The picturesque Araku Valley is poised to become a major draw for tourists, with the launch of a thrilling hot air balloon ride and a variety of adventure activities like zip-lining, coupled with upcoming beach festivals in the region. This development follows a massive influx of visitors during the recent Dussehra festival, when more than 50,000 tourists flooded the valley over just three days.
The Indian Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) successfully conducted a trial run of the much-anticipated hot air balloon ride at the Padmapuram Horticulture Botanical Garden on Vijayadashami. ITDA officer V. Abhishek confirmed the success of the test, sharing details about the unique design of the balloon. “We conducted this experiment on Vijayadashami, and it was a success,” he said. Unlike traditional hot air balloons, this model, inspired by the innovative ideas of local tribal youth trained in Haryana, functions more like a swing. Four individuals will be required to assist in lifting the balloon to a height of 20 feet, providing a new adventure experience for visitors.
With this latest attraction and adventure activities like zip-lining, Araku Valley is quickly becoming one of Andhra Pradesh’s most popular tourist destinations. The surge in visitors has pushed the demand for accommodations to new heights. Both private and government facilities are fully booked through January, as more tourists plan trips to the scenic valley. The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) offers around 200 rooms, including 10 exclusive villas in the cool Lambasingi hills, while the private sector has made approximately 2,400 rooms available in the Araku region. In addition, for those who prefer outdoor stays, around 6,000 tents are available for rent during this peak season.
In a related boost to the region’s tourism, Andhra Pradesh’s Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh recently visited Visakhapatnam and announced plans for beach festivals at four locations—Kakinada, Visakhapatnam, Suryalanka, and Nellore—in January 2025. These events aim to highlight the natural beauty of Andhra Pradesh’s pristine beaches to both domestic and international tourists.
