Araku Valley, a hidden gem in Andhra Pradesh

A gem in the Eastern Ghats, Araku Valley is a hill station that needs to be on your travel wish list if not already. Why, you ask? Located in the Alluri Sitharaman Raju district in Andhra Pradesh, Araku Valley is a destination perfect for nature and adventure lovers. We are here to explore that.

Also read: Exploring Amaravati, an important Buddhist centre in Andhra Pradesh

Araku Valley, home to the Araku tribes, is approximately 114 km from the popular coastal city of Visakhapatnam. It makes for a very cool getaway if you are visiting Visakhapatnam. Driving to Araku from Visakhapatnam takes you away from the coast and towards the verdant hills.



As soon as you exit the coastal town, you will start seeing greenery all around and you breathe fresher air. That’s the magical Eastern Ghats for you.


A delight for nature lovers, Araku Valley is home to the biodiversity hotspots - Anantagiri and Sunkarimetta Reserved Forest.


If you are wondering, Araku Valley comprises a small area of approximately 36 km only. Araku Valley is also home to two of the highest peaks in the Eastern Ghats – Jindhagada Peak and Gallikonda Peak. If you are looking for cooler holidays, this place will give you just that.


With all these natural bounties around, it makes sense to see things from up above, doesn’t it? For that, Araku also has paragliding options. For adventure lovers, the fun doesn’t stop there.



The Ananthagiri Hills is also home to Borra Caves, one of the largest caves systems in India. The limestone formations (stalactites and stalagmites) are millions of years old. A lot of these structures have been given religious interpretations by the locals, due to which the site has become a popular place for religious gatherings.


Nature and adventure aside, another interesting feature is the valley’s tribal population. The valley is home to the Araku tribes, and when you visit the valley, do village tours. There’s a Tribal Museum where you can see tribal handicrafts and artifacts that showcases the life of the local tribes.


Araku Valley is definitely a gem of a destination. A little bit offbeat, yes, but when you get there, it all makes sense.