Araku Valley is a picturesque hill station located in Andhra Pradesh in India. It is famous for its natural beauty and is often called the “Ooty of Andhra Pradesh.” The region is home to numerous indigenous tribes, including the Dhurwa, Bagata, and Kondadora, who add to the area’s cultural richness. The local communities have preserved their traditions and way of life, providing visitors with an opportunity to experience the local tribal culture and customs.
Table of Contents
Things to do in Araku Valley
Araku Valley has something to offer to all kinds of tourists. Here are some things to do, especially for the nature lover:
- Explore the Borra Caves. The different formations of stalactites and stalagmites inside the caves can take you through a journey in time.
- There are numerous beautiful waterfalls in the valley. Ensure that you visit them for a memorable experience.
- Sip on one of the world’s most popular coffee – the Araku Coffee.
- Stroll the Padmapuram Gardens and admire the varieties of trees and flowers grown here.
- It has a tribal museum that can help you learn about the ingenious tribes that live here.
Places to Visit in Araku Valley
When you visit a place as beautiful as the valley, all you want to do is just sit and soak in the beautiful landscapes. However, every place has something special to offer. In the summer of 2022, rural travel enthusiast Kavya, and chef Rachit took the road less traveled with Savaari, into the treasure trove of tribal haats, rolling hills of the Eastern Ghats, indigenous agricultural produce, and delicious tribal cuisine. The itinerary began at Bhubaneswar in Odisha and ended in Andra Pradesh. We documented glimpses of this beautiful district in the video below.
Here are some tourist places that must find a place in your itinerary:
- Borra Caves – The deepest caves in India, these limestone caves are a million years old. They were discovered in 1807.
- Waterfalls – There are several waterfalls in the valley that offer some beautiful vistas and make for a perfect spot for a picnic.
- Tribal Museum – This belongs in the top few names in the list of the town. It explores the tribal culture of the Eastern Ghats. Interestingly, it does not just offer information about the history, but about the tribes that live in the current times too.
- Padmapuram Gardens – A botanical garden with tree-top huts available for rent.
[Also read: Five Beaches South of the Vindhyas You Should Visit as Soon as Summer Ends]
Places to visit near Araku Valley
Here are some places near Araku Valley that you might consider while creating your travel plans:
- Galikonda Hill – Galikonda View Point or Galikonda Hill is at a distance of around 20 km from Araku Valley. It is the highest point in Visakhapatnam and offers an amazing view of the valley and its surroundings.
- Coffee Plantations – Since this region is famous for its coffee, a visit to the coffee plantations is a must. You can visit some of the traditional Coffee plantations on the Ananthagiri Hills located at a distance of around 25 km.
Waterfalls in around the valley
Araku Valley is surrounded by greenery on all sides and blessed with some picturesque waterfalls – the best attraction of this hill station. Here are some of the waterfalls that are worth a visit:
- Katiki Waterfalls – you need to trek a bit to reach the waterfall
- Tatiguda Waterfall – at an altitude of around 3100 feet
- Chaparai Water Cascade – slide down smooth rocks like a water slide
- Aluru Kona Waterfalls – crystal clear water flowing through a rocky bed
- Kollaput Jala Tarangini – an ideal spot to pitch a tent for an overnight stay
- Kothapalli Waterfalls – a recent discovery by a local village kid, this place is as pristine as it gets
Places to eat in Araku Valley
Although Araku Valley does not have a lot of restaurants, the food available here is delicious and lip-smacking. Here are some places where you can eat including street food places and the best restaurants in Araku Valley.
- Amantran Bengali Restaurant, Sarabhaguda – for Bengali and Bangladeshi cuisine
- Araku Haritha Resort Restaurant, Sarabhaguda – For Indian food
- Hotel Star Annapurna for Indian food
- Aadhivasi Bamboo Chicken – for local cuisine
- Vasundhara Restaurant, Padmapuram Junction – North Indian Food
- Taste And Tasty Restaurant, Visakhapatnam Road – Indian and Chinese fast food items
How to Plan a trip to Araku Valley
How to reach Araku
By Train
The valley does not have a railway station of its own. The nearest railhead is Visakhapatnam, at a distance of around 120-130 km from the valley. You can get a train from most major cities to Visakhapatnam. Once there, you can Book a cab in Visakhapatnam to Araku Valley and reach your destination within 2.5-3.5 hours.
By Road
The best way to reach Araku Valley by road is through Visakhapatnam. There are two common routes available:
- Via the Araku-Visakhapatnam Road – a distance of around 110-115 km and travel time of around three hours
- Via NH516E – a distance of around 140 km and travel time of around three and a half hours
By Flight
There is no direct flight connectivity to Araku. The closest airport is in Visakhapatnam. You will therefore have to catch a flight to Visakhapatnam and then hire a taxi from here.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Araku Valley is the winter season which begins from the month of November and spans till February and early March.
About Araku Valley
A quaint hill station in the quiet town of Visakhapatnam, Araku Valley is usually referred to as the Ooty of Andhra Pradesh. As the name suggests, this is a valley situated in the Eastern Ghats of India. The Anantagiri and Sunkarimetta Reserved Forests are a part of the this biome, lending biodiversity and serenity to the place. This region is also well-known for its coffee and rich tribal culture.
Geography
The Valley lies in the Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh and is spread across an area of around 36 square kilometres and at an altitude of about 1300 meters above sea level.
Weather
The best time to visit Araku Valley is the winter season spanning the period from November to February. The temperature ranges between 14 and 26 degrees C during these months making it an ideal time for a visit. Summers (March to June) are hot here with temperatures rising as high as 25 degrees C plus humidity. However, the altitude makes the weather bearable. The valley can receive heavy to very heavy rainfall during the peak monsoon months. While the weather can get cooler than summers, incessant rains can put a dampener on your plans.
Interesting Facts about Araku Valley
The best part about traveling is learning about the place and the people who lived there. Here are some interesting facts:
- There is a train track tunnelled right along with the hard Borra Caves.
- Unlike most hill stations, this is popular as a shopping destination too for ancient antique jewellery, handicrafts, clothing, etc.
- The food has a unique flavour that will linger on your taste buds for a long time.
- The Chandana Yatra is a popular pilgrim and spiritual attraction.
- Araku Valley Coffee is famous around the globe.
Places to Stay
Homestays
Homestays are one of the best ways to experience life in this laid-back hill station. There is only one homestay here:
- Prudhvidevi Santosh Homestay, Araku Village
Hotels and Resorts
Here are some Araku Valley resorts and hotels in and around the area to help make your trip memorable:
- Natures Nest Araku, Main Road Ravala Guda
- Mythri Inn, Near Jyothi Cinema Hall
- Holiday Resorts, Ravvalaguda
- Krishna Tara Comforts, Padmapuram Garden Road
- Ushodaya Resort, Near Padmapuram Gardens
- Hill Park Valley, Opp. IOCL Petrol Bunk
- Rahul Resorts, Hectaguda Village
Best Road-Trips to Araku Valley
| Route Name | Distance | Time |
| Visakhapatnam to Araku Valley | 115 km | 3 hours and 15 minutes |
| Bhubaneswar to Araku Valley | 475 km | 9 hours and 42 minutes |
| Vijayawada to Araku Valley | 423 km | 8 hours and 45 minutes |
Last Updated on October 20, 2023 by blogadmin
