What to Wear in Araku Valley

Layers, not one heavy coat

The valley sits roughly 900 metres above the coast. A winter afternoon can be pleasant in a T-shirt, and the same evening can drop to single figures in December and January. Early mornings at the viewpoints are the coldest part of the day. A fleece or light jacket over a cotton shirt covers most of the year; add a warm sweater, a cap and socks for a winter night in a cottage.

Shoes for caves and rocks

Footwear matters more here than clothes do. The steps inside Borra Caves are damp and uneven, and the path at Katiki Falls ends on wet boulders. Trainers or trail shoes with a rubber sole are right for both. Flip-flops and smooth-soled sandals are how people fall. If you plan to paddle at the waterfalls, carry a pair of sports sandals with straps.

In the rains

From June to September, pack a proper rain jacket rather than relying on an umbrella, which is useless on a jeep ride or a narrow trail. Quick-dry trousers are better than jeans, which stay wet for a day. A dry bag for your phone is worth having at Katiki.

Colours that work

Green hills and red earth are the backdrop in most photos. Cream, white, mustard, rust and deep red stand out against them. Head-to-toe green disappears into the coffee bushes.

Dressing respectfully

Araku is relaxed, but it is a rural area. Clothes that cover shoulders and knees draw less attention in the villages and at the small shrine inside Borra Caves, where you remove footwear before going up to the lingam.

Traditional dress

Women from Araku's tribal communities wear bright saris, often tied to fall just below the knee for work and dance, with heavy beaded necklaces, brass and silver jewellery. You will see this dress at its fullest during the Dhimsa dance. Buy crafts at the Tribal Museum outlet if you want a keepsake, but think twice before wearing festival dress as a costume for photos.