Araku Valley: Indias Backpacker Paradise

Located about 120 kilometers from Visakhapatnam, Araku Valley is a pristine hill station located in Andhra Pradesh. It is a major draw for the tourists because of its natural beauty. The best time to visit the valley is between November and February. However, the tourists start flocking there right after the monsoon as the entire valley comes to life after a spell of rains. Away from the hustle and bustle of urban life, its peacefulness beckons many a weary traveler in India.

India is a land of natural beauty known for its lush green forests, breathtaking mountains, magnificent valleys and some major rivers. The Araku Valley is one of such locations that is treasured by nature lovers and trekkers. It is surrounded by stunning waterfalls, verdant green fields, and gushing streams. The heartening landscapes of Araku exude a sense of scenic charm that attracts tourists from India and the rest of the world. Araku is also renowned for its coffee plantations and rich cultural heritage.

Nestled in the Eastern Ghats, Araku is reminiscent of its centuries-old heritage. The interior region of Araku still follows the lifestyle of its ancient tribes. The locals also tend to show great courtesy towards the visitors. While visiting the valley, Borra Caves should absolutely top your travel checklist. Located at a height of 800-1300 meters from sea level. The unparalleled beauty of the stalactites and stalagmites is further enhanced by the thematic lighting, intoxicating the sensibilities of tourists.

The Padmapuram Botanical Gardens is another striking wonder in Araku Valley, brimming with intriguing spots that one can only come across in fairytales. It was initially created to help the soldiers in World War II obtain ample vegetation. However, over the turn of several decades, it has become widely familiar for nurturing rare yet exotic species of flowers along with vegetables. Not to forget, Araku Valley’s sightseeing remains incomplete without visiting the aromatic coffee plantations spread over several acres of land. The most frequently visited coffee plantation of the region is in the Ananthagiri Hills.

When planning to visit Araku Valley, people are often confronted with a dilemma of visiting by rail or road. According to the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department in Visakhapatnam, the meditative journey to the valley is most fruitful when one travels by both rail and road. How soon are you going to travel to Araku?

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.