Vizag Araku Tour Packages with Budget And Complete Booking Details
Vizag Araku Tour Packages: Vizag, officially known as Visakhapatnam, is one of the oldest port cities located in the heart of Andhra Pradesh, India. The city is famous for its serene landscape and rich cultural heritage. Surrounded by the Bay of Bengal, Vizag boasts several beautiful beaches along its coastline.
Beyond the beaches, you can also explore the stunning beauty of Araku Valley which is nestled in the Ananthagiri Hills, a short distance from this vibrant port city. In this post, we will share a comprehensive 4-day tour plan for this beautiful beach town and the fascinating Araku Valley.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Vizag is during the winter months from October to March, when the weather is pleasant, and outdoor activities can be enjoyed to the fullest.
Trip Plan: Day 1
We reached Vizag by train, reaching Visakhapatnam Railway Station at 8 am. From the station, we took a reserved taxi to our hotel, which took around 7-8 minutes. Alternatively, local taxis and auto-rickshaws are available, which take around 10 minutes to reach the city center from the station. If you come by plane, it will take around 20-25 minutes to reach the city center from the airport, local taxi services are easily available.
Upon reaching the hotel, we checked into our well-appointed and tastefully decorated suite, which included a comfortable seating area and modern amenities. The attached washroom was also well-maintained. The hotel has a spacious conference room, which is ideal for meetings. Our package included free breakfast, and after freshening up, we enjoyed a delicious meal at the hotel restaurant, which offered North Indian, South Indian, and Continental cuisine.
Breakfast and Local Sightseeing
The breakfast buffet offered a variety of options. In the continental section, we had bread with butter or jam, muffins, milk, and cornflakes. The North Indian section featured puri sabzi, while the South Indian section offered idli, vada, and upma. Tea and coffee were also available.
After breakfast, we embarked on our local sightseeing tour around 9 AM. Our first stop was Simhachalam Temple, which took about 40 minutes to reach from the city center. The road leading to the temple is well-maintained and lined with lush greenery. If you’re traveling by a reserved car, you’ll need to park at the designated parking area in front of the temple, where the parking fee is Rs. 30.
Simhachalam Temple is a stunning Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Varaha Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is one of the 32 Narasimha temples in Andhra Pradesh and a significant pilgrimage center. The temple gates feature exquisite stone carvings. However, photography is prohibited inside the temple. At the parking area, you’ll find flower stalls where you can purchase garlands to offer to the deity. From the hilltop location of the temple, you can enjoy a clear view of the city below.
Next, we visited Divis Bridge and Divis Beach. Divis Bridge is a concrete structure that extends half a kilometer into the sea. While walking on the bridge itself is not allowed, you can explore the area underneath it, which was a unique and enjoyable experience for us. Unlike many of Vizag’s beaches, Divis Beach is less crowded and very clean. We had a pleasant time strolling around.
From Divis Beach, we continued to Bheemili Beach, another scenic spot in Vizag. Bheemili is a beautiful golden sand beach, known for its well-maintained park area adjacent to the shore. The park features striking sculptures, including a mermaid, dolphins, and a statue of Lord Buddha with his four disciples. Bheemili Beach was busier than Divis Beach but still less crowded compared to other popular beaches in Vizag. You can spend some quality time here, grab a snack from the roadside stalls, or shop for local goods at the beachside vendors.
After enjoying Bheemili Beach, we headed to the Natural Arch. A short uphill drive from Bheemili Beach brought us to this secluded beach, where you can witness a natural stone arch formed by two ancient rocks. It’s a tranquil spot where you can take in the beauty of nature.
Thotlakhonda Buddhist Excavation Centre and Beyond
From the Natural Arch, head towards the Thotlakhonda Buddhist Excavation Centre. The drive takes you through fresh green mountains, offering a refreshing and scenic experience. It will take approximately 30 minutes to reach the site from the Natural Arch.
Thotlakhonda was a significant Buddhist monastery around 2,000 years ago, housing over 100 monks. The complex included facilities for storing food, clothing, and medicines, serving as both a religious and academic center. However, it was abandoned by the end of the 3rd century. Between 1988 and 1993, the Andhra Pradesh State Archaeology Department excavated the site, and today, it stands as one of the state’s prime tourist attractions. The entry fee for the complex is Rs. 100 for two people.
After exploring the Buddhist complex, take some time to relax at Beach View Park located on the hilltop. The park offers stunning views of the city and the arch-shaped beach below.
Next, we visited Rushikonda Beach, the most popular and crowded beach in Vizag. No matter when you visit, you’ll find a lively crowd enjoying the beach. Upon arrival, you’ll immediately notice the numerous street food stalls selling corn, snacks, coconuts, and other items. Additionally, souvenir shops are offering local handmade products. Apart from swimming in the sea, you can also enjoy a horse ride or indulge in a body massage. The car parking fee here is Rs. 30.
Our final stop for the day was Kailasagiri. Perched at an elevation of 360 feet above sea level, Kailasagiri is a picturesque hilltop park. To reach the main park area, you can either take a cable car or drive up. We opted for the cable car, which costs Rs. 150 per adult and Rs. 80 per child. The park spans over 100 acres of lush greenery, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city and the sea below. The main attraction here is the impressive 40-foot-tall statues of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati. You can also savor local delicacies at the food court within the park.
Day 2: Exploring Araku Valley
On the morning of our second day, we embarked on a journey to Araku Valley. We took the Kirandul Express train, which departed from Visakhapatnam station around 7 AM, with a travel time of approximately three hours. We booked our tickets in the Vistadome coach, which features large see-through glass windows, offering clear views of the surroundings. The seats in this coach can even rotate 360 degrees, enhancing the scenic experience. The train was exceptionally clean, and the route from Vizag to Araku Valley winds through the lush green mountains of the Eastern Ghats, making the journey itself remarkable. This route passes through 58 tunnels and over 84 bridges, and traveling in the Vistadome coach made it a truly unique experience. The panoramic views of the Eastern Ghats hills from the train were breathtaking.
Upon reaching Araku, we hired a car for a day-long sightseeing tour, which cost Rs. 2,000. Our first stop was Padmapuram Garden, where the entry fee is Rs. 40 per adult and Rs. 20 per child. The garden is open from 8 AM to 5 PM. You can also enjoy a toy train ride here, priced at Rs. 20 per adult and Rs. 10 per child. The garden spread over 26 acres, was originally built in 1942 during World War II to supply food and vegetables to soldiers. Today, it is a popular tourist destination, showcasing a variety of flowers and trees.
Next, we visited the Tribal Museum, where the entry fee is Rs. 50 per adult and Rs. 25 per child. The museum is open from 9 AM to 8 PM and offers a glimpse into the tribal culture of Andhra Pradesh. You can view models of utensils, jewellry, hunting tools, and wedding photographs depicting traditional tribal life. Additionally, you can enjoy boating in the pond located within the museum complex.
From the Tribal Museum, we proceeded to Galikonda Viewpoint, the highest point in Visakhapatnam. From here, you can take in a bird’s-eye view of the beautiful valleys, rivers, hillocks, and railway tracks. The roadside food stalls at this location sell the famous bamboo chicken, a local delicacy. If you’re a food lover, be sure to try it for an authentic taste of 500 grams of bamboo chicken costs Rs. 150.
Our next destination was the renowned coffee plantations of Ananthagiri. These sprawling plantations are a must-visit, with the fresh aroma of coffee leaves and beans rejuvenating your senses. Afterward, we visited Ananthagiri Waterfalls, also known as Tadimada Waterfalls. To reach the base of the falls, you need to descend a few steps from the roadside. The sight of cascading water dropping from a height of 100 feet is truly mesmerizing, and the spot is usually bustling with people enjoying the natural beauty.
Our final stop for the day was Borra Caves, located in the Ananthagiri Hills of the Araku Valley in Visakhapatnam district. Borra Caves are a prime tourist attraction in Araku Valley, and the drive to the caves through the lush green Ananthagiri Hills is one of the most scenic road journeys in the country. The caves were formed by river waters flowing through a limestone area, transforming calcium carbonate into calcium bicarbonate, which was then washed away by the running water. The caves feature various speleothems of different sizes and irregularly shaped stalactites and stalagmites. The entry fee is Rs. 70 per adult, and the camera charge is Rs. 100.
At the end of our tour, we enjoyed a delicious bamboo biryani from a local food stall, which cost Rs. 500 for two people. Please note that all the prices mentioned are subject to change.
Day 3: Exploring the Beaches and Beyond
On the third day of our tour, we began with a visit to Ramakrishna Beach, one of the popular sea beaches in Visakhapatnam. In the early morning, the beach is less crowded, allowing us to enjoy a peaceful walk along the shoreline and soak in the serene atmosphere.
After our morning stroll at Ramakrishna Beach, we returned to our hotel for breakfast. Once refreshed, we set out on a sightseeing tour, starting with Yarada Beach. The drive from Ramakrishna Beach to Yarada Beach takes about 50 minutes. Yarada is one of the most beautiful and relatively secluded beaches in Visakhapatnam, surrounded by hills on three sides. The beach features large natural rocks along the shore, adding to its picturesque charm. There are seating areas in the beachside park, where you can relax and enjoy fresh coconut water from the nearby stalls. You can also go for a horse ride or simply take a leisurely walk along the beach, which is quite rejuvenating.
After spending some time at Yarada Beach, we headed to the Dolphin’s Nose Lighthouse. From the top viewpoint of the lighthouse, you get a stunning view of the Bay of Bengal and the lush green hills that surround it.
Our next stop was Indira Gandhi Children’s Park, a well-maintained urban park located by the seaside. After exploring the park, we visited the famous Submarine Museum on RK Beach. The museum is housed inside the INS Kurusura, India’s 5th submarine, and showcases artifacts, pictures, and stories of the bravery, sacrifice, and patriotism of the soldiers. Right across from the Submarine Museum, we also visited the Aircraft Museum of Visakhapatnam.
From there, we proceeded to Vizag’s fishing harbor, enjoying gorgeous views of the sea along the way. At the harbor, we watched numerous fishing boats preparing to set sail.
In the evening, you can take another stroll along Ramakrishna Beach and indulge in some local snacks from the street food stalls. At night, we relaxed in our hotel room, enjoying the beautiful view of Vizag’s streets.
Day 4: Departure and Optional Extension
On the fourth day, it’s time to head back to the railway station or airport for your departure. However, if you have the flexibility to extend your trip by a day, consider a day tour to Vizianagaram, a princely district near Vizag. Vizianagaram is an emerging offbeat destination, where you can explore the Ramatrirtham Temple, Kota Fort, and Jagannath Temple.
To book this Vizag Araku Tour Packages, you can contact the number provided below. If you enjoyed this tour plan, please like and share the article. We would love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to share your opinion in the comment section below, your feedback means a lot to us. Thank you for reading!
- Daspalla Executive Court Hotel Booking Link: https://www.daspallahotels.com/
- Daspalla Executive Court Hotel Contact Number: 9866319737
- Vizag Car Booking: Sri Maruthi Tours & Travels: 9848989111
- Package Booking Contact Number: 9830406463
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