Homestays to bring Alluri Sitarama Raju district closer to travelers

Mist-laden hills, winding valleys, and a cool climate have always drawn nature lovers to Alluri Sitarama Raju district. Now, visitors can step even closer—into the daily lives of local communities.

The district has received in-principle approval for a Rs 5 crore homestay tourism project under the Centre’s Swadesh Darshan scheme. Tourists will stay in tribal homes, share meals, and experience traditions firsthand. For families, it provides income and pride without requiring them to leave their villages.

In the first phase, 134 homestay rooms will open in Araku Valley, Lambasingi, and Maredumilli. Renovations will be paired with upgrades to roads, sanitation, and village facilities. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has called for the program to expand to 2,000 rooms across 171 villages. Vacant houses under the PM Janman scheme may also be used.

Preparations are underway. District Tourism Officer G. Das, tourism architect Nishita Goyal, and engineer Ramu have surveyed the villages and drawn up plans. Workshops in Araku Valley are teaching families how to host guests, share stories, and showcase local festivals and farming practices.

For the Kondapallis of Araku Valley, the project is both opportunity and pride. “We grow coffee and rice, and celebrate festivals in our own way,” says Lakshmi Kondapalli. “Soon, visitors will taste our food and hear our stories. It feels good that our way of life can be shared.”

Tourism consultant S. Venkatesh adds, “Tourists don’t just want a bed—they want to connect with traditions. That is what makes this model sustainable.”

Experts say the project could make Alluri Sitarama Raju a national example of community-based tourism, where natural beauty meets cultural immersion. For travelers, it offers an authentic glimpse of life usually seen only from the roadside. For families, it brings dignity, income, and recognition for traditions that have lasted generations.