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Bhutanatha temples reflected in Agastya Lake below red sandstone cliffs at Badami

Home › Sacred places › Badami, Pattadakal & Aihole

Pilgrimage & heritage route · from Vijayapura or Hampi

Badami, Pattadakal & Aihole route, cost & what to book

The Chalukya dynasty's three great architectural sites sit within about 45 km of each other in North Karnataka: Badami's cave temples cut into red sandstone cliffs, Pattadakal's UNESCO World Heritage cluster of both North and South Indian temple styles side by side, and Aihole's Durga Temple complex, sometimes called the 'cradle of Indian temple architecture' for its experimental early forms.

Photo: Photos Worldwide · CC0 · source

Duration2 days · 1 night
Starts fromVijayapura or Hampi
Cost from₹2,800 each
Stops5
Best timeOctober to February for comfortable sightseeing among the exposed sandstone monuments
Good forFamilies, Solo, Couples, Groups

The Chalukya dynasty's three great architectural sites sit within about 45 km of each other in North Karnataka: Badami's cave temples cut into red sandstone cliffs, Pattadakal's UNESCO World Heritage cluster of both North and South Indian temple styles side by side, and Aihole's Durga Temple complex, sometimes called the 'cradle of Indian temple architecture' for its experimental early forms. This circuit ties Badami's temple town to its lesser-known neighbours for the fuller architectural story across all three sites.

Step 2 of 6Next: Route
Your trip plan · PDF

Badami, Pattadakal, planned for you

Day-by-day timings, the route, what each part costs, where to sleep and eat, and a checklist. One PDF that works offline: print it, or send it to everyone going.

  1. Day 1 Badami to Badami Cave Temples & fort to Pattadakal
    • TravelBadami₹250
    • TravelBadami Cave Temples & fort₹30
    • TravelPattadakal₹40
  2. Day 2 Aihole to Return to Badami

₹49 once, 5 pages. Secure payment by Razorpay, instant download. Already bought? Get your download

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The route, stop by stop

The whole route first. Tap any stop and the map zooms to just that place.

Route

Stops

Badami → Badami Cave Temples & fort → Pattadakal → Aihole · Directions in Google Maps ↗

  1. 1
    Base. Bus from Hampi (5 h), Vijayapura (3 h) or Hubballi (2 h) Map ↗
  2. 2
    Central; walkable from most lodges Map ↗
  3. 3
    22 km from Badami, bus or taxi Map ↗
  4. 4
    14 km further from Pattadakal Map ↗
  5. 5
    Bus or taxi Map ↗

Travel legs add up to about ₹410 per person.

Step 3 of 6Next: Cost

What it costs

Ballpark ranges, not live quotes. Prices last updated 6 October 2026. Prices move with season and demand, so check live fares before you book. Spot a wrong price? Tell us and we fix it.

Your group₹5,600
Couple · from Vijayapura or Hampi
Per person₹2,800

A do-it-yourself budget: trains and buses, simple lodges and temple meals. Paid darshan and donations are extra.

Step 4 of 6Next: What to book

What to book ahead

Step 5 of 6Next: Stay & food

Where to stay and eat

Stay

Badami has the most accommodation choice and is the natural base for all three sites, each a short drive away.

Food

North Karnataka thali — jowar roti and spicy curries — is the local standard in Badami town.

Local tip: See Aihole and Pattadakal on the same day if possible, since they're only 14 km apart, and give Badami's own caves a separate half-day for the light on the sandstone.
Step 6 of 6Next: FAQ

Photos

Questions people ask

How many days do you need for Badami, Pattadakal?

2 days · 1 night, starting from Vijayapura or Hampi.

What is the best time for Badami, Pattadakal?

October to February for comfortable sightseeing among the exposed sandstone monuments.

How much does Badami, Pattadakal cost?

From about ₹2,800 per person doing it yourself, with the travel legs adding up to roughly ₹410.

What needs to be booked in advance?

A guide at Pattadakal: Worth it to understand the mix of Nagara (North Indian) and Dravida (South Indian) temple styles built side by side. Badami hotel: The obvious base; book ahead in peak winter weekends. Nothing else needs advance booking: All three sites are day visits with tickets on arrival.

Where do pilgrims stay?

Badami has the most accommodation choice and is the natural base for all three sites, each a short drive away.

What about food?

North Karnataka thali — jowar roti and spicy curries — is the local standard in Badami town.

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Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we don't sell packages or bookings, we take no commission, and we link to maps and official sites, never to booking sites. Every guide is free; our only paid products are optional downloadable trip plans and itineraries. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.

By Gokul · Updated 6 October 2026 · Photo: Photos Worldwide · CC0 · source · Photo: Rajeshodayanchal · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · Photo: rajeshodayanchal · CC BY 3.0 · source · Photo: AmlanTheTramp · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

2 days · 1 night · —
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