Rishikonda Beach, Visakhapatnam

Located along the coast of the Bay of Bengal, the Rishikonda Beach is a pristine beauty in the city of Vishakhapatnam. Located in the midst of frothy blue sea and emerald greenery, the scenery that this beach has is indeed mesmerising. This place is a favourite among water sports lovers. However, its natural charms are one of the main reasons for its immense popularity among local and foreign tourists.

The serene golden sands of the Rishikonda Beach are located in the bosom of the Rishikonda hill. The calm blue water of this beach is a sight to sore eyes, and you can indulge in some quiet, peaceful time with friends and family here. You can take a walk along the stretch of the sand, and the sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful here.

If you are in the mood for an adrenaline rush, then you can indulge in some water sports that are offered here. It is one of the few beaches that offers swimming under expert supervision, so don't forget to take a quick dip in the water. Visit this destination for a quiet weekend getaway.

Water Sports at Rishikonda Beach

This destination has a wide array of water sports to offer. Invoke your inner mermaid and go for a soothing swim in the Bay of Bengal, or indulge in some good old boating. You can also try your hand at water surfing, speed boating and jet skiing, all of which are fun filled and thrilling activities.

How to Reach Rishikonda Beach

Local transport such as buses and cabs are easily available.

Borra caves, Visakhapatnam

Located on the east coast of India, the Borra Caves are situated in the Ananthagiri hills of the Araku Valley in Visakhapatnam district. British geologist William King discovered this million years old cave in the year 1807 and it has been a tourist favourite ever since. Breathtaking hilly terrain, beautiful landscape, semi-evergreen moist deciduous forests, and wild fauna of the Borra Caves are a visual feast. A marvellous creation of nature, the caves were formed when river waters flow through a limestone area and the calcium carbonate turns into calcium bicarbonate, which is easily washed out by the running water.The most striking feature of the caves is its exquisite variety of speleothems ranging in size and irregularly shaped stalactites and stalagmites.

Borra Caves are deemed to be one of the largest in the country and are perched at a whopping elevation of about 705 metres. They are basically karstic limestone structures extending to a depth of 80 m and are considered to be the deepest cave in India. The combination of sunlight and dark conjures amazing dancing shaped in the depths of the Borra Caves which is a sight in itself. Natural skylights in the caves make way for kaleidoscopic imagery that imparts them a unique enigma of their own. Animal lovers will find bats as well as the golden geckos hiding in the shadows of the niches. The journey up to the main destination with its picturesque location and a thrilling hike is a treat in itself. Visit this destination and explore the unique beauty of Araku Valley in all its glory.

History 

The history of Borra Caves is perhaps as old as the history of the Araku Valley itself. Believed to have been formed as a result of perennial water flows over millions of years, the caves were discovered by British geologist William King in the year 1807. The process of the formation of the Borra Caves is quite intriguing as well. Humic acid in the water reacts with the calcium carbonate in the limestone and dissolves the minerals breaking the rock gradually. As a result of this, varied rocks and shapes are formed in the caves. The total length of the Borra Caves is about 200 meters and the Dandakaranya - Bolangir - Kibur train track passes over the caves. Anthropologists have also found stone tools of middle Paleolithic Age dating back to 30000 to 50000 years indicating human habitation in the Borra Caves.

Legend

The legend of Borra Caves is rich with narrations from tribal communities such as Jatapu, Porja, Kondadora, Nookadora and Valmiki, who inhabit the villages in the region. One such legend dictates that a cow dropped through a hole in the caves as it was grazing the nearby fields. Soon enough, people came looking for it and discovered a stone in the caves which resembled a Shiva Lingam. The cow returned safe and sound and the well-being of the animal was attributed to the Lingam. A small temple was soon built around the caves and people flocked the area to seek the blessings of the Lord.

Near Borra Caves

A couple of interesting activities await you near the Borra Caves. The Tribal Museum of Araku Valley is a wonderful look into the culture and lifestyle of the tribal communities that live nearby. Padampura Gardens and Katika Waterfalls are other destinations in the close vicinity of the Borra Caves. You can also enjoy a steaming hot cup of coffee in the plantations nearby.

Trekking

The picturesque territory and thrilling terrain of Borra Caves is the perfect destination to pursue a little trekking adventure over the weekend. With the waters of Katika Waterfalls cascading nearby, the scenic beauty of this place is only second to the adrenaline rush that a hike here provides. The trekking difficulty is easy to medium, so even beginners will not have a problem in navigating this destination. The journey up to the caves can take 3-4 hours, but the final view of Borra Caves is definitely worth all the hard work.

How to Reach

The Borra Caves are located in the Anantagiri hills at Visakhapatnam. The best way to reach this destination is by hopping aboard the Kirandul Passenger train which leaves Vizag by 7:00 AM (58501/Visakhapatnam - Kirandul Passenger) and passes through Borra caves, Araku and goes till Kirandul. Alternately, you can cook tourist vehicles up to the caves as well. 

Best time to visit

November - March are the best months to visit this destination as the weather is pleasant an easier to navigate in as well. Morning hours are cooler and less crowded.

Araku valley, Visakhapatnam

Araku Valley is a comparatively unexplored hill station mostly visited by locals as a weekend getaway and is situated some 120 kilometres away from Vishakhapatnam. Blessed with terrific natural beauty, this destination is a serene respite from the hustle bustle of city life. If you're a tourist looking for exclusivity and tranquillity, a train leaves Vishakhapatnam early in the morning, making way through 58 tunnels and passing over 84 bridges making way through the breathtaking landscape to reach Araku in approximately in 5 hours, go, catch that!

Located in the gentle hills of Eastern Ghats, Araku Valley is also home to a number of tribes as well. This valley is also home to a few tribal caves and the Museum of Tribal Arts, which are an experience in their own right. This destination is quite famous for its exquisite coffee, whose subtle aroma will have you craving for a cuppa. Kartiki waterfall is also located within the bounds of the valley and makes up for a picturesque encounter. In addition to being a beautiful vista point, you can also try your hand at a number of adventure sports here, which include trekking and swimming as well. If a holiday to the hills is your call but you think you've seen it all, maybe you should to wait till you visit this one.

Sightseeing in Araku valley

While here, one must visit the tribal museums and the million years old Borra caves. The text, pictures, symbols carved on the wall of the caves, their million year existence is bound to fascinate people interested in archaeology and history. Those who value art and culture will also love the aura while the peace lovers will appreciate the atmosphere of the place. Chaprai and Anantgiri fall must also be visited, which are located nearby. In addition to the Museum of Tribal Arts and Kartiki waterfall is also located in the valley. A coffee museum is also located nearby, which is a look into Araku's coffee culture. You can also enjoy a hot cup of coffee here, and assorted coffee based chocolates are the perfect gift to take back home. 

Activities in Araku valley

The adrenaline junkie in you will surely love to explore the terrains of this valley as you trek and hike through the mountains. In addition to trekking, you can also try your hands at swimming. Sightseeing, photography, visit to fields, interactions with locals, and getting to know the tribal culture are great activities to make the most of your trip to Araku.

How to Reach Araku valley

The only train to Araku is from Vishakhapatnam which connects it to the other major cities. The journey takes nearly five hours. Apart from buses run by the state government, there are also many cabs available connecting the Araku Valley to Vishakhapatnam. Private buses from Mumbai, Bengaluru, Vijayawada, Hyderabad and Chennai also run at regular intervals.

Plan Your Tour

Catch the morning train to Araku or take the road, both means of commutation have their own positives and negatives. When going to Araku do cover Shimliguda, Tyda, Borra caves, Galikondalu viewpoint and tribal museums. You can come back by the night train. You can, however, plan a weekend trip too and stay overnight.

Tips

1. If you're planning to go to Araku valley, make sure that you confirm your ticket in advance. Despite the innumerable cabs available for the valley, only one train runs from Vishakhapatnam to Araku, which leaves Vishakhapatnam early in the morning and comes back late in the night. This journey, needless to say, is a delight.

2. It is advised that you carry a couple of woollens, an umbrella and a pair of comfortable shoes, the weather keeps changing in the valley.

3. This place has hotels of all kinds for travellers, however, it could be a journey to knowing a new culture for you as the locals are mostly tribal.

Where to Stay

There are resorts of all kinds and budgets, also the APTDC has two resorts in the location. Depending on the duration and time of your journey, it is always suggested to make advance accommodation arrangements. If you land up in Araku without prior reservations, you will still have plenty of small inns and budget hotels to choose from, these hotels come with all basic facilities, are neatly done while the staff is tourist friendly. 

Kailasagiri

Kailasagiri is a hill top park in the city of Vishakhapatnam. The hill is at 360 feet and it overlooks beaches, forests & the city of Vishakhapatnam. It is one of the best tourist spots in the city for a bird's eye view of the bay.

The Kailasagiri Park is well known for its panoramic view, peaceful atmosphere and its scenic beauty, making it a beautiful tourist attraction in Vishakhapatnam. The place offers plenty of leisure activities which is also one of the reasons for people visiting the place. For small children, circular train is there for fun and enjoyment. Moreover, among adventure games, it gives visitors really good paragliding facilities. Apart from that there are huge idols of Lord Shiva and Parvathi which gives the place a religious flavor. According to the visitors' views, its a great place to visit in Vishakhapatnam to observe the development of the hills over the years. The Kailasagiri Park is a park situated on top of a hill which faces the east coast. Its a place that offers a mixture of things including places of religious importance, adventure games like paragliding, enjoyment for little kids, wide view of the whole city and many other things for the visitors.

Bollywood popularity

Bollywood films have been shot at the Park for its scenic views and the beautiful location which is at a juxtaposition of the Bay of Bengal and Kailasagiri hills.

Ropeway at Kailasagiri park

The Rope Way facility is also there for the tourists. The cable car route takes you to the top of the hill to have a bird eye view of the whole city. It is the first of its kind in Andhra Pradesh.

Toy Train Amusement Ride at Kailasagiri Park

The toy train ride at Kailasagiri Park is one of the newest attractions added. It is charged at Rs 40 for adults and Rs 30 for children. The toy train ride offers a good view of the Kailasagiri park and of the whole Bay of Bengal at Vizag.

Religious

Lord Shiva Parvathi statue is the major attraction of the park. The idol stands on top of the hill at an elevation of 40 ft.The floral clock one of the biggest of India with a diameter of 10 ft. The floral clock also play an important role in giving an artistic look with the lush green patches to the Shiva Parvathi statue. It works as a land mark for the tourists and attract huge crowd.

How to Reach Kailasagiri

The best way to reach the place is by road; one could hire a taxi for the same. The hill top can be reached by ropeway or by road.