back.

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