Araku Valley Tourist Places: Araku Valley is one of the popular scenic hill stations in the Eastern Ghats located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. As a perfect weekend getaway, the place is mostly visited by local people and it’s believed that it is a relatively unexplored hill station situated around 120 kms away from Visakhapatnam.
Araku Valley Tourist Places- Places to Visit In Araku Valley, Travel Guide, Itinerary
Araku is one of the best spot for nature lovers, honeymoon couples, and adventure enthusiasts but it’s an undervalued and underappreciated attraction in India, situated at an altitude range of 900 to 1400 meters above sea level. This valley is also called the Ooty of Andhra Pradesh, which is surrounded by lush green forests, high mountains, pleasing climate, picturesque landscapes, beautiful waterfalls, coffee plantations, tribal culture and many more.
Apart from that, it is well known for its international hot air balloon festival, authentic caves and world acclaimed Arabica coffee beans. Araku is the heart of Andhra Pradesh, known for its excellent biodiversity which renders ancient beliefs and rich cultural inheritance. It’s home to various tribal communities and the Ananthagiri Reserved Forest and Sunkarimetta Reserved Forest are part of this Valley. Jindhagada Summit is found close to the valley and is considered as the tallest summit in Eastern Ghats and in Andhra Pradesh. Araku Valley is a perfect getaway for those who are tired of living a boring life.
How to Reach Araku Valley
Araku Valley, being the most visited tourist destination in Visakhapatnam, is well-connected with some of the major cities and you can opt your travel via flight, by road and by train.
By Air:
Visakhapatnam Airport is the closest airplane terminal to Araku Valley as it doesn’t have an airplane terminal of its own. It is around 120 km away so, once you reach the airport take a bus or hire a cab to the valley.
By Train / Vizag to Borra Caves (Vistadome Coach):
One of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of Araku is by taking a train journey through the Vistadome train (Train No. 18551) from Visakhapatnam to Araku Valley. It’s a special type of train which is equipped with modern facilities, glass ceiling and wide windows.
The train journey through the Eastern Ghat hills and valleys is an amazing experience not to miss. The Vistadome train starts at 6:45 am from Vizag and stops at Borra Caves around 9.40 am and will reach the Araku Valley by 10.55am.
By Road or By Bus:
Visakhapatnam has a great public transportation system as the city is well connected with numerous state and national highways to prime cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Vijayawada, Hyderabad and Chennai. Araku is well connected through both rail and road to Visakhapatnam, there are frequent RTC and private buses from Vizag to Araku Valley.
But it’s highly suggested to hire a cab and explore the beauty of Araku by road as the journey to the valley is mesmerizing with scenic views. It is a 3 to 4 hour ride.
Suggested Read: Vizag Tourist Places
Best Time to Visit Araku Valley
No matter what season it is, being a hill station, you can enjoy adequate weather throughout the year. It’s one of those destinations which looks eye appealing in every season as nature keeps changing its essence and colors through the year.
The ideal time to visit is from October to March when the weather is most welcoming. But during every season various kinds of events and competitions are held in the valley, which makes the place a year-round destination.
Araku Valley Tourist Places- Places to Visit In Araku
Borra Caves:
The Borra Caves are one of the oldest and deepest caves in India, located in the Ananthagiri hills of the Araku Valley. The one-million-year-old caves are made of karstic limestone structures at an altitude of 705 meters above the sea level and occupies an area of 2 sq.km. The Borra Caves are natural caves and considered the largest caves in the country at an elevation of about 2,313 ft.
The oldest ancient caves are filled with fascinating stalactite and stalagmite formations of limestone deposits. It is believed that the caves were created as the Gosthani River used to flow through the caves across the formations, the acid in the water and the mineral deposits in the limestones created a chemical reaction and then it dripped down drop by drop forming different shapes.
Entry Fee: INR 60/- for adults, INR 45/- for kids, additional INR 25/- for those with camera, INR 100/- for Digital / Still Camera/ video camera.
Timings: Open every single day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Ananthagiri Hills:
The Ananthagiri hills are an exquisite small hill station that is situated between Araku and Vizag at a distance of 26 kms from Araku Valley. It is one of the most go to spots, encompassed by coffee plantations and abundant waterfalls. For coffee lovers and nature enthusiasts it looks like a paradise with the best scenic views, cascading waterfalls, lush greenery, panoramic views of mesmerizing sunrise and sunset etc. The slopes are a prevalent spot for trekking and offer splendid views of the contiguous panorama.
Tribal Museum:
Araku Tribal Museum is the best spot where you can explore the tribal culture, lifestyle and traditions of Eastern Ghats. This museum was established in 1996, and the purpose was to create awareness about the lives of the 19 tribes that live in the vicinity of the town. The museum displays various artefacts that showcase tribal lifestyle, clothing, jewelry, household items, hunting tools, photos of wedding ceremonies of the tribals, artwork made by them and more.
The most important part of the Tribal Museum is one that showcases the local tribal Mayur and Dhimsa dance, performed in the premises at 5pm. Overall, the museum is properly maintained, sculpted and preserved excellently and there are additional activities to try like rope cycling, boating, ziplining, etc.
Entry Fee: INR 40 for Adults and INR 20 for Kids
Timings: Open every single day from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Katiki Waterfalls:
The Katiki Falls originates from River Gosthani and it flows down from a height of 100 feet. It is a hidden treasure situated just 7km away From Borra Caves and it’s a beautiful spot of untouched sanctuary for nature enthusiasts. Katiki Falls got its name because there is a village under the same name. The waterfalls are in a hilly forested area so the best way to explore is to trek through the lush greenery.
Like most waterfalls, you need to take a small trek for 20-30 minutes (1.5km) to reach the waterfalls from the railway track near Tunnel #44. But to reach the train track you need to hire a jeep to travel from the ticket counter of Katiki falls which costs around INR 1,500 for 8 members. The jeep travels around 5 km on mountain roads and stops at the train track.
The trek paths are quite narrow and slippery and through the paths there are various food stalls where you buy beverages, snacks, fresh coconut water and special Bamboo Chicken. There is a little pool at the bottom of the waterfall where you can swim and play in the flow of water. It’s also the best spot for cooking and camping.
Entry Fee: No entry fee but they charge around INR 250 to 300 Rs per person for a Jeep ride.
Timings: Open every single day from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Araku Coffee Plantations:
As soon as you enter the Araku Valley the Mesmerizing hills of Ananthagiri welcomes you with its coffee plantations and the entire valley is filled with the smell of coffee leaves. It offers a unique and scenic experience for visitors and from this valley the first organic coffee of India was produced.
Araku Valley produces the most biodynamic farming coffee plantation in the world and taking a guided tour around the plantations helps you to know the process of coffee cultivation and production. The first thing to do after you enter the Araku Valley is to take a sip of fresh coffee in the region and there are guest houses for visitors who wish to remain overnight at the estates.
Tadimada Waterfalls / Ananthagiri Waterfalls:
The Tadimada Waterfalls is also well known as Ananthagiri Waterfalls which is just 3km away from Anantagiri town. The water falls from a height of 100 ft, and it can be reached only by trekking. Like most waterfalls, you need to take a small trek for Ananthagiri for 20-30 minutes (1.5km) to reach the waterfalls. There is a little pool at the bottom of the waterfall where you can swim but the water here is a bit dirty, and the rocks are very slippery.
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Timings: Open every single day from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Padmapuram Botanical Garden:
Padmapuram Botanical Garden is just 2km away from Araku Tribal Museum and it’s built on 26-acre land during the 1942 world war 2 to supply vegetables and fruits to soldiers. It was later converted into a garden; it is now a hub to a wide variety of rare species of flowers, trees, plants, orchards, a rose garden, tree houses and stone sculptures.
The best way to enjoy the beauty of a botanical garden is by taking an Araku Express toy train which gives you a proper tour. Apart from that there are tree top huts which are also known as hanging cottages in the garden, where travelers can book these huts and stay there. The tree huts are ten feet above ground level.
Entry Fee: INR 40 for Adults and INR 20 for Kids and for Araku Express Toy Train adults (Rs. 20) and children (Rs. 10)
Timings: Monday to Saturday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM, Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Chaparai / Chaaparai Waterfalls:
Chaparai Waterfalls is one of the most breathtaking places to visit in Paderu – Araku Road and it is also well known as Dumbriguda Waterfalls. It is surrounded by lush forest on all sides and the water flows like an infinite stream amid big rock formations. Dumbriguda Waterfalls is the best spot for a fun day out with family and friends and it’s one of the preferred locations for movie makers.
Entry Fee: INR 10 Rs for Person
Timings: Open every single day from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Araku Coffee Museum:
It is the best place where you get to know Araku’s coffee culture and is located next to the Araku Tribal Museum. The Araku Coffee House first started as a catering business and drastically changed into a museum by discovering the history of coffee in the valley. The gallery exhibits the complete process of coffee making from being berries to being ground and roasted and brewed into a cup. Apart from just knowing, you can also purchase, and taste various types of coffee stuff like coffee beans, coffee powder and chocolates.
Entry Fees: INR 10 RS per person
Timings: Open every single day from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Things to do in Araku Valley
- Araku Valley is not only a place for sightseeing but is a place for a complete culinary adventure. Don’t miss out tasting the bamboo chicken at local eaters and try tasting local tribal dishes as well.
- Araku international hot air balloon festival which is hosted once every year during April month is not to be missed. The inflatables moving in the clean blue skies on top of the hills offer a remarkable experience.
- The Araku Valley espresso competition, which is hosted every year in August, when the valley is filled with drizzles all around. Coffee lovers can enjoy the taste of one-of-a-kind brews and there are various workshops held to learn about the whole coffee making process.
- The Araku Valley Tribal agent competition is hosted every year by the end of November, which showcases the tribe’s culture, traditions, dance and other performances. Tourists can also participate in the event, and you get to eat local cuisine and buy some hand-made items.
- The Araku Valley Christmas Carnival, which is celebrated every year in December. The valley is entirely filled with lighting fixtures that create a festive atmosphere.
Conclusion
Araku Valley promises to leave you with remarkable memories when you get on board an adventure trip to discover the natural marvel and cultural richness of the Valley.
