The first showers rarely arrive quietly in the Eastern Ghats. They settle over the ridgelines as drifting mist, awaken seasonal streams and paint slopes in countless shades of green. For trekking enthusiasts, this is the season when the mountains around north Andhra Pradesh shed their dry summer character and reveal a landscape that is at once cooler, quieter and richly alive.
A woman meditates at Arma Konda or Jindhagada Peak, the highest mountain peak in both Andhra Pradesh and the Eastern Ghats, standing at an elevation of 1,690 metres.
| Photo Credit:
Hikoi Adventures
Over the last few years, guided trekking groups have noticed a growing interest in monsoon hikes among seasoned trekkers, families as well as first-time walkers looking to spend a weekend outdoors. Groups such as Eco Hikes and Hikoi Adventures conduct guided treks through several parts of the Eastern Ghats, ranging from demanding summit expeditions to short waterfall walks suitable for beginners.Above the cloudsAmong the region’s best-known summit trails are Jindagada Peak, Sinkaram Gutta, Galikonda, Endric Peak and the Sharada River Trek. Most are spread across two days, combining trekking with camping or an overnight stay at a nearby resort before completing the circuit. Rising beyond 1,000 metres, these routes are generally graded easy to moderate.
