-:ARAKU VALLEY:-


The Eastern Ghats is Home to Spectacular Landscapes and Wonderful Valleys and Araku is the Queen of All. Filled with endless valleys, dancing waters, singing trees, the list is big. Situated a height of 1300 ft above Sea Level, A visit to Araku the Queen of Eastern Ghats is truly a magical experience. Lush rice fields, thickly wooded forests, sugar cane and coffee plantations and waterfalls makes this spectacular piece of land a wonderful tourist destination.

The valley is inhabited by about 19 tribes - the women, with their saris draped unusually, the ends tied over one shoulder. Bright orange, red and purple flowers decorate their hair, and their noses are pierced centrally by a jeweled bulak.

                                             -:ARAKU TRIBAL MUSEUM:-

The Museum of habitat showcases the lifestyle of the tribals who inhabit the valley. The museum, housed in a charming red-roofed bungalow, depicts scenes from the daily lives of the tribals. As we move from room to room, we are greeted by such realistic sculptures of tribals in their natural habitat that on many occasions, visitors take them for real! While a tribal lady cooks the evening meal, another feeds her child and a male tribal watches guard over his family, spear in hand. The weapons of the tribes form a large part of this fascinating but small museum. Their chunky silver jewellery, ornate and elegant, is showcased in the main atrium of the museum.

                                -: PADMAPURAM GARDENS:-

A short drive away from the station is the famed Padmapuram Gardens, built in 1942 on a 26-acre plot to supply vegetables to the soldiers who fought World War II. After the War, it was converted into a Horticultural Nursery cum Training Center where orchards, rare species of flowers and trees, tree houses and stone sculptures greet the eye. The gardens are well laid out and, as everywhere else, the “araku” or red soil of this region forms a colourful contrast with the dense greenery in this garden. A pleasurable way of seeing the gardens is to get on to the Araku Express toy train, popular with visitors to the gardens. A beautiful rose garden and exotic varieties of plants form the chief attractions here.

                                                           -:CHAPARAI VIEW POINT:-

Chaparai is another beautiful place. It is a perennial stream passing through the natural rocks and picturesque surroundings. The entire road leading to chaparai is very beautiful and you can have a wonderful view of the hills.

A scenic place with water falls and surrounding forest area makes people relax and spend their holiday joyfully. Usually people who visit Araku valley won't miss this place as it is very nearer to the main Araku valley place.

Just remove your footwear and experience the cool softness of the water and the slimy rocks beneath. Up close, the trees look even more beautiful. The ground beneath the green canopy smells of fresh soil and looks perfect for a stopover. The seconds and minutes will seem to tick away in slow motion

Lot of movies have been shot on this route and you will thoroughly enjoy the drive to Chaparai.

Be careful while entering the stream as it can be slippery and dangerous.