Tour Duration: 16 Nights / 17 Days
Destinations Covered: Hyderabad - Srisailam - Nagarjunasagar - Nagarjunakonda - Warangal - Kothagudem - Rajahmundry - Visakhapatnam - Kakinada - Vijayawada - Tirupati - Chennai/Bangalore
Day 01: Arrival at Hyderabad
Upon arrival at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, our tour representative will meet you who'll brief you about the tour and escort you to the hotel for check in. In the evening, proceed for some sightseeing of the city including the Evening Sound and Light Show at Golconda Fort. Hereafter, you'll be driven back to the hotel for dinner and night's rest.
Day 02: Hyderabad
Post breakfast, head for a full day sightseeing tour of the city. Main attractions include the Charminar, a major landmark of Hyderabad; the Mecca Masjid, built in the early 17th century; Qutb Shahi Tombs; Chowmahalla Palace; Falaknuma Palace; Purani Haveli; Osman Sagar Lake; and many other. Visit as many as the time allows or just the famous ones. Drive back to the hotel in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 03: Hyderabad - Srisailam
On the morning of day three, proceed to the holy town of Srisailam via road (about 245 km or 6 hours drive away). Upon reaching here, check in to the hotel. After resting for some time, you'll head out to visit the Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Return to the hotel will be in the evening. Have a lavish dinner before retiring for the night.
Day 04: Srisailam - Nagarjuna Sagar
After breakfast on day four of the tour, you'll journey to the town of Nagarjuna Sagar, about 225 km or 6 hours drive away from Srisailam. The town is famous for housing the world's largest masonry dam known as the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, built across Krishna River. Upon your arrival, you'll be transferred to the tourist guest house. Dinner will be arranged at the guest house itself.
Day 05: Nagarjuna Sagar - Nagarjunakonda - Warangal
After an early morning meal, proceed to the historical Buddhist town known as Nagarjunakonda, via boat cruise. Known as Sri Parvata in the ancient times, the town is now one of India's richest Buddhist sites. The cruise shall take about an hour. It is the panoramic views of the valley filled with natural waterfalls, the dam, and the adjoining Srisailam Wildlife Sanctuary for which the town is best known for, apart from of course, being a Buddhist reserve. Once here, pay a visit to the Nagarjunakonda Museum. Hereafter, proceed to the city of Warangal and upon arrival, make a check in to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 06: Warangal - Kothagudem
Start your day with a wholesome breakfast at the hotel. Thereafter, set out to explore the city of Warangal with visits to the Warangal Fort, also known as Kakatiya Fort; the Bhadrakali Temple, known to be one of the oldest temples dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali; and the ancient Thousand Pillar Temple, built in 1163 AD and dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Surya. Continue your tour with a travel to the next destination in-line, Kothagudem. As you reach, check in to the hotel for overnight stay. Dinner will be served at the hotel restaurant.
Day 07: Kothagudem - Rajahmundry
Day seven will begin with a visit to the Bhadrachalam Temple. It is believed that the site where it is located was once inhabited by Lord Rama, Devi Sita, and Lakshmana. Post lunch, travel to the city of Rajahmundry, famous as the Cultural Capital of Andhra Pradesh. It will take about 5 hours from Kothagudem via road. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to the hotel for night's stay.
Day 08: Rajahmundry - Visakhapatnam
After you have had your breakfast, you'll proceed for a sightseeing tour of the Godavari River Barrage. Return back to the hotel and in the evening, you'll travel to Visakhapatnam, about 5 hours' drive away. When you reach, make a check in to the hotel. Have you dinner and call it a day with a good night's sleep.
Day 09: Visakhapatnam
This morning, you'll head out to the Araku Valley (112 km from Visakhapatnam). The most important tourist attraction in Visakhapatnam, the valley is best known for its gardens, valleys, waterfalls, and streams. En-route, you'll also be visiting the popular Simhachalam Temple and the Borra Caves (one of the largest in India). your day will end with a drive back to Visakhapatnam for overnight stay.
Day 10: Visakhapatnam
Day ten will see you having a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel and a full day sightseeing of the city. Major tourist attractions include the Ramakrishna Beach, Dolphin Nose, Bhimunipatnam Beach, and Bhimli Temple. Drive back to the hotel in the evening for dinner and night stay.
Day 11: Visakhapatnam - Kakinada
Post breakfast in the morning, head towards the city of Kakinada. The eighth largest city in Andhra Pradesh, Kakinada is also known as "Second Madras" for being absolutely peaceful and planned. En-route, a halt will be made at the Annavaram Temple, the second most pious only to Tirupati. Upon your arrival in Kakinada, you'll be ushered to the hotel for check in. Dinner will be served at the hotel before you retire for the night.
Day 12: Kakinada
Day 12 will begin with a journey to explore the city of Kakinada. Drakshrama Temple, the construction of which was completed back in the 11th century, is one of the most significant tourist spots here. The temple is now a National Heritage Site. The Yanam Seaport is another major sightseeing destination. The day will end with a drive back to the hotel. Post dinner, you can unwind in the comfort of your room.
Day 13: Kakinada - Vijayawada
Pamper yourself with traditional cuisines served at breakfast. Leave for the city of Vijayawada thereafter. Situated about 250 km from Kakinada, the journey will take around 6 hours to reach Vijayawada. Upon reaching, check in at the hotel. Later, head out for an evening visit to Kanaka Durga Temple, built by Maharaja Poosapati Madhava Varma, who is also the builder of the modern Vijayawada Kingdom. The day's tour will end by traveling back to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 14: Vijayawada
This day, you'll be taken for a visit to the Kuchipudi Dance Village, from where the classical dance form of Kuchipudi is known to have been originated. After an entire day's excursion, you'll drive back to the hotel in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay will be at Vijayawada.
Day 15: Vijayawada - Tirupati
In the morning, travel by road to the pilgrimage city of Tirupati. Located about 380 km from Vijayawada, the drive will take you around 7 hours to reach. Once here, you'll be transferred to the hotel. Evening will be at your leisure. You can explore the nearby streets, indulge in minor sightseeing, and shop for knick-knacks. Return back to the hotel for dinner and night's sleep.
Day 16: Tirupati
Proceed for a full day sightseeing tour of Tirupati and its possession of temples. You'll also be visiting the nearby town of Srikalahasti to see the famous temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. End the day with a ride back to the hotel in Tirupati. Dinner will be served at the hotel.
Day 17: Tirupati - Chennai/Bangalore Departure
On the final day of the tour, you'll be dropped off at the airport either in Chennai or Bangalore, from where you will board a flight for your onward travel. With this, your exciting tour of the culture and temples of Andhra Pradesh will come to an end.
