Araku Valley --The Hill Station of Andhra Pradesh

Overview:

Araku Valley is a famous hill station that lies in the Vishakhapatnam district in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The town is situated amidst beautiful locales of Eastern Ghats and has a rich cultural as well as traditional past. The place is perhaps the most beautiful hill station in the south because it still remains unspoiled by commercialism of tourism. The beauty of the valley has been showcased in the Tollywood films as well. Movies like Happy Days, Darling and Katha have been partly shot at the place.

Araku Valley is at a Distance of about 114 km from the city of Vizag and lies very close to the border of Orissa. The valley boasts of the Ananthagiri and Sunkarimetta Reserved Forests which are known for their rich biodiversity. The valley lies surrounded by the mountains of Raktakonda, Chitamogondi, Galikonda and Sunkarimetta. The Galikonda hill has the distinction of being the tallest hill in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Apart from being a beautiful hill station, Araku Valley is also famous for its rich coffee plantations. The aroma of fresh coffee beans is in the air of Araku throughout. The coffee plantations have been responsible to a large extent for the rehabilitation of the many tribes that stay in and around Araku Valley. It was in 2007 that the first organic coffee brand by tribal growers was launched in India. This organic brand was named ‘Araku Emerald’ and it enjoys domestic as well as international popularity. Now there are thousands of tribal people who work as farms hands and helpers in these plantations.

Tourist places in and around Araku Valley

Araku Valley has some real interesting places to visit including the Tribal Museum, Tyda, Borra caves, Sangda Falls and Padmapuram Botanical Gardens. Besides, these the coffee plantations are a must visit for those who want to indulge themselves in the flavors of nature. Some people prefer enjoying and taking in the scenic beauty of the place rather than go sightseeing. However, none of the attractions in Araku Valley should be given a miss because they help visitors understand the history and culture of the place better.

The hill station is connected to the rest of the country via good roads and a good railway network. There are two railway stations; one in Araku and another in Araku Valley. Both the railway stations are connected to the railway station at Vizag. The railway stations fall on the Kothavalasa-Kirandul railway line that is part of the Vishakhapatnam division on the East Cost railway. Shimiliguda railway station has the highest broad gauge line in the whole country. The railway station is at a height of 996 meters above sea level. The station has no airport though the roads leading to the hills station are in a good condition. Travelers can take a private taxi from any of the towns and cities in Andhra Pradesh to reach Araku Valley. There are many bus operators who run regular bus services to Araku and back. Deluxe and Volvo buses from Hyderabad and Vizag are also available for Araku Valley. Buses cost less than private cabs but deluxe buses and Volvos charge higher than the normal bus fare.

Best time to visit Araku Valley

Araku Valley enjoys a moderate climate all through the year. The summers are not hot unlike those of the plains, and the winters are nice and cold without the temperature falling below freezing point. People from towns and cities around the valley prefer to visit the place during summers when it gets too hot in the plains. However, the best time to enjoy the beauty of the valley is during the winter season. During the months of winter, one can enjoy sports like hiking, rappelling and trekking.

To visit Araku Valley, winter months starting from October to February for the best time. The weather is at its best during this time in the valley. The afternoons are warm and pleasant, thus making it easier to go sightseeing and travel. However, it is advised to carry woolens since it becomes cold in the evenings and at night.

Summer

Summers in Araku Valley are moderately hot because the town is nestled among hills. Summer begins in the valley in the month of March, and continues right up to the end of May. Temperature during summers never rises above 30 degrees Celsius. Afternoons are warm , but evenings become quite pleasant and cool.

Monsoon

Monsoon sets in the valley in the month of June and the place receives moderate to heavy rainfall. The rains continue from June to September. Light showers are experienced even during the months of October and November. The temperature comes down to 25 degrees Celsius making the weather quite pleasant.

Winter

Winter in Araku Valley starts in the month of November and continues until the end of February. The winter isn’t cold, but it does become cool in the valley during these months. The temperature goes down to about 20 degrees Celsius, but does not rise above 23 degrees Celsius. It does tend to become rather chilly during evenings and at night.

How to Reach Araku Valley

How to Reach Araku Valley by Air Araku Valley does not have an airport. The nearest air link is at Vishakhapatnam, placed 112 Km away. The Vishakhapatnam Airport has two terminals that cater to domestic travellers only. While terminal 1 receives Air India, Kingfisher Airlines and Spice Jet passengers, the brand new terminal 2 is largely utilized by the no frills carrier Jetlite. The airport is fairly well connected to the city centre by a handful means of transportation. Of all the options available, pre-paid taxis are visibly the most viable. You can book one at the reservation desk handled by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The prices will surely punch holes in your pocket especially if you’re travelling on a limited budget, which may prompt you to indulge in some haggling with the private cab drivers outside the airport. The ubiquitous auto-rickshaws are also found near the airport complex. Though they’re not budget friendly, you can use their services to access the closest bus terminal. Once you’re there, look through the shuttles run by the state department APSRTC (Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation). These buses operate on several routes including Araku Valley. For further information on departures and arrivals please check the APSRTC website.

How to Reach Araku Valley by Rail Araku has a rail head accessed by one passenger train every day. This train starts early in the morning from Visakhapatnam Railway Station and takes 6 hours to complete the journey. Once you’ve reached Araku, you may if you wish opt for a guided tour in a public bus or hail a cab to a desired destination.

How to Reach Araku Valley by Bus The 117 km distance between Visakhapatnam and Araku is bridged conveniently by an efficient network of buses operated by the state department. The route to Araku Valley is frequented by several APSRTC buses in a day. The trip is a treat for the senses and may compel many to travel on their own with the freedom of stopping over at breathtaking spots. Therefore, you can also look into some rental deals at the Airport or contact the local agencies for a car suited to your needs.

Getting Around Araku Valley Araku Valley can be easily explored on foot. But you can always hire a car if walking is too tedious for you.