Araku Valley is located at a distance of 120 KM from Visakhapatnam ( Vizag ), Andhra Pradesh. Araku Valley still remains unspoiled by commercialism of tourism. Araku Valley is a famous hill station in Andhra Pradesh. Located on the eastern ghats , it has valley, water falls and streams flowing by the side of the train track and roads. The journey to Araku Valley is the most enjoying as the rail passes through tunnels, hill sides and streams. . It is better to go to Araku by train and return by road.

Araku Valley is also famous for its rich coffee plantations. The aroma of fresh coffee beans is in the air of Araku valley throughout. The coffee plantations have been responsible to a large extent for the rehabilitation of the many tribes that stay in and around Araku Valley.

 

Tourist Places to Visit in Araku Valley : –

Borra Caves

The caves, one of the largest in the country, at an elevation of about 705 m (2,313.0 ft), distinctly exhibit a variety of speleothems ranging in size and irregularly shaped stalactites and stalagmites. The caves are basically karstic limestone structures extending to a depth of 80 m (262.5 ft) (considered the deepest cave in India). It is top in the list of tourist places to visit in Araku valley.

 

 

 

 

Tribal Museum

The museum is in itself very unique and statues are very realistic . The museum defines the different tribes, their way of living and different styles of tribal housing unique to different tribes and is also stacked with tribal articles such as nets used for fishing ,tribal musical instruments the price of the ticket for the museum is also reasonable.

 

 

 

Sangda Waterfalls

The waterfalls lie very close to the small village of Sangda and thus, the name of the falls. The falls are a very popular tourist attraction because of their beautiful surroundings and splendid locales.

The waterfalls are located in the middle of a thick jungle. The only thing breaking the peace of the jungle is the sound of the cascading waters of the fall. It is top in the list of tourist places to visit in Araku valley.

 

 

 

Yarada Beach

Yarada beach at Vizag is not very popular with locals and tourists if you are visiting it on a weekday or early morning time. So you get space and time to relax and enjoy the beach and sea. It’s quite off route from the main city so one has to hire a taxi or car to reach the beach.

 

 

 

 

Coffee Plantation on Ananthagiri hills

The plantations are deeply rooted in the history of the tribes of Araku Valley. Coffee estates gave the tribes the opportunity to join mainstream population and earn a living for themselves and their families. You will find a lot of tribal population working in the coffee plantations.

 

 

 

 

Chaparai

Dumbriguda Chaaparai is not included in the one day Araku Package trip conducted by APTDC. People have to take their own vehicles or hire a taxi/auto from Araku and visit this place. Chaaparai is only 15Kms from Araku valley on the way to Paderu. Only road transportation is available to Chaaparai from Araku. During this journey they enjoy the scenic beauty of the valley, tunnels and bridges. There is a entry fee of Rs 10/- collected by locals here, no fee for camera or any other photography equipments.
Once they reach Araku valley, they get into their vehicle and plan to reach Chaaparai as they wish. Chaparai is top in the list of tourist places to visit in Araku valley.

Kailasagiri

Kailasagiri is located on a hilltop and is a must to visiting place for all people visiting Vishakhapatnam. Some of the important points are Shiva Parvathi Statue, Shanku Chakra Naama, Floral Clock,J ungle Trails, Food Courts, 7 Wonders of Vizag, Shiva Temple, Titanic View Point, Shanti Ashram, View Points, Art Gallery, Road Train, Gliding Base Point, Children Play Park, Conference Hall, Telescopic Point.

Kailasagiri is a favorite location among the filmmakers all over India. It is top in the list of tourist places to visit in Araku valley.

 

 

Kurusura Submarine Museum

Kursura has the distinction of being one of the very few submarine museums to retain originality. It is top in the list of tourist places to visit in Araku valley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Padmapuram Botanical Gardens

Padmapuram Botanical Gardens is a historic garden located on the Araku Road. Initially, the purpose of this garden was to provide vegetable supplies to the soldiers, who fought in the Second World War. Simply called the Botanical Garden now, it acts as a horticultural nursery and contains various rare types of flowers and trees.

Another important highlight of Padmapuram Botanical Gardens is a toy train, which gives a tour of the garden to the visitors. Along with the toy train, the garden also contains tree top huts, which can be booked by the tourists. The garden also encompasses a rose garden. From the garden, varied species of plants can also be purchased.

 

More Tourist Places to Visit in Andhra Pradesh

How to Reach Araku Valley

The hill station is connected to the rest of the country via good roads and a good railway network. There are two railway stations; one in Araku and another in Araku Valley. Both the railway stations are connected to the railway station at Vizag. The railway stations fall on the Kothavalasa-Kirandul railway line that is part of the Vishakhapatnam division on the East Cost railway. Shimiliguda railway station has the highest broad gauge line in the whole country. The railway station is at a height of 996 meters above sea level. The station has no airport though the roads leading to the hills station are in a good condition. Travelers can take a private taxi from any of the towns and cities in Andhra Pradesh to reach Araku Valley. There are many bus operators who run regular bus services to Araku and back. Deluxe and Volvo buses from Hyderabad and Vizag are also available for Araku Valley. Buses cost less than private cabs but deluxe buses and Volvos charge higher than the normal bus fare.

 

Best Time to Visit Araku Valley

Throughout the year.