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Surrounded by the views of the Eastern Ghats and around 120 km from the bustling city of Visakhapatnam lies a popular hill station, Araku Valley. Known for its coffee plantations, the beauty of Araku Valley is unmatched. Be it with the train ride from Visakhapatnam or exploring the variety of places to visit in Araku, there’s something to appease every traveller. You can indulge in adventure at Borra Caves, learn about the local culture at the Tribal Museum or even explore the natural wonders. Whatever your preferences are, having a pre-planned travel itinerary enables you to indulge in Araku’s misty landscapes.
10 Places To Visit In Araku
There are several beautiful and exciting places to visit in Araku, each catering to the interests of the people travelling.
1. Borra Caves
Photo: Tarunsamanta / Wikimedia Commons
Among the tourist attractions in Araku, Borra Caves happens to be of prime importance. Not just the adventure and nature’s splendour, the caves also offer a glimpse into the history of the 18th century when these were discovered and excavated by the British geologist William King. The caves are predominantly known for their stunning stalactite and stalagmite formations, which have been shaped over millions of years. The caves are formed out of karstic limestone structures, which extend up to a depth of around 80 metres and are often referred to as one of the deepest caves in the country.
Location: Andhra Pradesh 531149
Timings: 10 AM – 01 PM and 02 PM – 05 PM
Entry Fees: ₹60 ($0.72) for adults and ₹45 ($0.54) for children
2. Araku Tribal Museum
Photo: Dissoxciate / Wikimedia Commons
Up next on the list of attractions that are a must-visit is the Araku Tribal Museum. The primary objective of this museum is to offer a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the indigenous tribes of the region. The museum is located in the heart of the city and showcases a variety of artefacts, traditional costumes, handicrafts and more. You also get to learn more about the local tribal communities like Gadaba, Konda Kapu, and Valmiki that thrive there. There are exclusive galleries inside the museum providing tourists with insights into the daily lives, traditions, and rituals of these tribes.
Location: Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh 531149
Timings: 09 AM – 07 PM
Entry Fees: ₹40 ($0.48) for adults and ₹20 ($0.24) for children
3. Coffee Museum
Photo: Dissoxciate / Wikimedia Commons
If you are a coffee enthusiast interested in learning more about coffee and the amazing details about the production of coffee, the Coffee Museum is the best place to be. The museum was initially started as a catering service, initiated by Prakash Rao, who was a migrant. Being passionate about Arabica Coffee, Mr Rao wanted to share the robust flavours of the coffee with people, which is when he transformed his catering service into a café in 1954. With the popularity it gained, the cafe was later transformed into a museum, which is now open for tourists to explore. There are 60+ variants of coffee available in the museum.
Location: Visakhapatnam Road, Araku, Andhra Pradesh.
Timing: 09 AM – 08 PM
Entry Fees: ₹10 ($0.12) per person
4. Katiki Waterfalls
Photo: Arkadeep Meta / Wikimedia Commons
Another one of the must-visit Araku tourist places is the Katiki Waterfalls. The waterfall plunges from a height of about 50 feet, creating a scenic view surrounded by dense forests. You can swim at the pool that forms at the base of the waterfall and beyond that, you can also indulge in picnics and unwind in the lap of nature. The best part of visiting this waterfall is the adventurous trek that you have to embark on. It winds through dense forests and nature trails, making it a moderately challenging trekking experience.
Location: Andhra Pradesh 531149
Timings: 24 hours
5. Padmapuram Gardens
Photo: Caleb Oquendo / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Another one of the places to visit in Araku during your visit is the Padmapuram Gardens. The origin of this garden has a direct association with World War II. It is said that the garden was constructed for growing vegetables, which were directly supplied to the soldiers fighting in the war. The garden is spread across an area of 26 acres where a variety of flowers, plants and medicinal plants are grown. Besides the plants, the tree-top huts are also a popular attraction among tourists. You can book your accommodation in one of these “hanging” cottages to indulge in a unique living experience.
Location: Padmapuram village, ITDA Paderu, Araku, Andhra Pradesh.
Timings: 08:30 AM – 12:30 PM and 02 PM – 06 PM
Entry Fees: ₹10 ($0.12) per person
6. Chaparai Waterfalls
Photo: Ponnada Kusuma Kumari / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
If you are fond of waterfalls, Chaparai Waterfalls is one of the popular places to visit in Araku Andhra Pradesh. The waterfall is roughly 13 km from the main centre of Araku and is locally known as Dumbriguda Waterfalls. It is one of the most popular waterfalls that is pictured in several Telugu movies. With the cascading nature of the waterfall and the serene environment, you get to indulge in a lot of unique activities, including strolling around, picnics and relaxing. There are multiple small vendors around the waterfalls selling local snacks, which you can try while soaking in the views.
Location: Way to Mandalam, Araku Valley, Dumbriguda, Andhra Pradesh 531151
Timings: 09 AM – 05 PM
7. Galikonda View Point
Photo: Satyabrata Maiti / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
For a bird’s eye view of the surrounding Araku Valley and the lush green coffee plantations and dense forests, you can visit Galikonda View Point. It is one of the highest points in the Araku Valley and offers panoramic views of the surrounding region. The viewpoint is located around 4310 feet above sea level, enabling you to witness the surrounding hillocks, valleys and the trees around. If you are travelling from Borra Caves back to the main centre of Araku Valley, the viewpoint lies in the middle point of these two spots. So, accessibility won’t be an issue at all.
Location: Araku, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 24 hours
8. Tadimada Waterfalls
Photo: Yogendra Singh / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
If there’s one waterfall that’s an absolute must to visit, it is the Tadimada Waterfalls. The views are stunning and the cascading view of the waterfall is truly a treat to watch. It is alternatively known as the Ananthagiri Waterfalls. The water falls from a height of 100 feet, which explains why it almost looks milky and cloudy. Also, the surrounding of the waterfall is covered in lush greenery, further adding to the beauty of the experience like never before. Beyond the stunning views, you can engage in a picnic experience and also explore the surrounding nature trails for some added adventure.
Location: Araku, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 24 hours
9. Sangda Waterfalls
Photo: Poladiya Romit / Pexels
In the list of tourist places in Araku, Sangda Waterfalls is another option you can’t miss out on exploring. Located in the Eastern Ghats, the waterfall is near Sangda village, which is where it derives its name from. The dense and lush green vegetation is the highlight of this spot, something that is bound to let you relax and unwind. Away from the hustle and honking of city life and with no pollution, the beauty of this waterfall is beyond anyone’s comprehension. It is a seasonal waterfall, so the beauty of this place is exemplified during the monsoon season.
Location: Araku, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 24 hours
10. Matsyagundam
Photo: Yogendra Singh / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
The last spot that you must add to your Araku tourist places list is Matsyagundam. It translates to “fish pool,” and is renowned for harbouring over 100+ species of fish. However, the major attraction in this spot is the Sri Matsyalingeshwara Swamy Temple, which is reportedly 100+ years old. There is a lot of folklore associated with the stream. The main one depicts a rampant fight between the Singarajulu (snakes) and the Matsyarajulu (fish) in Gemili. To ensure the safety of the small fish, the Mother Fish rescued them all and bought them in Matsyagundam, which is where this hamlet gets its name from.
Location: Araku, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 24 hours
There are several places to visit in Araku, each offering a unique experience to indulge in. From adventurous activities to learning about coffee and the history of the temples, there’s a lot that you can explore in this hill station. For a well-rounded trip and enriching time in Araku, ensure that you book your vacation ahead of time with TripXL for the best deals and discounts.
Cover Photo: Billjones94 / Wikimedia Commons
