Anantagiri Hills - Araku Valley

Distance (From Araku Valley): 30 Kms
Commonly Visited From: Araku Valley
Trip Duration (From Araku Valley, Including Travel): 1-2 Hours
Transportation Options: Bus / Cab
Travel Tips: None

At a distance of 26 km from Araku, 85 km from Vizag & 660 km from Hyderabad, Anantagiri is a lovely tiny hill station between Vizag and Araku Valley. It is one of the top tourist places to visit in Araku Valley and is also among the top hill station in Andhra Pradesh apart from being a popular weekend getaway from Vizag city.

At an altitude of 1168 meters, Anantagiri is famous for extensive coffee plantations and numerous waterfalls. There is a view point on the way to Anantagiri on main road that offers excellent views of the deep valleys on one side and coffee plantations on the other side.

Anantagiri Hills are well known for its scenic beauty and charming weather. It is a perfect gateway to spend some time amidst the lap of nature. Anantagiri is paradise for coffee lovers and nature enthusiasts. The village is surrounded by coffee estates that emit the rich aroma of coffee and the surrounding hillocks are home to cascading waterfalls that feed the lush greenery.

The famous Borra Caves are very close to Anantagiri. This unexplored and peaceful environment of the hill station attracts tourists from various parts of the state. Watching the panoramic views ranging from sunrise, sunset, thick forests and mountain ranges cover the route between Vizag to Anantagiri. The Anantagiri hill resort is a perfect getaway from the hot and humid weather of Vizag in summer months.

Accommodation is easily available in Anantagiri Hills. There are various types of hotels and lodges in the area which offer pleasant lodging facilities and services. AP tourism runs a resort is the Anantagiri village. Jungle Bells resort at Tyda is about 11 km from Anantagiri and it's a wonderful option to stay.

Anantagiri hills can be reached via both road and rail. The closest railhead to these hills is 9 km away at Borra Caves. State buses are also available, in order to reach these hills.

ACCOMMODATION
Located At Ananthagiri In Araku Valley, Ananthagiri Hill Resort Is About 90 Kilometres From Vizag. This 3-Star Resort Is The Perfect Base For Visiting The Beautiful Araku Valley And Exploring The Ancient Borra Caves. The Resort Is Equipped With 37 Rooms, Which Are Categorised As Standard Non-Air-Conditioned, Non-Air-Conditioned Cottage, Air-Conditioned Cottage And Air-Conditioned Luxury. All Rooms In The Resort Have Balconies, Cable Television, Intercom, Attached Bath, Hot And Cold Water And Toiletries. Suites Have a Well-Furnished Living Room And Refrigerator. The Resort Offers Railway Station Or Airport Transfers, Bonfire And Parking Facility For Guests.

Katiki Waterfalls near Araku valley

Katiki Waterfalls is named after Katiki, the place where it is located. The waterfall is about 50 ft high and lies around 4 km away from Borra Caves. Katiki Waterfalls originate from the Gosthani River and contains greenery and clear water in its vicinity.

Considered as the most beautiful waterfalls of Araku Valley, the surroundings of this water fall is very popular for trekking activities. At the foot of the waterfall there is a pool formation. During the summer season, Katiki Waterfalls however remain dry.

Timing, fees and more
time                                       Operating hours
Monday - Friday:                   7:00 AM -7:00 PM
Saturday:                               7:00 AM -7:00 PM
Sunday:                                 7:00 AM -7:00 PM
Public Holidays:                     7:00 AM -7:00 PM

Araku Valley Climate & Weather

Araku Valley is a famous hill station on the Eastern Ghats in the district of Vishakhapatnam of Andhra Pradesh. It is located 115 km away from Vishakhapatnam, near the Orissa Border at an elevation of 911 meters.

Araku Valley enjoys a moderate climate throughout the year. The average maximum temperature recorded is 35° Celsius during day time which will feel like 38° Celsius owing to its high humidity. The average minimum temperature that has been recorded is 25° Celsius.

Summer in Araku Valley begins from March and it is stretched to mid-June. The maximum temperature that has been reported is 45.2° Celsius. Humid climate helps to add up the heat. A trip to Araku Valley during summer can become an exhaustive experience.

June to September is the monsoon time in Araku Valley. Though the monsoon begins with moderate rain falls, it can get heavier towards late August. The maximum temperature that has been reported during monsoon is 32° Celsius and the minimum is 27° Celsius. Rain coats are a must while backpacking for an outdoor trip in Araku Valley. The climate will remain cloudy most of the time.

Winter season in Araku Valley begins from November till February. The winter in Araku Valley is very pleasant with a maximum temperature of 25° Celsius during day time. Winter nights in Araku Valley can get cooler and crispier than day time by reaching a minimum of 10° Celsius.

October to March is the best season to visit Araku Valley. This is the season most suitable for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

Araku Valley In Monsoon

Araku Valley during rainy seasons. After peak summer seasons of May, the monsoon starts hitting the costal Andhra Pradesh during 2nd week of June. ... However due to holiday and travel season which are linked with other destinations like Vizag , Jagdalpur and Rajahmundry etc, more tourist visit Araku during winter seasons.

After peak summer seasons of May, the monsoon starts hitting the costal Andhra Pradesh during 2nd week of June. Like any other area of Andhra Pradesh the rainy season continues till starting of October.  

 Winter or Rainy season: which is better to visit Araku valley?

The main attraction of Araku is its greenery and waterfalls. So visiting Araku is best during rainy seasons. However due to holiday and travel season which are linked with other destinations like Vizag , Jagdalpur and Rajahmundry etc, more tourist visit Araku during winter seasons. Starting from October the tourist season traffic goes up and continues till end of February.

Starting from Visakhapatnam you will be driving for 2 hours in plain area and the hill or the ghat road is for another two hours. In plain area there will be green cultivation fields on both the sides of the road. Just before the hill there is an APTDC resort at right side of the road. After climbing the hill for 30 minutes you can take break at Jungle Bell (another APTDC resort ) at Tyda. During rain both side of the road will be full with green trees and jackfruits will be hanging from the branches. 

You can take break for a cup of coffee at Ananthagiri. 

The road condition is good and there will be no interruption because of rain. But drive carefully on the curves as buses or trucks will be coming down the hills. You can get an idea on road map on trip to Araku here. 

For nature lovers a trip to Araku valley is more enjoying during rainy seasons. 

Train journey became more enjoyable as you can watch water streams falling from big rocks and train entering tunnels between the green hills around. While travelling from Visakhapatnam to Araku it is better to take a right side seat as most of the time valley will be at right side of the train. On the way just after CHIMIDIPALLI station there is a good waterfall at your left side ( after a tunnel ) 

Road and Traffic condition in Araku during rainy seasons.

It is the cyclonic storms which disrupt the traffic more than normal seasonal rain in Araku.  Usually in  October & November there is a maximum chance of storms hitting Vizag and Araku valley area. If the rail track gets damaged then it takes 3 to 4 weeks to restore. But road connectivity will remain open to Araku throughout the year as good road connection is there. The rail connectivity is more important for goods trains transporting iron ore and other minerals to Vizag port and steel plant. Weather remains cool like any other part of the costal AP during rainy seasons and it is good to carry an umbrella or rain coat with you and a waterproof backpack if you have. Accommodation is not a problem as tourist season starts after rain. 

Tourist Places around Araku Valley

Araku is a place to relax and enjoy nature. There are few tourist spots in Araku and they can be visited in two hours time. If you have time you can go ahead upto 15 KM to Chaparai to see the water passing over rocky slopes. If you are at Araku then you must see Borra caves.

Chaparai 15 KM from Araku

Padmapuram Garden

Tribal museum

Movie shooting ( Before Araku)

Borra caves 35 KM before Araku

Galikondalu view point ( 20 KM before Araku )

Coffee plantation ( on the way to Araku)

Best Season to Visit Araku Valley

The season starts after rain with greenery all-around. Best time is Oct to Feb months. However if you are nature lover then you will like the green valley during rainy season.

Padmapuram Garden

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. 

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 a toy train in the Padmapuram garden for the tourists. 

Coffee House

At the Araku town behind APSRTC bus stand there is a coffee House. Here you will get all variety of Coffee. This is more of a museum of coffee plantation and production of India and world. There is a light and sound show on coffee plantation for 15 minutes with an entry fee of Rs 25. Inside you will get history of coffee plantation in Africa, Europe and India. 

You can buy chocolates, cakes and different of coffee related products under one roof. 

Araku tribal museum There is a tribal museum on tribal heritage, living system and culture. Near the museum boating facility is also available. 

Ticket cost is Rs 10/- & Rs 5/- for child 

Opening time 

8.00 AM to 1.30 PM

2.30 PM to 6.30 PM

There is one more picnic spot called Dumbriguda Waterfalls ( Chaparai ). This spot is only 15 Kms from Araku.

TYDA – An ecotourism project

This nature camp located at a distance of 75 Km from Vizag ( on the way to Araku valley ) is right place for bird watching, rock climbing, trekking and overnight stay. 

There is a rail with road journey package available by AP tourism with same day return or with one night stay. 

Waterfalls

There are few waterfalls in Araku, Katiki waterfall is near Borra caves. Thatiguda and Chaparai are other waterfalls tourist can enjoy.

Weather in Araku valley

It is cooler than Visakhapatnam but don't expect a hill station climent in summer. Temperature can go upto 42 degree in May month. Winter temperature can come down to 14 – 15 degree. Normal rain you can expect at Araku and the area gets hit by cyclonic storm of Bay of Bengal during the month of October - November 

Araku STD code: 08936

How to reach Araku

 Well connected by road from Visakhapatnam 106 KM

 Nearest airport Visakhapatnam

 Nearest Rail station Araku, Main station Visakhapatnam

Source: https://www.go2india.in/ap/araku-rainy-season.php