ARAKU – HILL STATION

ARAKU VALLEY

Araku is a place to relax and enjoy nature. There are few tourist spots in Araku and they can be visited in three to four hours time. Araku is a famous hill station of AP. It is located at a distance of 130 KM from Visakhapatnam or (Vizag). It is famous for its scenic beauty. Located on the Eastern Ghats, it has valleys, waterfalls and streams flowing by the side of the train track and roads during rainy season. The journey to Araku Valley is the most enjoying as the rail passes through tunnels, hill sides and streams. It is better to go by rail and return by road. If you have time you can go ahead upto 20 KM to Chaprai a perennial stream flowing over a rocky slope. If you are at Araku then you must see Borra Caves.

Weather in Araku valley – It is cooler than Visakhapatnam but don’t expect a hill station climate in summer. Temperature can go up to 42 degree in May month. Winter temperature can come down to 14 – 15 degree. Normal rain you can expect at Araku and the area gets hit by cyclonic storm of Bay of Bengal during the month of October – November.

Tourist Places in and around Araku Valley:

• Borra Caves
• Araku Valley
• Padmapuram Gardens
• Tribal Museum
• Coffee House
• Damku View Point
• Galikonda View Point
• Coffee plantation ( on the way to Araku)
• Tyda Jungle Bells
• Movie shooting takes places in this area (Before Araku Valley)

PADMAPURAM GARDENS

Padmapuram Gardens is a tourist attraction in the Araku valley inAndhra Pradesh, India. The gardens have a good collection of appealing plants and flowers. These gardens provide a novel atmosphere with unique flower gardens and numerous hefty trees like eucalyptus, pine etc. Tribal welfare department has one Horticulture nursery cum training center here.

It is open from 8 AM to 12.30 PM and again on 2.00 PM to 5.00 PM.

 

COFFEE HOUSE

At the Araku town behind APRTC bus stand there is a coffee House. Here you will get all variety of Coffee. Inside you will get history of coffee plantation in Africa, Europe and India. One can buy chocolates, cakes and different of coffee related products under one roof.

TRIBAL MUSEUM

The Araku Tribal Museum is perhaps as famed as the place that houses it, the splendiferous Araku Valley. Started in February 1996, the museum unlike others is not historical, but instead showcases the orthodox lifestyle, along with the social, economical and cultural norms and customs of the native tribes of the region. The museum itself is built with mud and various metals that give it an authentic tribal feel and lend more credence to the artefacts that reside within.

Aimed at preserving and displaying the dominant traits of original tribal culture, traditional handicrafts, and fine arts of ancient tribes, the display of beautiful artifacts, intricate ornaments and exquisite textiles of the tribes of Northern Andhra Pradesh is a sight to behold. There is a tribal museum on tribal heritage, living system and culture. Near the museum boating facility is also available. Opening time 8.00 AM to 1.30 PM lunch break 2.30 PM to 6.30 PM.

TYDA

An eco-tourism project this nature camp located at a distance of 90 Km from Vizag (On the way to Araku valley) is right place for bird watching, rock climbing, trekking and overnight stay.

 

WATERFALLS

There are few waterfalls in Araku, Katiki waterfall is near Borra Caves. Tatiguda and Chaparai are other waterfalls tourist can enjoy.

 

BORRA CAVES

located at a distance of 100 Km north of Visakhapatnam. The caves open with 100 meter on horizontal plane and about 75 meters on vertical plane. These caves spread over an area of one square KM and the origin of river Gosthani which flows through the district. This you must see if you are in Araku Valley or in Visakhaptanam. This location is at a height of 800 to 1300 meters from MSL. William King the British geologist discovered this million years old cave in the year 1807. 

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. 

The humic acid in the water reacts with calcium carbonate in the limestone and dissolves the minerals breaking the rock gradually. The perennial water flow over a period of time results in the formation of caves. Stalagmites are formed due water percolating from the roof containing calcium bi carbonate and other minerals from mounds. Same way stalactites are also formed and because of their different shapes tourist and locals have given different names to them. 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. 
On your journey to Araku by train you can see picturesque Landscape with greenery, peaks and valleys. Before reaching Borra Guhalu Railway station the train passes through 42 tunnels. Before Borra Caves you can take a jeep ride to Katiki Waterfall. Entry fee applicable for Adults, childrens camera, video & digital cameras. Timings: 10 AM to 5.00 PM ( 1.00 to 2.00 lunch break).