Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh – Breathtakingly beautiful valley on the eastern ghats at an altitude of 3200 ft. with rich greenery & pleasant climate
Just 115-km from Vishakhapatnam, Araku Valley is close to the Odisha State border. This place attracts the tourists throughout the year for its pleasant weather, hills and valleys. The natural beauty of this valley comes alive with its rich landscape. Located on the eastern ghats at an altitude of 3200 ft., it has valley, water falls and streams flowing by the side of the railway 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.
Places to see in Araku Valley: The place offers a number of beautiful sight seeing destinations. These include:
Anantagiri Hills
Anantagiri is a breathtakingly beautiful resort sheltered in the lush undulating ranges of the Eastern Ghats. The Ananthagiri perches at an altitude which unfolds some stunning viewpoints. Driving through picturesque coffee plantations the road to Anantagiri with its ups and downs on the Ghat route is literally enveloped with mango groves, waterfalls that gush and flow into the ravines.
Damuku View Point
It is a natural slip where one can take the fun of slip with running water. Though worth enjoying, the place is dangerous too. Any moment a mishap can occur so you have to be alert.
Padmapuram Botanical Garden
The Padmapuram Botanical Garden is a garden of considerable historic significance, situated on the Araku Road. The garden originally served the purpose of supplying vegetables to the soldiers who fought the Second World War Today known better as the Botanical Garden, it serves as a nursery for horticulture and is home to several rare varieties of flowers and trees.
Government Silk Farm
This place is famous for its mulberry gardens and the tribal museum.
Nearby attractions of Araku Valley: You can organize tours to some of the prominent locations around Araku Valley. These include:
Borra Caves
47KM from Araku Valley, the caves open with 100 meter on horizontal plane and about 75 meters on vertical plane. These caves spread over an area of 1 sqkm. Breath taking hilly terrain, beautiful landscape, semi-evergreen moist deciduous forests, and wild fauna of the area are a visual feast. This cave is the biggest in India considering the area it has spread geographically. One can see different formations of the stalactites and stalagmites as Shiv-Paravathi, Mother-Child, Rushi’s Beard, Human Brain, Crocodile, Tiger and Cows udder.
Chaaparai
Chaaparai is a well known picnic spot in Araku valley. A scenic place with water falls and surrounding forest area makes people relax and spend their holiday joyfully. Usually people who visit Araku valley won’t miss this place as it is very nearer to the main Araku valley place. During winter season the water flow is less. Landscapes and gardens are located surrounding this place. One can experience the beauty of water gushing through natural rocks.
Things to do in Araku Valley: From exploring the spectacular countryside, and trekking in the nearby hills to excavating in the ancient limestone Borra Caves, Araku Valley offers a number of activities to the tourists. Mingle with the tribals in the surrounding villages, buy old silver jewellery from them to take back home or visit the Tribal museum that traces their history in this area.
Best Time to visit Araku Valley: Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh is a year round tourist destination having moderate climate but the best time to visit Araku Valley is in winter months between October and February.
How to go ?
By Air
Araku Valley does not have an airport. The nearest air link is at Vishakhapatnam, placed 112 Km away. Visakhapatnam has a major airport which is well connected to most major cities of the country like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Patna, Bhubaneswar and Tirupati. From Visakhapatnam cars are available on hire that will take you to Araku Valley. The buses are also going from Visakhapatnam to Araku.
By Train
Visakhapatnam located at a distance of 112 km from Araku Valley has an important railway station lying on Chennai – Delhi main line. This station is connected with all cities in India by rail. Tourists can get direct trains from Delhi (Samta Express), Mumbai (Konark Express), Kolkata (Coromandel Exp), Chennai (Dbrg Ypr Expres) and Bangalore (Hwh Ypr Express). From Visakhapatnam cars are available on hire that will take you to Araku Valley. The buses are also available from Visakhapatnam to Araku.
By Road
From Visakhapatnam the APTDC buses shall take you to Araku. You can also avail private cars from Vizag.
Where to stay ?
There are plenty of accommodation options in Araku. You may stay at:
Haritha Mayuri Resort (APTDC): +91-08936-24920
For further informations on hotels of Araku Valley you may visit: www.arakuvalleyhotels.com
Note: Phone numbers given above are according to the information available with us. If you find any contact number/s given above is/are incorrect or not in use, please let us know.
