Araku Valley is a comparatively unexplored hill station mostly visited by locals as a weekend getaway and is situated some 120 kilometers away from Vishakhapatnam. If you're a tourist looking for exclusivity and tranquillity, Vistadome train leaves Vishakhapatnam at 6.50 AM, making way through 58 tunnels and passing over 84 bridges making way through the breathtaking landscape to reach Araku in approximately in 5 hours, go, catch that!
Located in the gentle hills of Eastern Ghats, Araku Valley is also home to a number of tribes as well. This valley is also home to a few tribal caves and the Museum of Tribal Arts, which are an experience in their own right. This destination is quite famous for its exquisite coffee, whose subtle aroma will have you craving for a cuppa. In addition to being a beautiful vista point, you can also try your hand at a number of adventure sports here, which include trekking and swimming as well. If a holiday to the hills is your call but you think you've seen it all, maybe you should to wait till you visit this one.
Katiki Falls originates from River Gosthani about 90 kilometers from Visakhapatnam. The waterfall is located near the Borra Caves and is a famous attraction for picnickers and nature lovers. The natural landscape surrounding the waterfall is lush green and goes through an uneven path that adds an element of adventure to the visitors trekking their way to the waterfall. It is, therefore, an ideal attraction for beginner to intermediate level trekkers. There are several food kiosks on the way that serve snacks and beverages especially Bamboo Chicken and fresh Coconut Water. Taking a pit stop for a bite before proceeding won't be disappointing.
The cool breeze, the greenery and the soothing sounds of the Katiki Waterfall will take off all the worries in one's mind. The 50 feet high natural formation is a breathtaking sight from a distance. Do take a moment to listen to the birds singing their tunes as you sit in solitude or soak your feet into the cold river water. Those who wish to enter the waters can do so to enjoy some exciting moments with family and friends. Monsoons, in particular, are extremely beautiful with the natural vegetation thriving in the region. Katiki Falls is the place to be for those who wish to rejuvenate their souls.
Kailasagiri is a hill top park in the city of Vishakhapatnam. The hill is at 360 feet and it overlooks beaches, forests & the city of Vishakhapatnam. It is one of the best tourist spots in the city for a bird's eye view of the bay.
The Kailasagiri Park is well known for its panoramic view, peaceful atmosphere and its scenic beauty, making it a beautiful tourist attraction in Vishakhapatnam. The place offers plenty of leisure activities which is also one of the reasons for people visiting the place. For small children, the circular train is there for fun and enjoyment. Moreover, among adventure games, it gives visitors really good paragliding facilities. Apart from that, there are huge idols of Lord Shiva and Parvathi which gives the place a religious flavor. According to the visitors' views, its a great place to visit in Vishakhapatnam to observe the development of the hills over the years. Kailasagiri Park is a park situated on top of a hill that faces the east coast. Its a place that offers a mixture of things including places of religious importance, adventure games like paragliding, enjoyment for little kids, wide view of the whole city and many other things for the visitors.
Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam and is a perfect example of natural harmony between the dry seasonal forest and the evergreen meadows.
The Sanctuary houses many rare species of wild life animals such as panthers, Sambar deer, spotted deer, barking deer, jackal, wild boar, and wild dog.
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Submarine Museum is located in Visakhapatnam in the south-eastern state of India. The museum is inside an actual submarine, INS Kurusura, which was India's 5th submarine. The museum is situated on RK beach, near the War Memorial in Visakhapatnam. The beautiful scenery of the clear blue waters and golden sand on the beach serves as a perfect location for the Submarine Museum. It is frequently visited by enthusiasts who want to know more about living in submarines. The museum has artifacts, pictures, and articles that share stories of strength, sacrifice, and patriotism of the warriors. They give insights on how difficult surviving can be with limited space and resources hundreds of feet underwater.
The INS Kurusura served the Indian Navy for 31 years before it was decommissioned in 2001. Post that, it was used a museum to spread awareness about Indian Naval Forces, the technology used and its development in India. It is one of a kind project that was launched by the Eastern Naval Command. The interiors of the submarine have been re-arranged to allow a clear view to the visitors. It is the only Submarine Museum in the entire of Asia. A visit to the museum is not only a must to gain some knowledge but also to rejuvenate a feeling of patriotism and pride for our country and for the warriors who fought and even lost their lives for our freedom.
Located on the east coast of India, the Borra Caves are situated in the Ananthagiri hills of the Araku Valley in Visakhapatnam district. British geologist William King discovered this million years old cave in the year 1807 and it has been a tourist favorite ever since. Breath taking hilly terrain, beautiful landscape, semi-evergreen moist deciduous forests, and wild fauna of the Borra Caves are a visual feast. A marvelous creation of nature, the caves were formed when river waters flow through a limestone area and the calcium carbonate turns into calcium bicarbonate, which is easily washed out by the running water. The most striking feature of the caves is its exquisite variety of speleothems ranging in size and irregularly shaped stalactites and stalagmites.
Borra Caves are deemed to be among the largest in the country and are perched at a whopping elevation of about 705 meters. They are basically karstic limestone structures extending to a depth of 80 m and are considered to be the deepest cave in India. The combination of sunlight and dark conjures amazing dancing shaped in the depths of the Borra Caves which is a sight in itself. Natural skylights in the caves make way for kaleidoscopic imagery that imparts them a unique enigma of their own. Animal lovers will find bats as well as the golden geckos hiding in the shadows of the niches. The journey up to the main destination with its picturesque location and a thrilling hike is a treat in itself. Visit this destination and explore the unique beauty of Araku Valley in all its glory.
Situated in the city of
Vishakhapatnam, the Simhachalam temple is an ornate shrine that is revered to be one of the most important temples in the region. The edifice is perched atop a hill 800 meters above the sea level and is dedicated to Lord Narasimha, who is an incarnation of Vishnu himself. Simhachalam Temple is embellished with extremely detailed stone carvings and design and can be spotted from a distance. This is the only temple in the country where Shri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swami- who is a combination of the third and fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu- appears. Lord Narasimha appears here in the tribhanga posture and has two hands with the head of a lion on a human torso.
A shrine that follows strict discipline, the Simhachalam temple has detailed prayer routines for all days of the year which are undisturbed by the influx of pilgrims. This place is a treasure of traditional Vaishnavite culture, and you can study the same in the routine of the temple and the various inscriptions that it houses. Interestingly, the statue of the deity appears in its true form only for 12 hours per year on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. On any other occasion, the idol is covered with sandalwood paste. Simhachalam Temple has been a source of inspiration to many poets such as KuchimanchiTimma Kavi, Adidam Sura Kavi, and the likes, owing to its rich history and strong traditional values.
The Rishikonda Beach also known as Rushikonda Beach is a stunning shore located on the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Vishakhapatnam, in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. APTDC, which is in charge of this natural beauty, has done a great job in the upkeep of the beach and ensured that this natural attraction remains unspoiled. The Rishikonda Beach is thus rightly named as the 'Jewel of the East Coast', owing to its essential and intact beauty. The serene golden sands of the beach are located in the bosom of the Rishikonda hill.
Located in the midst of frothy blue sea and emerald greenery, the scenery that this beach boasts of is indeed mesmerizing and breathtaking. This place is a favorite among water sports lovers because of the range of activities that are offered here. If you are in the mood for an adrenaline rush, you can indulge in the water sports that are offered here. Rushikonda Beach is one of the few beaches that offers swimming under expert supervision, so do not forget to take a quick dip in the water. However, the beach's natural charms are one of the main reasons for its immense popularity among local as well as foreign tourists. Rishikonda Beach is an ideal destination for a peaceful weekend getaway and is located just 8 kilometers away from the port of Vishakhapatnam, making the place very accessible.
Very similar to a dolphins nose, this 174 m high rocky headland is situated in the south of Vizag. The nose seems to be protruding out towards the Bay of Bengal giving it a rather fascinating look.
A renowned powerful light house highly useful for the shippers and has a light beam that can be seen as far as 64 km out at sea is also placed nearby. There is also a hill nearby named the Dolphin hill and is a restricted Armed forces residential area. The backside of the hill has a scenic, beautifully placed, the secluded beach called yarada.
Fondly called the ‘Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh’, Lambasingi is a quaint hamlet nestled in Chintapalli Mandal in the richly forested Arakku Valley at an elevation of 1025 m above the sea level. One of the best-kept secrets of Andhra Pradesh, the dainty village is known for its majestic hills, apple orchards and panoramic views of the adjoining valleys. Also known as Korra Bayalu, the village is the only place in all of South India that experiences snowfall as the temperatures drop significantly. Besides abundant natural beauty and the gorgeous views if the towering hills and meandering rivers, the village also offers a plethora of adventure activities that you can try your hand at. So if you are looking for chilling temperature, pale mists, colorful gardens, and prolific natural beauty, you know where to head to.
Places to Visit in Lambasingi
1. Thajangi Reservoir
Located at a distance of just 6 km from Lambasingi, Thajangi Reservoir is the most visited spot of Lambasingi with majestic hills in the backdrop and a mighty river flowing across. The sheer beauty of the place attracts a lot of shutterbugs, photography enthusiasts, trekkers, nature lovers, etc.
2. Kothapalli Waterfalls
Another hidden gem of Lambasingi is the most gorgeous and mesmerizing Kothapalli Waterfalls. The water cascades down in all its glory amidst the natural environment with little or zeroes human interaction. The magical waterfall is definitely a sight to watch if you are in or around the area.
3. Susan Garden
If anything was missing after waterfalls and meadows and rivers and valleys and hills, it was a garden. But Lambasingi has that also. En route to Lambasingi, right before your destination, you will be greeted with ultra beautiful yellow and black flowers of the Susan Garden. You can relax and rewind or watch a beautiful sunset. You can also capture the picture-perfect moment in your cameras.
Activities at Lambasingi
1. Stroll through the misty cloudy gardens, apple orchards, and coffee plantations.
2. Wander off to the adjoining forests and explore the mysticism of nature.
3. Try your hand at camping, trekking, rock climbing, hiking and other adventure activities available at the spot.
4. Explore the Arakku Valley popular for its colorful canvas of vibrant roses, waterfalls, streams and green meadows.
5. If you are craving for a little sun, sea, and sand. Uppada Beach is just 120 km from Lambasingi.
6. The Ghat Road in Lambasingi is a very picturesque road ideal for romantic walks and strolls.
The best time to visit Lambasingi is definitely during the winter months- November to January, when you can experience snowfall in the otherwise plain area.
The village of Lambasingi has situated just 100 km from Vishakhapatnam and can be easily reached through roads or railways. You can also drive down to the spot in case you are looking for a wonderful road trip experience.
As far as your eyes can go, you will see every inch of land in Araku Valley covered with greenery. Moreover, the view of lofty mountains against coffee plantations will definitely enchant you to the core and leave you in awe. So, if you want to witness the natural beauty of Vishakhapatnam then you should head to Araku Valley and capture some beautiful landscapes to cherish forever.
Ideal For: Nature lovers and photographers
Location: Araku Valley, Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
