Located in Vizag district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Araku Valley is one of the well known hill stations in Southern part of India. It is located in Eastern Ghats on the geographical borders of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. This place is inhabited by various tribal communities. Araku is placed at an altitude of about 600-900 m above sea level and covers an area of 36 kilometers. The Araku valley is yet to tap its commercial and tourism potential. With its thick forests and Ghat roads, Araku makes an interesting trekking destination for enthusiasts looking for trekking adventures. Coffee plantations at Ananatagiri hills and Borra caves are other nearby attractions for tourists. One has to passby 46 tunnels and an equal number of bridges through the Eastern Ghats to reach this less polluted tourist spot. One can enjoy the pollution free weather, smooth valleys and exciting hills in Araku Valley.
Location
The forests of Sunkarimetta and Ananatagiri hills forming part of Araku Valley are known for various biological species of animals, birds, flowers and plants. Galikonda hills located at height of 5000 ft (1500 m) are the highest amongst Sunkarimetta, Chitamogondi and Raktakonda hills of Araku Valley. It is also the highest mountain in the State of Andhra Pradesh. Located at a height of 911 metres (2989 ft) above sea level, Araku receives most of the rainfall during June to October, when the rainfall reaches an average of 1700mm (1500m). The Araku valley is geographically located at 82.8667°E and 18.3333°N.
Best time to Visit
When whole of India sweats out in summer, Araku stays away from sweat with temperature ranging from 18-28 degrees Celsius, peak being 24°C. This makes summer of Araku a lucrative time to visit. In contrast, during winter season, the temperature in Araku drops to 5° C requiring people to be equipped with protective clothing to spend the night. During June to October, Araku Valley experiences Monsoon when heavy rainfalls cause occasional landslides. These result in disturbance to routine schedule and travel also. Therefore, tourists are advised to opt either summer or winter seasons to visit Araku valley and avoid Monsoon season.
Weather
As mentioned already, the altitude of Araku valley is 2900 ft above sea level and this makes even the summer as cool as winter in other parts of South India. The winters, no need to mention will have dropping temperatures up to 5 °C in December to February months. Travelers are advised to carry along warm rugs, shoes and avail heater equipped hotel/resort rooms to withstand the rapidly dropping night temperatures in Araku.
In contrast, the summer season has an average temperature of 24°C with peaks going to 28 °C. This is the pleasant time to visit Araku valley. Lucky tourists can also experience cool breeze due to the tall trees during summer, which is quite rare occasion. Some summers here also experienced slight rainfall, a wonder in Eastern Ghats.
The monsoon months experience bad weather with constant rainfalls and occasional landslides making it dangerous for tourists to enjoy the nature. October is the peak of monsoon season where the cool breeze suddenly turns to heavy downpour. Hence, raingears and protective clothing is suggested for rain sensitive tourists. People are advised to avoid visiting this place and risk their lives during monsoon season.
Festivals
The Dhimsa dance performed during April month signifies the hunting festival of Itika Pongal by the tribal communities in Araku. This is an age-old fashioned dance flowing down the generations of the folk-lore in Araku. Andhra Pradesh tourism also encourages the celebration of Visakha Utsav in Vizag during January, exclusively for “Vizagites”.
Places to Stay
Araku is a hill station in Andhra Pradesh famous for coffee plantations and pure honey, derived fresh from forests. Some of the hotels and resorts providing such facilities are the State owned Harita Valley Resort, Jungle Bells in Tyda or the privately owned Punnami resorts, Mayuri Hill resorts, Ushodaya Resorts, Chandrika guest House, Holiday Inn Vihar or the ITDC tribal cottages. One has many options to choose from during the stay at Araku, but when a visit is planned in peak holiday season, it is advised to have a pre-booking done to avoid last moment disappointments.
Activities to Do
Adventurous tourists can try their hands at trekking, and rock climbing during their stay at Araku Valley. Alternatively, for nature lovers, Araku offers wild life viewing and bird watching at Tyda Park on the roads to Araku Valley. Wild animals and wild birds of exclusive species, not seen in any other part of India can be viewed here. Araku and Tyda, a house for biological diversity, offers both camping option with proximity to wild life, a best combination for nature lovers. Also, one can explore the tribal culture through a visit to the tribal museum which is a house of tribal handicrafts.
How to Reach
To reach Araku by air, one has to take a flight from their respective place to reach Visakhapatnam airport, the nearest one. From there, take the local transport of road or rely on Eastern Coastal railways. Alternatively, one can opt for privately hired vehicles or other public transport through the Eastern Ghats from Vizag that pass through curvy and exciting roads. Also, the East Coast Railway has provided a couple of trains commuting to and from Araku Valley and Vizag. This route is mesmerizing with tunnels and bridges with forests on either side covering the Ghat section.
The forests of Sunkarimetta and Ananatagiri hills forming part of Araku Valley are known for various biological species of animals, birds, flowers and plants. Galikonda hills located at height of 5000 ft (1500 m) are the highest amongst Sunkarimetta, Chitamogondi and Raktakonda hills of Araku Valley. It is also the highest mountain in the State of Andhra Pradesh. Located at a height of 911 metres (2989 ft) above sea level, Araku receives most of the rainfall during June to October, when the rainfall reaches an average of 1700mm (1500m). The Araku valley is geographically located at 82.8667°E and 18.3333°N.
Best time to Visit
When whole of India sweats out in summer, Araku stays away from sweat with temperature ranging from 18-28 degrees Celsius, peak being 24°C. This makes summer of Araku a lucrative time to visit. In contrast, during winter season, the temperature in Araku drops to 5° C requiring people to be equipped with protective clothing to spend the night. During June to October, Araku Valley experiences Monsoon when heavy rainfalls cause occasional landslides. These result in disturbance to routine schedule and travel also. Therefore, tourists are advised to opt either summer or winter seasons to visit Araku valley and avoid Monsoon season.
Weather
As mentioned already, the altitude of Araku valley is 2900 ft above sea level and this makes even the summer as cool as winter in other parts of South India. The winters, no need to mention will have dropping temperatures up to 5 °C in December to February months. Travelers are advised to carry along warm rugs, shoes and avail heater equipped hotel/resort rooms to withstand the rapidly dropping night temperatures in Araku.
In contrast, the summer season has an average temperature of 24°C with peaks going to 28 °C. This is the pleasant time to visit Araku valley. Lucky tourists can also experience cool breeze due to the tall trees during summer, which is quite rare occasion. Some summers here also experienced slight rainfall, a wonder in Eastern Ghats.
The monsoon months experience bad weather with constant rainfalls and occasional landslides making it dangerous for tourists to enjoy the nature. October is the peak of monsoon season where the cool breeze suddenly turns to heavy downpour. Hence, raingears and protective clothing is suggested for rain sensitive tourists. People are advised to avoid visiting this place and risk their lives during monsoon season.
Festivals
The Dhimsa dance performed during April month signifies the hunting festival of Itika Pongal by the tribal communities in Araku. This is an age-old fashioned dance flowing down the generations of the folk-lore in Araku. Andhra Pradesh tourism also encourages the celebration of Visakha Utsav in Vizag during January, exclusively for “Vizagites”.
Places to Stay
Araku is a hill station in Andhra Pradesh famous for coffee plantations and pure honey, derived fresh from forests. Some of the hotels and resorts providing such facilities are the State owned Harita Valley Resort, Jungle Bells in Tyda or the privately owned Punnami resorts, Mayuri Hill resorts, Ushodaya Resorts, Chandrika guest House, Holiday Inn Vihar or the ITDC tribal cottages. One has many options to choose from during the stay at Araku, but when a visit is planned in peak holiday season, it is advised to have a pre-booking done to avoid last moment disappointments.
Activities to Do
Adventurous tourists can try their hands at trekking, and rock climbing during their stay at Araku Valley. Alternatively, for nature lovers, Araku offers wild life viewing and bird watching at Tyda Park on the roads to Araku Valley. Wild animals and wild birds of exclusive species, not seen in any other part of India can be viewed here. Araku and Tyda, a house for biological diversity, offers both camping option with proximity to wild life, a best combination for nature lovers. Also, one can explore the tribal culture through a visit to the tribal museum which is a house of tribal handicrafts.
How to Reach
To reach Araku by air, one has to take a flight from their respective place to reach Visakhapatnam airport, the nearest one. From there, take the local transport of road or rely on Eastern Coastal railways. Alternatively, one can opt for privately hired vehicles or other public transport through the Eastern Ghats from Vizag that pass through curvy and exciting roads. Also, the East Coast Railway has provided a couple of trains commuting to and from Araku Valley and Vizag. This route is mesmerizing with tunnels and bridges with forests on either side covering the Ghat section.
No comments:
Post a Comment