Last updated: 2026-05-23
Borra Caves sits about 90 km from Visakhapatnam, deep in the Araku valley of the Eastern Ghats. The caves themselves are over a million years old — carved by the Gosthani river through limestone rock, filled with stalactites and stalagmites that have been forming for longer than most of recorded history. But for anyone riding there from Vizag, the caves are only part of the story. The highway through the ghats is one of the best stretches of tarmac in Andhra Pradesh, and a rented bike from Vizag is the right way to experience it.
Distance: ~90 km one way (Visakhapatnam Railway Station to Borra Caves)
Estimated riding time: 2.5 to 3 hours one way
Road type: NH 516 (Vizag–Araku highway) for most of the route, then branch road to the caves
From Vizag, you head out on the Araku highway — the same road used for the Araku Valley trip. The route climbs steadily through the Eastern Ghats, passing through Ananthagiri village (around 55 km) before the terrain opens up into the valley. The turnoff for Borra Caves is well-signposted about 85 km in.
Vizag to Ananthagiri (0–55 km): The highway starts flat as you leave the city, then begins its steady climb into the ghats around the 30 km mark. This is where the views start to open up — valley drops on one side, dense forest on the other. The road here is well-maintained with good visibility on most curves.
Ananthagiri to Borra (55–90 km): The terrain gets more dramatic after Ananthagiri. The road winds through narrow valleys and crosses the Gosthani river gorge — one of the most scenic stretches of the entire ride. Tribal villages dot the roadside. The caves entrance is clearly signposted and has a proper car park.
The caves are maintained by the Geological Survey of India. Entry tickets are required — currently around ₹65 for adults and ₹40 for children (subject to change; check at the entrance). The guided tour takes about 45 minutes to an hour.
Inside, the caves extend about 80 metres deep. The lighting changes throughout — some sections are lit with coloured lights, others left more natural. The stalactites and stalagmites are the main draw; some formations are enormous, shaped over millions of years of slow mineral deposition. The largest chamber has a natural opening at the top that lets in a shaft of daylight.
Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry around 4:30 PM). The caves are closed on certain days for maintenance — check before you go.
October to February is the best window. The weather is cool, the roads are dry, and visibility in the ghats is excellent. The caves maintain a fairly constant temperature inside regardless of season, but the ride there is dramatically better in the cool months.
March to May: Still doable, but the ride through the ghats gets warm in the afternoon. Leave early — by 6:00 AM — and you'll be at the caves before it heats up.
June to September: Monsoon. The Eastern Ghats can get heavy rainfall and visibility drops significantly. Waterfall activity increases and the scenery is spectacular, but some sections of the highway can have fallen debris or slippery patches. Not recommended for inexperienced riders.
A 150cc motorcycle or above is the right choice for this route. The ghat sections have sustained climbs and a scooter will struggle — technically possible but uncomfortable and slower than it should be. The ride is far more enjoyable on something with proper low-end torque.
The best options from our fleet:
Bajaj Pulsar / Bajaj Avenger — both handle the ghats well, comfortable for 180 km of total riding. Good choice if you want a reliable, uncomplicated machine.
Royal Enfield Hunter 350 / Classic 350 — the ideal bikes for this route. The Eastern Ghats highway rewards a bigger engine. The Royal Enfield's torque makes the climbs effortless, and the overall experience of riding the ghats on a 350cc is genuinely different from anything smaller. See Royal Enfield rental rates in Vizag.
Leave by 6:00–6:30 AM. You reach the caves while the light is still good, avoid the midday heat on the way back, and have time to stop at viewpoints without rushing.
Full tank before you leave. There are petrol stations in the city and one at Ananthagiri, but don't rely on finding one at a specific point in the ghats. Fill up before you go.
Download offline maps. Mobile signal drops in parts of the ghat section. Google Maps or Maps.me with the Vizag–Araku route downloaded offline will keep you on track through the valleys.
Carry water. The ride takes 2.5–3 hours each way. Pack at least a litre per person; the stretch between the city and Ananthagiri has limited stops.
Wear a jacket. Even in summer, the temperature in the ghats is noticeably cooler than the coast. A light jacket makes the ride comfortable. In winter, it can get genuinely cold at the top.
Katiki Waterfalls — about 5 km from Borra Caves, visible from the main road. Worth stopping at if you're there between July and December when the falls are active.
Araku Valley — another 30 km beyond Borra, if you want to extend the ride. Tribal market, coffee estates, the Araku Valley Museum. Makes it a full day out.
Tribal villages along the route — the roadside villages between Ananthagiri and Borra have small markets selling local produce, bamboo crafts, and coffee. Worth slowing down for.
Ever Green Travels is at Railway New Colony, Visakhapatnam — 5 minutes from the Railway Station. If you're travelling to Vizag specifically for this ride, you can pick up the bike the same day you arrive. Call or WhatsApp 9603888055 to confirm the bike you want is available on your date.
See the full fleet and pricing here.
Rent bikes and scooters in Visakhapatnam with Ever Green Travels — serving Vizag since 2013. Browse our full fleet of rental vehicles or call 9603888055 to book today.