Green, pleasant, and filled with the music of waterfalls is the picturesque Araku Valley, about 112 km. from Visakhapatnam. Rolling grasslands, lush orchards and bracing climate make Araku Valley a delightful place. The natural beauty of this valley comes alive with the aboriginal tribes who dwell here and who have, to this day, kept their tradition and culture alive. The Dhimsa dance, an age-old folk dance is still performed here during 'Itika Pongal' - the famous hunting festival in April.

Borra Caves

Borra is a village lying in the Ananthagiri hills in the south-east corner of Srungavarapukota taluk, at a distance of 29 km. from Araku Valley and about 90 km. from Visakhapatnam.

The caves at this place, popularly known as the Borra Caves and which are of historical and religious value are the most important places of interest here. Dating back to a million years, they present a breathtaking display of naturally sculpted splendour, in superb stalactite and stalagmite formations. Deep in the caves, a Shivalingam and an idol of a Cow(Kamadhenu) can be found. The caves are illuminated by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation.

There are mica mines in and around Borra village and it is believed that there are immense possibilities of mining precious stones like rubies here. A big scale project known as the Thalipudi Reservoir scheme is being constructed at a cost of Rs 4.5 crores across the river Gosthami at Thatipudi.