Walk through history and nature — and watch a sunset over Vizag and the sea that stays with you forever.
Simhachalam's hill carries centuries of heritage on its trails — temple paths, forest sections and viewpoints that open onto the whole of Visakhapatnam and the Bay of Bengal. This is our evening classic: a 12 km hike, 6 km up and 6 km down, timed so you reach the viewpoints just as the light turns gold, with the descent by torchlight as the city switches on below. The forest shares a boundary with Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary, so golden geckos, bamboo pit vipers, mouse deer and many other species live here too. Sightings are never guaranteed.
The journey
The eveningHour by hour — meet-up to moonlight
Sitammadhara, near the Hanuman statue. Park cars and bikes here
14:30 if cloudy, up to 15:00 if sunny
Three rock patches, then an easier path after about 1.5 km
Vizag and the sea spread out below
The golden half hour
Bring your own snacks
By torchlight, watching for night wildlife on the way
20:30–20:45, 21:00 at the latest
*Timings are approximate and may vary with weather and trail conditions.
Moments from this trail
What your contribution holds
Everything that's taken care of
An EcoHikes lead with the group throughout
Kit carried by the lead
Permissions and coordination
- Personal expenses
- Transport to the start point
- Anything not mentioned above
What to carry
- Water bottle
- Cap & sunglasses
- Comfortable shoes
- A light backpack
- Torch / headlamp for the descent
Trip essentials
Tap a card for the full details.
Questions, answered
Is this a beginner hike?
It's moderate — 12 km (6 up, 6 down) with a steep start that eases after about 1.5 km. Regular walkers and active beginners aged 6+ are comfortable.
Will we see the temple?
The trail moves along Simhachalam's heritage paths with views of the temple hill throughout.
How late does it end?
We're back at the parking area between 8:30 and 8:45 pm, 9:00 at the latest. We slow down on the way back to watch night wildlife, so it can run a little late.
Why avoid the monsoon?
The trails get slippery and the views close in. October to February gives the clearest sunsets.
What people say
“Incredibly friendly guides — knowledgeable, always ready to help, and they made the journey fun and safe. They took time to explain things and made the trek enjoyable for everyone.”
“What makes Eco Hikes special is the authenticity — no rush, no commercial vibe, just genuine people helping you connect deeply with nature.”
“Ravi, Naveen and Manohar take care of the people and make every trek safe and memorable. My 3rd time trekking with Ecohikes and many more to come.”
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How joining works
Fill the short form or write to us — we reply within a day.
A quick call or WhatsApp — group size and where to meet.
We hold your spot — groups are capped at 15.
Your confirmation arrives by mail — and you join the batch WhatsApp circle.