Araku Valley offers a mix of natural beauty and cultural experiences. Top places to visit include Borra Caves, known for stunning stalactites and stalagmites, and Katiki Waterfalls, a scenic spot amidst greenery. The Araku Tribal Museum provides insight into indigenous culture, while the Padmapuram Gardens are perfect for a peaceful nature walk. Here are some Best places to visit in Araku valley .
1.Araku Tribal Museum
Araku Tribal Museum is owned by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation was established in the year 1996 which is just 200 meters away from the Araku bus station. They capture the aspect of the lifestyle of tribes from the Eastern Ghats in an area constructed from mud and metal and it has some of the attractions and features such as jewelry, hunting tools, and kitchenware among others. The visitors can also get to watch traditional dance and propulsion of the boats, for the products of the local art and craft the visitors can visit the Tribal Art and Craft Centre.
Best Time to Visit
It is recommended that one visit the museum between October and March but the region is relatively dry the whole year through.
The Araku Tribal Museum is an innovative and interactive type of museum which makes the people get more acquainted with the interesting tribal life of this area. Further, Araku Valley tourist can access it easily since it is just about 200m from the Araku bus station.
Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM, all days of the week.
Entry Fees: ₹40 for adults and ₹20 for children.
2. Coffee Museum, Araku Valley
One of the famous museums is the Coffee Museum situated in the Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh where the hospitality of the area is perfectly reflected. Begun in 1930, by K. Prakash Rao with a catering service with an aim at popularizing Arabica coffee, the museum now presents an elaborate coffee history and its importance.
Best Time to Visit
The best season to visit the Coffee Museum in Araku Valley is between October and March when the climate is comparatively favourable and planes. This period is good for visiting the museum and to enjoy the valley surrounded picturesque scenery. Monsoon is a little rough from July to September due to rainfall whereas summer season is from April to June that is a bit hot but not very much.
Timings: (Weekdays: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
(Weekends: 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM)
Entry Fees: Entry fees are ₹50 – ₹100 for adults and ₹30 – ₹50 for children.
3.Madagada View Point
Araku valley and Madagada View Point is a place which provides a wider cliff view of green terrains and hills. Located in high grounds the best time to visit is in the morning or in the evening, the view is great. There are beautiful and wonderful sites for photography, moments and peaceful mountainous region that is perfect for one.
Best Time to Visit
In my opinion, it’s better to visit the Madagada Viewpoint in the morning or in the evening, before sunset. These times are great for lighting in photography and the environment is extremely calm so it only adds to the experience of the incredible sceneries.
Timings: Open all day, best visited early morning or late afternoon.
Entry Fee: Free.
4. Padmavathi Gardens
Araku valley consists of Padmavathi Gardens which is one of the beautiful botanical garden situated with full of green trees and flowering plants. This lies approximately 7-8km away from the main town of Araku, and it has several plant species, beds of flowers and many tree houses which gives a spectacular view of several hills. It is good for a leisurely walk and to just take time to appreciate the view of the valley that the park offers.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Padmavathi Gardens can be best visited in the months of October to March. In these months the climate is not too cold as in the winter or too hot as in the rest of the year, which makes the gardens perfect for outdoor visits.
Timings: Monday through Friday 09:00am-6:00pm
Entry Fee: Rs 30 – Rs 50
Also Read | Top 5 tourist places in Arunachal Pradesh
5. Katiki Waterfalls
Katiki Waterfalls is a beautiful waterfall which is situated in the close proximity to Araku Valley, in the Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh. The waterfalls are located approximately 30 kilometres away from Araku and the only way to get there is by trekking through the forests. It tumbles from an elevation of about fifty feet and provides the visitors with a beautiful and rather serene environment. There is plenty of greenery to walk round and enjoy the nature around the falls and the calmness of the area.
Best Time to Visit
The best time of the year to see Katiki Waterfalls for interested tourists is from the month of October to the month of March. During these months the climate is quite suitable and is suitable for trekking and enjoying the waterfalls. The journey might be treacherous during the monsoon period that is from July to September while the period between April and June is quite hot.
Timings: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Entry Fee: ₹50 per person
6.Chaparai Waterfalls
Chaparai Waterfall is a beautiful Waterfall which is located at Araku Valley of Andhra Pradesh. The place from which it is easily accessible is Araku and the place is famous for its calm and pleasant atmosphere. The waterfall falls on irregular rocks which makes the area a beautiful natural place for one could desire to take a rest or even rejuvenate themselves by taking a close look at nature. Another attraction around Chaparai is the spot that they take food and have a short walk around the forest.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Chaparai Waterfall is the Winter season that is from October to March. This time of year allows one to have clear vision and good weather for sight seeing especially the waterfall and its environment.
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fee: The charges for the “themed” portions would include about ₹20 to ₹30 per person.
7. Borra caves
Borra caves also widely called as Borra Guhalu is a famous caves situated in the Anantagiri hills of Araku valley of Andhra Pradesh in India. It is one of the largest and deepest caves in the country which having the depth of 80 meter and height of 1,400 meters above the sea level.
Best time to visit
The best time to plan a tour to Borra Caves is in the month of November and December since the climate favors ones ability to paragon the caves with natural beauty of the Araku Valley.
Timings: Monday to Friday 9:00 AM in the morning to 5:00 PM at evening.
Entry Fee: ₹40 for adults and ₹30 for the children.
Does Araku have a beach?
Sri Bheemili Beach is present on Vishakhapatnam District’s Araku Valley, on River Gosthani’s source, Bheemunipatnam. The remnants of several 17th-century British and Dutch settlements including a Fort and a cemetery are still visible here.
What is the famous dish of Araku?
Special Bamboo Chicken
Araku Valley Special Bamboo Chicken – Street Food of Andhra Pradesh is dominating the street of India. It is marinated in soy sauce and ginger and then seasoned chicken is stuffed into bamboo and barbequed. Not so long ago, it was one of the most secretly attractive attractions of Araku, whereas now, it lights up the tourist map.
What is the speciality of Araku Valley?
Araku is located at about 3200 ft above sea level and it is widely renowned for its coffee plantation gardens, streams, water falls and valleys with greenary of dense forest.
Which dance is famous in Araku?
Dhimsa is in sync with the culture of this region especially with the areas close to Araku valley and Borra Caves. This is because earlier on unmarried youth used to dance. In the dance, there is no one who is excluded from joining in the dance. It is usually done as a break in their working schedule hence they use their free time to engage in it.
