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Places to visit in Araku Valley

Places to Visit in Araku Valley

Tourist Places to Visit in Araku Valley

Araku Valley is a hill station situated in the Eastern Ghats, about 120 km west to the Visakhapatnam city in Andhra Pradesh. The undulating coffee plantations, extensive rain forests, greener valleys, silvery waterfalls, and foggy clouds captivate the visitors. There are many tourist places to see in Araku Valley that attracts visitors every year. Nature lovers will have a gala time enjoying the fantabulous beauty of sparkling waterfalls like Chaparai Waterfalls, Ananthagiri Waterfalls, etc.

Borra Caves in Araku Valley is a visual treat to the tourists. The caves discovered by the British geologist William King in 1807 is also a place of geological importance. The “Fish Pool” or Matsyagundam is another tourist place which showcases fishes of different varieties and sizes. Legend states that the local deity “Mahalingeshwara Swamy” has rescued the fishes from the snakes and blessed them.

Visitors make a beeline to this place to enjoy the serenity of nature but not for angling or consuming the fish. While the Coffee plantations, Gardens, and Museums captivate the visitors, the trekking and rock climbing activities attract the outdoor sports enthusiasts.

Here is a list of best places to visit in Araku Valley:

Coffee Museum

One of the places to visit in Araku Valley is the Coffee Museum. In 1930, a migrant by name Prakash Rao had set up a catering service for tourists to highlight the uniqueness of the Arabica Coffee. In 1954, he started a Coffee house, which catered to foreign delegates and coffee traders. However, it is now open to all.

The museum manned by educated tribal staff showcase a series of pictures detailing the origin and history of coffee. They market 60 varieties of coffees and an array of 600 coffee-chocolates. Visitors can satiate their hunger and appease their craving by indulging in delicacies such as chocolates, sandwiches, brownies, mousses, tarts, etc and savor stimulating coffees.

Location: Visakhapatnam Road, Araku, Andhra Pradesh.

Price: Entry Fee is Rs. 10 per person.

Timing: Monday-Sunday from 09:00 a.m. to 08:00 p.m.

Padmapuram Gardens

Padmapuram Gardens is one of the prominent places to visit in Araku Valley. It was built in 1942 for growing and supplying vegetables to World War II soldiers. Later it was converted into a Horticultural Nursery cum training center. The 26-acre nursery comprises orchards, a colorful riot of flowers, a fabulous rose garden, exotic plants, trees like eucalyptus, pine, etc.

The striking feature of the Padmapuram Botanical Gardens is the tree-top huts. Also known as hanging cottages, they are 10 ft above the ground level and have attached toilets and continuous water supply. Visitors can stay & experience the thrill of swaying in the air when a heavy wind blows across. This Garden also features a toy train by name Araku Express. Araku Express takes adults (Rs. 20) and children (Rs. 10) on the tour of the whole botanical garden.

Location: Padmapuram village, ITDA Paderu, Araku, Andhra Pradesh.

Price: Entry Charges Rs. 10 per person

Timing: Monday- Sunday (8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. & 2:00 pm -6 p.m.)

Best Time to Visit: Winters and post-monsoon periods are the most suitable time to visit the Padmapuram Gardens.

Tribal Museum

It is one of the acclaimed places to visit in Araku Valley. Araku Tribal Museum is located in the small town of Araku, around 110 km of Visakhapatnam. Unlike other museums, which house historical items, the Tribal Museum showcases the artifacts from tribal life. The 2 storey Tribal building is built using the traditional indigenous materials such as mud, metals, etc and showcases native tribal architecture in the form of colors, motifs, and frames used.

The first floor of the red-colored rotund structure displays dioramas depicting tribal lifestyle, day-to-day kitchen utensils made of iron and mud, musical instruments, and wall paintings of market scenes and clay pottery. It exhibits local tribal dances of Mayur and Dhimsa from a range of festivals and life-sized figurines wearing vibrant clothing with matching accessories. The walls adorn the masks, and exotic artifacts belonging to the Tribal culture of Eastern Ghats. The second floor houses a souvenir shop and the Tribal Arts and Craft center. The center also houses 10 double rooms, public conveniences, and a cafeteria.

Location: Araku, Andhra Pradesh, India

Price: Entry Charges – Adults- Rs. 40, Kids – Rs.20.

Timing: 10:00 a.m. – 05:00 p.m.

Best Time to Visit: October: March is considered the best time to visit Araku Tribal Museum, though the climate throughout the year remains pleasant and balmy.

Galikonda View Point

Galikonda View Point is the uppermost point of the Visakhapatnam district. Visitors can enjoy the bird’s view of the lush green valleys, rivers and streams, railway tracks, hillocks, and buildings. Galikonda is the second highest mountain in the Eastern Ghats. It is 4320 ft above the sea level.

It lies on the route between Borra Caves and Araku Valley. It is one of the places to visit in Araku Valley.

Location: Araku, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

Timing: Open 24 hours every day

Best Time to Visit: Aruku enjoys a mild tropical climate throughout the year. Visitors can visit the place any time of the year but the most ideal season is during winter.

Katiki Waterfall

Katiki Waterfalls is located in Katiki village, near Borra Caves. Visitors need to travel and trek to reach the base of the waterfalls. Shared Jeeps safaris will take visitors from Gatevalsa to the railway track, which is 7 km afar. From the railway track, the visitors need to trek 1- 2 km to reach the base of the Waterfall. The whole Journey is adventurous as the road will be bumpy and the trek thrilling through the narrow slippery path. Katiki Waterfall, which originates from the Gosthani River, falls from a height of more than 100 ft.

The dense green vegetation all around the gushing white silvery Waterfall lends enchantment to the viewers. The moisture or water droplets that arise from the fall add a sense of romanticism to the surroundings. The pristine white waters allure visitors to take a shower and soak in the atmosphere. The hot and spicy bamboo chicken by locals leave visitors smacking their lips. Visitors can buy organic honey from the tribes.

Location: Katiki Waterfalls Rd, Tummikapalle, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Timing: Open 7 days a week from 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Best Time to Visit: The monsoon season brings more rainwater and doubles up the quantity and force of the falls adding charm to the surroundings. So, it is most preferable to visit after the monsoon season. While the winters are also suitable, the stream tends to shrink a lot in summers.

Ananthagiri Water Falls

Ananthagiri Waterfalls is located on the Eastern Ghats, about 60 km from the Visakhapatnam. It is 30 km from Araku Valley and 3 km from Ananthagiri Town. The thick rainforests, lush green coffee plantations, rolling hills, deep ravines, and swirling waterfalls will sweep the visitors off their feet.

It is an ideal place for nature lovers and honeymooners to enjoy the spectacular Sunrise and Sunset and get lost in the all-pervading beauty of nature. The waterfall is at a distance of 1 -2 km from the main road connecting the Araku Valley and Ananthagiri Town. Visitors can walk from the main road and reach the Waterfalls in 20 minutes.

Location: Ananthagiri Town, Vizag district, Andhra Pradesh.

Price: No entry Fees

Timing: It is open on all days of the week between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Best Time to Visit: The most suitable time to visit Ananthagiri Waterfalls is after the monsoon period. The streams inundated with rainwater flow at full force and present a panoramic vista. Visitors also prefer to visit the place during winter.

Chaparai Water Cascade

Chaparai Water Cascade is situated on the Paderu-Araku road, about 15 km from Araku Valley. Though the place is not a waterfall in its strict sense, the slanting surfaces of the hillocks make water glide over them and flow as a continuous stream over the massive rock formations.

The lush greenery, thick forest cover, and hills in the background add beauty to the place. The ankle-deep gushing water entices families to get in and indulge in splashing waters over each other or enjoy swimming. However, visitors should take care of the depth of the water and the slippery nature of the rocks. Tourists can enjoy the delicious “Bamboo Chicken” prepared by the locals and also participate in their traditional dance.

Location: on Paderu- Araku Road, Visakhapatnam.

Price: Entry Fees Rs. 10

Timing: Monday -Sundays between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Best Time to Visit: Though visitors can visit the place round the year, the most preferred time to visit Chaparai Water Cascade is immediately after the rainy season. The water flow will be more after the monsoons and people can enjoy swimming and sliding. The cascading waters will be less during summers. People visit it during winters too.

Sangda Waterfalls

Sangda Waterfalls, situated in the Eastern Ghats near the Sangda village, is one of the places to see in Araku Valley. The cascading milky white waters against the backdrop of the verdant vegetation on surrounding mountain ranges present an inexplicable experience.

It is a gateway to millennials, accustomed to sound and air pollution, to enjoy the quietude and pristine atmosphere. The falls are a favorite tourist place to nature lovers, families, and honeymooners.

Location: Sangda village, Araku, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Timing: Open 24 /7

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Sangda Waterfalls is, post rainy season. The streams overflow as a result of rains and feed the waterfalls, thus increasing the width and volume of the waterfall. The gushing waters from height present a visual treat to the visitors. Tourists visit during winters too. Summer is not suitable as the water dries up and does not present a beautiful sight.

Rana Jilleda Water Falls

Rana Jilleda Waterfalls is situated 3 km from the Padmapuram Botanical Gardens. It is one of the lesser-known waterfalls situated close to Rana Jilleda village, in Araku Valley. Also known as the Araku Waterfalls, the waterfalls from a height of 60 ft. To reach this waterfall, visitors can drive straight from Padmapuram Gardens to Rana Jilleda village.

From the village, visitors have to trek 10- 15 minutes to reach the summit of the falls. Swimming in the vast pool beneath the waterfall is not entertained as this is the major source of water for Araku.

Location: Ranajilleda village, Araku, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Timing: Open 24 hours every day

Best Time to Visit: The most ideal time to visit the Waterfalls is the post-monsoon season when the flow is copious and forceful. Visitors can visit the place during winter too. Summer is not the best of the times to visit the Waterfall.

Araku Valley FAQ's

What is famous in Araku Valley?

Famously known as ‘Ooty of Andhra Pradesh’ for its lush misty forests, verdant valleys, and miles of fragrant coffee & spice plantations, Araku Valley is loved for its natural beauty. It is famous for its million-year-old limestone Borra caves, the deepest caves in the country, Matsyagundam (fish pool) for its huge variety of fish, and the centuries-old Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple, and the beautiful Tadimada and Chaparai waterfalls.

Which is the best time to visit Araku Valley?

Winters (October-February) is the best time to visit to experience cool weather and the beauty of the place. The temperatures dip to around 5°C in January making the place thick with fog and mist, making it even more beautiful. The next best season is summers (March-June) when the temperatures range between 18-28°C making it the perfect place to escape from the southern summer heat.

Is Araku Valley Safe?

Yes, absolutely! All the attractions, hotels, and guest houses are completely safe for travellers. There is ample police presence and the locals are warm and friendly. The roads are well-lit during the evenings making it completely safe to be outdoors.

What can I buy in Araku Valley?

The best thing to buy in Araku Valley is fresh coffee straight from its coffee plantations. Besides this, you can pick up handmade chocolates from the Coffee Museum and tribal jewellery, bags, and artefacts made from wrought iron, mud, and brass from the Tribal Museum here. Don’t miss to shop for the beautiful Andhra textiles like Mangalagiri, Kalamkari, Peddapuram, and soft woven Khadi and cotton.

How do I plan the Araku trip?

Araku Valley is easily reachable from Visakhapatnam. Once here, you can plan to see some of the most amazing attractions like the millions of years old Borra caves, the beautiful Tribal museum, and visit the Galikonda Viewpoint to see a beautiful sunset. Don’t miss to try a cup of freshly-brewed coffee as you take a tour of the lush coffee plantations here and soak in the beauty of scenic waterfalls.

How long does it take to see Borra caves?

You should keep aside at least 2-3 hours to leisurely explore this natural wonder, its labyrinth of passages, and the Shivalinga deep inside the caves. One generally has to wait in the queue to see and spend time near the Shivalinga and a couple of hours cover the waiting time.

How far is Araku Valley from Vizag?

The Valley is located around 115 kilometres from Vizag. Daily trains and buses ply between the two places, which are a convenient way to travel between the 2 places. Alternatively, you can self-drive or hire a taxi and reach via Gajuwaka-Scindia Road to Araku-Visakhapatnam Road, and Pendurthi-BRTS Express Way to reach Araku Valley.

How do I get to Araku from Borra caves?

Located around 37 kilometres from Borra Caves, Araku Valley can be easily reached by taking a taxi that takes around 30 minutes. You will travel on the NH 516E via the Muniguda-Borra Caves Road to Ananthagiri.