Araku Valley, popularly alluded to as Araku, is a picturesque hill hamlet in Andhra Pradesh’s Vishakhapatnam district. The highland station has kept its immaculate appeal despite being relatively renowned, which makes us curious to know the best places to visit in Araku.
Araku, located at around 3200 feet and well known for its coffee plantations, is also home to lovely gardens, streams, waterfalls, and valleys covered in thick, green woods. Araku, located in the Eastern Ghats, is 112 kilometres southeast of Vishakhapatnam.
Tourists flock to the hill station from all over the world because of the area’s natural beauty. The Araku Valley includes the Anantagiri Reserved Forest and the Sunkrimetta Reserved Forest. The Chitamogondi, Galikonda, Sunkrimetta, and Raktkonda mountains surround the valley as a barrier.
Galikonda Mountain, Andhra Pradesh’s highest mountain, is located close to the hill resort and rises to 5000 feet. The trekking and rock climbing expeditions attract outdoor sports lovers in addition to the coffee farms, gardens, and museums. In summary, Araku is a place of fun and happiness, and here are some of Araku tourist places for the ultimate experience:
-
Borra Caves
The Borra Caves are located on India’s east coast in the Visakhapatnam district’s Ananthagiri highlands of the Araku Valley. The Borra Caves are a visual feast with their breathtaking hilly terrain, scenic surroundings, lush semi-evergreen forests, and exotic animals.
The exquisite variety of speleothems that range in size makes Borra caves a magnificent work of nature. The caves’ natural skylights allow for vibrant imagery that lends them a unique enchantment of their own. The ascent to the main goal is enjoyable because of its scenic setting and thrilling climb. You can opt for Araku tour packages to visit and experience the stunning uniqueness of Araku Valley.
The Specialty of Borra Caves:
- With a depth of 705 meters, Borra Caves are the largest caves in the nation.
- Light Show: Include halogen, mercury, and sodium vapour electric lamps, which offer stunning views of the sculptures.
- A fantastic scenic view of river Gosthani.
Way to Reach Borra Caves:
- Borra Caves are located 36 kilometres from Araku, 88 kilometres from Vizag, and 662 kilometres from Hyderabad.
- For those taking the railway, there is a station close to the Borra Caves where you can get off.
Entry Fee: Adult – Rs.40, Children – Rs.30
Timings: 10 AM to 5.30 PM.
Time Required to Explore: 3-4 hours
-
Katiki Waterfalls
About 90 kilometres from Visakhapatnam, the River Gosthani is where Katiki Falls originated. The waterfall is a well-known destination for picnickers and outdoor enthusiasts and is close to the Borra Caves.
Visitors travelling to the waterfall will experience an element of adventure thanks to the lush green, unevenly graded natural scenery surrounding the falls. Therefore, it is the perfect destination for trekkers at the beginning to intermediate levels. Many food stalls serve snacks and drinks, including fresh Coconut Water and Bamboo Chicken.
The Katiki Waterfall’s calming noises, cool breeze, and lush surroundings will dispel all one’s worries. From a distance, the 50-foot-high natural formation is spectacular. Do take a snap. The pure water from the fall welcomes visitors who want to have a shower and enjoy the beauty. In addition, you can purchase organic honey from the local tribes.
The Specialty of Katiki Waterfalls:
- Trekking activities are popular at Katiki waterfalls
- Katiki waterfalls are famous for spices and wild honey
Way to Reach Katiki Waterfalls:
- One of the best ways to travel from Hyderabad to Araku is via car, and the distance is 670 kilometres.
- At Borra Caves station, which is around 4 kilometres away, there is a Vizag-Araku train station.
- From Araku to the Borra Caves Junction, you can take your vehicle, state buses, or cabs/taxis (Gatevalsa). From Gatevalsa to Katiki Waterfalls, Jeeps are accessible.
Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
Timings: Monday-Sunday: 6 AM to 7 PM
Time Required to Explore: 2-3 hours
-
Padmapuram Gardens
A popular destination for many visitors to Araku Valley is the Padmapuram Gardens. The garden, home to a beautiful rose garden, treetop cabins, and a delightful toy train for trips around it, has various plant types.
On 26 acres, the garden was created in 1942 to provide food and vegetables to World War II soldiers and later transformed into a horticultural training facility and nursery. If one chooses to stay in one of the hanging cottages suspended 10 feet above the ground, they may take in the variety of flower and tree species even more.
The Specialty of Padmapuram Gardens:
- Tourists can reserve treetop cabins in this garden, and it is exciting to stay in these treetop homes, also known as hanging cottages.
- This garden is a haven for numerous orchards, trees, unique flower and tree species, homes, and stone sculptures.
Way to Reach Padmapuram Garden:
- Padmapuram Garden can be reached by road
- It is 2 km from Araku Bus Station, 105 km from Vizag & 670 km from Hyderabad.
- Take your Vehicles or state buses, and cabs/taxis are available from Araku Bus Station to Padmapuram Garden.
Entry Fee: Rs. 10 Per Head
Timings: Monday-Sunday: 9 AM to 6 PM
Time Required to Explore: 1-2 hours
-
Coffee Museum
The Coffee Museum is one of the landmarks in Araku Valley. To promote the distinctiveness of Arabica Coffee, a migrant by the name of Prakash Rao established a catering service for tourists in 1930. He opened a coffee shop in 1954 that catered to international delegates and coffee traders. But now everyone can access it.
The museum, staffed by knowledgeable tribal employees, displays many images tracing coffee’s development and history. They provide 600 different coffee chocolates in addition to 60 different types of coffee. Visitors can indulge in sweets like chocolates, sandwiches, brownies, mousses, tarts, etc., and relish energizing coffees to satisfy their appetites and cravings.
The Specialty of Coffee Museum:
- For a sip of world-class coffee
- Hub for the coffees, chocolates, tarts, and brownies
Ways to Reach Coffee Museum
- Coffee Museum is just 1.2 km away from Araku valley
- You can take a bus or can travel to the destination via car
Entry Fee: The entry Fee is Rs. 10 per person.
Timings: Monday-Sunday: 9 AM to 8 PM
Time Required to Explore: 2 hours
-
Ananthagiri
Ananthagiri, a captivating hill station known for its vast coffee plantations and jaw-dropping waterfalls, is nestled between Araku and Vizag and offers the most incredible views of Araku Valley. By 15 kilometres, it is close to the Borra Caves. If you want to stay in the Ananthagiri Hills, you may find lodging at various hotels, resorts, and lodges for reasonable rates. Additionally, AP Tourism manages hotels in the Ananthagiri Village, a fantastic place for travellers.
The Anantagiri Hills are renowned for their beautiful scenery and pleasant climate. It is the ideal doorway and one of the best places to visit in Araku to spend some time in the presence of nature. Both coffee drinkers and nature lovers will find bliss at Anantagiri. The hillocks around the village are home to cascading waterfalls that irrigate the lush flora, and the town is encircled by coffee estates that give off the delicious aroma of coffee.
Ananthagiri Hills Specialty:
- A viewpoint where you may receive the most picturesque views of the coffee plantations, water streams, and valleys to get the most magnificent perspective of the hills.
- With stunning sunrises and sunsets, Ananthagiri Hills draws in admirers of the natural world.
Way to Reach Ananthagiri Hills:
- Both highways and railroads take you to the Ananthagiri Hills.
- It is 30 kilometres from Araku, 113 kilometres from Vizag, and 707 kilometres from Hyderabad.
- People travelling on the Vizag-Araku railway line can disembark near the Borra Caves on the way to their destination.
- There are several buses and cabs available for less money.
Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
Timings: Anytime
Time Required to Explore: 2 hours
-
Chaparai Waterfall
The Chaparai waterfalls, also known as the Dumbriguda waterfalls, are a popular weekend trip and a highly sought-after location for the Telugu film industry. They are only 13 kilometres from Araku.
Several local sellers can provide delicious treats like grilled chicken, kulfi, etc., in this relaxing environment for a yummy munch. The best times to appreciate nature are at sunrise and sunset when it is nearby. The best times to enjoy nature are at sunrise and sunset when it is nearby.
The Specialty of Chaparai Waterfalls:
- Stunning view of the streams of water emerging from the rocks.
- Stunning natural scenery near waterfalls
- Pleasant and peaceful weather
Way to Reach Chaparai Waterfall:
- Only a road can take you to the Chaparai waterfalls.
- It is 13 kilometres from Araku Bus Stop, 125 kilometres from Vizag, and 661 kilometres from Hyderabad.
- It is preferable to travel here in our vehicles, state buses, or one of the reasonably priced cabs or taxis accessible from Araku.
Entry Fee: Rs 10/- (per Head)
Timings: Monday-Sunday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Time Required to Explore: 1 hour
-
Tribal Museum
The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation established the Araku Tribal Museum in 1996 to display the tribal culture of the state. Through cookware, jewellery, hunting equipment, and wedding photographs, the museum looks into traditional tribal life.
The museum, constructed to educate visitors about tribal customs by showcasing the way of life of around 19 local tribes, is not historically famous but is only 200 meters from the Araku bus stop. One of the museum’s parts features an exhibition of regional Mayur and Dhimsa dances, while the walls are covered with tribal art.
The Specialty of Tribal Museum:
- Displays the culture and way of life of the tribe
- Various images of the tribal weddings
- Exhibits food utensils, hunting gear, native jewellery, and mud wall carvings, among other essentials used by the tribe.
- Traditional dance performances by Mayur and dhimsa are on display in the museum.
Way to Reach Tribal Museum:
- You can travel by car and rail to the Araku Tribal Museum.
- It is 0.3 kilometres from Araku, 114 kilometres from Vizag, and 660 kilometres from Hyderabad.
- Take your vehicle or one of the public buses, cabs, or taxis accessible to you from Araku to this location for a very low fare.
Entry Fee: Rs 10/- (per Head), Child: Rs 5/- (per Head)
Timings: Monday-Sunday: 9 AM to 7 PM
Time Required to Explore: 1-2 hours
The Final Word
Are you already in love with Araku Valley’s scenery? Plan a trip with the best Araku tour packages to this fascinating land and pack your bags to experience the allure of this gem of a place in the Eastern Ghats. Happy exploring!
