Borra Guhalu - one of the largest cave in the country

Borra Guhalu

It was a misty morning in Araku. The cab would come at 9:00am. We had ample time to roam around.

Ready to explore the town - at Haritha resort Araku

The AP tourism Haritha resort is situated on the main road - at the end of the Araku town or better to call Araku market. Araku is a very small town. Me and my daughter walked towards the main market. Full of fresh air. No pollution in the mist.

Kids are waiting for the school van

We reached the market or the town center. It was to early. Locals were carrying their farm produce. Kids were waiting for the school van. Tourists were gathered around a tea stall.

Locals bring their farm produce to sell in the market

After reaching the other end of the town, we returned back to resort.  Breakfast time and checkout. It was fixed menu breakfast with Idli and Sambhar and Tea. The cab was ready.

As we drove through the winding ghat roads, the valley - the Araku valley was gradually visible on our left side. It was a memorable journey. We reached "Galikonda - A Highest Point" on Araku-Vizag road. There is a view point over there. Locals were selling coffee powder, tribal ornaments, bamboo chicken with a makeshift arrangement. Some of the pictures shared here were taken en route and at Galikonda.




We started again and driving through the ghat, the mild aroma of coffee from the numerous plantations sprinkled across the valley, greets the visitors.

Coffee leaves

Coffee plantation

Tasting filter coffee at the road side stall near the plantation

After aroun 25km from Haritha we took a right turn on a narrow road. There was a APTDC signboard - Anantgiri. The driver intended to show us a waterfall here inside a village. 

Offroad towards Tadiguda Waterfalls ner Anantgiri

A villager was spreading the bean on the ground for drying

Tadiguda Waterfalls

A small stream was cascading down the rocky slope. Probably during rainy seasons, this becomes full of water and torrential. This time, being winter coming up, it was like a stream.

We had some roasted corn sold by the local.  It was 11:00am. We waited for a couple, travelling with us in the same cab and enjoyed the corn. 

After sometime they appeared smilingly. We started again. Around 4km from Anantgiri, we took left turrn towards Borra Caves. Main road goes towards Vizag.

The road was very good. We reached Borra Caves.

Borra Guhalu Entrance

The exploration started here. Some of the photographs were showcased here. For the complete experience one has to go inside the cave system. We spent around 2 hours in the Cave complex.



Outside there were makeshift hotels with thali system - fixed price with fixed menu. We had our lunch there. 

Luncheon at Borra Guhalu

Selling Bamboo chicken

They were also selling bamboo chicken on order, but we somehow dared not to experiment with that as we had to travel back to Vizag on a passenger train. By misadventure, it should not be unpleasant

Borra Guhalu Railway Station

The only passenger train would come at 5:15pm

The train came after 5:30pm - only passenger train travelling in this route. We reached Vizag at around 9:00pm. We put up in retiring room at the station. 

It was quite a journey, an experience to travel to the hinterland of India. Most of the area there was no mobile signals. And it was quite a relief.

Travel to Araku - the hinterland of Andra Pradesh

Train journey to Araku 

Situated in the hinterland of India, in Andhra Pradesh, it is one of unfathomable valley which lures the tourists with its breathtaking landscapes and pleasant weather. A natural cave system, lush green forest, coffee plantation and musical notes of many waterfalls make the journey more lively. Nestled in the Eastern Ghats, the valley has numerous cascading waterfalls and gushing streams.

During Diwali of 2015 we decided to explore this region, combining the trip with the visit of Hyderabad & Vishakhapatnam. The travel experiences of these places were recorded in separate blog. 

This was our fifth day of travel. We were put up in Hotel Supreme on the Beach Road near Gokul Park.

We planned to travel by train to Araku as this was recommended by many in travel web-site. Three seats were reserved in second seating in 58501 Up Visakhapatnam-Kirandul Passenger. The travel distance is approx. 128km.

We checked out from the hotel in early morning, kept our excess baggage in the cloak room of Vizag Railway station. We were not sure about any hawker/ food would be available during the journey. We instructed our hotel reception yesterday to pack our breakfast (which was complimentary) so that we could collect the same during check out.. 

The train started at 6:50 am sharp. It was full of tourists. Tourists used to take either of the two options of Road trip or Rail cum road trip. Both are enjoyable, however we preferred Rail trip and stay on our own way. 

We occupied one right side windows seat, on middle seat and one aisle seal on the other side which was adjusted with the other passenger. We yearned for breakfast and it was with us. 

Enough bread, butter cubes, jam, boiled egg, three muffins, apples, Tropicana juices, Ohh, at the corner few sachets of pepper and salt for boiled egg. Thanks to Hotel Supreme staff.

We reached Boddavara at around 8:15 am. Boddavara is situated at the foothill of Sahyadri. Hills have started showing up both side.

As soon as the train starts climbing the hills, one can feel that sudden change in the ambient temperature. All tourists were excited. A wintry breeze through the open windows would alert us that it was the time to enjoy the beauty of the valley.

The rail took us through 58 tunnels and over 84 bridges en route. Every time we entered the tunnel, it became dark. Passengers started yelling. One passenger was taking photographs of the valley far below. He was so mesmerized adjusting, focusing, zooming, that he did not notice the incoming tunnel. Suddenly one hit, The camera lens probably hit the tunnel entry. Shocked, he came in. He lost his Rs 50k possession. But lucky he was. He survived but the camera was gone.

It was the engineering marvel of the Kottavalasa-Kirandul line on the Waltair Division of the East Coast Railway. It was built in 1966-67. On the way to Araku is Shimliguda, a station perched at 997 m above sea level, which was the first highest broad-gauge railway station in the country till recent construction of Qazigund in Jammu and Kashmir. We reached Shimiliguda at around 11:00am at the highest point of this railway.

So those who has a plan to make a trip to Araku from Vizag make it sure that this one should not be missed out. Book the train tickets well in advance to have a confirmed reservation.

It is important that you have to occupy a seat by the window in your right hand side, i.e, in the similar direction in which the train moves. Otherwise the entire pleasure of the journey would be marred.

Our next stop will be Borra Guhalu - the Borra Caves which we will travel next morning