Hampi, Badami and Pattadakal

Days 1 to 2: Hampi

2 nights · Easy · Ruined capital of the Vijayanagara empire, spread among granite boulders by the Tungabhadra.

Day 1: Hampi

• Arrive at Hosapete and take a bus or auto to Hampi.
• Visit Virupaksha Temple when it reopens in the evening or before 1 pm.
• Walk to the Ugra Narasimha statue and Badavalinga.
• Climb Hemakuta Hill, see Sasivekalu Ganesha and stay for sunset.

Day 2: Hampi

• Climb Matanga Hill for sunrise, in a group and with a torch.
• Hire an auto or cycle to the Royal Enclosure, Hazara Rama Temple and Queen's Bath.
• See Lotus Mahal and the Elephant Stables with the ASI ticket.
• Reach Vijaya Vittala Temple and the Stone Chariot by about 3.30 pm for the late light.

Getting here from Hampi: Road, about 3.5 to 4 hours. About 140 km by road.

Days 3 to 5: Badami and Pattadakal

2 nights · Moderate · Early Chalukya cave temples at Badami and the UNESCO-listed temple group at nearby Pattadakal.

Day 3: Arrival day

• Travel from Hampi to Badami and Pattadakal (about 3.5 to 4 hours).
• Visit the Badami Cave Temples in the cooler late afternoon.
• Walk along Agastya Lake to the Bhutanatha Temples at sunset.

Day 4: Badami and Pattadakal

• Hire an auto or taxi early.
• Spend the morning at the Pattadakal Group of Monuments.
• Continue to Aihole for the Durga Temple and other shrines.
• Return to Badami in the evening.

Day 5: Badami and Pattadakal

• Climb Badami Fort and the North Hill early.
• See Malegitti Shivalaya on the way down.
• Visit the Badami Archaeological Museum (closed Fridays).
• Take an auto to Banashankari Temple before leaving.