Araku Valley: The 2-Day Plan Everyone's Talking About!

Araku Valley has become an internet sensation, famous for its lush green hills, scenic train rides, and cool climate. Located two hours inland from Visakhapatnam, the valley offers a refreshing escape from the city's heat. Visitors often wonder if they can explore the entire valley in a single day, but the truth is that two days are recommended for a more enjoyable experience.

The first day should be spent exploring the Borra side. Leaving Visakhapatnam at 7:30 am, travelers can visit the Damuku Viewpoint by 9:45 am, where the morning is best for clear views of the valley. Borra Caves, India's largest limestone caves, can be explored in full an hour starting at 10:45 am. Following that, visitors can enjoy the Katiki Waterfalls, a short 80-minute walk away.

Lunch can be enjoyed at the Araku town's famous Bamboo Chicken around 1:45 pm. The Galikonda Viewpoint is next on the list, a 1,500-meter high point that's best visited in the late afternoon. Before checking into the valley, visitors can take a short detour to the Araku Tribal Museum to learn about the local tribes, and the Coffee Museum to understand the journey of Araku coffee from plantation to cup.

The second day focuses on the valley floor. Those who wish to can try their luck with the fog over the coffee slopes as early as 6:30 am, but it's not mandatory. Check out by 9:15 am and head to the Araku Tribal Museum before visiting the Coffee Museum. Padmapuram Gardens is a beautiful place to relax for an hour, followed by a visit to Chaparai Waterfalls.

End the day by heading back, ideally by 4:30 pm, to capture the sunset over the ghats. It's crucial not to make the mistake of including Vanjangi and Lambasingi on the same trip, as they are separate destinations requiring different journeys.