Visakhapatnam is a port city and industrial center in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, on the Bay of Bengal. It’s known for its many beaches, including Ramakrishna Beach, home to a preserved submarine at the Kursura Submarine Museum. Nearby are the elaborate Kali Temple and the Visakha Museum, an old Dutch bungalow housing local maritime and historical exhibits.
Kailasa Giri Hill
Kailasa giri is located on a hilltop and is a must to visiting place for all people visiting Vishakhapatnam. It is one of the prominent hill top parks with panoramic sea view on the East Coast. This has developed as an attractive picnic spot, with the seven different beautiful viewpoints to enjoy the serene atmosphere and scenic beauty. Greenery and Fresh Breeze from one side and the beautiful hills round there give a pleasant feeling.
Some of the important points are Shiva Parvathi Statue, Shanku Chakra Naama, Floral Clock,Jungle Trails, Food Courts, 7 Wonders of Vizag, Shiva Temple, Titanic View Point, Shanti Ashram, ViewPoints, Art Gallery, Road Train, Gliding Base Point, Children Play Park, Conference Hall, Telescopic Point.
Kailasagiri is a favorite location among the filmmakers all over India. The major attraction of the park is Lord Shiva Parvati statue. The idol of Lord Shiva a top the hill stands tall at a height of 40 ft.The floral clock one of the biggest of India with a diameter of 10 ft. The floral clock gives an artistic impression on the lush green patches on the backdrop of the Shiva Parvathi statue. It stands as a landmark and attracting huge crowds..
How to Reach ?
By Train: Visakhapatnam or Vizag is the nearest railhead to reach Kailasagiri. It is located at a distance of 13 km from Kailasagiri. From the train station, you can take the road route which takes around 34 minutes.
By Air : Visakhapatnam International airport is the nearest airport to reach Kailasagiri. It is located around 19 km from Kailasagiri. Several cabs ply between the airport and the route takes around 45 minutes.
Katiki Waterfall
At a distance of 7 km from Borra Caves, 39 km from Araku, 90 km from Vizag & 665 km from Hyderabad, Katiki Waterfalls are magnificent waterfalls near Borra Caves in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the best waterfalls in Araku and also among the famous Araku tourist places.
The name of the falls is derived from the name of the village nearby. Katiki waterfall is formed by the Gosthani River and it cascading down from a height of 100+ feet. The pond at the bottom of the waterfall is an excellent place for taking a bath after a tough trek to the place. It has to be reached by 20-30 minutes trek (one way) through lush forest and upwards to mountain top from the nearest motor able road. Cooking and camping are also permitted at this place. This is also a good place for trekking.
To reach Katiki falls from Araku, you have to take Borra Caves road at Mulyaguda junction between Araku and Visakhapatnam (around 30 km from Araku, after Anantagiri). Cross the Borra Caves railway crossing on the same road. Nearly 2 km from the railway crossing, you have to take left turn where the straight road takes to Borra Caves (caves are 2 km from here). After 300 meters on the same road, take a left turn and go for about 4-5 km. The road ends at the railway track near Tunnel #44. From here, you have to cross the railway track and go straight trekking the mountain. The falls are nearly 20-30 minutes trek from here and the path is narrow and slippery. There are jeeps available from Gatevalsa (7 km from Katiki).
There is no public transport available to this place. Visitors are advised not to venture to the waterfall in their own car as the road is bumpy and not suitable for regular cars other than jeeps.
There are no lodgings near the waterfall but there are small huts that sell marinated chicken in bamboo trunks. Jungle honey is also available near the waterfall.
Best Time To Visit:-
The best time to visit Katiki Waterfalls is during monsoons. It is the time when the beauty of these falls is enhanced as the downpour doubles up the width and flow of the waterfall. Apart from monsoons, other seasons of the year are also favorable to have some fun at this site. It is highly recommended that an individual should avoid visiting the place during summers as the falls tend to dry.
Reaching There:-
Katiki Waterfalls are located in the quaint corner, away from the main city of Vijayawada. To reach the place, one has to take the bus, taxi, or an auto rickshaw to reach the village of Katiki. After reaching the village, a short trek of 20 minutes will lead towards the enchanting Katiki Waterfalls.
Nearest Railway Station- Vijayawada Railway Station
Nearest Airport- Vijayawada Airport
Kamalakonda wildlife Sanctuary
For a heady rush of adrenalin, for the thrill of capturing leopards, jackals or even the viper, head to the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary in Vizag; which is actually a part of the reserve forest. Hire a local guide and explore this dry evergreen forest, which is one of the few eco-centres of Andhra Pradesh. Kambalakonda’s four mountainous terrains offer some amazing trekking trails coupled with picturesque views of the surrounding landscapes. Keep the camera ready and capture mesmerising clicks of leopards, jackals, Indian pangolin, cobras, Russell’s viper, Indian muntjac and chitals. Also keep a look out for flocks of partridges, Asian paradise-flycatcher, quails, treepies, blue-tailed bee-eater, spot-billed duck and hoopoes. Spread over 7,146 hectares, Kambalakonda is a wildlife sanctuary in Vizag in the Eastern Ghats. It is an abode for rare species of endemic flora and also supports varieties of animals like leopards, barking deer, wild boar, spotted deer, sambar and monkeys. Safe routes are earmarked for trekking within the sanctuary. Peacocks, deer, emus, lovebirds and other endangered species can be spotted here.
Formerly under the control of the Maharajah of Vizianagaram, this reserve forest is now protected by the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department since March 10, 1970. This wildlife sanctuary is located along the Highway just outside the city on the way towards Vizianagaram – Srikakulam. Working closely with the locals of Shambuvanipalem, ethnic cottages have been designed to facilitate overnight camping. For the adventurous, these cottages that can be booked for overnight or weekend stays. There is a cafeteria inside but with limited service. Essentially, the philosophy of this sanctuary is to ‘provide minimum facilities without disrupting the natural wildlife habitats’. People of the surrounding villages are trained to act as guides for visiting tourists and trekkers. These guides have lots of information on the habits and mannerisms of the fauna and interesting titbits of data on the flora.
How to Reach ?
It can be reached by road about 3 km from Visakhapatnam, opposite to zoo park. The sanctuary has a dry evergreen forest mixed with scrub and meadows. The terrain is hilly with steep slopes.Location: Andhra Pradesh,India Governing body: Andhra Pradesh Forest Depa…Area: 70.70 km2 (17,470 acres)
Borra Cave
Located on the east coast of India, the Borra Caves are situated in the Ananathagiri hill 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 among 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.
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.
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.
Submarine Museum
Submarine Museum is located in Visakhapatnam in the south-eastern state of India. The museum is inside an actual submarine, INS Kurusura, which was India’s 5th submarine. The museum is situated on RK beach, near the War Memorial in Visakhapatnam. The beautiful scenery of the clear blue waters and golden sand on the beach serves as a perfect location for the Submarine Museum. It is frequently visited by enthusiasts who want to know more about living in submarines. The museum has artefacts, pictures and articles that share stories of strength, sacrifice and patriotism of the warriors. They give insights on how difficult surviving can be with limited space and resources hundreds of feet underwater.
The INS Kurusura served the Indian Navy for 31 years before it was decommissioned in 2001. Post that, it was used a museum to spread awareness about Indian Naval Forces, the technology used and its development in India. It is a one of a kind project that was launched by the Eastern Naval Command. The interiors of the submarine have been re-arranged to allow a clear view to the visitors. It is the only Submarine Museum in the entire of Asia. A visit to the museum is not only a must to gain some knowledge but also to rejuvenate a feeling of patriotism and pride for our country and for the warriors who fought and even lost their lives for our freedom.
How to Reach ?
The route to Submarine Museum is very well connected by road within Visakhapatnam. Auto-rickshaws and local transport buses are easily available from any part of the city. Those exploring the city by private transport can reach the museum via Port road, Gajuwaka-Scindia road or via NH16.
Dolphin’s Nose
Very similar to a dolphins nose, this 174 m high rocky headland is situated in the south of Vizag. The nose seems to be protruding out towards the Bay of Bengal giving it a rather fascinating look.
A renowned powerful light house highly useful for the shippers and has a light beam that can be seen as far as 64 km out at sea is also placed nearby. There is also a hill nearby named the Dolphin hill and is a restricted Armed forces residential area. The backside of the hill has a scenic, beautifully placed, secluded beach called yarada.