Araku Valley is hill station in the North Coast region of Andhra Pradesh in Southern India. It is about 110 km (68 mi) from Visakhapatnam and many travellers visit this town as part of their trip to Visakhapatnam. In 2011, it was home to 57,000 people. It is a coffee plantation, and there is also a honey industry.

Understand

Borra Caves

Araku is blessed with enchanting beauty of the hills and greenery, interspersed with streams and rivulets. The morning fog is particularly lovely here. This area is often referred to as Ooty of Andhra. It is a valley in the Eastern Ghats inhabited by several tribes.

Araku Valley is definitely not a day trip, but the APTDC facilities can serve as a decent lodging. Book your APTDC rooms early. November to February are the best months to visit and making an early reservation in the lodges is advisable as Araku Valley has few lodges and hotels.

Get in

By train

1 Araku railway station . A slow, passenger train leaves the Vizag station early in the morning (at 6:50AM), and the train ride is enjoyable. Arrive at least an hour before its departure to get a seat. The train runs through small mountains and tunnels. "Shimiliguda" railway station, on the route, is the highest railway station in India on broad-gauge track.

By bus

There are buses that operate from APSRTC that have a daily tour as well as normal operations.

=By car

You can also hire a taxi or car for as much as ₹2500 for a round trip and a night stay at Araku.

Get around

Take a walk around the small town in the early morning while the fog is still there to catch the beauty of a hill station. Getting around Araku Valley is limited by limited public bus service. At APTDC lodge, cabs can be hired for a day trip through the valley to Borra caves; the ride is amazing.

See and do

• 1 Araku Tribal Museum. (updated Apr 2024)
• 2 Borra Caves. Once charming, these caves have been modernized by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC). There is an entry fee of ₹30. Separate charges are there to enter with still or video camera. It is a must-visit place for all tourists visiting Vizag. Bring drinking water.  
• Coffee museum, which is just outside Mayuri Resort (Andhra Pradesh Tourism), is also 1 min walk from the Araku Bus Stand. It covers the history of coffee plantations and also sells coffee.

Eat

Bamboo chicken is a local specialty. Indian, Chinese, Continental and as well as local South Indian dishes are also available here.

Drink

Aruku valley has coffee plantations, and you can taste their coffee at Aruku valley coffee house near to the bus station in Aruku

Sleep

• Andhra Tourism Resort.
• Dhimsa Resorts, Phones: 08936-249555, 08936-249786
• Hill Park Resorts.
• Haritha Valley Resort, Phones: 089362 49202, (free breakfast, Wifi)
• RRK Resort, Phone: 086883 09090
• Tyada (on Araku-Vizag road). AP tourism runs a resort a there, which is the only place to stay there.

Go next

• Visakhapatnam