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Voykit pocket guide · India
Kalikiri
Kalikiri is a half-day stop on the Madanapalli–Tirupati road: see the temples, climb Ankalamma Konda, then move on. One night only if you are using it as a base for Horsley Hills or Thalakona.
Kalikiri is a small town on the route between Madanapalli and Tirupati, 45 km from Madanapalli. It has a rural feel, a couple of temples and a hill for a short trek. Most travellers pass through in a few hours; it works as a quiet overnight stop if you are heading to Horsley Hills or Thalakona the next day.
- Country
- India
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Avoid
- Apr–Jun (hot), Jul–Sep (heavy rain may wash out treks)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- INR
- Money
- Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₹800–1,500 excl. bed · Mid ₹1,500–3,000 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.
- Emergency
- All emergencies 112
- Plugs
- Types C, D, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin C plugs fit most sockets; D (three round pins) is the common wall socket; hotels often have universal sockets. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and dhabas: Nothing.; Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Car and driver: ₹300–500 a day at the end of the trip.; Guide: ₹300–500 for a half day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₹50–100.; Auto or Uber: Round up.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles (check the cap), or use RO-filtered refill stations in hotels and cafés; avoid ice from street stalls.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages. Carry tissue and sanitiser; paid public toilets (Sulabh) cost ₹5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at a local eatery (thali) | ₹80–150 |
| Tea at a stall | ₹10–20 |
| Auto-rickshaw, short town ride | ₹50–100 |
| Bus Kalikiri → Madanapalli | ₹50–80 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- TIR · Tirupati Airport
- About 2 h by road; limited flights from Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai.
- BLR · Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore
- About 3 h by road; many domestic and international flights.
Typical fares
- Bus Kalikiri → Tirupati
- about ₹150, about 2 h (check)
- Bus Kalikiri → Madanapalli
- about ₹60, about 1 h (check)
- Taxi Kalikiri → Horsley Hills
- ₹1,000–1,500 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Kalikiri is walkable. For Ankalamma Konda or nearby villages, hire an auto-rickshaw (check the price before you get in).
See and do
Known for
- Yellamma Temple
- Sai Baba Temple
- Ankalamma Konda trek
- Gateway to Horsley Hills and Thalakona
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Horsley Hills | Bus or taxi from Kalikiri, about 1 h | About 1 h |
| Thalakona Forest and Waterfall | Taxi from Kalikiri, about 1 h | About 1–1.5 h |
| Kanipakam | Bus or taxi via Chittoor, about 1.5 h | About 2 h |
| Tirupati | Bus or train, about 2 h | About 2–2.5 h |
Sleep
- Town centre
- A few budget lodges near the bus stand; basic but fine for one night.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much? | ఎంత?enta |
| Where is the bus stand? | బస్ స్టాండ్ ఎక్కడ?bus stand ekkaḍa |
| I need a room | నాకు గది కావాలిnāku gadi kāvāli |
| Thank you | ధన్యవాదాలుdhanyavādālu |
| Water | నీరుnīru |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Namaste (palms together) or a handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Hands and feet: Give and eat with the right hand; apologise if your foot touches someone; avoid: Pointing feet at people or shrines; touching books or food with your feet
- Temples: Shoes off, walk clockwise around shrines, accept prasad (blessed food) with the right hand; avoid: Leather in Jain temples; entering sanctums that say Hindus only
- Home visit: Bring sweets or fruit; accept tea at least once; avoid: Refusing all food; wearing shoes inside
- Questions: Expect personal questions (married? job? salary?) as friendliness; avoid: Taking offence; answer vaguely if you prefer
- Saying no: A firm, polite 'nahi, dhanyavaad' (no, thank you) and keep walking; avoid: Long explanations to touts
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; kurta tops are cheap and cool; avoid: Swimwear or shorts away from Goa beaches
Scams and watch-outs
- No ATMs in the town centre: carry enough cash.
- Trekking trails are unmarked: ask a local or hire a guide.
- Buses to Tirupati and Madanapalli stop running by evening: check the last departure.
Kalikiri is safe. The main risks are heatstroke in summer and unmarked trekking paths. Carry water and a phone with a local SIM.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Kalikiri yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Yellamma Temple
- Sai Baba Temple
- Ankalamma Konda trek
- Gateway to Horsley Hills and Thalakona
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Kalikiri, revision 5248412 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5248412
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Kalikiri
ఈ చిరునామాకు దయచేసి
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- All emergencies112
Telugu is the local language; English is understood at bus stands and lodges.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/kalikiri). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.