Are you looking for a break from hustle and bustle of city life? If so, why not embark on a timeless journey to Araku valley nestled in Eastern ghats?

Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh is a lesser known tourist place in India. Two years back, when I stumbled upon a blog on Araku Valley, I was enchanted by the beauty of it. Back then when I booked for Araku, I couldn’t make it due to an emergency. This time, I don’t want to miss experiencing the monsoon beauty of Araku.

Araku Valley offered a perfect blend of scenic beauty, natural wonders, picturesque waterfalls and exquisite tribal experiences. Dive in to know what all we did in Araku Valley.

Go on a scenic train journey in Vistadome coach
I remember vividly raving about the Switzerland train journeys(Especially Glacier Express). Oh boy! How similar I felt after taking this journey. To imagine that India has developed to this extent is something I am proud of. Vistadome coach was maintained excellent with giant glass windows and rotating chairs.

Coming to the vistas during the train journey, be it the clouds floating over the mountains or terraced rice fields or the milky waterfall through thickets of green mountain, every vista is like a painting unfolding itself. Watch out this space for a detailed photo post about Vistadome train journey.

Explore the famed Borra Guhalu
Borra caves, one of the oldest and largest caves in India, is a famous tourist spot in Araku. People take train to Araku to just witness the famed caves. Borra caves at an altitude of 1300m above sea level, are believed to have formed million years ago.

Exquisite formations of stalagmites and stalactites stands as a proof for this geological wonder. AP Tourism have built steps to guide tourist to explore the caves without getting missed.

Borra Guhalu will leave you awestruck at every turn. Effects of lights added allure to the mystical caves. Borra caves is one place that should not be missed on your trip to Araku.

Refresh your soul in a scenic Thatigudi waterfall
As you park your car at the entrance, you can literally see clouds floating above the mountains. Greenery around the place was truly unbeatable.

With hardly 30 steps to climb down, Thatigudi waterfall or Ananthagiri waterfall is a beauty worth witnessing. We had the whole waterfalls to ourselves. Being monsoon, water flow was very good making it worth a dip.

Witness Bali like step irrigation
Step irrigation is something very prevalent in Araku region. We have also read that Araku tribes practice Shifting irrigation to retain the natural ores of soil. You can see farmers up and about ploughing and weeding the farm early in the morning.

You can find Bali like step irrigation all along Araku. Isn’t it so beautiful to witness such beautiful landscapes right in India?

Relish Bamboo biryani and Bamboo chicken
If there is one thing that made me book this trip for second time, it’s the Bamboo chicken. Thanks to our car driver who took us to order in Hotel Sairam before heading to explore Borra caves. We ordered Bamboo biryani and Bamboo chicken. Both were served hot.

Taste was top notch with correct spice level. We had ordered spicy bamboo chicken and less spicy bamboo biryani for my kid. Little V loved both.

I have read so many reviews about it and Bamboo chicken was worth the hype. No trip is complete without tasting the local delicacy right?

Learn about tribal culture in Araku museum
Museums are something I really enjoy. Sculptural depiction of Tribal life was wonderfully captured in Araku Museum. Little V was inquisitive about each sculpture scenes. Model village has houses constructed in traditional style.

Araku Museum has a well-maintained outdoor space with beautiful lawns. During peak season, you can go boating in the pond or watch Dhimsa dance performance in the amphitheatre or do adventure activities.

Bask in the beauty of Padmapuram gardens
Imagine being an only tourist family in a well-maintained garden! Padmapuram gardens housed some exotic trees and well-maintained garden space. It was drizzling all along adding charisma to the already beautiful landscape.

During peak season, a toy train ride is also available inside the gardens. Garden has a lot of photogenic places. We loved the time spent in Padmapuram gardens. Though there were a few children play area, but they weren’t maintained well.

Let your kid learn about chocolates in Chocolate factory
Chocolate factory offered a pictorial depiction of how Chocolate is created from Cocoa nut. Each and every process were explained right from fermentation, roasting and winnowing of beans. You can also buy variety of chocolates at the factory.

Chocolate factory had also housed trampoline jump, few amusement rides for kids to enjoy. Small eatery offering doughnuts, brownies were also available inside the factory.

Coffee plantations
Araku Coffee is quite famous in Andhra Pradesh. You can witness coffee and pepper plantations all along the road. We visited one such coffee plantations.

We heard that Araku Coffee Museum is also good. My boys didn’t want to go Museum hopping. So we skipped it.

Apart from this, You can also explore Katiki waterfalls in Araku. You can reach there by car and then trek down to the waterfalls. Drivers charge extra 1000 for taking tourists to Katiki falls from Borra caves. But we didn’t venture it due to shortage of time.

While the famed western ghats attracts more tourists, equally stunning eastern ghats is usually looked down upon.

What are you waiting for? Book your trip to Araku! It’s time to unearth the beauty of exquisite eastern ghats. Vizag, Araku itinerary we followed is given below.

Practical Tips

1. For travelling around Araku, you can board autos as most of the attractions are few kms away.

2. For travelling to Borra caves, Ananthagiri hills from Araku, you can book cars. Car charges INR 3000. For Katiki falls, INR 1000 charged extra.

3. From Araku to Vizag, Car charges around INR 6000.

4. You can also board buses that are available every half an hour. Ultra-deluxe buses are decent for travelling.

5. Vistadome train rides are beautiful. Dont miss to take trains to reach Araku.

Month of Trip – July 2024

Price – 35000 for two adults and 1 kid