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Andhra Pradesh

Atapaka (Kolleru Lake)

Pelican and painted stork colony on India's biggest freshwater lake

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Best time to visit Atapaka (Kolleru Lake)

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: November to February
  • Shoulder: March and October, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: August to September

Planning a specific month? JanuaryFebruaryNovemberDecember

Atapaka (Kolleru Lake) season by season

Winter December to February Prime time

Dec-Feb the Atapaka grove is loud with nesting grey pelicans and painted storks; be on the bund by 7 am for the low light.

Summer March to May Shoulder

March sees the last chicks fledge and the colony break up. By Apr-May the lake shrinks into fish ponds and the delta sits at 40 C.

Monsoon June to September Mixed, read the detail

June and July are green and empty, but Aug-Sep floods put the bunds and the approach road under water and cut the sanctuary track.

Autumn October to November Prime time

October the water level settles and the first pelicans return; by November the colony is filling and the Kaikaluru paddy is gold.

What Atapaka (Kolleru Lake) is actually like

Fish-pond country: basic lodges in Kaikaluru, delta fish curry for dinner, and the bund shared at dawn with net fishermen

Things to do in Atapaka

The local places worth your time in and around Atapaka, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Peddintlamma Temple, Kolletikota

    Temple · 14 km out

    Goddess temple on the Kolleru shore at Kolletikota, tied to the legend of a 13th century Eastern Ganga general.

  • Somarama Temple, Bhimavaram

    Temple · 42 km out

    One of the five Pancharama Shiva temples, at Gunupudi in Bhimavaram; its small linga is said to change colour with the moon.

  • Dwaraka Tirumala Temple

    Temple · 58 km out

    Hill temple of Venkateswara that locals call Chinna Tirupati, reached from Eluru via Bhimadole.

  • Guntupalli Buddhist Caves

    Heritage · 72 km out

    Rock cut chaitya hall with a carved wooden style entrance, two caves and a field of stupas, about 40 km past Eluru.

Getting to Atapaka (Kolleru Lake)

Eluru or Gudivada railhead, bus to Kaikaluru, then 8 km by auto to the Atapaka gate and watchtower

Practical ways in: trainroad

Trip facts

How long to stay
2 days
Budget
Shoestring
How busy
Quiet at its peak
Solo travel
Fine solo
Altitude
6 m
State
Andhra Pradesh
Coordinates
16.5629, 81.2334

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Atapaka (Kolleru Lake)?

November to February is peak season in Atapaka (Kolleru Lake). March and October is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid August to September. October the water level settles and the first pelicans return; by November the colony is filling and the Kaikaluru paddy is gold.

How many days do you need in Atapaka (Kolleru Lake)?

2 days is the usual stay. Fish-pond country: basic lodges in Kaikaluru, delta fish curry for dinner, and the bund shared at dawn with net fishermen.

How do you get to Atapaka (Kolleru Lake)?

Eluru or Gudivada railhead, bus to Kaikaluru, then 8 km by auto to the Atapaka gate and watchtower. Practical ways in: train and road.

Is Atapaka (Kolleru Lake) expensive, and does it get crowded?

Shoestring by Indian travel standards, and it runs quiet at the busiest time of year. Fine solo.

What are the best things to do in Atapaka?

Peddintlamma Temple, Kolletikota, Somarama Temple, Bhimavaram, Dwaraka Tirumala Temple and Guntupalli Buddhist Caves. Goddess temple on the Kolleru shore at Kolletikota, tied to the legend of a 13th century Eastern Ganga general.

Nearby, and where to go next

More places to visit in Andhra Pradesh

All 31 destinations in Andhra Pradesh