Visiting Araku Valley by train from Visakhapatnam by Kottavalasa Kirandul line

One of the best way to cover the Araku valley is by going there by Train. This train line is built specially to carry iron ore to Visakhapatnam port from the mineral reserves of Chhattisgarh state. Iron ores fines transported from mines at Bailadila through this train line to Visakhapatnam port for export and for consumption of Visakhapatnam steel plant. In India most of the hill trains run in a meter gauge or narrow gauge lines but this is a broad gauge line passes through Shimiliaguda station which is the highest broad gauge station of India at 996.32 mt above MSL. There is a board at the platform with details of height and saying about the specialty of this station.

However Ghum station of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the highest railway station in all types of lines

Vistadome coach

This air conditioned tourist compartment with cushioned seats, wide windows , LCD TV this glass-domed coach is a new addition to this hill train. This coach is detached at Araku and again connected in return journey from Araku to Visakhapatnam.
Price is Rs 735/- per ticket.
Vistadome coach inside view

This train line passes through 84 bridges and 58 tunnels. This broad gauge electrified line starts from Kothavalasa, a small station located between Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam stations of Howrah and Chennai main line . From Kothavalasa the line takes a left turn ( if you are coming from Visakhapatnam towards Vizianagaram - Howrah ) and connects Kirandul station at the other end. So this line is popularly known as Kothavalasa Kirandul line or KK train line. Train line passes through Koraput, Jeypore ( in Orissa ) and Jagdalpur ( Chhattisgarh state )

Araku valley by Train

After crossing two small stations , the train starts climbing up the hills through tunnels and bridges. Most of the time valley falls in right side of the train while going towards Araku from Vizag and waterfalls remain at left side. On the way small and big water falls can be seen from the train. The green valley and river combination gives a spectacular view from the train. The train passes through tunnels and bridges on its journey. After CHIMIDIPALLI station the waterfall comes at left side just after a tunnel. The longest tunnel is 520 meter long. Throughout the hill region of this line patrolling staffs of Indian Railway give clearance to all passing by trains as they continuously monitor the track for any landslide, tree falling or any other type of damages. The train also passes above the Borra caves. As per information from the guide, there is a 100ft thick rock support over the caves above which the tracks are laid. So there is enough protection and security for the train.
Araku Train on a bridge

Train Details.

(Check the updated status at Visakahapatanm train Enquiry or from Indian railway website)

The Kirandul passenger train number is 58501 and in return direction it is 58502 Starts from Visakhapatnam station and most of the time this train starts from platform number 5 , but checkup at inquiry counter at platform no 1 for updated status.

Departure time 6.50 AM from Visakhapatnam station (as on April - 2011) and reaches Araku at 11.00 AM.

There is a special compartment in this train for the rail cum road package the rail cum road package tour offered by AP tourism on Araku and Borra caves. Under this package the upward journey from Visakhapatnam is by this train and return trip is by road covering some local tourist places and famous Borra caves.

On return trip this train usually reaches late at Visakhapatnam, you may miss your onward journey train. If you are returning by this train then after visiting Borra Caves you need not travel again to Araku to board the train. Instead catch the train at Borra Cave railway station.

Station Name	Code	Time	Remark
VISHAKAPATNAM	VSKP	6.45	Starting Station
SIMHACHALAM	SCM	07.03	Local Station of Vizag
PENDURTHI	PDT	07:16
KOTHAVALASA	KTV	7.25	Train leaves the main line & take the KK - line
MALLIVIDU	MVW	7.38
SRUNGAVARAPU KOTA	SUP	8.03
SIVALINGAPURAM	SLPM	8.45	Hills & Valley starts from here
TYADA	TXD	8.57
CHIMIDIPALLI	CMDP	9.21	Be alert for a Waterfall at your left side just after a tunnel
BORRAGUHALU	BGHU	9.40	Borra Caves here.
KARAKAVALASA	KVLS	10.03
SHIMILIGUDA	SMLG	10.23	Watch for the board at your right ( at main station building ) saying the height of the station
ARAKU	ARK	10.55	Destination

Visit Indian Railway website to get the information regarding change in time table and stoppages.
Train by the side of a slope hill

Vizag Tourism

Araku Valley

Borra Caves

This article is written by go2india.in team.

Number of User Comments : 83

go2india.in

SUYOG	08-12-2008
Hi, v r planing a trip to Araku valley this year end. my concern is do v ned to book the tickets for this train ?please reply as v need to plan accordingly. Suyog.

go2india.in	08-12-2008
It is better you book the ticket, this is the peak time for visitors to Araku & every one prefer the train route while going.

suresh reddy	08-12-2008
Hi, We are planing araku trip from Hyderabad. We are only intrrested to see Araku (not vizag). If we travel by godavari express, can we catch this train to araku? We are thinking to stay night at valley resort...

go2india.in	08-12-2008
The official arrival time of Godavari at Visakhapatnam and departure time of 1VK is same at 6.50 AM. So it is difficult to catch this train by reaching Vizag by Godavari Exp.

sanny	13-12-2008
Hi, v r planing a trip to Araku valley this year end. my concern is do v ned to book the tickets for this train ?please reply as v need to plan accordingly.

namrata	24-12-2008
We are going to Vizag on this 28th Dec,2008 by Vizag express train. We want to go to araku also.Kindly let us know the train timings for Araku from vizag and how to see borra caves on the way.

Abhijit Sanyal	12-01-2009
We r planning to visit Aaraku in the month of June.Are there ample hotels & what it might cost

Anirban	15-01-2009
Hello, We are going to araku on feb/2009.we will stay araku 2 nights and one night at Tayda.can u tell me the distance between tayda station and tayda jungle resort? and please give me the details of araku hotels. thanks Anirban

Jamil Sayed, Kolkata	22-03-2009
Is there any route from Araku to Hyderabad/Secendarabad avoiding Vizag ? I want to go to Araku by train from Vizag, but in return journey, I want to avoid Vizag.

Ananda	25-03-2009
I need a help to know whether advance tickets can be booked in one week. Are reservations given for the same? What all class of travel is available for that train. I have been trying to find out in irctc, but no good! Kindly help.

Hemant	25-03-2009
Sir, please advice how to travel from chennai to vishakhapatnam and then to Araku valley by train, thank you

Ananda	27-03-2009
Hemant: There are lots of trains from Chennai Central to Vishakapatnam. You might as well look at the timetable at www.indianrail.gov.in or log on to irctc.com to book ur train and class of service.

YASH	01-04-2009
hi, thanks for your information really its very good. actually we are going to Aruku for [6days camp]on 14 apr 09. I think this information will help a lot & I would like to know more places near araku. will u help me?

ADITYA	14-04-2009
hi, Our family consists 5 adults and 5 children planning to visit aruku from vizag. please let me any package with one night stay at aruku.

Bubai	23-04-2009
We two adult and one child (9 years) wanted to visit Vizag along with Araku for seven - ten days. Please provide a budgetary estimate with detailed information in this regard.

sukumar Varadarajan	08-05-2009
Hi, i would like to tour araku valley by train from vizag, can u tell me how could i proceed and let me know the budget, we are 5 people.4

Sai Prasad	04-06-2009
For train reservations: login to irctc.co.in and use the correct spelling or stations code. Station Code for Vizag - VSKP. Station code for Arakku - ARK. Only one train with SL class is available from VSKP to ARK and return.

Sai	04-06-2009
I request people who already visited Arakku to comment on the quality and cost of the hotels there. I will be visiting Arakku this month end and would like to post pictures. How can I do that?

sam	08-06-2009
me my friends planing to go to aruku plz let me know the train details from viz to aruku

Rajdas	16-06-2009
Hi,the budget for Araku would be not more than 4000-5000/-,if u stay there for 4-5 days with 5 people. If 2 people means it would be luxurious money.

sanjoy saha	27-06-2009
how to see vizag for 4 days, 1st day enjoy sea, 2nd day araku tour, 3rd day site tour like rk beach, richiconda beach,submarine etc.

parvathibhoopathi	04-07-2009
we want a suggestion, how to travel and see Araku loya and Borra caves and also we want to book tickets and book accomadations in star hotels in vizag as well as in araku

Sai	07-07-2009
Hello Parvathi, If you want to stay in Vizag city, you can consider Dolphins which is centrally located and offers good value. Otherwise, I suggest that you book AP Tourism resort at Rishikonda or the other one near Appughar / Kailasagiri. Breakfast is complimentary at all AP tourism resorts. There is only one train to Araku at 6:50am from Vizag. If you are booking through AP tourism, you have to report at 6am and they charge a premium and give you complimentary breakfast. And instead of Araku, try Tyada-Jungle Bells and/or Ananthagiri which are much better. Borracaves is close to Ananthagiri but you have to bargain and book a Jeep locally.

esani das	10-07-2009
this year we r planning atrip from vishakhapattanam to araku. may i get a reservation for this trip, if yes,then how?

Amal Sen	17-07-2009
Yes from Computerised reservation centres

RAMKI	18-09-2009
On an average, how many days would it required to cover the full Araku Valley destinations. Pls let me know so that I can plan accordingly for the travel. I would like to visit and see as much as is possible around Araku Valley.

bipin	22-09-2009
how is the weather at araku? is it very hot.. and soembody told me that there are danger of malaria. is it true?

srikanth	04-10-2009
The weather at araku is cool&there is no danger of malaria..

Rohit k	13-10-2009
Hi, I want to see this place. Any group going from Bangalore can please include me also. I am free in November end and December end.

Suvankar	04-11-2009
If i catch Godavari express from Secunderabad then will it be possible to catch the train for Araku??

Sreekanta Reddy	03-12-2009
last week i went to araku with my friends 10 members. but we are enjoyes because there we have to see Borra caves and Water falls only, better to go to Vizag Beemili beach.. This is my opinion..

suresh	03-12-2009
I would like to suggest Indian Railways to add one Reservation compartment extra in 1VK Train in Christmas Holidays time. So that all the Children can enjoy the Train Ride to Araku. I am unbale to Book my ticket on 27 Dec, 09 as the computer is not issuing Ticket 1 month in advance.

ashfaq saleem	18-04-2010
i got to know the route to araku from vizag so thanks for ur information

Sunny	05-07-2010
Hi this is Sunny from Hyderabad. I want to see the Araku. Is their any direct train or bus facility from Hyderabad to Araku and what is the minimum budjet for 3 peoples.

bobby	17-07-2010
Hi, We are planing araku trip from Vizianagram. We are only intrrested to see Araku (not vizag). We are thinking to stay night at valley resort... please imformation

Suresh	12-11-2010
A month back i went Araku Valley and recommend going on the winter time then summer. I took 1VK train to from Vizagâ€™s and got down at Borra caves, took cab (Jeep) for two days. I have stayed there at APTDC Tyda. You can hire Jeep at Borra caves, i took Velu's jeep and his mobile no - 9441179875, this guyâ€™s very good.

Dr. Atul Kohli	25-12-2010
it is nice to read the information. v r planning 2 go 2 vizag n araku on 30th Dec this year. can v reach araku by bus (state roadways transport) or taxi?

D MURALIKRISHNA	05-01-2011
I have good information from ur site

santhosh reddy	16-01-2011
Hi Friends, I want go araku once.Is there any train form bangalore to araku? plz provide more informtion about araku

Mrinal Sengupta	07-03-2011
Hi Friends, I had the opportunity to visit Bora Cave and Araku Valley very recently. It is one of the very nice experiences of my life. The train journey is thrilling and charming. The Cave itself a wonder for me.

Raju	19-03-2011
Hi, i want 2 visit araku valley and bora caves with family is there any special package of going by train and return journey by bus please let me know also which season is good for visiting theese locations.

harnath koka	21-05-2011
hi we want to visit araku from chennai on august 13 to 15 of this year we are 50 members. pls advice. harnath

kausalya	23-05-2011
I want to know if August end is the right time to visit Araku Valley & Borra Caves.Also, are there any good resorts to stay in.

appa rao	27-05-2011
Hi i am apparao. Can u pl. tell me train timings of the return journey i.e aruku valley to visakhapatnam. and also any rooms for there to live for 1 night.

Karthik	02-06-2011
Hi, We are visiting Araku this July and boarding train by 6:50. But in return we want to come by Road. Will there be any road transport available and is it possible for us to reach Vizag by 7 PM so that we can catch a train to Hyd at 8:30?

sALLY BHAI	03-06-2011
return time is 12.40

Venkatesh.v	18-06-2011
This is venkatesh from srikakulam district. I am feeling very happy to visit Araku valley. There are lot of enjoyment I cannot able to say with my words, it is not just like temple or otherwise every one should visit atleast once in life time in our life,if we visit at once then you will be willing to revisit that place. Thanks for giving opportunity. 1st B.tech.(eee) phone: 8121271985

balddude	22-06-2011
I stood under the katigi waterfall in Araku and became completely bald over time due to the damage caused by water force. Anyone else faced this?

srikar	27-06-2011
social answer .. plz mention the train number

vamshi	08-08-2011
please tell me train timings from vizag & train ticket rate

Dr gautam	09-08-2011
We stay in hyderabad, not from hyderabad, wanted to visit araku valley for two days one night, will u please suggest us regarding travelling staying n food related things. We r totally unfamiliar to andhra pradesh. Thank u..

Anil	17-08-2011
Train Number-58501

Shamik	19-08-2011
If anybody visited ARAKU-Jagdalpur- vizag recently, please advise hotel tariffs. Im looking for DAB 300- 400/- max. in moth of September, 10 - 17th. Can anyone sujjest clean hotels in that range

Sayantani	28-08-2011
Hi, I am planning to visit vizag in Sept. We have booked a train ticket to Araku from Vizag, Can you please tell me how we can travel from Araku to Ananthagiri as we have a hotel booking on the same day?

Venki	29-08-2011
Plz tel me vizag to araku trine and bus services with rates and timing

Kuntal Banerjee	31-08-2011
I am planning to make a trip from Vizag to Araku by the Kirandul Express. I just wanted to know what time does the train leaves for Vizag from Araku. So that I can avail the same train instead of taking a cab. Please let me know. Thanks

deepu	17-09-2011
hieeeeeeee sayantani can u plzz let me know can we buk tickets before hand from vizag to araku.........i have been searching bt didnt find any way...so plzz let me know.....

Rajeev Chopra	23-09-2011
We are from Kolkata & shall visit Araku Valley end of Dec; Our booking has already been done for a Hotel at Araku from 25th Dec; Kindly tell me how to do advance booking in the 1VK Kirandul train which leaves Vizag at 0650 Hours; Is 3AC or SL available in this train; Can I book tickets from Kolkata Thank you

SV Srinivas	27-09-2011
Yes, the train no. is 58501.

Santhosh	31-10-2011
This Information Is Very Good and i am going to visit this Araku by using this information. thank u for ur information

bujji 4m vizag	01-12-2011
i am very satisfied with aruku valley I have visted 5times in aruku and boracaves 1st times i have visited with great experiance

Dinkar Wankhede	02-12-2011
I have visited Arkoo valley and Borra caves and experienced a humanwork in a nature's lap. I have enjoyed a lot

TARASANKAR DUTTA	05-12-2011
sir tel me how to visit the great araku valley

raghavendra	25-01-2012
Best way to go for Araku is take a one day or two day package from AP Tourism,one day package is pretty reasonable its costs Rs 700,which includes Rail Tour to Araku,Break fast,Lunch,Evening Snacks and sight seeing at Araku,Borra caves and return in a bus.we truly enjoyed the trip ,ap tourism pkg is pretty good and satisfactory.

bhaskar	30-01-2012
Can we plan 2nd of feb(this month)from vskp to araku one day trip. Is tere any availability of seats for this trip for 24 members on 2nd february.

Suresh	18-02-2012
can any1 tell me train no from vizag ti aaraku vally pls

satish	27-02-2012
i want to go to araku , but i dont know how to go from hyderabad , is there any direct trains available from hyd, any one pls give me information.

Balu	20-03-2012
Is the general compartment available in araku train..?? can we get the tickets at vizag station...?? will the train is free or it will be rush? can we get the seat and is it will be comfortable to travel?? plzz give reply

Sidhartha M	22-03-2012
BALU - The train is a passenger train. You can book tickets but it'll always be crowded on weekends. People without reservation get in onto the reserved coaches. This is very common. SURESH - 58501 SATISH - Please travel to Vizag & then switch to Araku train.

ajay	15-05-2012
Is the general compartment available in araku train..?? can we get the tickets at vizag station...?? will the train is free or it will be rush? can we get the seat and is it will be comfortable to travel?? plzz give reply

srujan	05-06-2012
can any one say me return journey frm araku to vizag...and can we visit burra caves on the same day of retutrn journey to vizag???..

karthik	19-06-2012
The journey to arakku was a great and tremendous experience to me.This place also called as "ANDHRA OOTY " because it had several hills surrounded over the village. The nights in arakku is an exhausting experience,particularly the students must visit this place in summer. Mainly,the train journey becomes best wonderful experience in your life. I wish every one must visit arakku and share their experience. U can also watch the sorrounding places of arakku like KATIKI WATERFALLS,ANATAGIRI WATERFALLS,ARAKKU VALLEY,BORRACAVES,CHAPARAI,COFFE PLANTS etc.

kumar	14-07-2012
we r pallnning to go to arakku pl give suggts for us o how to leave frm hyd

s kumar	09-08-2012
Hi, i am traveling from Hyd by Godavari express and official arrival at Visakapatnam is 5:50AM. The Arakku train timing is 6:50 AM, and i booked reservation using APTDC. Can I catch Arakku train if i go by Godavari?

reena	09-09-2012
journey to araku valley is just awesome!!!iwanna stay in araku forever

venki	06-08-2013
iTS good place for relax and peace and tourist place...

kasiviswanath	28-09-2013
every year 2times iam going aruku i love that cool village

pururshottam chowdary	01-04-2014
this website is very usefull for most of the unknown people who doesnt know the timmings for araku

Vinod	07-04-2014
Hi, Can I book the Kirandul passenger ticket from Hyderabad for April 30th. Pl advice.

suprio nath	17-04-2014
Need to know that how we go to araku valley from kolkata by train root...

Narayana	28-07-2014
Hi Suprio nath,U can book tickets from howrah/shalimar/santragachi upto vishakapatnam , and from there u need to take another train , which will take u to araku. I am also staying at kolkata, but my home town is nearer to vishakhapatnam.

Samidh	27-06-2015
I am planning to visit Vizag-Araku-Jagdalpur with family in mid October during Puja vacation. We have booked train ticket from vizag to araku by 58501 Visakhapatnam-Kirandul Passenger; Araku to Jagdalpur by same train and Jagdalpur to Visakhapatnam by 58502 Kirandul-Visakhapatnam Passenger. We want to know whether Araku to Jagdalpur and Jagdalpur to Visakhapatnam journeys are safe as we'll travel with our child. Our tickets are in First Class. Is there any attendant for First Class coaches or any security forces deputed for the train? As the train travels in dark from Araku to Visakhapatnam and reaches vizag at around 9 p.m. is there any fear for robbery or similar incidents?