Exploring monsoon trails in the Eastern Ghats
The first showers rarely arrive quietly in the Eastern Ghats. They settle over the ridgelines as drifting mist, awaken seasonal streams and paint slopes in
The first showers rarely arrive quietly in the Eastern Ghats. They settle over the ridgelines as drifting mist, awaken seasonal streams and paint slopes in countless shades of green. For trekking enthusiasts, this is the season when the mountains around north Andhra Pradesh shed their dry summer character and reveal a landscape that is at once cooler, quieter and richly alive. Over the last few years, guided trekking groups have noticed a growing interest in monsoon hikes among seasoned trekkers, families as well as first-time walkers looking to spend a weekend outdoors. Groups such as Eco Hikes and Hikoi Adventures conduct guided treks through several parts of the Eastern Ghats, ranging from demanding summit expeditions to short waterfall walks suitable for beginners. Above the clouds Among the region’s best-known summit trails are Jindagada Peak, Sinkaram Gutta, Galikonda, Endric Peak and the Sharada River Trek. Most are spread across two days, combining trekking with camping or an overnight stay at a nearby resort before completing the circuit. Rising beyond 1,000 metres, these routes are generally graded easy to moderate. For those seeking shorter outings, Eco Hikes organises one-day waterfall treks to Jalada Waterfalls, Tamkota Waterfalls and several cascades around Madugula, including Kandulapalem in North Andhra Pradesh. Covering roughly two to five kilometres, these walks have become popular among families, children and groups of friends. Naveen Rongali of Eco Hikes says the higher elevations offer one of the biggest advantages during the rainy season.
“One of the reasons we focus on peaks above 1,000 to 1,200 metres during the monsoon is that the weather is remarkably pleasant at these elevations. While the lower Eastern Ghats often receive heavy rainfall, the higher ridges typically experience cool drizzle, passing clouds, mist and refreshing winds,” he says, adding that above about 1,300 metres, the landscape opens into beautiful grasslands dotted with fishtail palms, offering a completely different trekking experience when compared to the dense forests of the Western Ghats or the Himalayas. Among all the routes, Galikonda remains his favourite. “It offers one of the longest trekking routes in the Eastern Ghats, with trail options ranging from 28 to 35 kilometres. During the monsoon, the entire landscape transforms into lush green grasslands, natural springs become active and water is readily available along the higher sections of the trail. This allows us to take longer routes that would be much more demanding during winter.” Hikoi Adventures, which has been organising guided treks across the Eastern Ghats since 2021, also sees the season as an excellent time to explore the mountains. Its itineraries include Arma Konda or Jindagada Peak, Galikonda Peak, Heaven Valley at Sinkaram Gutta, Endric Peak, Tarabu Waterfalls, Peddhabayalu Waterfalls and the Gosthani caving and geological exploration trail. Vamsi Thenakani of Hikoi Adventures points to Heaven Valley as one of the most rewarding monsoon destinations. “Heaven Valley is at its absolute best during the rains, with mist-covered cliffs, flowing streams and lush green meadows.
The BriefWire