Located in the Vishakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh, Araku Valley lies in the Eastern Ghats. The hill station is one of the least commercialized and the most undermined hill stations famous for its enchanting coffee plantations and majestic views of the Eastern Ghats. Due to the elevation of around 912 meters above sea level, Araku valley enjoys a favorable climate most times of the year.
Geography
Araku is located at 18.3333°N 82.8667°E.[2] It has an average elevation of 911 metres (2,989 ft).
It is located 114 km from Visakhapatnam, close to the Odisha state border. The Anantagiri and Sunkarimetta Reserved Forest which are part of Araku Valley, are rich in biodiversity. This valley is surrounded by mountains like Galikonda, Raktakonda, Sunkarimetta and Chitamogondi. These hills are endowed with rich quality bauxite ore.[3] Galikonda hill rising to a height of 5,000 feet (1,500 m) is one of the highest in Andhra Pradesh. The average rainfall is 1700 mm, bulk of which is received during June–October.
Coffee
Araku is popular for its famous coffee plantations. India’s first tribal growers' organic coffee brand was launched in the Araku Valley in 2007. The premium organic "Araku Emerald" brand of coffee sells globally. Thousands of tribals in the Agency area are engaged in coffee cultivation as farm hands or small farmers.
Transport
The valley is connected through both rail and road to the city of Visakhapatnam. There are two railway stations at Araku on the Kothavalasa-Kirandul railway line of Visakhapatnam division of the East Coast Railway, on the Indian Railways network. Shimiliguda railway station is located at an altitude of 996 meters above mean sea level.
Tourism
Araku is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Andhra Pradesh. September to October and March to May are the best seasons to visit Araku Valley. The major tourist attractions in Araku include:
Tribal Museum - 2 km from Araku
Padmapuram Gardens - 2 km from Araku
Katiki Waterfalls - 7 km from Araku
Chaapa Raayi - 15 km from Araku
Ananthagiri Hills - 26 km from Araku
Borra Caves - 36 km from Araku
In films
Tollywood films like Happy Days, Katha, Darling and Life is beautiful were shot here because of its scenic beauty.
References
"Mandal wise list of villages in Visakhapatnam district" (PDF). Chief Commissioner of Land Administration. National Informatics Centre. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 March 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
Falling Rain Genomics.Araku
"Cheated for bauxite". Retrieved 27 March 2015.
Need for conservation of biodiversity in Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh
Cheated: how Andhra Pradesh is circumventing all regulations to mine bauxite from tribal land
Araku Valley Travel Guide
