Photo: Cyberdoctorind · CC BY-SA 4.0
Hyderabad to Srisailam cab, timed around the forest gate
Srisailam is about 232 km from Hyderabad on NH765, through Kalwakurthy and then roughly 55 km of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve before the ghat climb. Five to five and a half hours.
One fact decides this entire trip and almost no cab website mentions it: the forest road is closed to all traffic between 21:00 and 06:00. Miss the gate and you are sleeping at Mannanur. We plan the day around it in both directions.
Book this tripHyderabad to Srisailam distance and travel time
- Distance: 232 km one way
- Travel time: 5–5.5 hours
- Route: NH765 via Kalwakurthy and the Amrabad Tiger Reserve
- Charging stop: None needed on this route
- Car: BYD e6 electric SUV, 4 seats, 4 large suitcases
Charging on the Hyderabad to Srisailam route
We leave Hyderabad at 100% from the fast-charging hub on the Srisailam Highway itself, and 232 km is inside a single charge. That is deliberate rather than convenient: there is exactly one charger between Hyderabad and Srisailam, deep inside the tiger reserve at Mannanur, and it was reported out of service for over a week this month. We do not plan a trip that depends on it. Srisailam has charging at the temple end, and we are still verifying its connector type before we name it here.
We are field-verifying the chargers on this route — our chauffeurs charge at each one and photograph it before we list it here. Until then, our operations team plans and confirms the charging stop for your specific booking.
What to know about this drive
- NH765 through the Amrabad Tiger Reserve is closed to all traffic from 21:00 to 06:00, with checkposts at Mannanur and Domalapenta. The speed limit inside is 30 kmph and stopping on the forest road is not permitted except at the gates.
- If you are booking the 21:00 Sparsha darshan, you cannot return to Hyderabad that night — the gate will already be shut. That trip has to be an overnight. To return the same day, we leave Srisailam by about 19:00.
- There is no fuel, no tyre service and effectively no mobile signal across the reserve. The last dependable services are at Kalwakurthy or Achampet.
- Between 1 July and 30 September the tiger reserve closes its eco-tourism — safaris, trekking and some of the outlying shrines. The highway and the Mallikarjuna temple stay open.
Places to stop between Hyderabad and Srisailam
- Kalwakurthy: The last town with full services before the forest — fuel, food and phone signal.
- Mannanur: The forest checkpost and the start of the reserve stretch.
- Domalapenta: The second checkpost, near the Krishna river.
- Srisailam ropeway: Haritha Hotel down to Patalaganga on the Krishna, running 06:00 to 17:00.
Frequently asked questions
What time does the Srisailam forest road close?
The Amrabad Tiger Reserve stretch of NH765 is closed to all traffic between 21:00 and 06:00. The cut-off is at the checkpost, not at Srisailam, so we plan to clear Mannanur well before nine.
Can we do Srisailam as a same-day return from Hyderabad?
Yes, if the darshan is in the morning or early afternoon. We would need to leave Srisailam by about 19:00 to clear the forest gates. If you have booked the late Sparsha darshan slot, it has to be an overnight trip.
Is there mobile signal on the way?
Not across the reserve — roughly 80 km with little to no coverage. Your chauffeur knows the route and the gate timings, but tell anyone expecting to hear from you that there will be a gap.
Which route is better, via Mannanur or via Dornala?
Mannanur, in both directions. That is the direct road from Hyderabad. Dornala is the Andhra-side gate approached from Markapur and is only relevant if you are continuing south afterwards.
Does the road cross the Srisailam dam?
No, traffic uses a separate bridge rather than the dam itself. Your chauffeur will know the current arrangement, which can change with water levels and security.
Will an electric car make it to Srisailam without running out of charge?
Yes, comfortably. We depart at 100% charge and this route is well within a single charge. The BYD e6 carries a 71.7 kWh battery and returns 380-420 km on a highway with the air conditioning on and a full load - measured on our own cars, not a lab figure.
What happens if the charging station is not working?
Every planned stop has at least one named alternative within reach, and our operations team checks charger status on the morning of departure. Charger downtime is a real problem on Indian highways, which is why we plan for it rather than hope.
Does the charging stop make the trip longer?
We budget a full hour for a charging stop, and we schedule it where you would want a break anyway - somewhere with a clean restroom and food. Often it takes less, but we plan the day on an hour so a busy charger does not put you behind schedule.
Which car will I get?
Every Shoffr outstation trip is a BYD e6 - a quiet, Innova-sized electric SUV that seats 4 adults and fits 4 large suitcases, with a 71.7 kWh battery.
Are fares fixed, or does the price change on the day?
The fare is fixed when you book. There is no surge pricing and no renegotiation with the driver. Tolls are payable separately on applicable routes.
Can I travel with my pet?
Yes - Shoffr is officially pet-friendly. Indicate pets while booking; a deep-cleaning fee of Rs 500 for cats and Rs 750 for dogs applies.