TheeraYatra

Quick Overview

Best Time to Visit: November to February (peak tourism season)
Weather: Pleasant winters, moderate monsoon, hot summer
Budget: ₹2,500–₹8,000/day

Plan Your Trip

Getting There

Nearest Airport: Visakhapatnam Airport (~110 km)
By Train: Araku Railway Station
By Road: State-run buses (APSRTC), private cabs, or self-drive via winding Eastern Ghats road

Where to Stay?

Araku town centre – close to Tribal Museum, Coffee House, eateries
Tyada / Ananthagiri area – scenic resorts, nature stays, tree houses

Packing List

• Light woollens or jackets (especially Nov–Feb)
• Umbrella or raincoat (monsoon months June–Oct)
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, reusable water bottle

Top Places to Visit

Borra Caves
Ancient karst limestone caves set at ~705 m elevation in Ananthagiri hills; famous for dramatic stalactites and stalagmites.

Tribal Museum
Displays life, culture, art, crafts and tools of local tribal communities; located near Araku Bus Stand.

Padmapuram Botanical Garden
Established during WWII; features exotic flora, tree‑house huts and toy‑train rides through the garden.

Chaparai Waterfalls (Dumbriguda Falls)
Flowing through dense forest ~15 km from Araku; ideal spot for swimming, picnic, bamboo‑chicken stalls nearby.

Ananthagiri Hills & Katiki Waterfalls
Nearby green hill station with coffee plantations; Katiki features photogenic cascades.

Must‑Try Experiences

• Coffee at Araku Coffee House near the bus/Railway station; taste locally grown tribal‑procured organic coffee.
• Bamboo Chicken (Bongulo Chicken) — chicken cooked inside bamboo stalks over fire, marinated in local herbs.
• Strawberry farm visits & strawberry‑plucking (seasonal).
• Buying Araku coffee, flavoured coffee‑bean chocolates, honey, Madugula halwa, local spices.

Local Cuisine

Breakfast: Local South Indian fare — idli, dosa, spicy upma
Lunch: Tribal-style meals, veg pulao, local chicken preparations
Snacks: Bamboo chicken, roasted corn, local sweets like Madugula halwa

Culture & Local Life

Araku Valley is a tranquil hill retreat in the Eastern Ghats surrounded by coffee plantations and tribal villages. Known as the “Ooty of Andhra,” it offers nature, culture and cooler climate. The region is home to multiple tribal communities, and coffee cultivation and apiculture are central to the local economy.

Local Insights

Languages: Telugu (official); Hindi and English widely understood
Getting Around: Short-distance walking; hired cabs, limited local buses, resort shuttles
Safety Tips:

• Sample street food from hygienic stalls only
• Wear sturdy shoes on uneven forest trails
• Carry rain protection during monsoon
• Avoid venturing into dense forest areas alone

Enjoy Your Yatra!