Bhadrachalam to Rajahmundry by River Steamer

I'm considering getting the overnight train from Hyderabad to Bhadrachalam, then (after a couple of days) getting the steamer down the Godavari River to Rajahmundry. (I think the steamer goes from Burgampad)

It's difficult to find info about this route on the internet (I have all the train details), there's a chance that the steamer no longer operates and that I'll have to get to Kunavaram by road and take a 'Motor Launch' from there to Rajahmundry, can anyone confirm if the steamer is still in service?

I can only do this river route around the 17th September, I'm aware that this is very close to the end of the monsoon and that there has been flooding in recent years in this area at that time of year.

Even if there is no flooding, the river should be close to it's peak and I'm worried that ANY boat trips along the river will not be operating until after the monsoon, does anyone have any info about this?

Bhadrachalam seems to be an interesting place, however, my main reason for going is for the river trip to Rajahmundry, so I'd be unlikely to go if the weather prevented me from travelling along the river.

Thanks for any info.

Post monsoon, the road to Rajahmundry from Bhadrachalam is also scenic. Most of it is through 'agency area' forests and hills. That is in case the ferry is not available. Last I heard the boat is operational.But there are fears that the upcoming dam project will make this jouney through Papikondalu impossible. Why don't you contact AP tourism by email or phone?

This makes it even more important to do this journey by river as soon as possible, do you know a good link to an article about the Dam proposals?

I'll try e-mailing them.

Thanks for the info.

according to ap tourism on the phone

the "houseboat" service exists, and should be there in september.

charges vary, Rs 2500 seems to be minimum for 2 people (have to pay even if one person travelling, apparently).

the guy told me on the phone "more information" was available on +91 (0)9848780824.. cellphone

hope this helps

steven since u are going to this area check out this:

Coringa Wild Life Sanctuary
Situated 20 Kms from Kakinada and 70 Kms from Rajahmundry, this sanctuary is a part of river Godavari and has a rich growth of Mangrove plantation. A unique feature of this sanctuary is that it's located on the back waters of the sea. Otter, a protected specie is found here. Among other animals which include Fishing Cat, Jackal, Sea Turtle and Estuarine Crocodile which are found in the creeks. The common birds found are Snipes, Ducks, ,Sea Gulls and Flamingos.
Best season to visit is from October to May.
Accommodation is available at forest rest houses located at Coringa and Rajahmundry

Thanks for calling and for the extra telephone number.

There seems to be a bit of confusion though.

The tourist 'houseboats' go from Dindi, near Narsapur (I'll be going there from Rajahmundry), they do 6-hour, 12-hour and 23-hour cruises around the Godavari river, the area is said to rival Kerala for natural beauty, so I'm very much looking forward to staying in the area.

It's good to know the houseboat tours have started, I've found it very difficult to get any info about them, the last I heard is that they would start the tours when an AP tourism guesthouse opened in Dindi, and that was expected to open in May.

The steamer from Bhadrachalam and the 'motor launches' from Kunavaram (both going to Rajahmundry) are ordinary everyday services as far as I'm aware.

Again, thanks for the info.

Thanks, the Coringa Wild Life Sanctuary was already on the list of places to visit (assuming it's open in late September).

The whole area seems to have a lot to offer, lets just hope there are no cyclones.

Yes steven cyclone is an issue at coastal Andhra... this year the weather is behaving crazy....

I know the Pattiseema cruise has started some time in March. There was an article recently in Deccan Chronicle too (sometime in Apr). I will try to dig it up and post the info once I am back in Hyd.

I've just replied on LP. Patiseema rings a bell, I think it was the one I went for. As I said, the price at the time was Rs400, but the boat price was Rs7000 (should you want it all to yourself). I didn't look on board but the AP Tourism bloke said that there were only crappy plastic chairs on board (my words), even on the overnight one, but I'd double check.
Good look getting an email response from them...

hello,
this is sarath.im planning to go on steamer between bhadrachalam and rajahmundry next weekend with my friends.(jun 10th).
may i know whether this is suitable period to go or nnot.and also may i know fares and frequency of boats.how much time is the journey between them.

Hi all,

I have just joined this forum(1st time I have joined one) and have read the different posts.
Hopefully I can provide some practical info.

Firstly there are no steamers on the Godavari.
Neither Steam engines nor steam whatevers.
There are only Dieselers.
Now I wish some one could introduce some steamers.. can make things more interesting...
Any way steamers sounds(and looks) better so let me continue using it. I will use the term steamers for the regular transport that is used by the villagers to transport themselves and cargo @Rs100/-.

Cruise for the luxury boats, thats normally used by the town folk. ABout Rs500/head. They play loud, jarring music. Prefarable for folks used to comfort.

I prefer the steamers; prefarbally with good silencers; except wehn its too crowdy. this happens during long holidays, impt festival at Bhadrachalam(like Sri Ramanavami)

Secondly, there are no steamers/cruises that go all the way through.

There are pristine villages through this route and if you venture out into these villages you can come across different ancient tribes and if lucky see their traditional dances.
If you do some trekking(I have not done this) you could see some good waterfalls in the Papikonda ranges in the Monsoon.

But most probably you could just cruise through the river. Thats enthralling enough. All year round is cruising season. Except may be May month when steamers/cruises may stop temp due to low water depth/ steamer maintance.

The monsoon months are fine too UNLESS there are actual floods.
In the case of a flood, the steamers are used by the Govt to supply food and medicines to the affected villages. This is VERY
RARE.

During this season, the hills are green, the water red, gushing and full of mountainous minerals(perfectly drinkable even though it looks muddy) and if the rains are in season, you get a feeling of being in Kailash, with the clouds covering the tops of the hills. You may not do much/any swimming. You can see a couple of tiny waterfalls in the distance.

The winter months are cool, and the water crystal clear and sweet as nectar. You can swim around in some places which look more like sand beaches. DO check with the locals before venturing in to the river for there can be deep pools.

Summer time is exciting...the heat .. the sweat; if you can bear it.

The best part is when you jump of into the river for a holy, chilling dip.
Nothing more thrilling and enjoyable.

During the summer the Steamer(from Rajahmundry) stops much before its actual destination due to shortage in water. It stops near a tribal village called Koydha. The streamer is now empty except for the crew and starts back the next day morning. In the night it anchors in the middle of the river to avoid any wild animals boarding free :-)

There is nothing in this world like a night spent on the steamers roof top in the Summer after a long hot day and lazing off in the water and good hot spicy dinner either cooked by the crew(you give them a few bucks for the dinner) or eaten in the village.
Cool breeze wafts around, the water waves splash on the boat and(if you are there wehn the moon is full/nearfull) the river looks like running silver and ...well its literally an out of earth experience. I'am not a good enough poet/writer to describe it better.
There is not a hint of man made light. Only heavenly moonlight and the sounds of nature.. strange night birds singing away to glory..If you smoke, then smoke the Chutta(native cigar) which is much more satisfying in this scenario/condition. If you drink, Don't drink and spoil the natural feeling of bliss. Besides you will want to be in your senses.
DON'T play artificial music and shut out the divine music. Besides you wouldn't want to advertise yourself.

Soon you will doze off...

other places of stay if interested:
a) Kollur(at Kaigala Satyanarayana's place)
b) Parentapally(I heard that govt has constructed cottages.. need to verify)
c) APSTDC guest house at koruturu village just at the entrace of the Papikondalu.


There are two ways to travel. Upstream or downstream.

1. Rajamundry to Bhadrachalam(boat upto Kunnavaram):
------------------------------
Either by steamers or cruises.
Steamers are bi-weekly. I think Monday and Thursday nights(in the good old times, they were by the hour every day).
They leave at about 2am(night) and reach Kunnavaram at about 4pm next day. From there it is 50kms(about 1.5 to 2 hrs) to the temple town of Bhadrachalam by Bus.
Charge: ~ Rs100/- including Lunch.

Cruises I think run everyday; either from Rajahmundry or Pollavaram(or even pattisema??). From Rajahmundry, they start at about 6am, go to Pattiseema, Papi kondalu and upto Parentapalli; halt for some time there and then get back by late evening. They stop for lunch at the APSTDC guest house at Koruturu.
Charge: ~ Rs500/-

2. KOnnavaram to Parentapalli..
Boats run from Kunnavaram to Parentapalli and back.
Refer to this:
http://khammam.ap.nic.in/html/touris...ntalapalli.htm

The last part of the URL seems incomplete: tourism/perantalapalli.htm

Namaste
Gautham

Wow Gautham, awesome information and a great first post, very very useful.

Thanks and welcome to indiamike.com

Oh, natural darkness and moonlight on water: both exquisite

Your poetic description is very, very fine

Pgautham and Steven,

Fantastic thread and information. I'm not sure if I 'll change my mind and route for my next trip in November, the places you mentionned sounds terribly appealing.

Jorge