Major city · India
Araku Valley
Spend at least one full day in Araku Valley; a night‑stay lets you see Borra Caves and coffee farms without rushing.
Araku Valley is a hill‑station in the Eastern Ghats, about 110 km from Visakhapatnam. Its coffee plantations, Borra Caves and tribal culture need a night to explore; day‑trips from Vizag are too rushed.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Jun–Sep (monsoon)
- Airport
- VTZ
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Araku Valley100 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Araku Valley, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyAraku is generally safe; main risks are slippery roads during monsoon and limited medical facilities – carry basic first‑aid.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers100 police · 101 fire · 102 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportVTZ Visakhapatnam Airport (≈110 km (68 mi), 2‑h road to Araku).VTZ Visakhapatnam Airport (≈68 mi (110 km), 2‑h road to Araku).
- Getting aroundPublic bus service is sparse; hire a cab from the APTDC lodge for valley tours (e.g., Borra Caves).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCup of local coffee₹80–₹150 (≈ US$1–2)
- Museum or sight ticketBorra Caves entry₹100–₹200 (≈ US$2–3)
- Budget bedGovernment resort room (double), a night, per room₹1,500 (≈ US$18)
- Mid-range bedGovernment resort room (double), a night, per room₹2,500 (≈ US$30)
- High-end bedGovernment resort room (double), a night, per room₹4,000 (≈ US$50)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,200 (≈ US$14) · Mid ₹2,000 (≈ US$25) · High ₹3,500 (≈ US$40)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- VTZ Visakhapatnam Airport (≈110 km (68 mi), 2‑h road to Araku)VTZ Visakhapatnam Airport (≈68 mi (110 km), 2‑h road to Araku)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Feb
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Mar
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest May (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Mar (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Araku Valley: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
Feb
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
Dec
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Public bus service is sparse; hire a cab from the APTDC lodge for valley tours (e.g., Borra Caves). Private taxis from Visakhapatnam cost about ₹6,000 round‑trip.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Borra Caves
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Hire a cab from Araku lodge; 35 km (22 mi), ~1 h driveHire a cab from Araku lodge; 22 mi (35 km), ~1 h drive
Well‑lit, family‑friendly; entry fee around ₹100–₹200.
Katiki Waterfalls
goDoor to door: ≈1 h 15 min
Cab + short trek (10–15 min) from the main road
Best after monsoon; modest entry fee.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
AP Tourism Resort (Tyada)
government‑run, free breakfast, wifi
Haritha Valley Resort
government‑run, free breakfast, wifi
Araku Cottages & Tents
basic rooms, breakfast included
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,200–₹1,500 (≈ US$14–18) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,000–₹2,500 (≈ US$25–30) excl. bed
- High
- ₹3,500–₹4,500 (≈ US$40–55) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Government resort room (double)1 × 1 night × ₹2,500 | ₹2,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹2,000 | ₹4,000 |
| Visakhapatnam → Araku round‑trip taxi2 × ₹3,000 · check | ₹6,000 |
| Borra Caves entry fee2 × ₹150 · check | ₹300 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × ₹1,200 · check | ₹2,400 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹1,520 |
| Trip total≈ ₹8,360 per person per day, bed included | ₹16,720≈ US$190 |
Includes breakfast and wifi.
2026 estimate in INR; flights and long‑distance rail excluded.
Prices of common things
| Cup of local coffee | ₹80–₹150 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Bamboo chicken (tribal dish) | ₹250–₹400 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Borra Caves entry | ₹100–₹200 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Taxi (Visakhapatnam → Araku, one way) | ₹3,000–₹3,500 (≈ US$35–40) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Limited bus schedules – plan ahead or hire a cab.
- Lodges fill quickly in peak season; book early.
- Some viewpoints lack signage – use a map or guide.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 100
- Fire
- 101
- Ambulance
- 102
- All services
- 112
Pocket card
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Araku ValleyAraku Valley
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
దయచేసి ఈ చిరునామాకు తీసుకెళ్లండిPlease take me to this address
Emergency
- All services112
Embassy
US consulate in Hyderabad (check address); Indian embassy in New Delhi.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Visakhapatnam → Araku taxi (round‑trip): ≈₹6,000 total, negotiate before boarding (check)
- Borra Caves entry: ₹100–₹200 (≈ US$2–3) per person (check)
Say or show
- ఇది ఎంత? — How much is this? (idi enta?)
- కాఫీ ఇవ్వండి — I would like coffee (kāfī ivvaṇḍi)
- బాత్రూమ్ ఎక్కడ? — Where is the bathroom? (bāthrūm ekkaḍa?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Araku Valley. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid Jun–Sep (monsoon) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Reserve APTDC or government resort rooms 2 weeks ahead (check availability).
- Hire a licensed cab for valley loops; negotiate price before departure.
- Consider a night in Visakhapatnam if arriving late by train.
Sources
Ask about Araku Valley
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