Araku

ARAKU VALLEY                               Araku Valley is a famous hill station located in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. It is located 115 km from the Vishakhapatnam district, close to the Orissa state border. This place lures people with pleasant weather, hills and valleys. The natural beauty of this valley comes alive with its rich landscape. The area of the valley is roughly 36 km and the altitude is between 600 and 900 m above the sea level. The journey to this place on the Ghat road with thick forests on either side is in itself interesting and pleasant. One can have a wonderful trekking trip. 46 tunnels and bridges will greet guest on the way. Rolling grass lands, lush orchards and pleasant climate make Araku Valley a delightful place. Tourism :- The Ananthagiri hills on  the way to Araku Valley are famous for coffee plantations. The Borra caves, located 29 km from Araku Valley, are a nearby tourist attraction. Location :- Araku Valley is located on the Eastern Ghats of India, the valley is inhabited by tribal people. One of the other attractions of this valley is a tribal museum. The valley is connected through both rail and road to the city of Vishakapatnam.

HOW TO REACH By Air :- The nearest airport is Vishakhapatnam at a distance of 112-km. By Train :-  Araku Station (136 km from Viskhapatnam). By Road :- One can drive up from Viskhapatnam or take any of the buses plying here. (117 km from Viskhapatnam). WHEN TO GO Best time to travel Araku Valley is October To February. WHAT TO SEE Araku Tribal Museum :- The Tribal Museum in Araku Valley explores the tribal culture of Eastern Ghats. The Tribal Museum exhibits rich tribal tradition and several artifacts. One can see the tools used by the tribes and avail information about the social and cultural aspects of the tribal people. There is a stall in the museum where handicrafts items of the tribes are sold. Anantagiri Hills :- Anantagiri is a breathtakingly beautiful resort sheltered in the lush undulating ranges of the Eastern Ghats. It is considered to be a perfect head off to get away from the blistering summer months. Ananthagiri is perched at an altitude where the panoramic vista unfolds 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. The Eastern Ghats rail route on this stretch is one of the highest broad gauge tracks in the world. Bheemunipatnam Beach :- Bheemunipatnam Beach is about 25-km from Vishakhapatnam and prime attraction of Araku Valley. The most important aspect of interest at the place is the beach, which is perhaps matchless for its beauty all along the east coast. Borra caves :- Borra caves is located at a distance of above 90-95 km from Vishakhapatnam and prime attraction of Araku Valley and Situated at 1400 metres above sea-level, they spread over the Eastern Ghats and occupy an area of 2 sq km. William King George of the Geological Survey of India discovered these caves in the year 1807. Deep in the caves there is a “Shivalingam” over which there is an idol of a cow “Kamdhenu” and the river Gosthani takes its origin from the udder of this cow. The mercury and halogen lamps lit inside make the interior of the caves colourful and spectacular. Tyda Park :- It is located 75 kms. from Visakhapatnam on the Araku road, Tyda is being developed with camping facilities at Jungle Bells to provide an enchanting experience in the wilderness to tourists. A home for a variety of wild mammals and avitauna, Tyda is ideal for viewing wild life and bird watching. Other attractions are rock climbing, trekking and targetting with bow and arrows. Dhimsa Dance :- The natural beauty of this valley comes alive with its rich landscape. The Dhimsa dance an age-old folk dance of the aborigines is still performed here in Araku Valley during 'Itika Pongal' - the famous hunting festival in April.