Vijayawada

If you are a nature lover, then this is where you must head. The largest fresh water lake, Kolleru lake is a virtual paradise for nature lovers. Rich in flora and fauna, it attracts migratory birds from Australia, Siberia, Egypt and Philippines between the months of October and March. During this season, the lake is visited by an estimated 2,00,000 birds, which include Open Bill Storks, Painted Storks, Glossy Ibises, White Ibises, Teals, Pintails, Shovellers, Red-Crested Pochards, Blackwinged Stilts, Avocets, Common Redshanks, Wigeons, Gadwalls and Cormorants, among others.

This is one of the few mangrove habitats in Andhra Pradesh. These dense mangrove forests are nestled on the estuary of River Krishna and provide habitat to Hyena, Jungle and Fishing Cat, Fox, Bear, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Black Buck, Cobra, Russels Viper, Water Snake, Rat Snake and Tree Snake, Garden Lizard, Wall Lizards, Land tortoise, and also a good variety of birds including Crested Serpant Eagle, Indian Roller, Wagtails, Pipits. This makes the Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary is a perfect place for bird-watching.

The historic caves are located at the top of the high hills overlooking the Krishna River. Built during the 4th-5th century, their structure suggests that they were hewn out of solid rock on the hillside. Dedicated to Anantapadmanabha Swamy and Narasimha Swamy, Undavalli Cave Temples are associated with the Vishnukundina kings.It is also believed that Buddhist monks used these caves as rest houses. A remarkable 5 metre long figure of Vishnu reclining on the serpent couch - Anantasayi is the focal point of the second storey of the Caves Temple. The sculptures are testimony to the dexterity and skill of the artisans of the ancient times. The caves are located about 8 kms from the RTC Bus stand, in Vijayawada.