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 Starts in: Hyderabad End In: Hyderabad Duration: 10 Nights / 11 Days Destinations: Delhi – Mandawa – Bikaner – Jaisalmer – Osian – Jodhpur – Udaipur – Dungarpur – Chittorgarh – Kota – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Agra – Delhi
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Call of Buddha’ tour focuses on the Buddhist destinations in the state of Andhra Pradesh. In the history of Buddhism, Andhra Pradesh took leading role in the spread of Buddhism to Far Eastern countries. The state has over 140 listed Buddhist sites, which provide a panoramic view of the history of Buddhism from 3rd century B.C. to 14th century A.D. This tour tries to cover some of the significant sites associated the Buddhist religion such as Nagarjuna Konda, Amravati, Ghantasala and Bavikonda.
Day 1: Arrive Hyderabad
Met by Travel Pals executive on arrival at Hyderabad airport and transfer to hotel.
Day 2: Hyderabad
Breakfast at hotel, followed by orientation tour of Hyderabad city visiting the Falukuma Palace, Salar Jung Museum and Charminar. Afternoon we visit Anandha Vihara the Majestic modern Temple dedicated to Lord Buddha & opened by Dalai Lama himself and the Grand Monolith Statue of Lord Buddha at Buddha Purnima. Overnight at hotel.
Day3: Hyderabad - Nagarjuna Sagar (150 kms / 3 hrs)
After breakfast drive to Nagarjuna Sagar. On arrival check into hotel. Afternoon visit to Anupu, the Amphi-Theatre, Viharas & Chaityas and the other impressive Buddhist remains. Overnight at hotel.
Day4: Nagarjuna Sagar
After breakfast take a boat excursion to visit the serene Nagarjuna Konda Island Museum. One of the outstanding Buddhist civilisation dating back to the 3rd century AD were excavated here and are carefully preserved on a picturesque island called Nagarjuna Konda, situated in the centre of a man-made lake. Evening return to Nagarjuna Sagar. Overnight at hotel.
Day5: Nagarjuna Sagar – Guntur (150 kms)
Breakfast. Morning drive to Guntur via Amaravati. Visits to the impressive Maha Stupa, Museum and the ancient Amralingeshwara Temple. Drive to Guntur. Overnight at hotel.
Day6: Guntur – Vijayawada (35 kms / 45 mins)
After breakfast drive to Vijayawada. Enroute stopover at Ghantasala - a small village, to visit the remain of the stupa with beautiful sculptures of Buddhist mythological stories and also a small but impressive museum of Buddhist statutes & art. Proceed to Vijayawada. Overnight at hotel.
Day7: Vijayawada
After breakfast, take a full-day guided tour of Neelamkondapalli & Jagayapeta stupas filled with inscriptions from the Mauryan era and the beautiful Undavalli Caves. Overnight at hotel.
Day8: Vijaywada – Vizag (380 kms / 7 hrs)
After breakfast, depart to Vizag enroute visiting Guntupalli’s rock cut caves with over a dozen stupas, viharas & chaityas. Also note the impressive six-foot marble statue of Lord Buddha. Drive to Vizag. Overnight at hotel.
Day9: Vizag
Breakfast at hotel followed by a full-day guided tour. TO include: AM visit to Sankaram - famous for its numerous rows of monolith stupas with expressive images of Lord Buddha. PM visit to Salihudam – an interesting Swastika shaped entrance with a 46-foot diameter stupa & Buddhist Platforms. It was from here that Buddhism spread to far eastern countries. Return to Vizag. Overnight at hotel.
Day10: Vizag
After breakfast, a full-day guided excursion to Bavikonda - the most ancient of Buddhist sites. Excavations on the hill-top brought to light an extensive Buddhist establishment consisting of a Mahachaitya, stupas, chaityagrihas, a congregation hall, relic caskets, tiles, moulded bricks, coins etc. Later visit Thotla Konda for Vihara & stupas stuccos dating to 3rd century AD. By afternoon, visit Pavuralakonda for the monastic remains and the 14 rock cisterns used by Monks for rainwater collecting. Drive back to Vizag. Overnight at hotel.
Day11 : Vizag - Hyderabad (by air)
After breakfast, transfer to Vizag airport for flight to Hyderabad. On arrival at Hyderabad, transfer to the hotel for wash 'n' change and proceed to international airport for connecting onward flight.
