India tour & travel

Visiting Araku Valley by train from Visakhapatnam by Kottavalasa Kirandul line

Araku by Train
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

Vistadome coach outside view
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 NameCodeTimeRemark
VISHAKAPATNAM VSKP6.45 Starting Station
SIMHACHALAMSCM07.03Local Station of Vizag
PENDURTHIPDT07:16
KOTHAVALASAKTV7.25Train leaves the main line & take the KK - line
MALLIVIDUMVW7.38
SRUNGAVARAPU KOTA SUP8.03
SIVALINGAPURAM SLPM8.45Hills & Valley starts from here
TYADA TXD8.57
CHIMIDIPALLICMDP9.21Be alert for a Waterfall at your left side just after a tunnel
BORRAGUHALU BGHU9.40 Borra Caves here.
KARAKAVALASA KVLS10.03
SHIMILIGUDA SMLG10.23 Watch for the board at your right ( at main station building ) saying the height of the station
ARAKUARK10.55Destination
Visit Indian Railway website to get the information regarding change in time table and stoppages.
Train by the side of a slope hill

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 Vizag’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 guy’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?
mds rao

15-11-2016

super location. Really, i & my family fully enjoyed

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Araku Valley Photo gallery

Araku Valley photo gallery
Anantagiri hill resort near Araku
Borra Caves gallery
Tribes of Araku valley
Araku valley by train from  Visakhapatnam
Paderu photo gallery
Paderu photo gallery
Chaparai  photo gallery
Padmavati garden at Araku





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