Hyderabad:  Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh was founded in 1591 by Sultan Muhammed Kuli. It has long been a center of Muslim culture and learning. Built on the banks of the river Musi, and surrounded by huge prehistoric rock formations, it is a blend of the fairy tale and the earthy, a mixture of old and new. The city gives travelers fascinating glimpses of past splendors, the legacy of its four hundred year old history. We will visit the Public Gardens which enclose the State Legislature and the Archaeological Museum; Gandhi Bhavan; and, Mecca Masjid - this mosque is said to have bricks from Mecca built into its central arch. Charminar (Hyderabad’s famous landmark) is a rectangular, four arched monumental gate 180 feet high and crowned at its four corners by graceful minarets. The eye-catching buildings of Osmania Hospital, High Court, State Library, Lad Bazaar. Salar Jung Museum - one of the best private museums in the world with a remarkable collection of curios, manuscripts, ancient weapons and costumes. Abid Road, the city’s shopping center.

Golkonda Fort. The historic Golkonda Fort lies 45 minutes by car west of Hyderabad city. The name originates from the Telegu words "Golla Konda", meaning "Shepherd’s Hill". Later the fort was taken over by the Bahamani kings, subsequently passing to the Qutb Shahis, who held it from 1512 to 1687 AD. The first three Qutb Shahi kings rebuilt Golkonda, over a span of 62 years. Famous features of Golconda include its system of acoustics, palaces, factories, water supply and the famous Rahban Cannon, one of those used during the last siege of Golconda by Aurangazeb, to whom the fort ultimately fell.