Araku Festival kicks off with tribal dances, hot air balloon rides and coffee tastings

Experience the Araku Festival with cultural performances, coffee tasting, adventure sports, and breathtaking views in the verdant valleys.

The verdant valleys of Araku will come alive with the Araku Festival, a three-day extravaganza that kicks off on January 31. Organised by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department Corporation and the Alluri Sitharama Raju District Administration, the annual event will showcase the region’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and adventurous spirit.

The festival commences with the 5K Araku Marathon, leading participants from the lush Padmapuram Gardens to the main venue of the Government Degree College Grounds. Runners will traverse scenic routes, experiencing the valley’s serene landscapes first-hand. At Padmapuram Gardens, a flower show will be inaugurated, displaying a kaleidoscope of colours and fragrances.

The evening will be enlivened with performances by people from tribal communities, offering a glimpse into the indigenous cultures of the region. Attendees can look forward to the rhythmic beats of the Bastar band, the energetic Tappetagollu, a traditional folk dance and art form from the Yadava community in North Andhra Pradesh. Additionally, the graceful movements of the Savara, a scheduled tribe in the Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts of Andhra Pradesh and Jatapu tribal dances will showcase the rich traditions of these communities.

On the second day, coffee connoisseurs can indulge in an Araku coffee tasting demonstration at the Araku Coffee House. Learn about the art of coffee-making and savour the flavours of this specialty coffee that raised the bar for sustainable production. This session will delve into the unique flavours of Araku coffee that received its Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2019, offering insights into its cultivation and brewing techniques.

The final day of the festival takes the visitors on a trek through the Sunkarametta Coffee Plantation, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. This place is nestled within coffee plantations under towering silver oak trees.

A standout attraction is the array of adventure sports curated by Vihang Adventures. Led by a team of ex-defense personnel, the adventure group offers helicopter joy rides, providing a breathtaking aerial view of the valley from 2,000 feet above mean sea level. The six-seater helicopter will cover a 20-kilometre circuit in an eight-minute ride, taking off from the helipad near the Tribal Museum from 8am until sunset. “Araku’s terrain is ideal for aero-adventure sports; this time of the year, the wind speed is expected to be favourable as well. This will help boost the tourism potential of the region,” says Surya Teja, founder of Vihang Adventures.

Additionally, an aero modelling show and air show will captivate aviation enthusiasts. For those seeking a serene experience, a tethered hot air balloon at the Government Degree College grounds will lift visitors through the misty morning landscapes between 5.30am and 8am. Thrill-seekers can also engage in rappelling and zorbing at the venue.