Araku Valley travel guide

Distance from Visakhapatnam

About 115 km

Borra Caves altitude

About 705 m

Nearest airport

Visakhapatnam

Katiki Falls height

About 50 ft

Getting there is half the fun

The road climbs through a long series of hairpin bends shaded by thick forest. The train from Visakhapatnam is even more memorable: it passes through more than 40 tunnels, some lit by orange sodium lamps, and crosses numerous bridges with valley views and seasonal waterfalls on the way.

Places to see

Borra Caves, called Borra Guhalu in Telugu, are among the largest caves in India. They sit at about 705 m above sea level and are formed in limestone, with stalactites, stalagmites and other formations lit up for visitors.

Katiki Waterfalls are fed by the Gosthani river and drop about 50 ft, roughly 4 km from Borra Caves. The pool is clear and shallow, but rocks near the falls can be slippery, so wear shoes with grip.

Dumbriguda Waterfalls lie around 15 km from Araku. The white, frothy water and silver oak surroundings make it a busy picnic spot, and it has appeared in several South Indian films.

The Tribal Museum shows the life of the hill communities through models of village councils and farm work such as ploughing, millet growing and husking. It also has jewellery, masks and a photo gallery, along with boating and a coffee shop nearby. Parts of it have been under renovation, so check what is open before you go.

How to reach

Trains run from Visakhapatnam through the Eastern Ghats to Araku. Buses also connect Visakhapatnam and other towns in the region; the road distance is about 115 to 130 km depending on the route. The nearest airport is Visakhapatnam. We can book a cab so you can stop at Borra Caves and the falls on the way.

Places to see in Araku Valley

Also nearby