Multi-day circuit
Tirupati, Srisailam & Ahobilam
5 days · 4 nights · 1450 km · departs Chennai
Chennai → Tirupati, Srisailam & Ahobilam · indicative rates
Fares shown are indicative starting rates. The final charge is based on real-time usage — distance, hours or days, tolls, parking and permits. Outstation trips are charged on a minimum of 300 km per day. Driver batta is ₹1,000 per day; late-night batta of ₹1,000 applies between 22:00–05:59. GST at 5% applies to the total.
The Nallamala hills, with the Krishna gorge below. The road to Srisailam runs through this reserve forest for the better part of a hundred kilometres, and like the reserves further south it carries timing restrictions that decide the day.
At a glance
| Duration | 5 days, 4 nights |
|---|---|
| Total distance | Approximately 1450 km |
| Departs from | Chennai |
| Recommended seater | 13 Seater (12+D) |
| Passengers | Up to 12 in the recommended vehicle |
| States covered | Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh |
| Permits | Andhra Pradesh interstate commercial permit, obtained before dispatch and charged at actuals with the receipt. |
| Driver batta | ₹1,000 per day × 5 days |
| Best season | October to February. The Nallamala forest and the Rayalaseema plains are severe from March to June. |
Distances and timings are indicative planning figures, not the basis of a quote. Itineraries are indicative — actual routing, timings and stops are subject to road, weather, traffic and permit conditions, and to the chauffeur's judgement.
Why this circuit
This circuit strings together three of the most significant Vaishnavite and Shaivite sites in the south, and it is a considerably harder trip than the Tamil Nadu temple trail. The distances between them are long, the country is dry and remote, and the last day back to Chennai is 755 km. Anyone booking this should want these three places specifically rather than a pleasant tour.
The upper shrines at Ahobilam are the part most often underestimated. Nine temples spread across a hill range, and the higher ones are reached on foot up rough paths rather than by road. A group expecting to drive between all nine will see three. We will tell you which the vehicle can reach and which require the walk, and how long the walk actually takes.
The Srisailam road runs through the Nallamala reserve forest for a long stretch and carries timing restrictions, in the same way the reserves further south do. That governs the departure on day three rather than the distance. We confirm the current position before dispatch, because these timings are set by the forest department and do change.
Which Urbania
The 13 seater. Approaches at Ahobilam are rough and narrow, Srisailam's temple streets are congested, and the two long legs on days two and five are more comfortable in the smaller vehicle at the same occupancy.
Above twelve passengers we will send the 17 and it will manage the roads, but Ahobilam in particular is a place where the shorter vehicle gets meaningfully further up. On a circuit where the walking is already substantial, that is worth more than the extra seats.
Day by day
- Day 1 Chennai to Tirupati 135 km
An early departure and the ghat climb to Tirumala. The day belongs to the darshan queue rather than to the driving.
- Day 2 Tirupati to Ahobilam 270 km
West into Rayalaseema. Ahobilam is nine shrines across a hill range, and the upper ones are reached on foot rather than by road.
- Day 3 Ahobilam to Srisailam 230 km
North through the Nallamala forest. The road runs through reserve for a long stretch and carries timing restrictions, so this is an early start.
- Day 4 Srisailam 60 km
The temple and the gorge. Patala Ganga and the dam viewpoint are the additions worth making, and both need the vehicle.
- Day 5 Srisailam to Chennai 755 km
The long return. This is a very long day and there is no comfortable shorter version — an early start and a rested chauffeur are what make it work.
Included
- Vehicle and chauffeur for the full circuit
- Fuel
- Driver batta for each day
- Andhra Pradesh interstate permit and state entry tax at actuals
- All tolls and parking at actuals against receipts
Not included
- Accommodation and meals
- Darshan tickets and any queue arrangements at Tirumala or Srisailam
- Palanquin or porter hire at Ahobilam
- Anything of a personal nature
We cannot arrange darshan at Tirumala or Srisailam, and anyone offering to on your behalf is worth treating with caution. Both go through their own temple administrations. Tell us what you hold and we will build the timing around it — at Tirumala especially, whether you have a booked slot or are relying on the general queue changes the shape of the entire first day.
Ahobilam involves real walking on rough ground to reach the upper shrines, and there is no vehicle alternative for several of them. Palanquin and porter arrangements exist locally and are made there rather than by us. If anyone in the group cannot manage a hill path, tell us at booking and we will be honest about how much of Ahobilam is actually reachable for them.
Day five is 755 km and it is the hardest day in our whole catalogue. It needs an early start, a chauffeur who has rested, and a group that accepts a long day. Where the schedule allows, breaking it with a night at Nellore or Tirupati turns this into a six-day circuit and a much more humane one — ask us for that version.
Rates
| Seater | Configuration | From, per km | Driver batta / day | Minimum / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Seater | 9+D — up to 9 passengers | ₹38 | ₹1,000 | 300 km |
| 13 Seater | 12+D — up to 12 passengers | ₹42 | ₹1,000 | 300 km |
| 17 Seater | 16+D — up to 16 passengers | ₹45 | ₹1,000 | 300 km |
Fares shown are indicative starting rates. The final charge is based on real-time usage — distance, hours or days, tolls, parking and permits. Outstation trips are charged on a minimum of 300 km per day. Driver batta is ₹1,000 per day; late-night batta of ₹1,000 applies between 22:00–05:59. GST at 5% applies to the total.
Questions about this circuit
How hard is the last day?
Seven hundred and fifty-five kilometres from Srisailam to Chennai, and it is the hardest single day we plan anywhere. Where your schedule allows, breaking it with a night at Nellore or Tirupati makes it a six-day circuit and a far better one. Ask us for that version.
Can you arrange darshan at Tirumala or Srisailam?
No. Both go through their own temple administrations and we take no part in it. Anyone offering to arrange darshan on your behalf is worth treating with caution. Tell us what you hold and we will build the timing around it.
Can we drive to all nine Ahobilam shrines?
No. The upper shrines are reached on foot up rough hill paths and there is no vehicle alternative for several of them. We will tell you which the vehicle can reach, which need the walk, and roughly how long that walk takes.
Do we need a permit?
Yes — an Andhra Pradesh interstate commercial permit, obtained before dispatch and charged at actuals with the receipt, along with the state entry tax.
What are the Srisailam road timings?
The road runs through the Nallamala reserve forest for a long stretch and carries timing restrictions like the reserves further south. That governs the day three departure rather than the distance. We confirm the current position before dispatch, since the forest department sets them.
How much walking is involved?
A great deal, particularly at Ahobilam where the upper shrines are a genuine hill walk on rough ground. This is not a circuit for anyone with limited mobility, and we would rather say so at booking than have someone spend two days waiting in the vehicle.
Is this suitable as a first pilgrimage circuit?
Honestly, no. The distances are long, the country is remote and the walking is hard. The Tamil Nadu temple trail or the Navagraha circuit are gentler and just as rewarding. Book this one if you want these three sites specifically.
What is the best time of year?
October to February. The Nallamala forest and the Rayalaseema plains are severe from March to June, and the Ahobilam walking becomes genuinely difficult in that heat.
Which seater should we take?
The 13 seater. Ahobilam's approaches are rough and narrow, Srisailam's temple streets are congested, and the long legs on days two and five are more comfortable in the smaller vehicle at the same occupancy.
Can we add Mantralayam or Kurnool?
Yes, and Mantralayam fits naturally between Ahobilam and Srisailam, adding a night. It makes the circuit six days, which also lets you break the return leg. Ask us and we will lay out the longer version.
Can we start from Bangalore instead?
Yes, and it changes the shape considerably — Bengaluru is closer to Ahobilam and Srisailam but further from Tirupati. For a group starting in Bengaluru we would reorder the circuit rather than run it as written.
What is included?
The vehicle and chauffeur for five days, fuel, driver batta each day, and the Andhra permit and entry tax at actuals. Darshan, accommodation, meals and any porter or palanquin arrangements are not included.
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Circuit information last verified 2026-09-02.