Hampi Badami Tour
This Hampi Badami tour combines two of Karnataka's most important heritage regions into a single itinerary. The journey begins in Hampi, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, known for its vast landscape of temples, royal enclosures and ancient ruins. It then continues to Badami, a historic town famous for its rock-cut cave temples, sandstone cliffs and serene water tanks. Together, these destinations offer a rich introduction to the architectural and cultural history of northern Karnataka, making this tour ideal for travelers interested in temples, heritage sites and scenic landscapes.
Tour Summary
| Starting From | Bangalore | Ending at | Bangalore |
| No of days | 5 | Number of nights | 4 |
| Night stays at | Hampi / Hospet (2 nights) Badami (2 nights) | ||
Hampi Badami Tour Itinerary Overview
This itinerary is designed as a relaxed heritage circuit covering the major historical sites across Hampi and Badami. The journey includes the iconic temple complexes and royal ruins of Hampi, followed by the cave temples and ancient structures of Badami. Depending on the duration, the tour may also include visits to nearby UNESCO-listed sites such as Pattadakal and the temple town of Aihole. The schedule balances travel and sightseeing to provide a comfortable and immersive heritage experience.
Key Highlights of the Hampi Badami Tour
Hampi's temple complexes: Explore the Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple and royal enclosures of the Vijayanagara capital.
Badami Cave Temples: Visit the famous rock-cut cave shrines carved into sandstone cliffs overlooking Agastya Lake.
Pattadakal temples: A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its early Chalukyan temple architecture.
Aihole temple town: Often called the 'cradle of Indian temple architecture', with numerous early stone temples.
Scenic heritage landscapes: Experience dramatic boulder-strewn terrain in Hampi and the red sandstone cliffs of Badami.
Day wise Itinerary of Hampi Tour
Day 1: Bangalore - Chitradurga - Hampi
Start from Bangalore early in the morning. Drive for about 3-3.5 hours to reach the historic town of Chitradurga. Chitradurga is known for its massive hill fort, stone ramparts and dramatic landscapes. The fort complex features multiple gateways, ancient temples, water reservoirs and panoramic viewpoints spread across a series of rocky hills. Later, visit some pre-historic caves behind the fort in Chitradurga.
After exploring Chitradurga, it is time to drive further towards Hampi (2.5 hours). Checkin to a hotel and relax.
Day 2: Explore Hampi
Today, you will need to hire a guide and explore the historic Hampi. Start with Vittala Temple and the iconic Stone Chariot. Later visit Royal Enclosure, Elephant Stable, Lotus Temple, Pushkarani, Hazar Rama Temple, Queen's Bath, and many other historic sites. As the sun starts getting milder, we head back to our hotel and relax.
Day 3: Explore Anegundi, Anjanadri. Drive to Badami
Have an early breakfast and checkout of hotel. Drive to Anegundi (formerly known as the Kishkinda Kingdom or the Kingdom of Vanar Sena). It is here that Lord Rama met Sugriva. The nearby Anjanadri Hill is also the birth place of Hanuman. Visit Anjanadri Betta, Pampa Sarovar, Chintamani Temple, Krishna Devaraya Tomb.
After lunch, it is time to drive further to Badami. Later, checkin to a hotel and relax.
Day 4: Badami - Pattadakal - Aihole
Have early breakfast and drive towards Aihole. Visit Durga Temple Complex and be amazed by the amazing architecture of the yesteryears.
Later visit few sites of Aihole which were used as a test bed for finalizing the architecture for Badami Cave Temples
After Aihole, drive towards Pattadakal. This temple complex is yet another site that will amaze you with its architecture.
Drive back to Badami and visit Badami Cave Temple and Fort. Later, drive back to hotel and relax.
Day 5: Badami - Bangalore
It is a long drive today. So have good breakfast, checkout of hotel and drive towards Bangalore
In the evening, reach Bangalore and the amazing Hampi Badami Heritage Tour comes to an end.
How Many Days Are Needed for the Hampi Badami Tour?
A 4 to 5-day itinerary is ideal for covering both Hampi and Badami comfortably. This allows enough time to explore the major monuments in Hampi, travel to Badami and visit the cave temples and nearby heritage sites. Travelers with limited time may opt for a shorter version focusing on the highlights, while those with more time can extend the tour further to include destinations like Vijayapura for a deeper heritage experience.
Best Time to Visit Hampi and Badami
The best time to take this tour is between October and March, when the weather is cooler and more comfortable for exploring outdoor heritage sites. Summers can be quite hot, especially in the rocky terrain of Hampi and the sandstone landscapes of Badami. The monsoon season brings some greenery to the region but may affect travel plans due to occasional rains.
Who This Heritage Tour Is Ideal For
History and architecture enthusiasts
Travelers interested in temple architecture and ancient kingdoms
Photographers looking for dramatic landscapes and historic monuments
Cultural travelers seeking a deeper exploration of Karnataka's heritage
Can This Tour Be Extended to Vijayapura?
Yes, this heritage circuit can be extended to include Vijayapura (formerly known as Bijapur), a historic city known for its Indo-Islamic architecture and monumental structures such as Gol Gumbaz. Adding Vijayapura transforms the itinerary into a longer heritage journey that covers multiple historic kingdoms and architectural styles across northern Karnataka.
In fact, including Vijayapura transforms the itinerary into a more complete heritage circuit across Karnataka. As you travel through these historic regions, the stories of each destination reveal how they were connected through different kingdoms and cultural influences over the centuries, offering a deeper understanding of the region's past.
