Some treks are about a summit. Galikonda is about the ridge — kilometres of open grassland walking with the wind for company.
Rising to 1,643 m above Araku Valley, Galikonda is one of the finest monsoon treks in the Eastern Ghats. The trail moves along long grassland ridges, past streams and misty saddles, with panoramic views in every direction. The regular circuit runs 8–14 km over two days; an extended 28–30 km circuit turns it into a three-day traverse. By night, the tents glow under some of the darkest skies in Andhra.
The journey
Day 1Up to the ridge
Rushikonda · Madhurwada · MVP · Annavaram · Vepagunta
Coffee country — a short stop before the trailhead
Forest paths opening into grassland
The wind writes the soundtrack
Day 2The long ridge
Cloud-filled valleys on both sides
Grasslands, streams and saddles
Through Araku, with a coffee stop
*Timings are approximate and may vary with weather and trail conditions.
Moments from this trail
What your contribution holds
Everything that's taken care of
Both ways, in shared vehicles — pickups across the city
Day 1 — breakfast, lunch & dinner · Day 2 — breakfast & lunch
Tents, mattresses & sleeping bags — all provided
EcoHikes trek lead with local community guides
Kits carried by the leads throughout
Permissions and coordination
- Personal expenses
- Anything not mentioned above
What to carry
- Quick-dry full-sleeve t-shirt & trousers
- Sweater / jacket, beanie, cap
- Raincoat & rain pant (monsoon)
- Trekking shoes & extra socks
- 2 litres water & electrolytes
- Sunscreen, sunglasses
- Headlamp / torch
- Snacks & an extra pair of clothes
Questions, answered
How hard is the trek?
Moderate — regular walkers and beginners with good fitness are comfortable. The 28–30 km long circuit is for experienced trekkers.
Why is it called the mountain of winds?
Gali is wind in Telugu — the ridge is open and breezy almost year-round, which is exactly its charm.
When is it most beautiful?
Monsoon, without question — it's one of the best monsoon treks in the Eastern Ghats. Winter brings clearer skies and cloud seas at dawn.
Where do we sleep?
In tents on the ridge — tents, mattresses and sleeping bags are provided.
Is there network?
Patchy after Araku. Plan to be offline.
What people say
“Incredibly friendly guides — knowledgeable, always ready to help, and they made the journey fun and safe. They took time to explain things and made the trek enjoyable for everyone.”
“What makes Eco Hikes special is the authenticity — no rush, no commercial vibe, just genuine people helping you connect deeply with nature.”
“Ravi, Naveen and Manohar take care of the people and make every trek safe and memorable. My 3rd time trekking with Ecohikes and many more to come.”
Similar experiences
How joining works
Fill the short form or write to us — we reply within a day.
A quick call or WhatsApp — fitness, season, group, dates.
A 50% advance holds your place; the rest on trek day.
Your confirmation arrives by mail — and you join the batch WhatsApp circle.