National park · India
Belum Caves
Enter Belum Caves for a short tour (₹70 INR) in the morning, or a full‑day guided walk (₹300 INR foreign) with a guide; avoid the hottest months (May‑Sept).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1999
Best months
—
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- The protected zone covers the main cave system and surrounding visitor facilities; exact area varies with ongoing development (check).
- Established
- 1999
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
Belum Caves, the second‑largest cave system in the Indian subcontinent, offers illuminated chambers, striking limestone formations and a brief guided tour, with a simple entry fee and optional longer walk for enthusiasts.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1999.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1999
The protected zone covers the main cave system and surrounding visitor facilities; exact area varies with ongoing development (check).
Why go
- Explore the second‑largest cave system in the Indian subcontinent.
- See formations such as the lion’s gate, musical chamber and thousand hoods.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayAvoid
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, dry; comfortable walking.
- FebMild temperatures.
- MarEnd of winter, low rain.
- AprHeat rises, occasional showers.
- MayHigh heat, humidity.
- JunMonsoon begins, slippery paths.
- JulHeavy rain, risk of flooding.
- AugPeak monsoon.
- SepRain tapers, still humid.
- OctPost‑monsoon, pleasant.
- NovCool, clear skies.
- DecWinter, comfortable.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BatsAll year · Common in dark chambers. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Bangalore
Bus or train to Anantapur, then bus to Tadipatri and change for Belum Caves.
6–8 h
Open the page →
From Hyderabad
Bus to Anantapur (≈4 h) then bus to Tadipatri, change for caves.
5–7 h
Open the page →
From Chennai
Train to Kurnool or Banganapalle, then bus to Belum Caves.
7–9 h
Open the page →
From Anantapur
Direct bus to Tadipatri (≈1.5 h) then local transport to caves.
2 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance area | Gate, ticket office, washroom, small shop. | Open to all visitors. |
| Main chambers | Guided pathways, illuminated sections, staircases. | Guided or self‑guided with ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; entrance point approximated.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance (domestic) | INR 70 (≈ under US$1) | person | — |
| Entrance (foreign) | INR 300 (≈ US$4) | person | — |
| Dormitory stay (APTDC) | INR 40 (≈ under US$1) | person | 32‑bed dormitory. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Cave entry permit or guide
Guided walk (if beyond main chamber) permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹70≈ under US$1
- ₹300≈ US$4
- ₹40≈ under US$1
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any walk beyond the main illuminated chambers.
- Lighting
- Flashlights allowed but keep beams low to avoid disturbing bats.
- No litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins at entrance.
Where to stay
In the park
Punnami Dormitory (APTDC)
Basic dormitory near the cave entrance, ₹40 INR per night.
Near the park
Tadipatri hotels
Various budget hotels 30 km (19 mi) away; book in advance.Various budget hotels 19 mi (30 km) away; book in advance.
Safety
Heat and humidity medium
Slippery steps low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Entrance area reachable by car; short walk to gate.
- Staircase inside cave not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Support APTDC by buying food at the onsite canteen.
- Avoid purchasing unofficial 'fast‑track' tours.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Belum Caves?
₹70 INR for Indian visitors; ₹300 INR for foreign tourists (ticket at the gate).
What are the best hikes in Belum Caves?
A short 2 km guided tour of the main chambers (≈2 h) and an optional self‑guided walk of the first 2 km if you prefer to explore at your own pace.
When is the best time to visit Belum Caves?
October to March offers cool, dry weather; avoid May‑September when heat and monsoon rains make the cave slippery.
Are there facilities for food and rest?
APTDC runs a small shop and restaurant near the entrance; bring water as it can get hot inside.
Do I need a guide for the whole cave?
A guide is mandatory beyond the illuminated main chambers; the first 2 km can be done self‑guided with a ticket.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go