What you see - A vast expanse of flat land surrounded by the endless hills of the towering Eastern Ghats, the Araku Valley greets you with fresh air, solitude, tribal hamlets and a smattering of resorts. After having driven through undulating green hills and coffee plantations, a good 120 kilometers from Vizag, the sight is refreshing and rejuvenating.
What you get - The Araku Valley is a perfect weekend getaway for Vizagites. Located amidst the Eastern Ghats at an elevation of approximately 2, 992 feet, it is scenic, gloriously green and peaceful. You can either travel by train or by road to the valley. The train runs on a broad gauge railway line Kirandole, traveling onwards to Madhya Pradesh. Kirandole is said to be the highest broad gauge railway line in India, at about 3, 400 feet. The train journey is breathtaking, through 46 tunnels; and it takes about three and a half hours from Vizag to reach the valley. On road, you get to drive through the myriad coffee plantations of the Ananthagiri Hills. If you have the time, you could also take a small diversion to visit the Borra Caves. The journey from Vizag city to Araku Valley, by road, takes about four hours.
Although the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation(APTDC) organizes a day-tour package to the Araku Valley, it is best to spend a night at the APTDC guest houses(either the Mayuri Hill Resort or the Haritha Valley Resort) if you would like to enjoy the ‘ideal’ weekend break. The rooms have to be booked well in advance at the APTDC office at the RTC Complex in Vizag. The rooms are comfortable and the resorts also have in-house restaurants that offer decent meals.
From a tourist point of view, you can either visit the Tribal Museum that’s located in the heart of the township at Araku Valley or take a stroll at the evening bazaar or get a glimpse of the Dhimsa tribal dance by a bonfire at night at the resorts, which is organized by the APTDC management.
The Araku Valley is at its cool and misty best during December and January, so you would need to take along some light winter wear for the night. But it’s equally picturesque during the months of August and September, especially if you are the kind who relishes a drive through rain-soaked hills in bright green and through infant waterfalls that trickle alongside. It’s absolutely picture-perfect.
Our verdict - Vizag’s blessed with the good fortune of having both the sea beach and the hills. While the beach is within traveling distance of the city and nice for an evening stroll and a by-the-bay ambience of roasted corn and peanuts, it’s the green hills that MetroMela finds more inviting. Araku Valley is said to be the queen of these hills. So go ahead and enjoy her serene company for the weekend!
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