Tirumala – Sri Venkateswara Temple
about 25 km, 1 hour
One of the world's most visited and richest religious sites, on the seven hills above Tirupati.
Destinations
Temples, treks and places within reach of the hostel, closest first.
39 places
* Distances measured from Nirvana Backpackers, Korramenugunta.
Temples
On Tirumala
Chakra Theertham
about 26 km
One of the sacred theerthams of Tirumala, with shrines to Lakshmi, Narasimha and the Sudarshana Chakra.
Srivari Padalu
about 27 km
The spot where, legend says, the Lord first set foot on coming down from Vaikuntha, on Narayanagiri hill.
Akasa Ganga
about 28 km
A sacred waterfall whose water is still used in the Lord's daily service at Tirumala.
Japali Theertham
about 30 km
A quiet Hanuman shrine and sacred pond deep in the forest, away from the Tirumala crowds.
Papavinasanam
about 30 km
"Destroyer of sins": a sacred waterfall where pilgrims bathe, at the end of a scenic forest drive.
In Tirupathi
Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple
about 3 km, 10 min
The temple Tirupati town grew up around, consecrated by Ramanujacharya in 1130 CE.
Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple
about 4 km, 10–15 min
Temple of Goddess Padmavathi, consort of Lord Venkateswara. Tradition says to visit her before going up to Tirumala.
Kapila Theertham
about 6–7 km, 20–25 min
A Shiva temple with a waterfall and temple tank at the base of the Tirumala hills. Best after the monsoon.
ISKCON Sri Radha Govinda Temple
about 7 km, 20 min
A modern Radha-Krishna temple near Alipiri blending North and South Indian styles across three floors.
Sri Brahmeshwar Parshwanath Jain Temple
roughly 6–10 km
A white Makrana-marble Jain temple, consecrated in 2018, with all 24 Tirthankaras enshrined.
Vakula Mata Temple
about 8 km
Hilltop shrine of Vakula Devi, the Lord's foster mother, rebuilt by TTD and reopened in 2022.
Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple
about 8 km, 20 min
A hilltop Murugan temple with calm surroundings and sunset views over Tirupati and the Tirumala hills.
Sri Varahi Ammavari Temple – Sri Sakthi Peetam
about 13 km, 30 min
A Shakta temple on the banks of Rayala Cheruvu lake, at the foot of the Tirumala hills.
Kalyana Venkateswara Temple
about 14 km, 30 min
Where, legend says, the newlywed Lord and Padmavathi stayed for six months; an ASI-protected monument.
Prasanna Venkateswara Temple
about 18 km, 35–40 min
A 1232 CE temple where Venkateswara's right hand is raised in blessing, unlike other Venkateswara shrines.
Parasurameswara Temple
about 20 km, 40 min
Home to one of the oldest Shiva lingams in the world, in a quiet Eastern Ghats village.
Around Tirupathi
Srikalahasti Temple
about 36 km, 1 hour
The Vayu (wind) temple among the five Pancha Bhuta Shiva shrines, the "Kailash of the South".
Kalyana Venkateswara Temple
about 45 km, 1–1.5 hours
Believed to be the actual wedding site of Lord Venkateswara and Padmavathi, in King Akasaraja's old capital.
Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple
about 70 km, 1.5–2 hours
A self-manifested Ganesha idol in an ever-full well, believed to be still growing.
Treks
Alipiri
about 7 km, 20 min
Start of the main footpath to Tirumala: 3,550 covered steps with four gopurams along the way.
Srivari Mettu (Srivari Footstep Route)
about 15 km to the start
The older, shorter footpath to Tirumala: about 2,388 steps, with free darshan tokens for walkers.
Mamanduru Forest
about 30 km, 45 min
Guided forest trails, a riverbed walk and a long trek to a forest pool, in the Eastern Ghats off the Kadapa highway.
Puligundu Twin Rocks
about 55–60 km, 1.5 hours
A 1,000 ft twin-peaked rock hill to trek for sunrise, with a Shiva temple at its base.
Talakona Waterfall
about 60 km, 1.5–2 hours
At about 82 m, the highest waterfall in Andhra Pradesh, with forest treks inside Sri Venkateswara National Park.
Aare Falls (Nagalapuram Falls)
about 75 km, 2 hours
A forest trek past three waterfalls with rock pools, deep in the Eastern Ghats near Nagalapuram.
Ubbalamadugu Falls (Tada Falls)
about 75 km, 2 hours
A stream trek to a waterfall about 100 m high, near Sri City.
Lakes & Falls
Falls
Akasa Ganga
about 28 km
A sacred waterfall whose water is still used in the Lord's daily service at Tirumala.
Papavinasanam
about 30 km
"Destroyer of sins": a sacred waterfall where pilgrims bathe, at the end of a scenic forest drive.
Talakona Waterfall
about 60 km, 1.5–2 hours
At about 82 m, the highest waterfall in Andhra Pradesh, with forest treks inside Sri Venkateswara National Park.
Aare Falls (Nagalapuram Falls)
about 75 km, 2 hours
A forest trek past three waterfalls with rock pools, deep in the Eastern Ghats near Nagalapuram.
Ubbalamadugu Falls (Tada Falls)
about 75 km, 2 hours
A stream trek to a waterfall about 100 m high, near Sri City.
Lakes
Rayala Cheruvu
about 13 km, 30 min
A large historic lake dug by Sri Krishnadevaraya, for lakeside sunsets and birdwatching.
BV Palem (Pulicat boating point)
about 90 km, 2 hours
Boat rides on Pulicat Lake, run with life jackets and trained swimmers during the Flamingo Festival.
Pulicat Lake & Atakanitippa Bird Sanctuary
about 95 km, 2–2.5 hours
India's second-largest brackish lagoon, where about 15,000 flamingos arrive each winter.
Other
Regional Science Centre
in town
Hands-on science galleries and a small park, an easy indoor break on a hot afternoon.
S.V. Zoological Park
about 12 km, 25–30 min
One of the largest zoos in Asia, with lions, white tigers, elephants and a safari, at the foot of the Seshachalam hills.
Chandragiri Fort
about 15 km, 30 min
The Vijayanagara fort where Krishnadevaraya stayed, with the Raja Mahal museum, Rani Mahal and hilltop walls.
Megalithic Sites (Pandava Gullu)
about 22 km, 45 min
A roughly 2,500-year-old pillared dolmen and burial chamber with old rock art, near Chandragiri.
Silathoranam
about 26 km
A natural quartzite rock arch believed to be about 1.5 billion years old, shaped like a temple gateway.
Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary
about 85 km, 2 hours
A wetland where thousands of spot-billed pelicans breed, with ibis, cormorants and storks nesting in the trees.
Sriharikota (Satish Dhawan Space Centre)
about 100 km, 2.5 hours
India's main rocket launch base; watch a launch from the public Launch View Gallery on launch days.
Tupilipalem Beach
about 130 km, 3 hours
A quiet, uncrowded fishermen's beach near the northern mouth of Pulicat Lake.
Horsley Hills
about 140 km
A small hill station with viewpoints and cool evenings, good for an overnight break.
Short on time? Follow one of our ready-made itineraries.