People enjoy the fog-shrouded Araku Valley from a newly discovered view at Madagada in Araku, 130 km from Visakhapatnam | photo credit: KR Deepak
From learning astro-photography in a mountainous countryside, from watching a stunning sunrise above a haze of clouds from the highest peak in the Eastern Ghats, to discovering a trek route that opens up a world rich in biodiversity, a growing number Localized and personalized travel experiences in and around Visakhapatnam.
Many are trying to learn a new skill, experience a new culture, tradition and history, and gain knowledge about the rich ecosystem around them, in the process.
The ongoing 10th National Workshop on Pictorial and Travel Photography, organized by the Khammam Photo Arts Organization (KPAO) in Araku, has gathered over 120 participants to travel to interior tribal villages of the region and learn key elements of photography from experts.
“The response has been overwhelming. There are art lovers, photographers, fine arts students, journalists from across the country who want to experience the beauty of this place and learn various elements of photography,” says V Naga Raju Devara Rao of KPAO Are. During the three-day workshop, participants in small batches toured the hills of Odisha’s Malkangiri district, home to the Bonda tribes, a particularly vulnerable tribal group known for their secluded lives. “Every Thursday people from the Bonda tribe come shandy (local market). It is a great way to understand the tribal culture of the region,” says Naga Raju. According to renowned photographer Sudhakar Reddy, Secretary, Andhra Pradesh Photography Academy, the experience of traveling with a group sharing a common interest opens up a deeper understanding of the world around. “Participants learn how to identify a theme, figure out the right composition, and capture the essence of a place,” he says.
People enjoy the fog-shrouded Araku Valley from a newly discovered view at Madagada in Araku, 130 km from Visakhapatnam | photo credit: KR Deepak
Ban Nanda, a photography enthusiast and one of the participants of the workshop, discovered a new approach to shooting the sunrise through the veil of clouds from a cliff near Madagada village. “We reached before sunrise and were stunned by the beauty of the place. Access to the hill, proximity to Araku makes it a great place to watch the sunrise,” he says. Madagada is a potters’ village. “The ideal days to visit are Monday to Thursday where one can watch the potters at work is. On weekends, they go shandy To sell utensils,” adds Nanda.
According to Naveen Rongali, founder of Ecohikes, a trekking group that undertakes sustainable treks and journeys, the concept of experiential travel has picked up in a big way during this year. “We saw many people who expressed interest in understanding local culture, food and tradition by camping at non-tourist sites in tribal areas near Visakhapatnam. In fact, many families with children are keen to try these weekend camps and want the children to experience nature and rural life.”
The group’s focus is on the Jhindagada peak, considered the highest peak in the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh. “We are training the tribals to interact with the travelers and give them a glimpse of their culture,” says Naveen. Ecohikes has been organizing camps on lesser known peaks and waterfalls in the Eastern Ghats almost every weekend. “Our main objective is to help people understand how our tribes are living in these areas with respect for nature,” explains Naveen. Soon, a new location near Devarapalli will be added to the list of their camp sites.
Participants of a photography workshop organized by Khammam Photo Arts Organization in a village near Araku, 130 km from Visakhapatnam, captured tribal life. photo credit: KR Deepak
Within the city limits in Visakhapatnam, there are those that offer experiential treks that help in understanding the biodiversity of the region. Sumant Behera, who started Tripton Adventures earlier this year, says the Yerda hike is the most sought-after route. “It is a secluded beach and the trek offers breathtaking views of the beach,” he says. One of the essential parts of the trek includes sensitizing the participants about the importance of space, being extra careful in geo-heritage sites and not leaving behind plastic.
The city-based organization is organizing night tours in the Simhachalam hill range and inter-tidal walks at Rushikonda beach to uncover the hustle and bustle of a colorful world teeming with life hidden among the wilded rocks. “The idea is to build a community of responsible travelers and explorers who can appreciate nature in their surroundings and understand the importance of different ecosystems. Vimal along with Sri Chakra Pranav Tamrapalli says, “Over the past year, We have seen a good number of participants for these experiential treks and walks and have been actively involved in being citizen scientists to document the inter-tidal biodiversity of Andhra Pradesh.” With started Wilde.
“We are now exploring Araku and Paderu to organize camps focused on birdwatching and butterfly watching. We are planning to start it soon, says Pranav.