Hyderabad to Imphal Flights

  About Hyderabad

Hyderabad, in Andhra Pradesh, is a city that flourished during the rule of the Nizams is a place that you must visit. While it is popular for the monuments and palaces that it boasts of, it also became popular for the increasing craze of cinema and the creative liberty that the artists took to create masterpieces. It is the capital of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, both. Hyderabadi is also known for introducing the best Biryanis to the world.

Though Hyderabad has flourished and developed a lot, it has also maintained some of its old charms to keep history alive. The Charminar, which literally translates to four minarets, is a major tourist attraction in Hyderabad. You must also visit the Ramoji Film City, which is a little further away from the main city but it is totally worth it. Not only will you get to visit the magnificent film sets but you will also come across a lot of stories about the place. If you're lucky, you might even run into your favourite actor.

Hyderabadi food tends to be more on the spicier side, and if your taste buds can handle it, you'll want to pack some of it and take it back home. Apart from the monuments and palaces, Hyderabad also has a spot for all you shopaholics. It is known for its pearl jewellery. You get the best pearl and silver jewellery in the city and at an affordable price, too. The city is also popular for the Karachi Bakery, where you get the most delicious cookies, biscuits and other snacks. There's one near the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, too. Make sure you stop by to take home some delicious snacks for your family and friends.

Hyderabad also has quite a lot of clubs, fancy restaurants and malls for the youngsters. You'll find a lot of upcoming new cafes and coffee breweries in the city, too. The city has a blend of old and new traditions. The Golconda Fort is a popular tourist attraction in Hyderabad. It is one of India's many architectural wonders and is built on a 400-feet high granite hill. There is a particular location below the entrance dome under which, if you clap, it will be heard a kilometre away at a pavilion. This is one of the major accomplishments of the fort, and this was made so a message could be delivered to the royals in advance, in case there was an impending attack. It was built in the 12th century and is a highly recommended place to visit.

The Chowmahalla Palace was built in the 18th century, and it spells grandeur. Spot the Belgian crystal chandeliers and white marble floors that will make you want to redecorate your own house. The Hussain Sagar Lake is an artificial lake that used to be Hyderabad's water supply before two more lakes were built. A statue of Buddha is lit up at night and stands tall in the middle of the lake. You can go boating here and soak in the serene view. The sunset is breathtaking from the lake.

The Ramoji Film City is the world's biggest film studio complex and welcomes tourists from all over the country. You can even book a hotel within the complex since it is quite far away from the city. You can opt for a tour guide who will show you around the city or one of the tour buses that have a group of tourists to get around the complex. If you are lucky, you might even come across your favourite celebrity in the film complex.

Best Time to Visit Hyderabad

Hyderabad witnesses winters from November to February. The temperature drops down to 13 degrees Celsius and goes up to 25 degree Celsius maximum. Winters are quite chilly and are also ideal for sightseeing in the city. This is also the best time for you to go shopping and there are chances that the markets will be crowded since it's the peak season for the city.

It rains in Hyderabad from August to October. It gets rainfall that's moderate to heavy, which works really well since the city becomes greener. The rains are quite unpredictable, and it might make you sit in your hotel room instead of venturing out. But you can head out when the rainfall is mediocre.

Hyderabad sees a long summer that starts from March and lasts till July. May and July witness the highest temperatures that also brings in humidity. Summer is not a very favourable time for you to plan your trip to Hyderabad, but you can visit the city during winter or the initial days of monsoon.

Places to visit in Hyderabad

The Golconda Fort is one of the oldest and an important place to visit in Hyderabad. Ruins of the fort are worth visiting. It gives you a sneak peek into the history, and you'll even come across a few untold stories. Charminar is yet another monument that is deemed important and is buzzing with tourists all year round.

Ramoji Film City is also one of the most popular destinations in Hyderabad. It is the world's biggest film studios complex, and it even says so in the Guinness World Book of Records. Since Ramoji Film City is quite far from the city, you should dedicate an entire day to exploring the film studio complex. You can book an accommodation stay or within the complex to avoid hectic travelling.

The Hussain Sagar Lake is another major attraction and best way to spend the evening. Catch the sunset at the manmade lake and grab your favourite chaat at the stalls around the lake. Chowmahalla Palace is another place you must visit to experience the grandiose and luxe of palace life.

Things to do in Hyderabad

Hyderabad is a city for all kinds of tourists. You can go on a historical tour to all the monuments, forts and museums or you can go partying at some of the most happening places. Or just make a list of restaurants that are popular in the city and eat at all of them. Book a tour to the Ramoji Film City instead of trying to take things in your own hands. It will be more comfortable, and you won't feel all lost when you reach the location on your own. Not to mention, a tour guide always has interesting, untold stories to tell while taking you on tour. Go for a drive at the Queen's Necklace in the evening, and you won't regret it. It will be an evening well spent.

You can also visit the NTR Gardens which was made as a tribute to former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and celebrated actor, NT Rama Rao. If you are travelling with your kids, they will surely enjoy spending time here. Learn more about the history of Hyderabad and everything that has changed over time. Hyderabad is also known for the gems that it sells. You can buy as many pearl or silver jewellery as you please. There are a lot of authentic jewellery stores in the city where you will find precisely what you want without shelling out more money.

Food and Restaurants in Hyderabad

You can order a Hyderabadi Biryani wherever you go in Hyderabad. It's one of the most famous biryanis in the country, and you can order it without hesitating from any restaurant that you find. Try the Boti Kebab at Hotel Shadab in Ghansi Bazaar or Paradise at Paradise Circle in Secunderabad. It's a special kebab that you will enjoy from the first till the last bite. Qubani Ka Meetha is yet another Hyderabadi dessert that you must try. While you are at Hotel Shadab, do try the Mirchi ka Salan, another popular dish in Hyderabad.

How to reach Hyderabad

By Air

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is the nearest airport to Hyderabad but is quite far away from the main city. The flight connectivity is pretty strong. It connects all the domestic routes to Hyderabad and international routes from the city, too. All the major cities are well-connected by air. Do look for decent flight deals online and see if you can manage to get cheap flight tickets. Though the main city is quite far from the airport, you will get a private taxi or bus quite easily from the airport.

By Rail

Hyderabad is well-connected to all the other cities by rail through Secunderabad, Hyderabad and Kachiguda railway stations. Most trains that are travelling to and from major metropolitan cities pass through Secunderabad station. Train journeys are quite comfortable, and if you do not have any time constraints, you can opt for a train journey.

By Road

Buses and private taxis run to and from Hyderabad quite frequently. In fact, you can get private buses that run to Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai, too. There are quite buses connecting Andhra Pradesh to other neighbouring states, too.

  About Imphal

Situated in Manipur, Imphal is one of the gems in the North-East of India. It is also the capital of Manipur and has an enchanting view of the Himalayas and the different rivers that make it a popular tourist destination. Planning a trip to Imphal will be one of the best decisions you will make, and just the view will rejuvenate you. Apart from the hills and the rivers, Imphal also has museums and forts and museums that you don't want to miss. You won't feel like coming back from Imphal when you reach the place. You can also add it to your itinerary if you are planning a trip to cover most of the North-East.

Best Time to Visit Imphal

Imphal is beautiful all year round, and though you will not be able to enjoy getting around the city a lot during monsoon, the view of the lush green hills and rivers won't disappoint you. September to April is considered ideal for planning your visit to Imphal. It's the end of monsoon till the beginning of summer. The temperature drops to 4 degree Celsius during the day in winter and is the best time to venture out. Winter also attracts a lot of tourists which might get you a good flight deal to Imphal. Make sure you book a hotel in Imphal with a beautiful view if you are visiting the city during this season. Check out flight deals to Imphal online before you plan your trip during this season.

April to June is summer in Imphal, and the temperature can rise to 35 degree Celsius. Summer is also an ideal time to visit Imphal. You will be able to opt for a lot of adventure and outdoor activities during the summer.

Even though Imphal does not receive heavy rainfall, it does have strong winds blowing and intermittent rainfall, making it difficult for you to venture out. The monsoon starts from June and lasts till September. The weather, however, might put you in a bad mood and you won't be able to step out a lot during the season.

Places to Visit in Imphal

The Palace of Kangla is one of the main tourist attractions in Imphal. Not only will you be amazed by the beautiful palace that has an artificial lake surrounding it, but you will also come across the interesting history of the palace and the rulers. Visit the Manipur Zoological Gardens in Lamphelpat, 8 km away from Imphal. You will be given various options to choose from like a safari ride or a bird watching tour or wildlife photography. You will find this place very comforting and will leave with a smile on your face. The Loktak Lake is one of the largest freshwater bodies in North-East India and has several big and small islands floating on the surface.

The Keibul Lamjao National Park is home to the endangered Manipur Eld deer or the Sangai. You will also spot 420 other species of animals and 50 odd species of birds here. Visit the Imphal valley to experience nature at its best. It takes about 3 hours to reach the valley, and the enchanting view will leave you mesmerised. The Tharon Cave is yet another popular tourist attraction that you can visit. Make sure you have a map of the cap if you are entering the cave. The Singda Dam is one of the highest dams made from mud in the world. It has a very serene ambience and is a popular picnic spot, too. You can also visit the Manipur State Museum to know more about its history, archaeology and more.

Things to do in Imphal

Catch a game of polo at the Imphal Polo Ground. The game originated from a local Manipuri game called Sagol Kagei. The British found it so fascinating that they decided to take it to a global level. You can even try to learn the sport yourself or give it a try. You cannot vacation in Manipur without watching the Manipuri dance form Thabal Congba live. You can watch artists perform to the folk dance during Holi. The Raas Leela is another dance form that is popular here. It tells the story of Lord Krishna and Radha's eternal love story. You can also attend and be a part of the colourful festivals of the city.

Thangal Bazaar, Paona Bazaar, Kakwa Bazaar and Imphal Supermarket are some of the popular spots in the city to go shopping. You can buy souvenirs for your friends and family. You will get lots of handicrafts and jewellery for yourself. You'll even get all of these at affordable prices without having to bargain a lot. You can dedicate one evening just to shop and enjoy the local cuisines. Since the city has quite a lot of hills and rivers to its credit, you can also go hiking or trekking to one of the hills. Choose a spot on top of the hill and make it your own picnic spot. You can even sit and meditate by a river and fall in love with nature all over again. You can learn more about the Manipuri culture by booking a homestay and interacting with more people. You can also learn the language while you are there and impress the locals. Make sure you leave the city by making at least one friend from the city.

You can also go hiking at the Imphal Valley and don't forget to take your camera to capture nature at its best. Keep the weather in mind before you make any plans to go hiking or trekking. If it is monsoon, either take your umbrella with you or try to not make any plans to venture out during this season. You can also visit a cafe or sit in a secluded spot near one of the waterfalls and chill with a book. There is no greater joy for an avid reader than to sit with your favourite book and bond with nature, all at the same time.

Foods and Restaurants in Imphal

Manipuri food is said to be very healthy and quite simple, too. A lot of ingredients used in the food are organic, which is one of the reasons why it is considered healthy. But that doesn't mean it is bland. Manipuri food is super spicy and has less oil. They use chilli pepper in their food instead of garam masala. Not only is their preparation quite simple, but they grow most of the ingredients themselves in their backyard. Chamthong or Kangshoi is a very healthy vegetable stew that is cooked in Manipur. It is also quite popular in the state. Eromba, a combination of fish and boiled vegetables, is also popular in Imphal. Fair warning, the locals here consider fish as a vegetarian so you might want to be clear about what you don't want in your vegetarian food.

Naoba's Chakhumang Restaurant is quite popular around here and is a small, cosy place. It is famous for its soups and chow mein. Coffee and cake are best served at the Classic Cafe in Imphal. Head over to Sangai Continental for a luxe dining experience. The restaurant has an open and live kitchen, and you'll find it at Thangal Bazaar. Luxmi Kitchen is yet another popular food joint in Imphal. It doesn't burn a hole in your pocket but also leaves you satisfied. Their thali is quite famous, and you might want to reach before 3 pm if you're going to try the thali. Imoinu Lamphel is a restaurant that is only run by women. It's another popular food joint in the city.

How to reach Imphal

By Air

Imphal Tulihal Airport is the nearest one to the city about 8 km away from the city centre. The flight connectivity from Imphal is pretty decent. Flights from Imphal connect to Kolkata, Guwahati, Hyderabad and Delhi. Since there are no direct international routes from Imphal, you will have to change trains from Guwahati, which has an international airport. If you book during the right season, you might get a good deal on flights to Imphal.

By Rail

There is no direct way to reach Imphal by train. The nearest station is Dimapur railway station or Guwahati station. You will have to take a bus or private taxi from these stations and then reach Imphal. It won't be very difficult to find a decent mode of commute to reach Imphal from these stations.

By Road

Guwahati, Kohima, Silchar and Dimapur are some of the popular routes to reach Imphal by road. There are several national highways connecting these roads to Imphal. None of these modes of transport is more or less comfortable so you can pick whichever fits your budget or whichever seems more convenient to you. Try to avoid travelling by road during monsoon. Though the weather won't be a problem, there are chances you might get stuck if there is a torrential downpour.

  About Hyderabad Airport

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport or Hyderabad Airport serves as the international airport to the city of Hyderabad in Telangana state. The airport is situated about 24 km in the South of Hyderabad, in Shamshabad. The Hyderabad Airport has one passenger terminal which caters to both, domestic and international airlines. The airport also has a cargo terminal as well as two runways. An aviation training facility is also prevalent at the airport along with a fuel farm and a solar power plant. It is recognized as the sixth busiest airport in India, in terms of passenger traffic. The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport also caters as a hub to airlines such as Alliance Air, SpiceJet, Lufthansa Cargo, TruJet, Quikjet Cargo and IndiGo. Hyderabad is a focus city for Air India.

About Hyderabad Airport Terminals

The Hyderabad International Airport has one only terminal which integrates the domestic and international sides of terminals. The area covered is 1,133,000 sq ft and has a scope to accommodate 12 million passengers in a year. While the western wing of the airport terminal takes care of the international flights, the eastern side takes cate of domestic flight operations. There are about 96 check-in counters, 19 self-check-in kiosks and close to 46 counters of immigration. A total of nine gates are present at the airport, located on the south of the terminal whereas there are two more in the north. Passenger lounge facilities are available and provided by the Plaza Premium Lounge. Separate lounges for VIP are also available in the terminal. The airport has ten aerobridges and about 57 parking bays. GHIAL recently added 26 more parking bays to the are, taking the new tally to 83 parking bays.

About airport authority

The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport or RGIA is possessed and operated by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd. (GHIAL). It is a public-private undertaking which comprises of public entities, including the Airports Authority of India and the Government of Telangana, along with private organizations namely, GMR Group and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad. While the AAI and Government of Telangana hold 13 per cent respectively, the private entities such as GMR Group and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad have 63 and 11 per cent holdings respectively. According to the agreement acknowledged by GHIAL and the Central Government, GHIAL has the right to function the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport for 30 years. Further from the completion of the years, GHIAL further receives an option to choose if they wish to continue another 30 years of association.

Facilities at Hyderabad Airport

Special assistance - The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has provisions to cater to the travellers ranging from escorting senior citizens to portage facilities. Some of the special assistance features include asking for baby strollers, to help expectant mothers or senior citizens with wheelchairs, helping passengers with mobility issues, helping accompany minors, catering to passengers who are travelling with pets, buggy services and other such concerns. You can avail the services at the information desk. Or you can make prior intimation with the airlines that would help the staff be prepared for your demands.

VIP facilities - The airport does have several VIP services available. As it is one of the top 10 international airports in the country, the services are quite world-class, including the lounge accommodation. There are meeting rooms and lounge areas for travellers with first-class or business class tickets. There are showers and spas also available at the airport to help in-transit passengers to relax. In fact, the VIP lounges and hotels where travellers can relax before they take their connecting flight.

Restaurants and cafes - You will find some excellent restaurants and food establishments at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. This includes small food and beverage kiosks and a dedicated food court. There are global food joints such as KFC, Subway, McDonald's and more. Some of them are also available at the departure and arrival areas. The departure zones at domestic and international terminals also have upscale restaurants and bars that you can check out.

Lost and found - The airport also offers lost and found services that you can avail. The centre is open 24/7, so you can visit the room whenever there is an item that you have lost. You will need your boarding card, photo identity card (this could include passport, visa, driver's licence, voter's card, etc.) and a proof that substantiates the fact that you are the rightful owner of the lost item. In case you are unable to visit the lost and found centre yourself, you can send a representative. However, while you do that, you will need to provide an authorized letter from the passenger and include a description of the lost item. The said person will also need to show relevant ID proofs.

Prayer room - Rajiv Gandhi International Airport also has convenient prayer/multifaith rooms within the premise of the passenger terminal building. There are two rooms present at the airport.

Baggage - The luggage facilities at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport are also top-notch. As the airport caters to domestic and international passengers, the airport does have luggage services include wrapping and porter facilities. To avoid theft and mishandling of luggage, you can opt for baggage plastic wrapping. There are trolleys also available at the departure and arrival gates of the terminal building.

Child care centre - There are dedicated child care rooms available at the arrival and departure zones of the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. The rooms are well-maintained and cleaned properly. The airport staff also keep the child care rooms clean and sanitized. There are baby products also available as are provisions of a comfortable chair for feeding and changing table for a diaper change.

Medical services - The airport also reserved medical services to aid to emergency cases. They are available at proper intervals to ensure that the help arrives quickly in time of immediate assistance. You can also visit the information desk to get hold of some medical assistance. The medical services are provided by Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited. It is a 24/7 service with pharmacy and paramedics. The airport also has well-trained doctors available who cater to the treatment centre. There is a dedicated ambulance service also available at the airport.

Airport transit hotel - One of the highlights of the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is that the airport accommodates a hotel for in-transit passengers. You can get more details on the same at the information desk, available at all intervals. The airport has lodge services with AC and Non-AC dorms. The prices of the same are mentioned on the website of GHIAL as well as at the information desk. You can further opt for deluxe rooms and shower booths as well, to freshen up.

Top airlines flying from Hyderabad Airport

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is known to serve about 18 international destinations and 45 domestic cities. As one of the top ten busiest airports in India, Hyderabad Airport's connectivity in terms of domestic as well as international cities is excellent. It manages to connect several cities and is also known to operate a plethora of airlines. The Hyderabad airport is recognized to serve domestic airlines such as Air India, Alliance Air, Vistara, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet and TruJet. Not just major cities in India but Hyderabad also provides great service to connect to smaller cities and towns too. While the prominent domestic airlines from Hyderabad Airport cater to major cities such as Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Jaipur, Pune, Visakhapatnam and Guwahati, it also has connectivity with smaller cities.

As the city also caters to connecting 18 international destinations, the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport also has tremendous globally recognized airlines. Air Arabia, Air Asia, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Gulf Air, Jazeera Airways, Malaysian Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Silkair, Srilankan Airlines, Thai Airways and Flynas, are some of the airlines that operate from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. The airport also plays the role of connecting domestic cities to international airlines to fly abroad. Cities such as Sharjah, Kuwait, Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, London, Colombo-Bandaranaike, Doha, to name a few, have good connectivity from the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.

How to reach Hyderabad Airport

Thanks to the services provided by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation, the accessibility to reach Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is excellent. There are direct buses that are provided for individuals travelling from the city centre to the airport. It is one of the most comfortable transport facilities to reach Hyderabad Airport. A flyover was constructed to reach the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport without facing excess traffic. The flyover has been constructed on the National Highway 44 and National Highway 765, interspersed with the Outer Ring Road. Called the PV Narasimha Rao Expressway, the flyover is perfect and helps reach the Hyderabad Airport without dealing with the city traffic. Although the Hyderabad Metro Rail's second phase is in the works to connect a line to the airport terminal, it is still in the process. Taxi cabs are the best modes of transport that can be considered to reach Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.