World Great Place in Andhra Pradesh India

Araku Valley and Natural Borra Caves

Location of Araku :

Araku Valley, 115-km from Vishakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh is close to the Orissa State, border. This place lures people with pleasant weather, hills and valleys. The natural beauty of this valley comes alive with its rich landscape. The area of the valley is roughly 36-km and the altitude is between 600 and 900m above the sea level.

Journey to Araku and Borra Caves

The journey to this place on the Ghat road with thick forests on either side is in itself interesting and pleasant. One can have a wonderful trekking trip. 46 tunnels and bridges will greet you on the way. The Ananthagiri hills on the way to Araku Valley are famous for coffee plantations. Borra Caves located 29-km from Araku Valley, are one of the famous nearby tourist attraction.

Burra Caves

Location of Borra caves : 

Borra caves are situated at the distance of 90- 95 km from the city of Visakhapatnam. They are located at the height of 1450 feet above the sea level. They are spread in the Ananthagiri hill ranges of eastern ghats, which ranges between 800 to 1300 meters M.S.L. In Andhra Pradesh. November and December are considered as the best time to visit these caves. 

Borra Cave Formation : 

Borra caves are the natural caves, that are said to have originated from the Gosthani river, which flows through these caves. The caves were created due to the flow of river over the limestone area. The pressure was exerted by the humic acid in the water on the mineral deposits and the limestone dissolved in the water. The dissolved limestone trickled down drop by drop forming the different shapes in the cave. These Borra caves spreaded over the one square km and are formed over the period of million of years. 

History of the Borra Caves :

The caves of Borra are said to be more than 150 years old. These wonder caves were discovered by the British geologist William King Gorge in the year 1807. The local tribals inhabitating in this area have a different story to tell. They say once a cowherd lost his cow while grazing. He soon realized that his cow had fallen down. He got worried, on looking down he found 60 feet deep hole, where he saw his cow was alive and feeding on the grass deep below. This was the time when the tribal has discovered the cave.

Entry Fee for Borra Caves : 

The entry fee for the adults visiting the cave is Rs 25 and for the children is Rs 15. If you are interested in photography you may take the cameras along with yourself that may cost you Rs 10 and for the video cameras they will charge you Rs 100. The cave remains open to the tourists from 10 am to 5: 30 pm.