Araku Valley lies at about 900 metres in the Eastern Ghats, around 115 km from Visakhapatnam. It is home to several tribal communities, and its coffee, grown by small tribal farmers and marketed through cooperatives and brands, has won international recognition.
The things to do in Araku include the train journey up from Vizag, the vast limestone Borra Caves, the Tribal Museum and Coffee Museum, coffee plantation walks, gardens and viewpoints, waterfalls in the forest and evenings of Dhimsa dance and bamboo chicken. In winter, nearby Lambasingi is famous for mist and occasional frost.
One to two days is enough. September to February is the best season, when the valley is green and cool.
For how to get there, when to go and where to stay, see our Araku Valley travel guide.
Quick answer: best things to do in Araku Valley
- Ride the vistadome train from Vizag
- Explore Borra Caves
- Visit the Tribal Museum
- Taste coffee at the Coffee Museum
- Walk through a coffee plantation
- See Padmapuram Gardens and its treehouses
- Watch the view from Galikonda
- See Chaparai and Katiki waterfalls
- Watch Dhimsa dance and eat bamboo chicken
- Visit Lambasingi on a winter morning
Love the outdoors? See our guide to valleys in India.
Comparing hill stations? See our guide to hill stations in South India.
The journey and caves
Ride the vistadome train
The train from Visakhapatnam to Araku climbs through the Eastern Ghats, passing through dozens of tunnels and over many bridges, with valleys, waterfalls and coffee country outside. Vistadome coaches have glass roofs and wide windows. Many travellers take the train up and return by road to see Borra Caves and the ghats. Book well ahead.
- Time needed
- About 4β5 hours
- Good for
- Everyone
Explore Borra Caves
Borra Caves, about 30 km before Araku, are among the largest caves in India, with limestone formations of stalactites and stalagmites built over a very long time. A river flows through part of the caves. They were documented by the British geologist William King in 1807. Lighting highlights the formations.
Inside, a large chamber opens up with formations lit in different colours, and a small shrine where locals worship a formation resembling a Shivalinga. The Gosthani river, which begins in these hills, flows out from the caves.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Good to know
- Steps can be slippery
In the valley
Visit the Tribal Museum
The Tribal Museum in Araku, built in the style of traditional houses, shows the lifestyles, tools, ornaments and rituals of the region's tribal communities, with life-size models. Shops sell local crafts.
Look for the displays on Dhimsa dance and traditional hunting and farming tools, and the models of village life. The museum has a small open-air area with huts built in local styles.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
Taste coffee at the Coffee Museum
The Coffee Museum traces the history of coffee from its discovery to Araku's own plantations, and serves coffee and coffee-based chocolates. Araku coffee beans are a good buy.
- Good for
- Coffee lovers
Walk through a coffee plantation
Coffee is grown under shade trees on small tribal farms around the valley. Plantation walks near Ananthagiri and Araku explain cultivation and processing; the harvest is from about November to February.
- Best time
- November to February
See Padmapuram Gardens
Padmapuram Gardens, originally set up to grow vegetables for troops during the Second World War, has flower beds, a toy train and tree-top huts for stays.
- Good for
- Families
Watch the view from Galikonda
Galikonda viewpoint, on the ghat road, looks over layers of the Eastern Ghats and is one of the highest points in the region.
Waterfalls and culture
See Chaparai and Katiki waterfalls
Chaparai is a series of small cascades over rocks, good for a picnic. Katiki waterfall, near Borra, is reached by jeep and a short trek through forest, and is at its best after the monsoon.
- Best time
- September to December
Watch Dhimsa and eat bamboo chicken
Dhimsa, a traditional group dance of the local tribal communities, is performed at resorts and during festivals. Bamboo chicken, marinated chicken cooked inside a bamboo stem over coals, is the local speciality.
- Best time
- Evening
Visit Lambasingi
Lambasingi, about 100 km from Vizag in a separate part of the Ghats, is known for thick morning mist and, occasionally, near-freezing temperatures in December and January. Strawberry farms and coffee estates surround it.
- Best time
- December to January mornings
By season
Winter (November to February)
Cool days, cold mornings, coffee harvest and mist; the most popular season. The Araku Utsav festival has been held in winter.
Monsoon (July to September)
Lush and green, with full waterfalls, though roads can be slippery and some trails muddy.
Summer (March to June)
Warm days but cooler than the coast; fewer crowds.
Things to do in Araku Valley by type of traveller
Families: Train up, Tribal Museum, Padmapuram Gardens and Borra Caves on the drive back.
Couples: A cottage in the valley, coffee plantation walks and Lambasingi at dawn.
Coffee lovers: The Coffee Museum, estate tours and fresh beans to take home.
What to do in Araku Valley with one day
Take the morning train from Vizag, visit the Tribal Museum and Coffee Museum, and see Padmapuram Gardens after lunch. Drive back via Galikonda viewpoint and Borra Caves, arriving in Vizag by evening.
Practical tips for Araku Valley
- Book the vistadome train early; seats sell out on weekends.
- Roads through the ghats are winding; carry motion-sickness remedies if needed.
- Carry warm clothes in winter; mornings are cold.
- Buy coffee from cooperatives or established shops.
- Winter mornings are cold; carry a jacket for the early train and viewpoints.
Plan the rest of your Araku Valley trip
Araku Valley things to do: FAQs
What are the best things to do in Araku Valley?
Ride the vistadome train, explore Borra Caves, visit the Tribal and Coffee museums, walk through coffee plantations, see Padmapuram Gardens and Galikonda, and visit the waterfalls and Lambasingi.
How far is Araku from Vizag?
About 115 km, roughly four hours by road or train.
Can Araku be done as a day trip?
Yes, by train up and road back, though an overnight stay is more relaxed.
What is the best time to visit Araku Valley?
September to February.
Is Araku good for a family trip?
Yes. The train ride, Borra Caves, the Tribal Museum and Padmapuram Gardens are all easy with children, and the cool climate is a welcome break from the coast.
Things to do near Araku Valley
- Things to do in Vizag: the coastal city
- Borra Caves: the caves in detail
- Lambasingi: mist and strawberries in winter
More things to do in Andhra Pradesh
Published by the Kudozz Club editorial team Β· Last updated Β· How we research our guides
Want us to plan this trip for you?
Tell Kudozz Club where you want to go and what kind of trip youβre looking for. Weβll build a Araku Valley and Andhra Pradesh itinerary around your dates and budget.
Continue Exploring
View all guides
Off-beatMaredumilli Travel Guide: Rainforest Eco-Tourism in the Eastern Ghats
A genuinely dense rainforest pocket of the Eastern Ghats, with waterfalls, hot springs, and tribal eco-tourism camps largely undiscovered by mainstream travelers β the complete guide to Maredumilli.
Off-beatLambasingi Travel Guide: The Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh
A high-altitude village that drops below freezing on winter mornings, earning it the nickname 'Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh' β the complete guide to Lambasingi.
Off-beatHorsley Hills Travel Guide: A Quiet Hill Station in Rayalaseema
A cool, forested hill station between Tirupati and Bangalore that's stayed genuinely low-key despite its convenient location β the complete guide to Horsley Hills.
Off-beatKoraput Travel Guide: Tribal Culture & Coffee
Coffee plantations climbing the Eastern Ghats and weekly markets where some of India's most distinct tribal communities gather β the complete Koraput guide.