Tirupati to Krabi Flights

  About Tirupati

Tirupati or Tirumala as a lot of people call it, is one of the most visited temples in India. It's also one of the richest shrines in the country. Tirupati is the place of worship for Lord Balaji or Sri Venkateshwara, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Hundreds and thousands of devotees visit Tirupati daily to offer their prayers. It is a tradition among a lot of people to shave their heads and offer their hair at his feet to seek his blessings. It is believed that Lord Vishnu incarnated on earth as Balaji to save mankind from all the troubles in Kali Yug. People wait for hours in a queue to get a glimpse of God and offer their prayers. The temple is located on seven hills in Andhra Pradesh, which is yet another speciality about the temple. Though Tirupati is majorly known for its religious significance, there is a lot more than you can do here.

You can visit the Sri Venkateswara National Park after your darshan. The beautiful landscape and view of the valleys will take your breath away. The Sri Venkateswara National Park was built in 1989 and was declared a National Park in 1998. The national park is home to a lot of exotic animals like the Nilgai, Flying Lizard, Hyena and Golden Gecko. You have to pay a certain price for tickets to enter the park and spending some time here will definitely be a treat to the eyes and the mind. If you are in Tirupati with your family and kids, the little ones will definitely be delighted to spot the animals. In addition to this, the holy place also boasts of a Deer Park. You'll find different species of deer and might even get to feed them. You'll find solace from the crowd and spend some time with nature and nature's best here.

You can also immerse in the holy waters of Papavinasam Theertham. It is believed that taking a dip in this holy water will rid you of your sins. Just being here calms your mind and takes you to your happy place. You will also find a lot of waterfalls like the Talakona waterfall, Vaikuntha theertham and so on. There will be several places in the complex where you can sit and meditate. The early morning aarti is one of the most overwhelming and divine feelings. The chants and devotional mantras echo through the hills early in the morning. Swami Pushkarini lake is also a highly recommended place to visit in Tirupati.

Though you will have to adhere to certain decorum and rules when visiting the temple. A strict dress code to wear something traditional must be followed in the temple vicinity. You are also not allowed to consume alcohol or non-vegetarian food while you are in the temple premises. Not to mention, the queue can tend to get on your nerves, so avoid getting into any fights or heated arguments. You will not be allowed to bring any of your gadgets like the camera or phone. While a lot of people believe that shaving their head off and donating their hair is essential, it entirely depends on you and whether you want to do it. It will be fairly easier for you to find and book a hotel in Tirupati.

Best Time to Visit Tirupati

September to February is an ideal time to visit Tirupati. This is when the city experiences winter and the weather is quite pleasant during the day. It can get quite nippy in the night and early mornings can be quite chilly though. The summer will be pretty unpleasant to handle since the southern part of India does experience scorching heat during April and May. It rains in Tirupati from July to September, and while monsoon does make the weather quite pleasant, it won't be the best time to climb the hill even by a car or bus.

Places to Visit in Tirupati

Apart from the main temple of Tirumala Balaji, it is also mandatory to offer your prayers at Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple. It is believed that your prayers will not be complete unless you pray to the Goddess, and according to scriptures, it is important that you pay respects to the Goddess first before heading to Tirumala. Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple is not very close to Lord Balaji's temple. After offering your prayers at the Sri Venkateswara Temple, you can visit the Srivari Museum to know more about Tirupati's inception and how it became one of the most popular temples in the country.

Head over to Papavinasam Theertham to take a dip in the holy water. It is believed that it will wash away your sins, and it also calms your mind instantly. It's the sheer sanctity of the place that makes you embrace your spiritual side. Tirupati is also home to many exotic animals. The Sri Venkateswara National Park houses animals like Hyenas, Nilgai, Golden Gecko and more. You can visit the National Park with your family or alone. You must also visit the Deer Park that has deers of different species, and they're quite friendly, too. If you're lucky, you might get to feed the deers.

Take a tour of the Srivara Museum. You'll get to read more stories about the inception of the temple and the Gods and Goddesses. Since the temple is located on seven hills, each hill has been named after a God or devotee of mythological importance. There is Vrushabhadri, which is also called as the Hill of Nandi, the biggest devotee of Lord Shiva and also an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Anjanadri is the Hill of Hanuman, Neeladri is the Hill of Neela Devi, Garudachalam is the Hill of Garuda, Seshadri is the Hill of Sesha, Narayanadri is the Hill of Narayana and Venkatadri is the Hill of Venkateswara.

There are also a lot of sub-temples and shrines that you can visit along with the Sri Padmavathi Ammavari and Sri Venkateswara temples.

Things to do in Tirupati

Find a spot in the temple after your darshan and just sit in peace to meditate for a while before you make your itinerary. Do not forget to take the famous Tirupati laddoo that is served as the prasad. The temple also serves puliogare, a savoury rice, that is also served as the prasad. The temple city can get noisy, so get away from the hubbub of the crowded places and visit one of the famous waterfalls. You can quietly sit and admire the nature around you. The serene aura of the place and the breathtakingly beautiful scenario makes for the perfect place to take pictures, too.

The National Park and the Deer Park make for the perfect locations to put your wildlife photography skills to the test. While a lot of people rent a car or take a bus to get up to the hill, some even walk or climb all the way up. Though some do it because they love a nice trek, a lot of people do it out of pure devotion to the Gods. Don't just go to Tirupati to offer your prayers to God but also make the most of it by getting to know more about the place and visiting all of the other places mentioned here. Being close to nature is also one of the best places and moments to introspect or to just leave all your worries behind and live in the moment. You will surely be able to leave all your worries behind and be optimistic effortlessly once you visit Tirumala.

Food and Restaurants in Tirupati

While there will be no non-vegetarian food served within the temple premises or on the hilltop, you will find restaurants serving non-veg food a little away from Tirumala. Andhra Spice and Hyderabad House are some of the popular restaurants that serve non-vegetarian food. It goes without saying that it will be quite easy to find South Indian food in the area, and the food will not disappoint you one bit.

How to reach Tirupati (Transportation)

By Air

While there is no international connectivity of flights directly, the domestic flights frequently run to and from Tirupati Airport. You will get pretty good flight deals and cheap flight tickets, too, if you book at the right time. Don't forget to look for offers on flights online. You can also land at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad and take a bus or hire a cab from the airport to Tirumala.

By Rail

Tirupati Railway station is connected to domestic routes like Bangalore, Chennai, Vishakapatnam and Madurai. Renigunta station is also quite close to Tirupati and an easier way to get to Tirupati.

By Road

You will find multiple bus services that run from cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai and every part of Andhra Pradesh to Tirupati. It is advisable to carry a few medicines or chocolates with you if you suffer from motion sickness because the way to go up the hill is going to be full of twists and turns.

  About Krabi

Krabi is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Thailand and sees a lot of tourists during peak season. The island is a preferred choice if you want to be amidst nature. Not only does it have a lot of islands, but it has hot springs, temples and wildlife also for you to explore. You can either go on an island tour or to all of the beaches that Krabi has to offer. Snorkelling, trekking, swimming are some of the most popular activities among tourists in Krabi. Southern Thailand is a popular choice among travellers and for all the right reasons, too. A lot of travellers also club a trip to Krabi with a few days in Phuket since they are not that far. You can take a ferry ride from Phuket and reach Krabi in just a few hours. You can book a hotel in Krabi that is right by the beach or something that is at a hilltop so you can relax in an ocean view room.

Best Time to Visit Krabi

November through March is considered to be a high season in Krabi. The temperature does not fall beyond 27 degree Celsius during the day and remains pleasant. While it rains in Krabi otherwise, November to March are the driest months on the island. It is the ideal time to hit the beach, indulge in water sports or lie on the beach to soak in the sun. You can opt for snorkelling, scuba diving and a lot of other activities during this time without hesitating. Book your hotel in Krabi well in advance since this is peak season. Finding the right accommodation that suits all of your needs might be difficult at the last moment since the demand is high. You will also need to book your flight tickets to Krabi in advance if you are travelling in the high season. Christmas and New Year are when the island is crowded the most. There are a lot of parties hosted at various beaches and locations here that you cannot miss.

With April and May being the hottest months, this is considered as the shoulder season in Krabi. While you might not find a lot of tourists here during these months, you can get good flight deals to Krabi during this time. If you don't to be caught in a crowd and still wish to socialise, this is the right time to plan a trip to Krabi. However, the weather can get pretty unpredictable, and the chances of rainfalls are also high. It will only make it difficult for you to enjoy your trip. If you don't want to indulge in any of the adventurous activities and laze around, these months are ideal.

June to October is off-season in Krabi, and the island sees very few tourists. It rains heavily but activities like sightseeing around the Krabi town and other attractions, trekking and kayaking are open for tourists to try. Booking a hotel in Krabi at a considerably last moment during this season might be easier since it is a low season. You will also get discounts on luxurious hotels during this time. Make sure you check the weather before you plan your trip and also check what activities will be open for you to add to your itinerary in the offseason.

Places to Visit in Krabi

The Railay beach in Krabi is one of the best beaches in the world and for all the right reasons. Since it is a popular beach on the island, it gets crowded during the peak season. You can also visit the Phra Nang, Tonsai and Ao Nang beaches that are quite popular. Krabi also offers an island tour package that will make your trip easier. If you love wildlife, you can head to the Thung Teao Forest Natural Park. You will find emerald-coloured water here and lush green trees, too. It is like a paradise for all nature lovers and photographers. The Klong Thom Hot Springs is another place that will leave you relaxed and awestruck. It is believed that the warm water that flows here has healing properties for your skin. It is close to the Emerald Pool that is in the Thung Teao Forest Natural Park. You must take a dip in the thermal spring and can even plan to spend an entire day here. Koh Lanta is one of the small islands around Krabi and also has a couple of diving schools. If you want to spend some alone time, this is the place for you.

Lanta's Animal Welfare will relieve you of all your stress and make you feel loved. You can feed or cuddle with the rescued dogs and cats here or even take them for a walk. Krabi Elephant Sanctuary is also quite popular on the island. You can feed the rescued elephants, bath them and even walk with them. An ideal place to go to with your family is the Tiger Cave temple. The view from the temple is simply stunning. If you want to witness marine life at its best, you must head to the Robinson Crusoe island. It is the best place to feel rejuvenated and relaxed. Another place to go to if you want to hike is the Dragon Crest. It is also a great place to take some stunning pictures. The Klong Muang beach is the recent addition to beaches you must visit to experience luxury at its best.

Things to do in Krabi

Krabi is one of the best places to go to if you want to relax, feel rejuvenated and enjoy the blue waters. Krabi island has some of the best beaches in the world. You can go sunbathing or just take a walk by the Railay beach. You can also go for a swim in the ocean or try a bunch of activities offered at the beach here. A lot of tour guides will also offer you an island tour that you can sign up for in case you want to avoid commuting a lot. In fact, your hotel or hostel accommodation desks will also help you plan your itinerary. They are well-connected with the local guides. Do not miss paying a visit to the Klong Thom Hot Springs. The natural jacuzzi and the whole surrounding will only help you relax. The thermal spring is also said to have healing properties for your skin. The Krabi Weekend Night Market is quite popular, and it will surely satiate the shopaholic in you. Not to mention, it won't burn a hole in your pocket at all. Krabi is also a gateway to a lot of places that offer trekking and hiking activities. The island has quite a few massage parlours, and you can treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage after a long day to relax. You can also try speaking to the locals and learn the language a little bit. Even though it is a popular tourist area, a lot of people might not speak or understand English. Krabi is also a very popular honeymoon destination, and you will find a lot of activities for couples to indulge in here. You won't regret your trip to Krabi one bit.

Food and Restaurants in Krabi

Krabi is popular for seafood and cocktails. However, you will also find quite a few Indian restaurants on the island. Bawarchi Delight at Ao Nang is a popular Indian restaurant. Do try out the paneer tikka, paneer butter masala, butter chicken and chicken tikka here. Taj PalaceTaj Palace, Bombay Palace, Zaika, Maharaja Restaurant and King Kitchen are a few other popular Indian restaurants at Ao Nang. If it is authentic Thai food that you are looking for, head over to Maharat Market in Krabi Town for some delicious fish cakes, Stingray curry and Pad Thai. May and Mark is a popular breakfast place in Krabi. The coffee and cheese omelettes here are quite popular. Krabi has a decent blend of restaurants that serve Indian food and Thai food. You might also want to give the street food a try here.

How to reach Krabi (Transportation)

The Krabi International Airport is about 15 km away from the main city. The flight connectivity to Krabi from India is excellent, and the frequency is pretty good during high season. Connecting flights from Bangkok are a very popular route to Krabi. Thai Airways and AirAsia run flights to and from Krabi quite frequently. You will find direct transport to Had Yao, Ao Nang, Rai Leh and Koh Lanta right from the Krabi airport. You will find cheap flight tickets to Krabi if you manage to book them well in advance. Taking a flight to Phuket and taking a ferry from there to Krabi is another popular route to Krabi. You also get to experience a little bit of Phuket that way. It's common among travellers to combine a trip to Phuket with Krabi. You will also come across great flight deals to Krabi online if you are travelling offseason.