admin Popularly known as the Ooty of Andhra Pradesh, Araku Valley is a beautiful hill station in the district of Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. It is located amidst the dense and thick forests of the Eastern Ghats Mountain range and is a great holiday destination to spend quality time with loved ones. The natural abundance of the hills, rivers, and valleys will make anyone fall in love. It’s the perfect escape for those looking to take a break from their monotonous life and enjoy the serenity and tranquillity of nature.
The best time to visit the valley is during winter, between December to February. And you can also take part in numerous activities such as sightseeing, trekking and caving, among others, with much to explore. From the Araku waterfalls, also known as the Ranajilleda Waterfalls and the Coffee Museum, to the Tribal Museum and Borra Caves, among others, here is a list of places to visit in Araku Valley. With this short guide, you can effectively plan a fun and interesting trip to the valley.
Contents
Araku Valley Guide – Top Places You Must Visit in 2022
If you’re planning a trip to Andhra Pradesh for your next vacation, here are some places you need to visit to make the trip all the more enjoyable.
1.Ranajilleda Waterfalls or Araku Waterfalls (Location, Entry Fee and Timings)
The ranajilleda waterfalls are also popularly known as the Araku waterfalls and are one of the most beautiful locations to visit near Vishakapatnam. It is named after Ranajilleda Village and is located 6 kilometres from the Araku bus station and roughly 3 kilometres from the Padmapuram gardens. Travellers can trek or walk to the Ranajilleda waterfalls satiated at the top of a mountain. At the height of 60 ft, the Araku waterfalls are one of the most popular destinations. Depending on how fast you can cover the distance, it takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to make the journey and reach your destination.
The Ranajilleda waterfalls can be reached both via rail and road. It’s at a distance of 100 kilometres from Vizag and about 670 kilometres from Hyderabad. Furthermore, it’s only 6 kilometres away from the Araku bus station. You can either take your vehicle, rent one, or avail of the taxi or state bus services from the bus station. There is no entry fee, and travellers can visit any time they want to. You can easily spend a couple of hours at the Araku waterfalls and a few restaurants near the village where you can try local and popular types of food.
Also Read: Places to Visit in Srisailam: Create Your Itinerary for a Perfect Trip
2.Chaparai Water Cascade
The Chaparai water cascade, also known as Dumbriguda Waterfalls, is located about 15 kilometres away from Araku Valley. To reach the destination, travellers can either drive a private car or hire a taxi or auto-rickshaw. It’s a popular picnic spot, and the cascade doesn’t take on a hurried pace, but the streams flow across the natural rock formations at a very low height. It’s a great place to plan a fun day with loved ones. The time to visit the Chaparai water cascade is between 8 am to 6 pm, and visitors must pay a sum of INR 10/- to enjoy the scenic beauty. The water cascade is surrounded by green forests, which only add to its beauty.
3.Borra Caves
Another popular tourist destination in the Araku Valley, the Borra Caves, is located at an elevation of 705 metres in the Ananthagiri Hills. They are among the deepest and largest caves in the country and have been naturally formed and were discovered in 1807 by William King George. The caves are made of karstic limestone, and you can find stalagmite and stalactite formations in various shapes. Visitors are encouraged to visit the caves during the daytime to properly witness the beauty of the limestones glowing under the natural light. The timings to visit the caves are from 10 am to 5:30 pm, and the entrance fee is INR 40/- for adults and INR 30/- for children. Travellers can also pay an additional INR 25/- to take their cameras and INR 100/- for videos.
4.Araku Tribal Museum
The Araku Tribal Museum is located about 200 metres from the Araku bus station and was opened in 1996 by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. It’s one of the best ways to experience the tribal culture of the place and displays the lifestyle of about 19 tribes living in the vicinity. From jewellery and wedding photographs to utensils and hunting tools, it will provide a sense of what tribal life looked like. It’s a two-storey building made using tribal indigenous materials such as metals, mud etc. The museum remains open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and visitors must pay INR 40/- for adults and INR 20/- for children. There is also a souvenir shop where you can purchase different tribal handicrafts.
5.Coffee Museum
Araku Valley is well-known for its production line of aromatic coffee. The Coffee Museum houses an upmarket coffee that serves world-class coffee, brownies, sandwiches and chocolates, among others. There are around 60 varieties of coffee and 600 varieties of chocolates to choose from, and it presents the perfect chance to learn about the history of coffee. The museum was started by Prakash Rao (an immigrant) in 1930, who began a small coffee centre for tourists. Around 1954, he spread the uniqueness of the coffee grown in the Araku valley and began the Coffee Museum. Plus, numerous arrangements for fun activities keep children engaged and entertained. The museum is open seven days a week, and the timings are from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. Visitors have to pay a sum of INR 10/- per person.
Araku Valley is the place to be if you love outdoor activities and sightseeing. The beauty and serenity of the place will surely make you fall in love with the landscape. All you need to do is pack your bags and get going.
Frequently Asked Questions About Araku Valley
Take a look at some frequently asked questions about the valley.
1.When is the best time to visit Araku Valley?
It is not recommended for travellers to visit the Araku Valley during the summers. Instead, plan your trip around the monsoon or winter seasons.
2.What are some of the most popular tourist locations in Araku Valley?
The Araku Valley has numerous tourist destinations worth visiting. Some of the most popular ones include the Ranajilleda Waterfalls or Araku Waterfalls, Borra Caves, Chaparai Waterfalls, Padmapuram Botanical Gardens and the Coffee House.
3.For which type of travelling is Araku Valley the best place to plan?
The valley is the perfect destination for Hills & Mountain-themed holidays.
4.How long does it take to see the Borra Caves?
It typically takes about two to three hours to explore the borra caves.
5.Is it safe to travel with family to Araku Valley?
Definitely! The valley has a great police presence, and the locals are friendly and warm. The hotels, tourist destinations and guest houses are also secure. Moreover, the roads are well-lit after sunset, so there is nothing to worry about.
Read More: Places to Visit in Srisailam
