Araku Valley
Sub Place Details: Araku Valley is a magnificent hill station located in the Eastern Ghats at an elevation of 911 meters. It is world-renowned for its high-quality organic Arabica Coffee plantations which were started by the British. The valley is home to numerous waterfalls, dense forests, and deep valleys that remain shrouded in mist for most of the year. It is a center for tribal culture, where the inhabitants have preserved their ancient way of life for centuries. The journey to the valley via the railway line is a tourist attraction in itself, involving 58 tunnels and 84 bridges. The region offers a tranquil escape from the humid coastal climate of Visakhapatnam.
General information
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Ideal Duration:
2 to 3 DaysPlace Type:
Hill StationEntry Fees:
Sub Place Entry Fees: There is no entry fee for the valley itself, but specific spots like Padmapuram Gardens cost 10 INR. The Coffee Museum has an entry charge of 10 INR, and Chaparai Waterfalls charges a nominal 10 INR for vehicle entry. Parking fees at major viewpoints ...Sub Place Entry Fees: There is no entry fee for the valley itself, but specific spots like Padmapuram Gardens cost 10 INR. The Coffee Museum has an entry charge of 10 INR, and Chaparai Waterfalls charges a nominal 10 INR for vehicle entry. Parking fees at major viewpoints range from 20 INR to 50 INR depending on the vehicle type.Timing:
Sub Place Timings: The valley is accessible 24/7, but it is recommended to travel between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM due to fog and steep curves. Most museums and gardens open at 9:00 AM and close by 6:00 PM. The best time for sightseeing is between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM when the ...Sub Place Timings: The valley is accessible 24/7, but it is recommended to travel between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM due to fog and steep curves. Most museums and gardens open at 9:00 AM and close by 6:00 PM. The best time for sightseeing is between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM when the mist clears up.Special Events:
Sub Place Special Event: The Araku Balloon Festival, held in January, features colorful hot-air balloons from around the world flying over the valley. The Itika Pongal festival in January and February is a major tribal event where locals celebrate with hunting expeditions a...Sub Place Special Event: The Araku Balloon Festival, held in January, features colorful hot-air balloons from around the world flying over the valley. The Itika Pongal festival in January and February is a major tribal event where locals celebrate with hunting expeditions and communal feasts. The Visakha Utsav also features special cultural segments dedicated to the heritage of Araku Valley.Best Photo Spots:
Sub Place Best Photo Spots: The S-curve of the Ghat road near Galikonda is the most iconic spot for capturing the winding roads and deep valleys. The Coffee Plantations in Ananthagiri provide a lush green backdrop for nature photography. The Araku Railway Station with the ...Sub Place Best Photo Spots: The S-curve of the Ghat road near Galikonda is the most iconic spot for capturing the winding roads and deep valleys. The Coffee Plantations in Ananthagiri provide a lush green backdrop for nature photography. The Araku Railway Station with the colorful hills in the background is a favorite for travel bloggers. The sunrise at Galikonda View Point offers a dramatic play of light and shadow over the mountain peaks.Photo Gallery
Things To Do
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Sub Place Things to Do: Take the Vistadome Train ride from Visakhapatnam to experience the breathtaking tunnels and bridges of the Eastern Ghats. Spend an afternoon exploring the Coffee Museum to learn about the history of coffee from Ethiopia to India. Visit the Padmapuram Botanical Gardens and try staying in a Tree-Top Hut for a unique night experience. Sample the famous Bamboo Chicken prepared by local vendors near the waterfalls. Go for a sunrise trek to the Galikonda View Point to see the clouds floating below the hilltops. Shop for forest honey, pepper, and organic coffee at the local Friday market known as Hanthi. Attend a live Dhimsa performance in a local village to experience the authentic tribal lifestyle. ...
Information
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Why Famous:
Why Famous Sub Place: Araku is famous for being the producer of the globally acclaimed Araku Emerald coffee brand. It is also the birthplace of the Dhimsa Dance, a rhythmic folk dance performed by tribal women during the harvest season. The valley's natural beauty, specifi...Why Famous Sub Place: Araku is famous for being the producer of the globally acclaimed Araku Emerald coffee brand. It is also the birthplace of the Dhimsa Dance, a rhythmic folk dance performed by tribal women during the harvest season. The valley's natural beauty, specifically the Galikonda View Point, which is the highest point in the region, draws thousands of tourists. The unique Bamboo Chicken, cooked without oil or water inside bamboo stalks, is a culinary specialty famous across India. -
Architecture:
Sub Place Architecture: The valley features a mix of traditional tribal hamlets and modern colonial-style bungalows used by the coffee estate managers. Tribal houses are typically built with mud walls, thatched roofs, and decorated with Gopi (white mud) paintings. Modern t...Sub Place Architecture: The valley features a mix of traditional tribal hamlets and modern colonial-style bungalows used by the coffee estate managers. Tribal houses are typically built with mud walls, thatched roofs, and decorated with Gopi (white mud) paintings. Modern tourist resorts like the Haritha Mayuri follow a terrace-style architecture to provide panoramic views of the hills. The Coffee Museum in the valley has a colonial-era aesthetic with wooden interiors and large glass windows. The dimensions of the valley's landscape span across hundreds of square kilometers of undulating hills and plateaus. -
How To Reach:
Sub Place How to Reach:
By Air: The nearest airport is Visakhapatnam (VTZ), located 115 KM away with frequent flight connections.
By Train: The Kirandul Passenger or the Vistadome train (08517) leaves Vizag e... -
Near Tourist Places:
Borra Caves (36 KM), Katiki Waterfalls (30 KM), Galikonda View Point (10 KM), Coffee Museum (0 KM), Padmapuram Gardens (2 KM), Chaparai Waterfalls (15 KM), Ananthagiri Hills (26 KM), Tyda Nature Camp (40 KM), Matsyagundam (35 KM), Duduma Waterfalls (90 KM)
Tourism Tips
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Sub Place Tourism Tips: Book your Vistadome train tickets at least a month in advance as they sell out very quickly during the winter. Carry a basic first-aid kit and motion sickness medicine, as the winding Ghat roads can be challenging for some travelers. Dress in layers...
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Uma Maheshwara Swamy TempleYaganti Cave TemplesAdoni FortAhobilam TempleGandikota FortMahanandiMangampeta WaterfallsMantralayam Nallamalla ForestOravakallu Rock GardenRavadurg Gooty FortRollapadu Wildlife SanctuarySiddavatam FortThimmamma MarrimanuAraku Tribal MuseumAraku ValleyBheemili BeachBojjannakondaMore PlacesNote:-
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