Despite its popularity Holy pilgrimagehistorical templesBeautiful! beaches more famous cavesThe state has not been marketed well as a tourist destination. Its natural beauty and rich heritage make a strong case to explore and allot 8-10 days to the state. Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupati, Kurnool and Guntur are the more famous cities, but there are many others that you can explore comfortably.
Capital
Amravati
best time to travel
November, February
suggested travel program
You can either start from Visakhapatnam in the north and travel south along Tirupati, or vice versa. Here’s a way to cover the best temples, beaches, caves and other beautiful places in the state.
How to reach Delhi…
The fastest way to travel from Delhi to Andhra Pradesh is by air, which will take around 2.5 hours. The cheapest is by train, but it will take over 30 hours to reach Visakhapatnam, or over 23 hours to Vijayawada. The state has three international airports (Visakhapatnam or Vizag, Vijayawada, Tirupati), three domestic airports, and good rail connectivity to Delhi.
AIR. cost by
Rs.5,500
cost by train
3,000 rupees
Day 1-2:
Visakhapatnam
Arrive at Vizag, relax on its beautiful beaches, visit Dolphin’s Nose Lighthouse and take the ropeway to Kailasagiri. Next morning leave for Bora Caves. Spend 2-3 hours in the caves and visit the beautiful Araku Valley. Check out the waterfalls and stay the night at the lovely hill station, or head back to Visakhapatnam.
DAY 3: Rajahmundry
Take a trip to Rajahmundry, located on the Godavari River, and visit the Godavari Bridge, the ISKCON Temple, as well as some other ancient temples.
day 4-5: Vijayawada Visit Vijayawada and visit Kanakadurga Temple. Visit Undavalli Caves. Visit Bhavani Island on the Krishna River and also visit Prakasam Barrage.
Day 6: Tadipatri Visit Tadipatri in Kurnool district and visit the Belum Caves. Yaganti and Ahobilam temples are also a must visit.
day 7: Lepakshi Arrive at Lepakshi in Anantapur district and visit the famous Veerabhadra Swamy temple. Also visit Penukonda and Ravdurg Gooty Forts.
Day 8: Gandikota Drive to Gandikota in the Kadapa district and enter the Grand Canyon-like gorge.
Day 9: Visit one of the richest and famous Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati. Another must visit here is the scenic Horsley Hills.
Day 10: Fly back from Tirupati or travel to Visakhapatnam and fly to Delhi.
where to stay…
You’ll find a variety of accommodation options, from 3-5 star hotels to vacation rentals, even campsites. Big cities like Visakhapatnam will cost around Rs 4,000-7,000 per night, while in smaller cities you can easily stay for Rs 2,000-4,000 per night.
cost: Rs.40,000-50,000 for 9 days
what to eat…
Andhra cuisine is popular across the country and here are some dishes that you must try: Pulihora (Tamarind Rice), Pesarattu (Moon Dal Green Dosa), Gutti Venkaya Kura (Eggplant Curry), Gongura Mutton, Kodi Pulao (Chicken Rice), Chepla Pulusu (Fish Curry), Punugulu, (Deep Fried Batter), Chicken Biryani, among others.
cost: Rs.300-1,000 per person, per meal
What to do…
You can tour the state either by traveling from city to city, or follow a theme-focused itinerary. So if you are only interested in visiting temples, follow the route leading to all the famous temples; If you are a fan of caving, choose sites specific to this sport. Here are some of the top choices in each category.
Gandikota
Gandikota is a stunning valley around the Pennar River in the Kadapa district. The beauty of the place is mesmerizing. Also visit Gandikota Fort (free admission, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.), and Rayalcheruvu Lake.
temples
Some of the most famous temples of the 12th-16th centuries include: Sri Venkateswara Temple (Tirupati), Srikalahasti Temple (Guntur), Kanakadurga Temple (Vijayawada), Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple, (Srisailam), Lepakshi Temple (Anantapur), Ahobilam Temple (Anantapur), Yaganti Temple (Kurnool), Simhachalam (Visakhapatnam), and Ranganatha Temple (Nellore).
beaches
The best beaches are in Visakhapatnam (Rushikonda, Yarda, Ramakrishna, Bheemili), while Srikakulam (Kalingapatnam), Guntur (SuryaLanka), and Nellore (MyPad) also have lovely options.
caves
Mogalarajapuram Caves (Vijayawada)
Fees and Timings: Rs 3 per person; 9 am – 6 pm
Bora Caves (Visakhapatnam)
Fees and Timings: Rs 60 (adult), Rs 45 (child);
10 am – 5 pm
Belum Caves (Kolimigundla, Kurnool)
Fees and Timings: Rs 65 (adult), Rs 45 (child);
10 am – 5 pm
Undavalli Caves (Vijayawada)
Fees and Timings: Rs 5 per person; 9 am – 6 pm
Guttikonda Caves (Guttikonda, Guntur)
Fees and Timings: Free; 6 am – 5 pm