Araku valley, Vishaka pattanam

 Araku is a famous hill station of AP. It is located at a distance of 120 KM from Visakhapatnam ( Vizag )is famous for its scenic beauty. Located on the eastern ghats , it has valley, water falls and streams flowing by the side of the train track and roads . The journey to Araku Valley is the most enjoying as the rail passes through tunnels, hill sides and streams. . It is better to go to Araku by train and return by road. You can see the local tribal dance if you are on APTDC package tour. If you are at Araku then you must see Borra Caves.
Padmapuram Gardens

One of the main attraction is tree top cottages located in the middle of green surroundings of Araku valley. These tree huts ( hanging cottages ) are ten feet above the ground level and one can experience rare swing along with trees. Huts are attached with toilet and continuous water supply.


For bookings contact Manager Padmapuram gardens Phone No:08936.49615 There is a toy train in the Padmapuram garden for the tourists. There is a tribal museum on tribal heritage, living system and culture. Anantagiri water fall is 30 KM from Araku. There is one more picnic spot called Dumbriguda Waterfalls (Chaapari ). This spot is only 15 Kms from Araku.

Tribal welfare department has one Horticulture nursery cum training center at Padmapuram . It is open from 8 AM to 12.30 PM and again on 2.00 PM to 5.00 PM

There is an AP tourism valley resort PUNAMI available at Araku valley.
Accommodation at Araku valley


Araku valley is an excellent place to spend some time within the nature. The locals are mostly tribal are quite friendly and their villages around green valleys offer excellent opportunity for trekkers and holiday seekers. There are some good hotels and resorts available at Araku but the best accommodation is provided by APTDC under the name Punnami, Punnami Hill Resort. This resort has got most of the facilities including swimming pool and AC Conference Hall. 

Rooms starting from Rs 800 to Rs 1600 A/c Suite Room. If you are coming to then this resort will come first at right side just after entering Araku. From railway station it is 2 to 3 KM distance. Autos and local cabs are available to reach this Resort.

here is another resort of same APTDC under the name Punnami, Punnami Hill Resort, Araku Vallery. Here the rate varies from Rs 400 to Rs 600. This Resort is located very close to railway station and near Tribal Museum.
There are some other private lodges are available one of the best one is Rajadhani hotel.

If you want to enjoy tribal life then there are some cottages available designed in the ethnic tribal style with attached toilet for Rs 350 /- in peak seasons and Rs 250/- in other time.

In Punnami Valley resort Dhimsa dance is organized in some scheduled dates. Tourists enjoy the dance and many join the dance which is very easy to perform. 



How to Reach:
Araku By road From Visakhapatnam From Vizag Arraku valley is 4 hours journey by road and is located at a distance of 106 KM from Kotha road Junction on NH5 ( Visakhapatnam ) .
 On the plain area the road passes through Pendurthi junction, Kothavalasa, S- Kota and few other small villages . The first glimpse of hill road of eastern ghat starts after 1 hour and 45 minutes of drive from Visakhapatnam.