The more a place is written about, the more tourists it attracts. Plenty of examples lie in the form of well-worn hill-stations, busy temple towns and bustling fort cities of India. The more popular a destination, the more it loses its authentic vibe, giving way to dilution in traditions, culture and cuisine, to accommodate travellers.It is refreshing to encounter a place that still evades ‘bucket lists’ on the Internet and inundation of photographs on social media platforms. For me, Araku Valley was the perfect example of a place that isoff the map and engaging at the same time. As part of the ‘Wheels of Wander’ self-driving campaign with Maruti Suzuki Alto and Outlook Traveller, I was able to explore the region over four days. Accompanying me were four friends, Gulnaz, Priyanka, Nikunj and Tarun, who were excited to discover the region as well.

Araku Valley, in the Eastern Ghats of India, lies over 100km from Visakhapatnam. It is home to some of the oldest tribes in India, and a network of caves that have been here for millions of years. The valley has a number of things to explore in the folds of its low mountains. Lying between 2600-4300 feet above sea level, it cradles the best of nature in it; waterfalls, forested tracts and lush coffee plantations. As compared to the popular Western Ghats of India, Araku Valley still paints a fresh, ‘not-seen-before’ picture for the visitors. As someone who loves veering off the tourist trail, the below experiences pleasantly revealed the lesser-known aspects of Araku Valley.

• The cultural connect

A number of indegenoustribes have called Araku Valley their home,for centuries. Natives to the region, they are the ones who bring a cultural dimension to this destination. The famous Tribal Museum features a number of indegenous tribes of Araku and around, but focusses maximum on the lifestyle of the kodhus. The exhibits showcase their history, traditional living methods and also throw light upon musical instruments, objects of daily use and theirgarments.

We had a fascinating encounter with the kodhus on one of the evenings. As the sun dipped below the undulating mountains, we met a local tribal group, ready to enthral us with their drums, dance and vibrant smiles on their faces. The men started playing the dappu (side drum), while women swayed to the beat, showing us the soft moves of the dhimsa dance. Soon, some other men of the group built momentum on the dhudumu (bigger drum) and the dance picked pace. We joined them, trying to match their steps, till the inky sky swallowed the light of the day.

• The outdoor rush

Araku Valley may seem mellow at first, but it offers something for outdoor lovers as well. The two things that made our trip superlatively fun was a walk through the Borra Caves and strolling in the coffee plantations of Ananthagiri Hills in Araku Valley. The Borra Caves are a thrilling addition to the trip as they offer a peek inside the ancient stalagmites and stalactite formations inside a long network of underground channels. Parts of these are accessible to people via makeshift steps and viewing platforms. These parts of the caves are lit up in different colours – pink, purple, yellow and red, offering a dramatic scene and excellent photo-opportunities. We spent hours in the caves, walking up flights of steps to view the rock formations from different angles.

The coffee plantations of Ananthagiri Hills are known to produce some of the best coffee of the subcontinent. Widely distributed in India and abroad, the aromatic coffee is grown on thousands of acres on these hills. A stroll amongst the dense bushes on muddy trails is sure to put one in good mood. It sure made us a happy bunch, as we walked in the shade of silver oak trees that stand towering above the coffee bushes. It was a rejuvenating experience to be in the heart of the green belt of Araku Valley, in the company of high-quality organic coffee, that one could smell all around.

• A foodie’s delight

Instagram might have given bragging rights to everyone who can photograph their food well, but the real delight comes only from tasting the unusual and intriguing flavours that are native to a destination. During this trail from Visakhapatnam to Araku Valley, it was the bamboo chicken that made a mark on my palate. Here, the bamboo-infused chicken is made in a special manner and is known as ‘bongu’. Small pieces of chicken are marinated in a spicy paste of salt, chilli, turmeric, ginger, garlic and coriander, without any oil, and then smoked to perfection in a bamboo cylinder. The combination of the smoky flavour and the pungent aroma from the bamboo makes the dish a unique one. It is said that the same recipe was used to cook even hundreds of years ago. It was heartening to see the locals still cooking in the traditional manner and keeping the age-old recipe alive.

Taking the offbeat trail in Araku Valley was a great way to pause, reflect and enjoy the destination – especially since it had both immersive cultural experiences and outdoor ones.

Courtesy of Outlook Traveller