Travel information of Andhra Pradesh

A historic land and melting pot, Andhra Pradesh combines the age-old traditions of the Dravidian Hindus of the South with the Muslim cultural heritage that came from Western and Central Asia many centuries ago. The 'Rice Bowl of India", Andhra Pradesh is today, a land of great rivers and industrious people. A dynamic icon of modem India, here tradition and technology join hands with nature to provide the tourist a rich feast of India's kaleidoscopic splendor.

General information about Andhrapradesh

AREA: 2,75,068 sq kms
CAPITAL: Hyderabad
POPULATION: 75,727.541
LANGUAGES SPOKEN: Telugu, Urdu, Tamil
LITERACY: 81.1%
AIRPORTS: Hyderabad, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam, Cuddapah, Rajahmundry, Ramagundam. Warangal.

WHEN TO VISIT: (CLIMATE) November to March. Summer: 41 °C to 20°C Winter 32°Cto13°C Monsoon: June to December.


Places to see in Andhrapradesh:

Ahobilam : Temples.
Alampur: Temples, Sculpture, Papanasam (2 kms): Temples, Sculpture
Amaravati: Buddhist monuments. Excavations, Temples.
Anakapalle: Buddhist monuments. Excavations at Sankaram (2.5 kms).
Anantagiri: Temples.
Araku Valley: Tribals, Forests, Scenic beauty. Borra (12 kms): Limestone caves with stalagmite and stalactite formations.

Bhadrachalam: Hindu pilgrim centre.
Bhimunipatnam: Beach, Temple, Fort

Chandragiri: Fort, Temples, Ruins of Vijayanagar capital
Chintapalle: Tribals, Forests, Scenic beauty

Draksharamam: Hindu pilgrim centre. Temple.

Ethipothala: Waterfalls, Picnic site.
Eturnagaram: Wildlife sanctuary, Best: November to May-June.

Horsley Hills: Hill station.
Hyderabad: Capital of State .Palaces, Mosques and Museums, Gardens and Parks, Zoological Park (with Lion Safari Park) Handicrafts,

Places to see around Hyderabad
Golconda: (11 kms): Ruins of fort and Capital of Qutab Shah! kings, their tombs.
Himayat Sagar (23 kms): Lake, Picnic spot.
Kondapur: (20 kms): Excavations.
Mahavir Harin Vanasthali (13 kms): Game sanctuary.
Osmansagar (13 kms) : Dam-site picnic spot.
Secunderabad: (8 kms): Cantonment of Hyderabad.


Karimnagar: Handicrafts.
Kawal: Wildlife sanctuary, Best: November to May
Kolleru: Water-bird sanctuary, Best: April to November.
Kondapalle: Hand-crafted wooden toys.
Kuchipudi: Birthplace of Kuchipudi dance, Dance academy.

Lepakshi: Temples, Frescoes, Excavations, largest Nandi in India.

Machillpatnam: Kalamkari textiles, Antiquities.
Machkund: Waterfalls, (Gateway to Araku Valley).
Mahanandi: Picnic spot, Mineral springs, Hindu pilgrim centre.
Maipadu: Beach.
Manginjpudi: Beach.
Mantralayam: Hindu pilgrim centre.
Medak: Cathedral, Fort.
Mukhalingam: Temples, Hindu pilgrim centre

Nagarjuna Sagar: Dam-site holiday resort, Boating, Wildlife sanctuary stretching to
Nagarjunakonda: (2 kms) Buddhist Ruins and reconstructed Monuments, Museum
Nirmal: Handicrafts.
Nizam Sagar: Dam-site picnic spot.

Pakhal: Lake, Wildlife sanctuary, Fishing, Best November to June.
Palampet: Ramappa Temple and Lake, Sculpture
Papi Kondalu: Magnificent Gorge and Scenery. (Bison Range)
Penukonda: Vijayanagar ruins, Mosque, Fort, Hill station
Puttaparti: Pilgrim centre.
Rajahmundry: Temples, Hindu pilgrim centre, second longest Railway Bridge in India.

Sri Kalahasti: Hindu pilgrim centre, Temples.
Srisailam: Hindu pilgrim centre, a vast lake, the 110 km stretch boatable during June-February.

Tirumala: Major Hindu pilgrim centre, Temples, nearby Tirupati Waterfalls and picnic spots. Kailasanathakona (43 kms): Waterfalls, Mineral-rich waters.

Udayagiri: Ruins of Forts.

Vadarevu: Beach.
Vijayawada: Road and Raff centre. Temples, Mosques. Mangalagiri (16 kms): Pilgrim centre, Temple with tallest tower in Andhra.

Vishakhapatnam: Seaport, Beaches. Simhachalam (20 kms): Temple. Waltair (5 kms): Beaches.

Warangal: Temples and Forts, an ancient capital, Carpets. Hanamkonda (7 kms): Temples, Sculpture.

Yadagiri Gutta: Temples, Hindu pilgrim centre.
Yanam: Part of Pondicherry Union Territory, old French India.


This article is originally published in Travel India and India Study Channel

Penukonda - A less visited tourist spot at Andhra Pradesh

Penukonda means big mountain. Adjoining the Horsley Hills, this Hill Station is 934 meter high. The King of Vijayanagar stayed here for 20 years after the defeat in the battle of 1565. When the control over the palace was shifted from Nizam to East India Company in 1800, the Dist HQ was set up here. Many ruins can be seen here at the old fort below the hill like 11th Century Parshnath Jain Temple, Sree Rama and Shiva Temple built by kings of Vijayanagar, Sher Ali Mosque (1600), ancient Palace – Gaganmahal. Tourist attraction of these ruins cannot be ignored. One will find ordinary hotels at Penukonda for staying.

This Article is also published in India Study Channel

Horsley Hill – The only hill station in Andhra Pradesh

In 1857 while hunting an European WD Horsley reached Mallammakonda, i.e, the mountain of Goddess Mallamma. He fell in love with natural beauty of the hill and built his summer residence here in 1870. The name also changed from Enugu Mallammakonda to Horsley Hills. Horsley Hills is the only Hill Station of Andhra Pradesh at an altitude of 1265 meter. The summer residence of the Governor of Andhra is here. The nature in Horsley is beautiful, constantly shaded by sandal wood, palash, piyal, teak, deodar, eucalyptus gulmohar & mango trees. The winter is a little cold and in the summer cool breeze blows, the climate is healthy. The sunset in Horsley is matchless. There is a site called view point to view sunset. Other places to see are the forest museum of Nature Study Centre, a beautiful orchidorium, library etc. Eucalyptus tree planted by Horsley is now a giant size tree , which is now 35 meter high, spread over a radius 43 meter. Rishikonda Valley is 9 km along the hilly road. The Valley famous for the school founded by Jiddu Krishnamurthy. Enugu Mallamma Temple is 20 km to the west of hills. Lilting notes of numerous known and unknown birds make the surroundings musical and pleasant. Kronba, Golia, Chhenchu tribes inhabit here.

How to reach Horsley hill
On the South Western part of Andhra and on the Tirupati-Bangalore Road, 122 km from Tirupati & 136 km from Bangalore, surrounded by mountains, at a height of 746 meter is the hill resort Madanapalli. Chennai, Hyderabad, Guntakal, Pakala & Horsley are 221,431,246,83 and 25 km respectively from Madanapalli. On Guntakal-Pakhala metregauge railway-Guntakal-Tirupati Passenger, Bellari-Tirupati Passenger, 7597 Guntakal-Pakala Venkatadri Express travel via Madanapalli Road Railway station. The journey time by bus from Tirupati & Bangalore to Madanapalli is approximately 3 hrs. Madanapalli is famous for its beautiful valley beautified by nature herself and Rishi Valley school. A TB Sanatorium was developed because of its healthy climate. In the adjoining Baminikonda hills there is a Bamini Devi, i.e, Durga Temple. Madanapalli is familiar because it offers bus connection with Horsley Hills 29 km from here. Buses leave at 8-00,13-00,16-00 hours taking one hour to reach Horsley hills. Frequency of services increase during October to March.


Hotels and other accommodation at Horsley hill
There are various types of accommodation in Horsley Hills.
In the midst of pleasant nature APTDC owned Punnami Hill Resort Ph: +91 8571 279323, Advance Booking . Manager, Horsley Hills, Dist-Chittoor or APTDC, Yatri Nivas Complex, S P Road, Secunderabad-500003 Ph: 22816373 or in Kolkata Diamond Tours 22376714 and TTMI Ph: 22442051.

Mount Pleasant Hotel,

Forest Bungalow in Horsley's summer residence

Forest Rest House, Advance Booking: FRO, Madanapalli, Dist-Chittoor, AP-517325

This article is originally published in Travel India and India Study Channel

Araku Valley and Borra cave – Travel information

In Odissi language Araku means red clay or soil. Araku is the land of red soil. Araku Valley is located on the Visakhapatnam-Kirandaul branch railway line, 118 km off from Visakhapatnam, 85 km before Koraput at an altitude of 1166 metre. Under the shade of silver oak, pine and eucalyptus trees, the quiet and colorful Araku Valley is unique.

Surrounded by five hillocks the picturesque beauty of Araku Valley offers serenity. In winter the temp is 4° C and during summer it is 34° C. The climate is moderate. The highest Peak is 1700 meter high Galikonda, i.e, hills of air. Sunset in Araku is a wonderful experience.
The beauty of the road is unparallel. Bonda. Maris, Muria, Gond and other 19 tribes live here. Apart from natural beauty, Araku is also blessed with the talent of singing, dance and music, particularly Dhimsa & Peacock dance of tribals.


What to see in Araku valley:

Now-a-days potteries, silks are being produced in Araku. Opposite to Punnami Hotel there is a Tribal Museum, a symbol of tribal culture.

One may visit Padmapuram, Orchard with an area of 26 acre developed in 1942 about 5 km away from here. 35 species of roses along with numerous trees & plants, herbs with medicinal value are grown here. An amusement park for children is also there. Accommodation is also available in the Tree House.

The beauty of Chhaprai Shooting Spot at a distance of 15 km is eye soothing.

Tourist department offers Araku Valley package tour from Visakhapatnam.

60 km ahead of Visakhapatnam in the midst of fascinating nature nestled in Eastern Ghat, Anantagiri Hill Station at an altitude of 1168 meter may also be visited. The main attraction is a cave made of lime stone created by drops of water on the lime. The largest railway bridge 1 ½ km is on the Kolba river of Anantagiri. Coffee is also produced here.

Accommodation is available at Traveler's Bungalow.


Bora Cave: On Visakhapatnam-Araku Road, 33 km from Araku and 99 km from Visakhapatnam and about 1 km from Bora Guha Railway Station, one will find the longest cave in India. Water containing calcium carbonate dropped for a million years and formed deposit of stalactite which hang like icicles from the cave ceiling. Another formation led to stalagmite or crystal pillers of calcium carbonate. This is an architectural dream created by nature. British Geologist William King discovered this dream cave in 1807. Tourists have been visiting the place since 1970. There are 118 stairs in the cave 300 meter wide & 40 meter deep at an altitude of 722 meter. Apart from Shivalinga & Kamdhenu there are other idols too. It is fascinating to see the drops of water falling naturally on top of idol of god. Locals believe that Rama, Lakshmana & Sita resided in this cave during their exile period. They worshipped this Shivalinga. Electrical connection to the cave was given in 1992. However, the light is inadequate. It is better to carry a dry cell torch. Gostani river is flowing near by. There is scarcity of hotels but railways have Retiring Rooms in tribal dominated Bora Guha. Food is available in road-side Dhaba. Visitors are advised to visit the wonderful creation of nature at Bora Guha from Visakhapatnam & to return there at the end of the day. One may visit Bora Guha by Jeep from Araku or, Bora Guha with Araku (5point sight seeing). Service jeeps are available from Araku to Bora Guha. Interested tourists may visit Ranjildo Water falls by auto or jeep.

Tyda Jungle Bells, 43 km from Bora Guha is another attraction. The hilly forest environment at an altitude of 3000 ft is a dream place to spend your holiday. Tyda is famous for Eco-tourism Project, Nature Camp, Rock Climbing, Trekking and Bird Watching. Accommodation is available in Log Hut, Igloo and other cottages.


How to reach and see around Araku valley:

Through the forest and tunnel created by penetrating hills, the only 1VK passenger train arrives at Araku at 11 -15 am via Bora Guha, from Visakhapatnam 7-45 am. At 3-30 pm the 2VK passenger train leaves Araku and arrives at Bora Guha at 4-40 pm & finally reaches Visakhapatnam at 8-15 pm.

Share jeeps are also available for Bora Guha Package. Bus for Bora Guha leaves from Araku at 11 -30 am. From Araku APSRTC runs 18 buses between 5-00 am 7-00 pm. Express buses leave at 6-50 am, 8-25 am & 9-00 am. Buses for Onka velhi leave at 9-15 & 4-20 pm. Only bus for Jeypore leaves at 6-00 pm, Anantagiri at 8-00 am; Vijayanagaram at 1-45 pm. All the buses return to the base regularly. The Express bus from Visakhapatnam goes to Jeypore-Koraput-Jagdalpur-Raipur. Except Thursday the cave is open all other days. Timing: 10-00 am to 1-00 pm & 2-00 pm to 5-00 pm.

Accomodation at Araku Valley

1 ½ km from railway station on the left of bus terminus APTDC owned Punnami Hotel (Mayuri), Araku, Ph:(+91 8936) 249643, There are cottages also in Mayuri complex.

About 1 km from Mayuri on the right is Punnami Hill Resort (Yatri Niwas), Ph: 249490, Advance Booking : Regional Tourist Information Bureau, Ground floor, Nehru nagar, office-cum-shopping complex, Visakhapatnam or Manager, APTDC, Araku Valley, Dist Visakhapatnam. In Kolkata APTourism, 4/ 1 Middleton Street, Kolkata 17, Ph: 22409686 or, 22442051 or, Diamond Tours Ph: 22376714.

PWD Inspection Bungalow, Forest Rest House, Zilla Parishad Hotel, are also available in Araku.

Besides bus stand near Mayuri, Arunodaya Hotel, Apsara Hotel, Hill Park Tourist Home are there.

From Mayuri 1 km by bus Hotel Rajdhani Ph: 249745;

Near Yatri nivas, Hotel Sri Sai Krishna Ph: 249056

Sri Nivasa Holiday Home Ph: 249088

Vikash resort Ph: 249746

Venkateswara Holiday Home

Kolkata Booking for all these is at TTMI Ph: 22442051.

In addition to those above, about 5 km from the city in ITDC's Saderu huts are available.

The small calm and quiet Araku Railway Station under the shade of numerous trees also has a 6 bed dormitory.

The Orissa style Dhaba in Araku offers good food.

Travel journal of this circuit read here

This article is originally published in Travel India and India Study Channel

Adventurous Kirandul passenger train:

Through the forest and tunnel created by penetrating hills, the only 1VK passenger train arrives at Araku at 11 -15 am via Bora Guha, from Visakhapatnam 7-45 am. At 3-30 pm the 2VK passenger train leaves Araku and arrives at Bora Guha at 4-40 pm & finally reaches Visakhapatnam at 8-15 pm.

70 km long electric 1VK Rail passes through Andhra, Orissa, and Kirandul of Chhattisgarh. The highest broad gauge railway station is in Shimliguda at a height of 1050 meter. Double engines, each at the back & front of the train, are required to negotiate the terrain.

It seems that clouds come down from the sky to welcome tourists. Visibility is challenged by the thick fog all around. The entire route is extremely romantic. The scenic beauty of this route is one of its best.

On Waltair-Howrah railway 27 km from Waltair, it reaches the Kottavalsa then it goes through the forest and then crosses the river, then the train seems to penetrate the mountain.

The route was discovered by a Bengali Sree Pramathanath Basu. Later on, this area was included in a map after survey by another Bengali P K Ghosh. Thus in 1966 this area was developed in the port city of Visakhapatnam and K K Rail was used to supply the iron ore of Boiladila.

72 tunnels have been constructed along the entire route, cutting the. Condalite stone. The largest one is 800 ft long. The No. of bridges are 87; there are innumerable smaller ones. Numerous streams have come down from the mountains throughout the route. The scenery is picturesque. Nature lovers ought to travel along this route.

The latest state on Howrah-Nagpur railway is Chhattishgarh. One can travel by bus from its capital Raipur for Jagdalpur and from there can start journey.

This article is simaultaneously published in Travel India and India Study Channel

Important tourist information of Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam / Vizag/ Waltair, STD code: +91 891, Pin Code: 530020.

To some it is Visakhapatnam, some call it Vizag while many people still know the place as Waltair. Visakhapatnam & Waltair are twin cities like the state capital Hyderabad & Secunderabad. Initially it was under the governance of Kalinga King, then Bahamanis captured it. In 1768 the East India Company took control and British called it Vizagpatnam, hence the industrial and port area of Waltair was familiar as Visakhapatnam or Vizag. The areas surrounding the Railway Station throughout the north along with residential quarters is Waltair. Former Waltair Junction. Station is now Visakhapatnam.

Climate of Visakhapatnam
Altitude is 15ft Temperature varies between 24°-31° C, climate is moderate. Nature loving British built Vizag as a resort, but today it is somewhat polluted city.


Railway connection at Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam Junction is 924 km from Kolkata on Kolkata-Chennai Railway track, it is 810 km from Chennai. The distance of Rajahmundry from Visakhapatnam is 194 km, Vijyawada is 315 km, Hyderabad is 667km.

Howrah bound trains from Chennai travel via Vijayawada, Rajahmundry & Visakhapatnam. Passenger trains from Rajahmundry leave at 1-20, 11-15, 12-45 for Visakhapatnam & arrive there in 5 hrs. Ratnachal Express at 8-29, Janmabhumi Express at 16-06, Thirumal aExpress at 5-52 also run via Visakhapatnam from Rajahmundry. From Howrah, Visakhapatnam is connected by Coromondal Express, Chennai Mail, East Cost Express, Falaknuma Express.

From Visakhapatnam everyday 8518 Visakhapatnam Korba Express leaves at 19-00 and arrives at Korba at 11 -15 via Raipur (6-40 next day), Bilaspur(9-0Ph:. 2807Samata Express leaves on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday at 5-50 and arrives at Nizamuddin (Delhi) via, Nagpur, Bhopal, Agra Cantonment.

At 7-45 am a Passenger train leaves Visakhapatnam for Kirandaul via Araku/Koraput/Jeypore/Jagdalpur. Visakhapatnam-Koraput passenger train also leaves Visakhapatnam. Aleppi-Bokaro steel city, Puri-Ukha, Patna-Ernakulam, Secunderabad-Palasa. Guwahati-Kochi/Thiruvananthapuram Express runs via Visakha¬patnam. Kakinara. Warangal. Gwalior, Raipur, Nagpur. Ahmedabad. Mumbai, Patna, Ranchi and many other places in India are connected by railway with Visakhapatnam.

Bus service of Visakhapatnam

NH5 passes through the city. From Visakhapatnam APSRTC (Ph: 2565038) buses leave for Vijayawada, Guntur, Araku, Rajahmundry and for various destinations in the state & neighboring states. Retiring rooms are also available in bus stand. Sea beach or Visakhapatnam Port city is 2 km from bus stand & 3 km from railway station. Buses, taxis and auto rickshaws offer regular services.


Hotels and other accommodation at Visakhapatnam

Anwesa Ph: 22213886/ 23541436

Hotel Jupiter Ph: 2564211, Hotel Dolphin, Ph: 2567000/ 22442051; Hotel Prince, Ranga Street, Daba Gardens Ph:2747675
Green Park, near Vidyut Sudha, Ph: 2564444
Hotel Apsara Ph: 2564861, Lodge Vishwabhavan, 14-l-lA,Ganjipeta-2; Dwarkalnn, Station Road, Dwarakanagar-16 Ph:2712627
Hotel Viraat, Indira Gandhi Stadium Road-1 Ph: 2564821

There are many other lodgings and hotels throughout the city to the north of Sea beach -
Ocean View Inn, 7-1 -43, Kirlampudi-23, Ph:2554828
Lodge Konark, 47/12-2 Dwarakanagar, Visakhapatnam-530016, Ph: 2548251,
Hotel JyotiSwaroopa, 47/11-2 Dwarakanagar-16 Ph: 2748872,

Welcome Group's Grand Bay Sheraton, Nowroji Road-2 Ph: 2560101,
Hotel Sarovaz, Dwarakanagar, Ph: 22376714/ Ph: 23541436;

Hotel Anant near RTC Complex Ph: 2550113, Ph: 22442051;
Hotel Goutami, Ph: 2508982,
Hotel Kaveri,Ph: 2561555,
Aditya Lodge, Ph: 2566277,
Hotel Meghalaya, 10-4-5 Ramnagar, Asilmetta-3 Ph: 2755141/ 22442051;

Lodge Sagar, 16-1-30 Collectors' office Junction, Visakhapatnam-2, Ph: 2526397;

On Ramakrishna Paramhansa Marg-530002, or, Beach Road—

Hotel Jaabily Beach Inn, Ph:2706026 / 22442051; Palm Beach Hotel, Ph: 2554026 / 23541436;

Park Hotel, Ph: 2754488, Mumbai Ph: (022)22854574, Delhi Ph: (011)23732477, Kolkata Ph: (033)22493121

Taj Residency, Ph: 2567756

Grand Bay Ravi Hotel, 15-1-44 Nowroji Road-2, Ph: 2550691
Hotel Dasapalla, near Raghaven Swami Temple-2, Ph: 2717300 For booking call Ph: 22485829/23541436/ 22442051.
Behind Bay View Hotel Sri Lakhsmi Booking Ph: 22442051

Sai Priya Beach Resort, Rushikonda Beach-45, Ph: 2790333

On Ramakrishna Beach, near Kali Temple, Nirala Saikate, G-2 Waves Apartment, R K Beach-3 Ph: 2705699, Bengali Style food is served here.

On the 2nd floor of Sea-View Apartment Aajkal Holiday Home, Ph: 2707857
Sunrise Guest House, Kolkata Booking Ph: 22442051.

Retiring rooms are available both at Railway station & bus stand.

15 km from Railway station APTDC owned Punnami Rishikonda Beach Resort, Bhimili Road .Ph: 2790734

6 km from Railway station Punnami Hotel-Yatrinivas, opp Appughar, Beach Road Ph: 2562333. Kolkata Booking for Punnami: Diamond Tours Ph: 22376714/ 22442051.

Although there are star category hotels, yet the middle class hotels e.g Hotel Dolphin, Hotel Sree Sathya, Lodge Sree Ganesh, Hotel Sree Kanya, Lodge Vrindavan, Hotel Jupiter, Hotel Monorama, Sai Priya Beach Resort, Lodge Sagar provide good management. One can find hotels at sea beach reaching there by bus No 42,42E from railway station.

UCO Bank Officers' Congress runs a holiday home near Visakhapatnam Railway Station, Kolkata Booking : 16-A, Brabourne Road, Kol-1, Ph: 22351778; UBI Bhowanipur, Kolkata Booking : 31 Ashutosh Mukherjee Road-20, Ph: 24753188.


Conducted Tours from Visakhapatnam:

Tourism dept, Regional Tourist Information Bureau, Vuda Building, Siripuram,Visakhapatnam-560003, Ph: (0891) 2559956/2554716, organize sight seeing city and Singhachalam every morning. The tour starts at 8-00 am & comes back at 6-00 pm.

Everyday Araku & Bora cave trip is organized by railway & bus.7-00 am to 9-00 pm. Same trip can be made by bus only.

Annabharam tour 7-00am to 5- 00 pm.

Two days tour to Bhadrachalam.

Everyday Borra Cave, Tyda and Araku Valley trip.

5 days tour to Araku and Jagdalpur is also conducted including food and lodging.

Every Sunday Arasavelli tour is organized.

5 days tour to Simachalam, Boraguhalo, Araku, Jagadalpur/ Dandakaranya.

7 days tour to Sirdhi-Aurangabad-Hyderabad,

Every Friday Konark tourfor3 days by APTDC
Booking: Andhra Pradesh Tour, 46A, RTC Complex, Visakhapatnam-550020, Ph: 2746446.

This article is originally published in Travel India and India Study Channel

Visakhapatnam (Vizag) - Araku - Borra cave - Jagdalpur

Somehow managed a week break in October 2007 and we decided to go to Visakhapatnam.
We are Kolkata based. All the trains going to Southern India touches Vizag on their way We chose Koromondol Express, somehow we love to travel in this particular train. Vizag is 900 Kms from Kolkata and we reached early in the morning to Visakhapatnam. Though we didn't have to stay in any hotel, there are many hotels to choose from. Decide whether you want to stay on the beach or the city.

Hotels in Visakhapatnam (Vizag): STD code: +91 891

APTDC Hotel Punnami (2562333) non AC DB INR 850 - 900, AC DB INR 1200, Four bedded AC INR 1600.

Shree Ganesh ( 2563274) DB INR 250 - 500

Dwarka Inn ( 2712602) DB INR 600 - 900

Jubilee Beach Inn ( +919903371948) DB INR 450 - 900

We stayed on the Rama krishna Beach, in a Company Rest House. The beach there is deep blue in color but full of bolders. Though fascinated by the beauty of the beach my kids were disheartened by knowing bathing is not safe in this beach! We collected tickets for fish harbour, and reache there with their car. One can enjoy boating in the sea here. A nice place we enjoyed is Kursura, a submarine of Indian navy. This submarine served Indian navy for long 30 years and now converted into museum and is open for the tourists. Entry fee to the submarine is INR 25. It is a different world inside. Totally air conditioned this ship has seven chambers. The staffs inside explained the functions of every room and instruments to us and answered our all the questions sincerely. Delighted to see the Torpedo! the main weapon of this ship. Photography is prohibited inside Kursura.

Opposite to Kursura we then saw the marine museum, which has old paintings of ships, models of latest warship and different things used while sailing. From here we went to the Rope way station for Kailash Giri. One can go to Kailash Giri by bus or car but going there by cable car is much more fascinating. Kalilash Giri is actually a well decorated park on the hill top, where there is a sculpture of Hara - Parvati ( Shiva - Durga). The garden is full of colorful flowers and the most beautiful is the view of the sickle shaped sea beach and the city from the top.

The second day our destination was Simachalam. we hired a car to go there. It is a beautiful temple on the hill top with wonderful landscapes all around. After returning from there by the same car we saw Dolphin nose (7 Km), Light house and the quiet, pollution free and beautiful Rishikonda beach.

All of us were excited because the most exciting part of our journey is on the third day to Araku valley via Borra caves. One must not think of any other vehicle except the Kirandul Passenger train to go there. The landscapes, and tunnels throughout the journey will leave you mesmerized! There is a first class and sleeper class but if anyone the company of the local tribes, their dresses, ornaments, availing general second class is best for them. Don't forget to take foods and water for the train journey, as nothing is available in this route. The train left Vizag at 6:50 am and slowly started to climb the hills leaving the planes behind. We crossed many dark long tunnels and reached (vizag) and surroundings. The reason was to see Beaches, forests, mountains, water falls in a single trip.Borra Cave at 11 am. This is the longest cave in India and about ten million years old! Only half kilometer from the station, the entry fee is INR 25 per head. Camera charge is INR 10. The passage inside the cave is quiet wide and comfortable and the cave is well lighted. The stalactite and stalagmites formed unique designs and models, your imaginative mind can make out so many things from them. After exploring the cave we hired a trekker to go to Boro junction, from where bus for Araku valley is avilable every half an hour. There are many hotels to stay at Araku valley.

Few hotels are: STD code +91 08936

APTDC punnami valley resort ( 2492101) DB INR 900

Mayuri Lodge (249204) DB cottage INR 650, NON A/C DB INR 1600, A/C DB INR 2000.

Hotel Rajdhani ( 249745) DB INR 500 - 900

Bhimsa resort ( 249333) DB INR 600 - 1200

We checked in the Mayuri lodge, opposite the tribal museum near bus stand. The view of the valley from this lodge is nice. Visited the tribal museum in the afternoon and see the dresses, ornaments household goods of the different tribes of the region and gathered a fair idea about their lifestyle. Nothing much to be done in Araku valley after sunset. So we chatted and slept early to preserve energy for the next day trip.

Fourth day we all got up early, checked out the hotel and started our journey after a full breakfast. We hired a trekker for that day and saw the botanical garden, coffee plantation and reached Araku Railway station by 11 am. The same train Kirandul Passenger we boarded from there to reach our next destination Jagdalpur. Simliguda station, we found on the way was the highest broad gauge railway station of India till 2004. But now the highest station is Udhampur of Kashmir. We reache Jagdalpur lat in the afternoon. There are many average hotels there in Jagdalpur. We chose hotel Akash. The tariff ranges for DB room from INR 250 - 500. Hotel Akash has its own restaurant and room service facility. There is no arrangement of package tour so we had to book a car for the next day. Very cooperative manager of the hotel helped us to book our car.

Day 5 of our journey started early in the morning after a nice bath and breakfast. Driver told it will take a whole day to see the surrounding spots. The first spot we saw is Dhanateswary temple. 2 Km from the hotel. Then we visited Kutumsar cave. We had to collect ticket for the light, guide charge and entry fee from the tourist office in the city, from where the cave is 30 Kms. On the way 1o km from the cave we stopped at the check post on showing the receipt the guide with his solar lantern joined us. There is no electricity like Borra cave in this. So it is better to carry a torch personally otherwise you have to depend only on the solar lantern of your guide. The entry fee for the cave is INR 25 and for camera INR 25. It is also a cave where there are beautiful stalactite and stalagmites structures, but this cave looks more natural because of no electricity. After seeing the cave our next stop was Tirathgarh Falls, 18 kms from here. We had to step down many steps to come to the base of the falls. seen many tourists are enjoying from top, may they have problems of stepping down. Truly speaking one cannot appreciate the beauty fully unless this is seen from below. This is non like other falls, here the water is gliding over the the mountain, maintaining all the curves and ridges, a different kind of beauty.

Tirathgarh Falls

The next and the last spot for our trip was Chitrakot Falls. It is 65 Kms from the Tirathgarh falls where Indravati river, a branch of Kaveri jumped down about 90 Ft from the mountain. It is different from the Tirathgarh. The beautiful rainbow formed by the the water droplets formed by it was splendid.

Chitrakot Falls

See Importatnt tourist informations of Visakhapatnam here
See Important travel information of Araku Valley and Borra cave here