ANDHRA PRADESH

Gem of the Deccan

Coastal Andhra will stun you with some unrivalled spots of not only great natural beauty but also history and culture on its nearly 1,000-km coastline that stretches along the Coromandel Coast between the beautiful Eastern Ghats and the feisty Bay of Bengal.

VISAKHAPATNAM – RAJAHMUNDRY | RAJAHMUNDRY – YANAM

Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam is the largest city in Andhra Pradesh. Tucked into the picturesque Eastern Ghats that tower over it, this beautiful city looks out to the endless stretch of breathtaking coastlines edging the Bay of Bengal. From the vibrant heart of the city to the tranquility of its natural settings, Vishakhapatnam, or Vizag, is full of surprises.

Vizag became a harbour port after it was colonised by the Dutch and later by the British. Today it is one of India’s most prominent industrial and commercial centres and the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command. Vizag is famous for steel, and is home to the oldest but most modern shipyard and the only natural harbour on the east coast of India.

The ancient city, whose history stretches back to the 6th century BCE, was ruled by a succession of dynasties till it was finally colonised by European powers. Vizag is famous for its beaches, hills, caves, geo-heritage sites, and wildlife sanctuaries, but few know that it is surrounded by ancient Buddhist complexes and sites, revealing the rich legacy of Buddhism in the region.

See & Do

Enjoy the bustle, surf, and sand of Ramakrishna Beach or go to Rushikonda Beach for quieter moments; the 14th-century Sapta Rusheshwara Temple is on the beach itself.

Yarada Beach, close to the city, is simply splendid. Bounded by lush hills on three sides and the vast Bay of Bengal on its fourth side, the serene and clean beach rests amidst an expanse of greenery and golden sands. The long coastline offers beautiful views, especially of the sunset.

The Matyadarshini Museum on Ramakrishna Beach houses a fascinating collection of sea creatures from all over the world; the Submarine Museum is the INS Kursura converted into a museum and offers rare glimpses into the inside of a real submarine; the Aircraft Museum displays a Soviet-era TU-142M aircraft that was used by the Indian military for 29 years; the Visakha Museum has an interesting mix of artefacts; and the Maritime Museum showcases India’s naval history and defence.

Other attractions are the Simhachalam Temple, whose sanctum sanctorum dates back to the 13th century; Kailasagiri Hill, a popular landscaped park with superb views; and VUDA Park, a charming park at the north end of Ramakrishna Beach.

Experience the rare and magnificent beauty of towering, deep-gullied red sand dunes at Erra Matti Dibbalu or Red Sand Dunes (45 km), a National Geo-heritage Monument that stretches between Visakhapatnam and Bheemunipatnam along the coast and is a 1.8 million year-old geological site unique to the entire coastline of India.

Bheemili or Bheemunipatnam (50 km) is a beautiful coastal town lying at the confluence of the River Gosthani and the Bay of Bengal and is a traveller’s delight. Bheemili is peaceful, has uncrowded beaches, and will fascinate history buffs with its antiquity – it dates back to the 3rd century BCE and has great archaeological significance because of its many Buddhist monuments and sites.

Rajahmundry

Rajahmundry or Rajamahendravaram is a superb destination for any traveller or tourist keen to discover the real coastal splendour of Andhra Pradesh.

With a history that stretches back to the 11th century CE, when the region was once the seat of the powerful Eastern Chalukya kings, Rajahmundry is home to several historical and religious sites. One of the oldest cities in India, it is renowned for its poets, art, and rich cultural traditions; the Telugu language was born here.

Nannayya, the celebrated 11th-century poet from Rajahmundry and Andhra’s earliest known poet, revived Telugu and created a whole new script for it. Rajahmundry was also one of the important centres of the Indian freedom movement.

No surprise then that this beautiful city, resting on the banks of the River Godavari, is called the ‘cultural capital of Andhra Pradesh’.

See & Do

Rajahmundry is a place of serene river beaches, scenic hills, revered pilgrimage sites, and other beautiful tourist spots.

Top attractions include the Kotilingeshwara Temple dedicated to Siva, which is one of the 55 Shakti Peethas in India.

The River Godavari’s ghats and beaches are a wonderful way to spend a relaxing day.

The tiny picturesque village of Kadiyapulanka (15 km) is the centre of Rajahmundry’s famous floriculture and horticulture trade. The nurseries here dazzle with their colourful rows of jasmine, rose, lilies, chrysanthemums, and other floral beauties. An annual flower show is held here in January.

The tranquil village of Pattiseema ( km), located on the banks of the Godavari, houses the Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple.

Papikondalu (Papi Hills) ( km) is a spectacular gorge lying on a section of the Godavari River; this tribal area’s dense tropical rain forests, gushing waterfalls, surreal landscape, and serene ambience are a rejuvenating experience.

Rajahmundry’s other highlights include the Cotton Museum, Dowleswaram Barrage, and the Markandeya Temple.

See & Do

Top attractions include the Draksharamam Temple, Venkanna Babu Temple, and Sivalayam; the Grand Mosque, Catholic Church, Pithapuram, Rajiv Gandhi Beach, and the River Godavari.

The Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (approx. 18 km) is India’s second largest swatch of mangroves. It lies at the confluence of the delta of the Godavari and the Bay of Bengal.

The Godavari forms a mighty basin, which supports unique landscapes and biodiversity in both the Western and Eastern Ghats. Coringa has an impressive diversity of marine and avian fauna, and is home to almost 35 species of mangroves.

The endangered fishing cat and the smooth-coated otter are among the rare species found here.

Yanam

The erstwhile French colony town of Yanam, a small enclave dotted with coconut trees, is located in Andhra’s East Godavari District on the banks of the River Gauthami Godavari, a tributary of the River Godavari.

Yanam is one of the four districts of the Union Territory of Puducherry. Nearly 200 years of French occupation have given Yanam its curious blend of French-Telugu culture. As in Puducherry, French is one of the official languages here.

VISAKHAPATNAM – SRIKAKULAM

Srikakulam

Srikakulam is another treasure trove of sights and experiences. This lovely weekend getaway holds temples, beaches, and ancient historical sites that have made it a popular tourist destination.

See & Do

Without question the most recognised site in Srikakulam is the 7th-century CE Arasavalli Sun Temple built by King Devendra Varma of the Kalinga dynasty.

Over the centuries, the splendid temple has been an important landmark for many of the festivals celebrated in the town and draws thousands of tourists and devotees annually.

Twice a year, during the solar changes in October and March, people throng this beautiful sun temple to witness an 8-minute-long glorious spectacle – even when all entrance doors are closed, the first rays of the sun pierce invisible holes to illumine Lord Suryanarayana’s feet with light.

The rays gradually travel up the deity’s form and once his entire form is suffused with golden light, the rays recede within minutes.

Kalingapatnam Beach is a quiet stretch of sand on the outskirts of Srikakulam. The beach is usually busy with fishermen and sees locals mostly on weekends. The lighthouse tower here offers a beautiful view of the River Vamsadhara.

In the same vicinity is the famous site of Sahilundam, an ancient Buddhist site whose fascinating stupas, viharas, and platforms date back to over a 1000 years.

At Sangam lies the confluence of the rivers Nagavalli, Suvarnamukhi, and Vegavati; one of the five lingas of Lord Sangameswara is in the temple here. Interestingly, the colours of the river waters flowing across vary slightly, making the confluence evident to the eyes.

Srikurmam is situated towards the coast and is the site of a temple that celebrates the second avatar of Lord Vishnu – Kurma, meaning tortoise.

The temple’s rich architecture is in the Odisha style and displays pillars with intricate carvings of animals, gods, and goddesses. You’ll be surprised to see a Turtle Park here; it is home to many star turtles.

Yendala Mallikarjuna Swamy is the name given to the majestic rock that resembles a Sivalinga. Visitors throng to Ravivalasa, a short drive from Srikakulam, to see this colossal towering rock in the open.

Other attractions include the Iron Age site of Amudalavalasa, Srikakulam Hills, Baruva Beach, and Kallepalli Beach.

VISAKHAPATNAM – TYDA

Tyda

The little-known tribal settlement of Tyda in the Eastern Ghats is a beautiful example of a secluded idyllic locale that is pretty much cut off from the ‘connected’ world.

Tyda lies 1,520 feet above sea level and can be accessed through the road that takes you from Vizag to Araku Valley.

Tyda offers great nature-friendly experiences that are made all the more special because the entire place is designated a tribal area and is well protected. Stay in resorts, log huts, or tree houses.

See & Do

Birdwatching, trekking, and archery are some of the many activities you can enjoy here. Pick up some lovely local forest produce such as honey, gooseberry, and soapnut from the tribals themselves. The weekly markets are great for picking up herbs and spices.

Hardcore trekkers will find the 12 km trek to Katiki Waterfalls simply exhilarating. Most likely you will be guided by a tribal (and good idea too) through the unfamiliar rocky terrain and dense outgrowth to the magnificent 50-metre-high falls.

There are strategic makeshift steps too, owing to innumerable tourists, to rest on and reach the falls. There is also a 4-km ghat road from Borra Caves to Katiki, though only for Jeeps and SUVs because of the tricky terrain. Best to visit the falls well before sunset.

The Ananthagiri Coffee Plantations (12 km) are like a whiff of aroma-filled air as you take in the fresh smell of coffee beans. Take a guided tour around the plantations, buy a packet of freshly ground coffee or enjoy the brew right there.

The Borra Caves (15 km) in the Ananthagiri Hills of the Araku Valley are 2,313 feet above sea level and 2 km in length.

The limestone caves, among the largest in the country, are considered the deepest caves (80 metres) in India. The Borra Caves were discovered in 1807, by William King George of the Geological Survey of India.

The journey to the caves includes 400 steps (ascent and descent), some very steep. Inside the caves are stalactites and stalagmites, and speleothems or cave formations that date back to over a million years.

These limestone deposits have developed into interesting forms and structures that look as though they have been chiselled.

Since the caves are totally aphotic, the tourism board has installed several mercury, sodium vapour, and halogen electric lamps inside for visitors.

VISAKHAPATNAM – ARAKU VALLEY

Araku Valley

With its pleasant weather, stunning landscape of vast coffee plantations that produce the famed Araku coffee, mountains, deep green forests rich in biodiversity, gushing waterfalls, colourful fields of paddy, mustard, sunflower, and spice, and indigenous tribal communities, the little-explored Araku Valley is one of Visakhapatnam’s hidden gems.

Araku Valley is located at an altitude of 4,590 feet/3,100 feet in the Eastern Ghats.

The best way to journey to Araku Valley is by train; the route is one of the most scenic rail journeys in India, with the train winding its way through 46 tunnels, bridges, and deep valleys.

But if you prefer a four-wheel drive, a road trip is equally thrilling and refreshing. You get to see splendid scenery as the vehicle winds up the road to Araku. The road is dotted with spots for quick picnics, viewing decks, and food stalls.

For the first-time visitor to this spectacular region, Araku Valley and the surrounding areas are a traveller’s treasure trove with unique attractions.

Araku is superb for that great outdoors adventure, replete with trekking trails through dense jungles.

Off the tourist-trodden, tailor-made comfort-holiday destinations, Araku is an experience that, like its coffee, is best savoured and appreciated slowly.

See & Do

The Duduma Waterfalls (82 km), the site of the Machkund Power Project, are fantastic.

See the waters of the Sangda Waterfalls as they cascade down in the middle of a thick forest; the place is also a lovely picnic spot.

The Padmapuram Botanical Gardens (2 km) was once the kitchen garden for the British military camp in Visakhapatnam during World War II.

The Gardens are now a horticultural society/nursery that includes exotic and rare species of flowers and trees. Lovely place to pick up cardamom, camphor, and pepper plants etc.; also visit the exclusive rose garden here that boasts over 40 varieties.

A surprise here is the toy train that runs through the gardens, giving tourists a tour of the entire area.

The Tribal Museum houses a collection of Araku’s tribal artefacts such as jewellery, hunting tools, utensils, and kitchen accessories, and even has some interesting 3-D installations depicting scenes from village life.

Do taste the toddy in Araku. It is fresh and unadulterated. The best place to have it is at the weekly markets.

Araku is fast becoming a popular ‘ballooning destination’. The Araku Hot Air Balloon Festival 2019, a 3-day event held in January each year, co-organised by the Andhra Pradesh tourism board, saw a line-up comprising 21 balloons from 15 different participant countries including India, Australia, Italy, Brazil, Belgium, and Slovakia.

Witnessing the beauty of Araku from a balloon floating high in the skies is a phenomenal experience. The valley below appears surreal; like flying over a magnificent patchwork quilt or a beautiful landscape painting.

There are other attractions too at the festival – a paramotoring display by aerial enthusiasts, overnight camp stays, and excursions to coffee plantations and tribal villages.

Apart from the places we have listed, we recommend you plan road trips to experience these travel gems in the region too – Suryalanka, Konaseema, Vizianagaram, Vijayawada, Manginapudi, Mypadu and Koduru beaches in Nellore, and Pulicat Lake.