Visakhapatnam, the coastal paradise of Andhra Pradesh, also known as Vizag, is the city of one of the oldest port establishments in the heart of Andhra Pradesh. Known for its serene landscapes, and picturesque beaches, there are amazing places to visit in Vizag that add a great amount of significance to the city’s cultural heritage.
This blog will help you plan your next trip to Vizag covering all the main tourist attractions and beautiful landscapes that will keep you in awe.
ITINERARY
Arrival at Vizag
Arrival at VizagStart off your journey to Vizag and arrive by afternoon. Check in to your hotel and have a delicious meal.
Hotel to stay
- The Gateway Hotel Vizag – Situated in close proximity to the commercial district and tourist attractions, this hotel is the perfect choice for visiting all the places.
With a stunning view of RK Beach, this hotel in Visakhapatnam is a perfect seaside retreat to relax and unwind.
We had a great stay at this hotel. The rooms are large and spacious with modern amenities. The bathroom is large and clean. The staff is courteous and very helpful.
We booked a sea-facing room, which had a large window, facing the garden/swimming pool area and the sea. All the nearby attractions are at a walkable distance from this hotel. So it was a perfect place to stay if you are a tourist.
There are 2/3 restaurants inside the hotel but I visited only one among them – Ming Garden. This restaurant offers Chinese cuisine and I have to say that I had the best Chinese food after a very long time. It was indeed a treat to my taste buds.
If you are planning a visit to Vizag don’t forget to visit this place and enjoy your trip.
Places to Visit
First location – Kailasagiri Park
Kailasagiri Park is situated on a hilltop and is a popular picnic spot for all the tourists visiting the beautiful city of Vizag. This place offers a panoramic view of the surroundings filled with nature and beaches.
The major attraction of Kailasagiri is the 40 feet tall statue of Shiva and Parvathi. Apart from this the two main things to do are hop onto the toy train or have an adventurous ropeway ride to enjoy the view.
One more thing you could do is walk towards various viewpoints and enjoy the city view to its fullest.
Time required : 2-3 hours
Cost : Rs.5 for Pedestrians
Rs.20 for 2 wheelers
Rs.50 for 4 wheelers
Rs.90 for Ropeway(round trip)
Rs.150 for Toy train
Timings : 6 AM – 7:30 PM
Second location – Rushikonda Beach
At a distance of 10 km from RK Beach is this serene beach – Rushkionda Beach with less crowd compared to other beaches in Vizag. If you are visiting this beach then there is a small hack for you, visit the farthest part of the beachside (Coming from Ramanaidu Studios road towards Tenneti Park). This way you will cover the not-so-crowded part and enjoy a clean water beach view.
Time required : 1-2 hours
Cost : Free
Timings : Open 24/7
Third location – Tenneti Park
Enjoy sea waves and wrecked ship views on one side and a lush green garden on the other side.
Situated on Beach Road in Jodugullapalem, it is the first children’s park, and one of the oldest parks in the city. It is located beside the Sea Shore of the Bay of Bengal.
Time required : 1 hour
Cost : Free
Timings : 6AM to 9PM
Fourth location – VMRDA INS Kursura Submarine Museum
INS Kursura (S20) was a Kalvari-class diesel-electric submarine of the Indian Navy. She was India’s fourth submarine. Kursura was commissioned on 18 December 1969 and was decommissioned on 27 February 2001 after 31 years of service.
Tip: Visit this museum after sunset as the view is wonderful. Beach towards the left and lights lit everywhere gives a great view.
Time required : 1 hour
Cost : Rs.40 for Adults
Rs.20 for Children (Below 12 years)
Rs.50 for Still Camera
Timings : Mon : Closed
Tue – Sat : 2:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Sun : 10 AM – 12:30 PM & 2:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Fifth location – TU 142 Aircraft Museum
After 30 years of service, the TU-142M Aircraft of the Indian Navy was decommissioned and placed at Visakhapatnam sea beach by converting it to a museum. Located just opposite to Submarine museum this became one more major tourist attraction at RK Beach Area.
Time required : 1 hour
Cost : Rs.70 per person
Timings : Mon – Sat : 2 PM – 8:30 PM
Sun : 10 AM – 12:30 PM & 2 PM – 8:30 PM
Sixth location – Victory At Sea War Memorial
The Victory at Sea Memorial is an Indian memorial constructed after the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 which is dedicated to the Indian Navy and the Eastern Naval Command sailors. It was constructed in 1996.
Time required : 10 mins
Cost : Free
Timings : Open 24/7
Sixth location – RK Beach
RK Beach also known as Ramakrishna Beach is situated on the east coast of the Bay of Bengal in Vizag. RK Beach gets its name from the Ramakrishna Mission ashram situated near the beach. Beach is beautiful but gets overcrowded in the evening.
But the good part is that the crowd mostly sit outside and enjoy the view. You can find a spot where there and very few people on the beach and enjoy your time with the waves.
Time required : 1-2 hours
Cost : Free
Timings : Open 24/7
After you finish exploring all the places enjoy your dinner at your hotel and rest for the day.
Araku
ArakuWake up early in the morning and start your adventure. It’s going to be a long day as you will be travelling a lot.
Places to Visit
First location – Vista Dome
Indian Railways introduced the Vistadome coach to promote rail tourism on many routes and one of them is the Vizag – Araku route. You will get to experience the breathtaking views of Araku Andhalu.
Booking – VSKP KRDL EXP (18551) is the train to book. The train starts at 6:45 AM from Vizag Railway Station and reaches at 10:55 in Araku.
You can book EC – Executive class ticket for this train from IRCTC website. Two coaches have been assigned to run on the Vizag-Araku route
Features – The air-conditioned coaches are equipped with large glass windows with 360 degrees panoramic view. Some of the features are glass roofs, LED lights, rotatable seats, an observation lounge, an automatic sliding compartment door, etc.
Book well in advance as there is too much demand for these. Make sure you book at least one month in advance.
Travel time : 5 hours
Cost : Rs.670 per person
Timings : 6:45 AM from Vizag Railway Station
Hotel to stay
- Hotel Haritha Mayuri – Situated in Araku with close proximity to the commercial district and tourist attractions, this hotel is the perfect choice for visiting all the places.
Second location – Borra Caves
The Vista Dome train goes until Araku. You can either get down at Araku, settle down in your hotel and visit Borra Caves or if you don’t have much luggage, get down at Borra Caves station and visit the caves directly.
Discovered by William King George of the Geological Survey of India, these one million-year-old caves are a spectacle one shouldn’t miss. Borra Caves located in the Ananthagiri hills of the Araku valley of the Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh were formed as a result of the flow of the Gosthani River on the limestone deposits.
These caves are known for the breathtaking stalactite and stalagmite formations such as Shiva-Parvathi, Rishi’s Beard, Mother-Child, Crocodile, Human Brain, Tiger and Cows. The cave is very deep, nearly 400 steps down and up. This is the biggest cave in India. Inside the cave, it is very cool irrespective of the weather outside. The caves have different lighting effects that keep you in awe when you witness the caves.
Time required : 1-2 hours
Cost : Adult Rs.60/-
Child ₹45/-
Cameras ₹25/-
Video and Digital cameras ₹100/-
Timings : 10AM – 5PM
Third location – Galikonda
Galikonda viewpoint is the second highest peak of the Eastern Ghats Mountains in Araku Valley. Situated at an altitude of about four thousand three hundred feet, this peak gives panoramic views of the Araku Valley.
Bongulo Chicken also known as Bamboo Chicken is super famous in this place. They sell freshly boiled sweet corn and many other snacks. Take a quick break and relish the food overhear.
This place is also a viewpoint to witness Araku at its fullest. Stop by this place and witness great views and enjoy the fresh breeze. As the name says this place is truly known for its strong winds on a hill.
Time required : 30 mins
Cost : Free
Timings : Can visit anytime
Fourth location – Tribal Museum
Araku Tribal Museum is situated about 900 m from Hotel Haritha. This museum showcases traditional art, handicrafts, ornaments, and textiles used by the tribes of Araku.
The most interesting part of this museum is Dhimsa live dance performed by local Tribes at limited time slots. Don’t miss it whenever you visit this Museum, we had visited during the pandemic time so there were no shows at that time.
Attractions inside:
1. Tribal Handicrafts Stalls
2. Boating at 20 INR per person
3. Dhimsi Dance
4. High Rope Cycling
Time required : 1 hour
Cost : Adults – Rs. 40
Kids – Rs. 20
Timings : 9 AM – 7 PM
After you finish exploring all the places enjoy your dinner at your hotel and rest for the day.
Araku Sight Seeing
Araku Sight SeeingWake up peacefully and have a delicious breakfast and head to your next location.
First location – Coffee Museum
Situated right opposite Haritha Hotel is this Coffee Museum. This place describes the journey of coffee that started from Ethiopia to Europe and India through Chikmagalur in Karnataka, Nilgiri in Tamil Nadu and Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh.
The wide menu of the coffee house has different types of coffee options according to your choice. This place is not a museum exactly, but a small park/fun place for kids to enjoy.
Time required : 1-2 hours
Cost : Rs.10
Timings : 9AM – 8PM
Second location – Coffee Plantations
Coffee Plantations on Ananthagiri Hills are a must-visit, especially if you are in the area. Miles and miles of coffee plantations await you in the mesmerizing hills of Ananthagiri, which begin as soon as you enter the Araku Valley. The smell of coffee leaves is spread through the entire valley rejuvenating your senses.
Located at a distance of 20 kms from the Haritha Hotel is this first organic coffee of India was produced in these plantations of Araku Valley by sheer hard work of the tribal groups. This organic coffee, branded under the name Araku Emerald, has gained popularity all over the world.
Time required : 1-2 hours
Cost : Free
Timings : Open 24/7
Third location – Chaparai Water Stream
Chaparai waterfalls is located at 15 km distance from Araku. Only roadway is available to reach this place. You have to go by your own vehicle or you have to hire a local Taxi.
This place is on the way to Vanjangi, so you can give this place a visit and enjoy the surroundings filled with nature. This place is not so great as the water is not present during summers and it’s not safe during the rainy season as the water current will be high and dangerous. If you have extra time in hand and would want to explore Vanjangi, you can make a stop at this place as it falls on the way to Vanjangi.
Time required : 1-2 hours
Cost : Free entry (Parking Fee is there)
Timings : 6AM – 8PM
Fourth location – Vanjangi
Rising 3,400 feet above Sea Level, the Vanjangi Hills are home to one of the most beautiful sunrises. They get their name from a village near Paderu, in Vizag district. This place is newly discovered by trekkers and is a great place to witness nature, clouds and sunrise in its best possible form.
This place is still under development, so you wouldn’t see hotels or restaurants. There are few tent stays and small rooms where you can stay and start your trek early in the morning.
Arrive at Vanjangi and head to your tent/room stay below the trek point to rest for the day. Enjoy a delicious meal.
Hotel to stay
- Backpackerz Base Camp – It’s a beautiful tent stay with basic amenities like tents, rooms, bonfire, food and great nature to wake up to. This is the best stay available in Vanjangi. It’s very well maintained and the service is really good.
Vanjangi
VanjangiWake up early in the morning and trek to the beautiful Vanjangi Hill to witness sunrise at it’s best.
First location – Vanjangi Trek
A five-kilometer walk through the forest in the morning must be done in order to reach the hilltop in time for sunrise. Start off by 3 AM for this trek and reach before sunrise. You will get to witness clouds being so dense and stagnant. The view is breathtaking and you wouldn’t want to miss this place at any cost.
Time required : 3-4 hours
Cost : Free
Timings : Best to visit during Sunrise
After the trek, come back down and rest for a while. Have your breakfast and start your journey to Lambasingi.
Second location – Strawberry Fields
On the way to Lambasingi, you will see many strawberry farms. This place provides the visitors a Pick-and-Pack experience at the farms. The strawberry season begins by November-end, and you will get to witness many vegetables and flowers fields too. There are two strawberry fields I have seen on the way, you could visit any field that you like. The locals here are very friendly, they will explain the whole process in detail and help you with your trip by suggesting places to visit nearby.
Time required : 1-2 hours
Cost : Free
Timings : Can visit anytime
Third location – Lambasingi
Lambasingi is a small village located in Chintapalli mandal of Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam district. The hamlet is nestled in the picturesque mountains of the Eastern Ghats. Located around 1,000 meters above sea level, Lambasingi offers visitors a pleasant climate, and a view of the dense forests and makes for a peaceful getaway.
Arrive at Lambasingi and head to your tent/room stay below the trek point to rest for the day. Enjoy a delicious meal.
Hotel to stay
- Lambasingi Haritha Resort – It’s a beautiful stay with basic amenities like tents, rooms, bonfire, food and great nature to wake up to. This is the best stay available in Lambasingi. It’s very well maintained and the service is really good. The food is also prepared according to your choice, you can customize your menu. It’s still under development, so there are only 4/5 rooms currently available and there are tent stays too available below the rooms. Make sure you book these tickets well in advance as they are very hard to be available.
Lambasingi
LambasingiWake up early in the morning and trek to the beautiful Lambasingi View Point to witness sunrise at it’s best.
First location – Lambasingi Trek
Lambasingi Hills or Lammasingi Hills is often referred to as “Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh” or South India. This is the only place in Southern India, where you can experience snowfall sometimes in winter. During the trek, you will get to witness lots of stars and it feels surreal to witness so many stars at once which usually we don’t get to witness in cities.
A five-kilometer walk through the forest in the morning must be done in order to reach the hilltop in time for sunrise. Start off by 3/4 AM for this trek and reach before sunrise. You will get to witness clouds being so dense and stagnant. The view is breathtaking and you wouldn’t want to miss this place at any cost. There are not many food points on the trek route, just a tea shop at the entrance of the trek point and a few food stalls selling Maggi and snacks at the top of the trek.
Time required : 3-4 hours
Cost : Rs.50 (Collected by the villagers of that area)
Timings : Best to visit during Sunrise
After the trek, come back down and rest for a while. Have your breakfast and start your journey to Lambasingi.
Second location – Thajangi Reservoir
Thajangi Reservoir is located about 6 km from Lambasingi. One could have seen a variety of reservoirs all their life, but this one located amidst the dewy mountains and misty meadows provides such a glorious view. The water flows around this region and it is like a bluish blanket on a green backdrop. The photographers hunt this place for some marvelous photographs and nature lovers visit this place to soak in the beauty of Mother Nature.
Time required : 1-2 hours
Cost : Free
Timings : Can visit anytime
Third location – Kothapalli Water Falls
Kothapalli Waterfalls is located on the southeastern coast of India. Despite not getting the right infrastructure, this place has drawn the attention of visitors from all over Andhra Pradesh. If you are looking for a place where you can chill in the waters after enjoying the hyper-cool weather in Lambasingi, then you must be visiting Kothapalli Waterfalls.
Time required : 1-2 hours
Cost : Free
Timings : Can visit anytime
With this the trip comes to an end!!
Some information to note :
- You can change this itinerary to only 3 days too by visiting on the first day, araku on the second day and visiting either Vanjangi or Lambasingi on the last day as both of them are somewhat similar based on the view you get to witness.
- If you want to witness both Lambasingi and Vanjangi only then plan a weekend getaway to these two places.
- The itinerary I have written is a laid back peaceful one without hurrying and enjoying the view slowly covering all the main touristy places.
- You can modify this plan according to the time you have and the preference of places you would like to visit.
Overview
- Day 1: Arrive at Vizag,
Visit Kailasagiri, Rushikonda Beach, Tenneti Park, VMRDA INS Kursura Submarine Museum,
TU 142 Aircraft Museum, Victory At Sea War Memorial, RK Beach - Day 2: Arrive to Araku,
Visit Borra Caves, Galikonda, Tribal Museum - Day 3 : Visit Coffee Museum, Coffee Plantations, Chaparai Water Stream
Arrive to Vanjangi - Day 4 : Vanjangi Trek
Arrive to Lambasingi and Visit Strawberry Fields - Day 5 : Lambasingi Trek
Visit Thajangi Reservoir, Kothapalli Water Falls
Overall, I loved visiting this place. I’d highly recommend this trip to everyone out there.
Hope you found this guide helpful. Let me know about your experiences in the comment section below!
If this itinerary appeals to you, feel free to contact Flip To Trip (Our Travel Company) to create a personalised travel experience just for you.
Link to the website : https://www.fliptotrip.com
1 COMMENT
vignesh
1 year agoAraku is an amazing place with lush green plants and breezing weather. Thanks of the information.