Over the Hills and through the Tunnels – Way to Araku

Journey to Araku valley…an experience to revisit

It was the first day of October. 4.30 AM in the morning. The Cormonndol Express reached Vishakhapattanam station at a sluggish pace. The train was on time. We had to wait at Vizag station for three hours to catch the train to our next destination Araku valley. It was scheduled to leave from Vizag at 6.55 am.  None of us was complaining. We had to rest after an overnight journey from Howrah to Vishakhapattanam. All of us moved to the retiring room for a power nap. After an hour, we brushed our teeth, ate some Idli and coffee (South India special) –perfect local food for breakfast. And….after sunrise, the vast stretches of the Eastern Ghats hills cast its first spell on us… we were spellbound. It is Vizag city – delicately placed in the lap of Eastern Ghat.

 

Journey by Vishakhapatnam-kirandul Passenger Express

Vishakhapatnam-kirandul passenger express train which takes almost 4 hours to reach Araku was crowded. We then realized that as it was a Saturday the train was full chock-a-block. Local people were taking weekend tour to Araku. So if anyone really wants to enjoy the journey he/she should avoid weekends.

The journey was something-  a lifetime experience!!!  On one side, our view was towering green hill and on the other side it was lush green valley. The train passes through 84 bridges, 58 tunnels and lots of streams. The variety & combination of this journey was just awesome. The sudden entry to a tunnel filled with deep darkness was giving us a kick… each time… again and again. After a while, we realized that we were also shouting like the other children in the train. The freshness and the aroma of the air were evident.

I had learned from internet that this broad gauge line passes through Shimiliguda station which is the highest broad gauge station in India… but these facts and figures blurred out ….the beauty of Eastern Ghats was so captivating…I was enjoying and that was important.

There were about 14 stations in between. Each station in itself was a beauty.  I couldn’t but think let’s get down from the train and ask the station master – do you want a break? Let me work for you.

The bends, the curves, the contours of each station was giving me a kind of fairy tale feeling. Although I was a little bit annoyed by the crowd but at the same time I was enjoying the glow of culture and lifestyle that was emanating.

As the journey progressed and we were approaching towards Araku, the valley around the rail track took over. Mesmerizing vastness of undulated lush green valley got inside of me. I felt so light… so rejuvenated.

Haritha Mayuri Hill Resort

After getting down at Araku station, we took an auto rickshaw. An overwhelming  journey through the valley took us to the Haritha Mayuri Hill Resort of APTDC, just 2 km from the railway station. We had booked our room from Kolkata. We boarded the hotel. Almost with each room there was a terrace. I went there. The picturesque valley was in a dozing state.

WOW!!! This was the word came out my mouth.   

For booking  please contact :

Andhra Pradesh Tourism

Information & Reservation Offices

 Hyderabad

Tank Bund Road,
Ph: +91 40-65581555, +91 40-23450165.

 Tourism Plaza, Green Lands

Ph: +91 40-23414334 Cell: +91 9848540374.

 Yatrinivas,

S.P. Road Ph: +91 40-64577598.

 Tirupati

Srinivasam Complex
Ph: +91 877-2289219, +91 877-2289216.

Visakhapatnam

Railway Station
Ph: +91 891-2788821.

 Chennai

31/14, Burkit Road, T.Nagar

Ph: +91 44-65439987, Tele Fax : +91 44-24353373.

Kolkata

4/1, Sikkim House, Middleton Street Tele/Fax: +91 33-22813679 +91 9330999811.

Bangalore

12/3-2, YAMUNABAI ROAD, NEXT CANARA BANK, NEAR SIVANANDA CIRCLE MADHAVA NAGAR Ph: 080- 41136373 Fax: 080 – 22385513.

Delhi

A.P. Bhavan Ph: +91 11-23381293.