Buddhism is said to have reached Andhra even while The Enlightened One was alive and gained popularity from the 2nd century BC to about the 2nd century AD under the favour of the Satavahana rulers.Dhanyakataka (now Amravati) as the capital .

Arrive at Hyderabad. Meet and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of the city. Visit Charminar, which has four minars, which rise to a height of 180 feet with circular staircases going up. See the Qutab Shahi tombs, which are a combination of Persian, Pathan and Hindu styles of architecture. Visit the Salar Jung Museum that is considered the largest collection of artifacts and

antiques in the world. Evening visit the Anandha Vihara, the majestic modern temple dedicated to Lord Buddha. Then visit the Grand Monolith statue of Lord Buddha at Hussain Sagar Lake.. Overnight at the hotel.

Morning leave for Nagarjuna Sagar by road. On arrival check-in to the hotel. Afternoon visit Anupu – the remains of a Buddhist University, which has been reconstructed and has an amphi theatre, Viharas and Chaityas and other impressive Buddhist remains. Of the nine monuments saved and transplanted when the valley was submerged when the dam was constructed,two were reconstructed in Anupu and the rest at the island

After breakfast excursion by boat to visit the serene Nagarjunakonda Island Museum which contains Buddhadatu or Buddhist relics found during excavation for the dam.. During ancient times,it was a great cente of learning where scholars came from India, Ceylon and China. This place was named after Nagarjuna,the Buddhist saint who founded the Mahayana sect of Buddhism and who founded a great seat of learning at Sriparvtham,the ancient name of this site. In the museum were sections of arches and sculpted pillars depicting the Jataka tales and scenes from the life of Buddha.. Evening return back to hotel.

After breakfast check out and proceed to Guntur enroute visit Amaravati(formerly Dhanyakataka) located on the banks of the River Krishna ,an ancient Buddhist centre. Check in at hotel.
Afternoon visit the impressive Maha stupa,the largest in the country and which is girdled by a circulatory path richly adorned with carvings that depict events from the

life of the Buddha. Visit the Bouddhashree Archaeological museum, which displays the five pillars found at the site which were said to represent the five cardinal events in Gauthama’s life. The close proximity of the Amareshwara Swamy temple reminds one of the Brahminical revival and the decline of Buddhism.

Morning leave for Vijayawada by road. After going through coconut and palm groves ,paddy and sugarcane plantations reach Ghantasala ,ancient Kamtakasola.The stupa here contains a cube made of solid blocks and inscribed with the 12 constellations of the Zodiac. Also visit the remains of the Large stupa with beautiful Buddhist sculptures. Check-in at the hotel. Evening visit

After breakfast visit Nelakondapalle (the remains of a Buddhist centre) & Jagayapetta Stupas filled with rubble and inscription of Mauryan era. Known as Elagiri in ancient times,the 9.6 m mahachaitya at Jaggayapetta with a 3.5 km pradakshinapatha was constructed in the 2nd century BC.The statues and sculptures found here belong to the early Bharhut sculptures. Afternoon visit the Undavalli caves said to be carved in the 7th century. This double storeyed cave was used as a rest house by Buddhist monks. A huge monolith of the Lord Buddha in reclining posture is a magnificent sight. Also visit the Victoria Jubilee Archeological Museum.

Morning leave for Visakhapatnam by road. Enroute visit Guntupalli, one of the most beautiful sites in South India. A cave cut into the rocky side of the hill, a circular Chaityagriha and several images of the Buddha including a 6 ft marble statue enhance the beauty of this site. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast visit Sankaram – caves cut into rock surfaces on hill slopes. Visit Bojjannakonda (Buddhunikonda) where numerous images of B uddha have been carved on the rocky walls of the caves. Afternoon visit Salihundam on the bank of the river is an interesting Swastika shaped entrance with a 46 ft diameter stupa and Buddhist platform. It was from here that Buddhism spread to other countries. Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast visit Bavikonda situated on a hill overlooking the sea which has remains of an entire Buddhist complex, comprising 26 structures. A piece of bone stored in an urn recovered here is believed to belong to the mortal remains of the Buddha. Then visit Thotlakonda located 128 mt above sea level. The number of mounds indicates the existence of stupas, chaityagrihas, pillared halls, etc. Later visit Pavuralakonda or ‘the hill of the pigeons’ which has 16 rock cut cisterns used by monks for impounding rain water. Overnight at hotel.