Maredumilli
Forest waterfalls and tribal-led trips inland from Rajahmundry
A Maredumilli tour in Alluri Sitharama Raju district: Jalatarangini and Amruthadhara waterfalls, forest viewpoints and Konda Reddi and Koya hamlets.
Overview
Maredumilli is a forest area in Alluri Sitharama Raju district, Andhra Pradesh, about 90 km from Rajahmundry. A Maredumilli tour is built around tribal-led eco-tourism: waterfalls such as Jalatarangini and Amruthadhara, forest viewpoints, walking trails and village visits. It suits travellers who want trees and running water rather than a town, and the cooler months of October to February are the easiest time to plan one.
Promotional material calls the area "Andhra Ooty", a nickname that points to wooded hills rather than a hill station with a main street. The waterfalls give the visit its shape. Jalatarangini is the one most often named, and it appears again among the activities listed for the area's tourism festival, alongside guided nature walks, trekking and camping. The landscape has also served as a backdrop for films and television shows, so you may recognise a few of the views.
People are as much a part of the trip as scenery. The Konda Reddi and Koya communities live in and around the forest, and visits are organised so that they lead the experience: showing crafts, performing songs and dances, and selling forest produce and handmade goods. Bamboo chicken is the local dish most often mentioned. Treat these as working villages. Ask before taking photographs of residents, and buy directly from the people who made the item whenever you can.
Rajahmundry is the practical starting point, since it has the nearest airport, a main-line railway station and a National Highway 216 connection. Because the forest department sets which trails, stays and activities run in a given season, confirm the current arrangement before you fix dates, and keep a spare day in case a trail is closed. Let local guides set the pace instead of packing every named falls into a single outing. One day can hold a waterfall and a viewpoint, but a night or two in the forest gives time for a village visit as well. Pairing Maredumilli with a Godavari boat cruise toward the Papi Hills works well, because both begin from the Rajahmundry side, though each deserves its own day.
Known for
The best-known waterfall of the area, set in dense forest
Quick facts
October to February is the pleasantly cool peak season for the Rajahmundry region, which includes Maredumilli (no Maredumilli-specific climate figures were found).
Rajahmundry Airport (RJA), about 17 km from Rajahmundry city centre. Distance to Maredumilli (to be supplied); the town of Rajahmundry is about 90 km away
Rajahmundry (RJY), about 5 km from the city centre; distance to Maredumilli (to be supplied)
National Highway 216 serves Rajahmundry, with bus services from major cities. The road route to Maredumilli and drive time (to be supplied).
Confirm with the forest department which trails, stays and activities are open for your dates, because access depends on the season and departmental orders
Ask permission before photographing residents of Konda Reddi and Koya hamlets, and buy forest produce and crafts from the makers
Wear shoes with grip and carry drinking water for the forest trails toward Jalatarangini, and plan walks for daylight
Location
Packages that visit Maredumilli
All packages →Maredumilli Forest and Papikondalu River Cruise
A Maredumilli Papikondalu tour package: forest waterfalls and viewpoints, then a Godavari boat trip through the Papi Hills with a riverside night stay.
Maredumilli → Papikondalu (Papi Hills)Wildlife & NaturePlan a trip to Maredumilli
Tell us your dates and we will shape the route.