Belum Caves — Attraction in Andhra Pradesh

If anybody is claustrophobic - you don't have to worry too much. There are barely any chokepoints where you will come to standstill in an uncomfortable position. You will have to crouch a little at some places, but even those places are wide enough that two people can move past each other (which is to say that you almost always have the option to backtrack if you are uncomfortable). I haven't been clinically diagnosed with claustrophobia but I am uncomfortable in closed narrow spaces, and I did OK.

The bigger problem you will have is that the air will feel still, so at places you will get sweaty, fast. There are air ducts in various places, and if you stand directly underneath them you will feel a good gust of wind. The nearest one is usually a short walk away.

More details / points where I felt or think people can feel the most claustrophobic:

1. The meditation hall: This is a small inner cave, more like a small closed room. It can easily fit some 10 people, but to get to this room you have to go through a slightly constricted tunnel of length 10-15 feet as high as your diaphragm. It is quite short, so with some spirit you can easily get inside the room, take a quick look, and come on out.

2. There is a spiral staircase of some 30 steps that goes to a lower elevation. This is one place where if there was crowd, you might get stuck on the stairs. I went on a Saturday in July, and even with the crowd that was there I just waited till the stairs relatively freed up enough that there was sufficient space between me and the people below/above me.

3. The "waterfall": This is a small stream of water falling, inside another cave, just near the stairs mentioned above. There is a narrow maybe 6-8 ft portion just before you enter the waterfall cave where you have railings on one side and the wall of the cave on another, so in this short portion people are in a single file (the ceiling is some 20 ft up, so no problems there). Should you feel uncomfortable here, you're better off following the path marked "out" instead of going back up the spiral stairs: in about 2-3 mins, you'll reach back at a point you had visited earlier.

4. At the beginning, our guide pointed to some narrow opening and said we will emerge from here. I was shocked! It turned out that the opening was not as narrow as we thought, some part of the opening was below ground level, so it was just that we couldn't see. Towards the end of our trip, our guide kept his word and said he'll take us through the "adventure route". You will have to crouch to about a half-sitting position, but again the path is wide that two people can slide past, so again you can backtrack if you want to. We should have reached the other end in under a minute, and I daresay it was a bit underwhelming. The opening we came out through seemed a little bigger after we emerged from it :)

Of course I didn't say a lot about the cave itself: it was really nice and I am glad I decided to visit it despite my apprehensions. You will be able to explore a lot of the cave even if you stick to the wide and tall places. And with a small amount of spirit it's quite doable to cover the entire tour.

Things that can help:

1. Carry a small torch, for sure (no, I don't think phone flash will be adequate). There is decent lighting inside the caves, but it is not sufficient at places. The small torch I had lent quite some extra visibility. Some lights also change colours from red to blue, that can be quite disorienting. Just letting you know.

2. This might be a weird suggestion - but I wished I'd carried newspaper or some book or something with which I could fan myself.

Hope the review was useful!

Disclaimer: I am writing my own subjective experience and the text above is only to be treated as indicative. I cannot be held liable for any issues that...

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Belum Caves – A Breathtaking Underground Wonder!

If you're a nature lover, adventurer, or photography enthusiast, Belum Caves in Andhra Pradesh is an absolute must-visit. I recently explored this mesmerizing cave system during a weekend trip, and it turned out to be one of the most unforgettable experiences of my travels.

The first thing that caught my eye was the massive entrance pit. Looking up from the inside is a surreal experience — the sunlight pouring in, green vines hanging down, and ancient rock formations all around. The natural skylight above gives an almost magical feel and is perfect for wide-angle photography. The photos you see here barely do justice to how stunning it feels to stand there in person.

Once you step inside the caves, you enter a different world. The formations, the narrow passages, and the illuminated pathways are simply mind-blowing. The colored lighting in some sections adds an artistic vibe to the already dramatic interiors. There are several chambers and unique rock shapes that spark your curiosity at every turn. It’s not just a cave — it’s like walking through a live piece of ancient history formed over thousands of years.

I had to wait for more than an hour due to the weekend rush, but it was absolutely worth it. The place is well-maintained considering the number of visitors, and the pathways are mostly safe and well-lit. However, it’s advisable to wear good shoes, carry a water bottle, and avoid the visit during peak heat hours as it can get quite warm inside due to limited ventilation.

One of the best parts of the experience was the sense of calm and timelessness. Despite the crowd, you can find pockets of silence and just absorb the natural beauty around you. The echoing sounds, the dripping water, and the natural air pockets make it a living cave — not just a dead stone structure.

What really impressed me was the scale of these caves — they are among the longest in India, stretching over 3 km. Some paths are narrow, while others open up into massive halls that leave you in awe. It's a paradise for photographers, geologists, and even those who just enjoy something out of the ordinary.

Outside the caves, there are small shops for snacks, basic restrooms, and seating areas if you want to take a break. Though not a luxury facility, it’s good enough to refresh yourself before or after the cave tour.

Final Verdict: Belum Caves is a rare blend of adventure, natural wonder, and spiritual calmness. It’s a place that reminds you of how incredible Earth’s underground formations can be. Whether you're traveling with friends, family, or even solo, this destination will definitely leave you amazed.

Highly recommended for every...

I recently visited Belum Caves, the second-largest caves in India (3.5 km in length, with about 1.5 km open to visitors). It was a mix of awe and frustration — the natural wonder is truly impressive, but the way it’s managed takes away from the experience.

When I visited, the place was almost empty, which gave it a calm and peaceful vibe. Walking through the caves felt surreal — the rock formations and sheer silence created a powerful atmosphere. Still, there are some important things travelers should know.

Inside, the air is heavy, and you may experience breathing difficulties. Take it slow and carry water.

Maintenance is poor, with harsh lighting that ruins the raw beauty of the caves.

During my visit, a film shoot was happening, and they created artificial fog for it. This made breathing harder, and many visitors gave up halfway.

On the positive side: After finishing the cave walk, we met a local guide named Srinivasalu, and he was an absolute gem. He explained the history of Belum Caves and even suggested nearby spots worth visiting. He was very genuine, didn’t charge anything, and clearly loved his job. The other staff members were also attentive and polite.

There’s also a restaurant and restroom facilities at the property. We had food there, and it was quite good — nothing fancy, but enough to refresh you after the cave walk. One big drawback is the lack of proper public transport. If you’re relying on buses or other public travel, plan ahead and allow plenty of time.

⭐ Ratings (out of 5)

Natural Beauty: ★★★★★ (5/5) – Absolutely stunning and unique.

Atmosphere: ★★★★☆ (4/5) – Peaceful, but can get uncomfortable with air and crowding.

Maintenance: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) – Very poor lighting and lack of care.

Staff & Guide: ★★★★★ (5/5) – Kind, attentive, and genuinely helpful.

Food & Facilities: ★★★★☆ (4/5) – Decent food, clean restrooms.

Accessibility (Transport): ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) – Very limited public transport options.

Belum Caves is a natural wonder that every traveler should see at least once. The calm atmosphere, immense formations, and history make it unforgettable. However, poor maintenance, lighting issues, and film shoots are big negatives. On the brighter side, the guide and staff truly enhance the experience, and the available facilities make the visit manageable.

I’d recommend visiting, but go with realistic expectations — the caves themselves are magical, but the management needs serious...