National park · India
Papikonda National Park
Visit Papikonda National Park: pay the entry fee (₹ check), drive or boat to the gate, hike the main trail (2 h) in the dry season, and stay in Papi Hills resorts nearby.
- 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
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
340 km² (131 sq mi)131 sq mi (340 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Nov–Feb
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
- 340 km² (131 sq mi)131 sq mi (340 km²)
- Approximate; official figure not published (check).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Rajahmundry
Papikonda National Park protects a segment of the Eastern Ghats with dry deciduous forest, riverine habitats along the Godavari, and a range of threatened wildlife such as tigers, leopards and endemic primates. Access is via road to Kunavaram followed by a boat launch, and the park offers a short marked forest loop and guided deep‑forest treks, with accommodation at Papi Hills resorts nearby.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.
Size and age
340 km² (131 sq mi)131 sq mi (340 km²) · national park since 2000
Approximate; official figure not published (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Rajahmundry.
Why go
- Explore Eastern Ghats forest with tigers, leopards and diverse flora.
- See river scenery on the Godavari and remote tribal villages.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry; trails clear.
- FebCool, low rain.
- MarStart of pre‑monsoon; some showers.
- AprIncreasing rain; trails may be slippery.
- MayMonsoon onset; river high.
- JunHeavy rain, flooding risk.
- JulPeak monsoon.
- AugPeak monsoon.
- SepRain decreasing.
- OctPost‑monsoon, cooler.
- NovDry, pleasant.
- DecCool, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, sloth bear, rusty‑spotted catOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Rhesus macaque, Bonnet macaque, grey langurOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Spotted deer, sambar, gaur, nilgaiOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | 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 Hyderabad
Road to Kunavaram (351 km (218 mi)) then boat on Godavari to the park gate.Road to Kunavaram (218 mi (351 km)) then boat on Godavari to the park gate.
8–9 h
Open the page →
From Rajahmundry
Train or flight to Rajahmundry, then boat on Godavari to the park gate.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Khammam
Road (170 km (106 mi)) to Kunavaram, then boat.Road (106 mi (170 km)) to Kunavaram, then boat.
4–5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters (Trunk Road entry) | Gate, visitor desk, basic facilities, trailhead to main forest loop. | Open with entry permit. |
| Riverine zone | Godavari river banks, boat rides, birdwatching points. | Boat launch from Kunavaram or Rajahmundry. |
| Core forest | Tropical dry deciduous forest, wildlife spotting areas. | Guided walks only. |
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 centre point; approximate for visitor orientation.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | INR 100–200 (≈ US$2–3) | person | Official rate not published; estimate (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for core forest walks.
- Camping
- Not allowed in the forest; use resort or designated campsites.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited.
Where to stay
Near the park
Papi Hills resorts
Rooms from ₹ 2300; day tours ₹ 650.
Near the park
Local guesthouses in Kunavaram
Basic budget options (check).
Safety
River flooding medium
Limited mobile coverage 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
- Headquarters area reachable by car; short walks suitable for limited mobility.
- Core forest trails steep and uneven; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Support local resorts that employ tribal communities.
- Avoid litter; use designated waste bins.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Papikonda National Park?
The entry fee is around ₹ 100–200 per adult (official rate not published; verify at the gate).
What are the best hikes in Papikonda National Park?
The main forest loop (2–3 h, moderate) and guided deep‑forest trek (4–6 h, hard) are the primary hikes; both require a guide.
When is the best time to visit Papikonda National Park?
The dry season from November to February offers clear trails and comfortable weather.
Can I camp inside Papikonda National Park?
Camping is not permitted in the forest; stay at Papi Hills resorts or nearby guesthouses.
How do I reach the park from Hyderabad?
Drive 351 km to Kunavaram, then take a boat on the Godavari River to the park gate; total travel 8–9 h.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Papikonda National Park
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