Best Tourist Places to Visit in Araku Valley, Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Araku Valley, Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Araku valley is a popular hill location in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is 118 Km away from Vishakhapatnam. It is well known for its picturesque splendor. Araku valley is prominent for its coffee farmstead. Araku valley is gaining popularity among tourists and is one of the most striking places in the state. The path to Araku Valley is over Ghats. Both sides of the road are sheltered with thick shrubbery and the course is tremendously attractive. Araku Valley is a hill station that is sprinkled with opulent green plantations, knolls, cascades, gorges and offers a real environment familiarity.

History of Araku Valley

Araku valley has long been home to tribal people. It has 19 tribes residing in the valley. The tribal people of Araku are always in colorful apparels especially the women folks. The Dimsa and Mayur dances particularly during ‘Itika Pongal’ is the popular festivals celebrated by the tribes in the month of February.

Attractions in Araku Valley

Borra Caves

Borra Caves also known as Borra Guhalu in the local lingo are placed at Araku Valley and form a division of the Ananthagiri Hills. The caves are mainly made of substances like stalagmite and stalactite. They are at a height of 700 meters above sea level and are noted for their vast depth. William King George revealed the caves in the year 1807. One of the major caves in the Indian subcontinent; it is identified for the variety of speleothems that embrace various and sporadically twisted stalactites and stalagmites. River Gosthani has its source in these caves.

Araku Tribal Museum

Araku Tribal Museum is situated on the Araku thoroughfare in the center of the Araku valley. The museum portraits the ecology, livelihood and rich heritage culture of the tribal people who dwell here. The main attraction in the museum are the clay artifacts which depict the tribal’s working and mementos of the tools used for hunting, utensils used to cook food etc.

Ananthagiri Hills

Ananthagiri Hills are widely acknowledged for their coffee cultivated area. These hills are found in the course to Araku valley. Positioned 5 km away from Vikarabad, it houses mango coppice and attractive cascades that surge into the valley.

Padmapuram Botanical Gardens

Padmapuram Botanical Gardens are the ancient heritage positioned at Araku road. It houses many different types of vegetations. Previously it was used to grow vegetables for the soldiers. The toy rain that helps the tourists to take a good look around the place is one of the most prominent attractions in Padmapuram Botanical Gardens.

Katiki Waterfalls

Katiki Waterfalls is situated 5 km away from the Borra Caves. Katiki Waterfalls instigates from river Gosthani and streams into the valley with all its glory.

Other Interesting Places in and around Araku Valley

Galikonda View Point
Matsyagundam
Dumbriguda Waterfalls
Chaparai Water cascade
Bheemunipatnam Beach
Harita Resort Waterfall
Tadiguda Waterfall
Tyda Park
Sangda Waterfalls

Best season to visit Araku Valley

The best season to visit the Araku valley is during October to March. The summers are very hot with the humidity. There is heavy downpour during monsoon season. Winter season is the best when it moderately hot in the course of the day and the nights are cold.

Accessibility to Araku Valley

By Road: Numerous buses ply from Vishakhapatnam to Araku. It is the best option for the tourists who can enjoy the lush green beauty in the course towards the valley.

By Rail: Araku valley has a railhead where regular trains ply from Vishakhapatnam.

By Air: The nearest airport is the Vishakhapatnam Airport 110 km away from the valley. It only receives domestic flights. The nearest international airport is the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Hyderabad.

Accommodation in Araku Valley

It is one of the best tourist spot in Andhra Pradesh. Araku Valley has a number of fine hotels, resorts, guest houses and lodges. The hotels provide several services and the rates differ from hotel to hotel. Many hotels undertake advanced booking and reservation for the contented stay of the guests. List of hotels located in Araku Valley are as follows: