An early pickup for the sunrise at Nandi Hills, then breakfast near Chikkaballapur and the drive into Andhra Pradesh. See the hanging pillar and painted ceilings of the Veerabhadra temple, the giant monolith Nandi and the Jatayu statue, then lunch in Hindupur and the drive home. About 260 km and 6 hours of driving. Prefer an old fort to a sunrise? Tell us when you book and we swap Nandi Hills for Penukonda's Gagan Mahal in the afternoon, which makes for a later drop.
- 4:45 AM
Pickup from your home
Your driver calls you 30 minutes before. We leave this early to reach the Nandi Hills gate when it opens. If you skip the sunrise, we pick you up at about 6:15 AM and go straight to breakfast.
- 1 h 32 min · 62 km
- 6:05 AM
Nandi Hills sunrise
Optional · Approx Rs 20 per person entry, paid at the gateWatch the sun come up over the plains, often above a sea of morning mist from November to February. The gate opens at 6 AM. Weekends are very crowded, so a weekday is calmer. Carry a light jacket, it is cold at the top before sunrise.
- 7:45 AM
Breakfast near Chikkaballapur
Idli, vada and filter coffee at a highway eatery on NH44. Pay as you eat.
- 1 h 4 min · 64 km
- 9:45 AM1
Veerabhadra Temple and hanging pillar, Lepakshi
1 h 30 min hereA 16th century Vijayanagara temple with painted ceilings, carved halls and one pillar that hangs just above the floor. Look up in the main hall for the large ceiling paintings. Shoes come off at the gate. Local guides wait at the gate if you want one, paid directly.
- 11:25 AM2
Lepakshi Nandi
20 min hereA huge Nandi carved from a single rock, in a garden a short drive from the temple. Good for photos.
- 11:50 AM3
Jatayu Theme Park, Lepakshi
40 min hereA big Jatayu statue with spread wings on top of a granite boulder, facing the Nandi across the road. Steps lead up the rock for a view over the village and the temple. It is open and hot at midday, so carry water and a cap.
- 22 min · 15 km
- 12:50 PM
Lunch in Hindupur
An Andhra meals plate or simple South Indian food in town, about 15 km from Lepakshi. Pay as you eat.
- 2 h 50 min · 138 km
- 5:00 PM
Drop at your home
Traffic into Bengaluru can be heavy in the evening, so the time is approximate. With the Penukonda swap instead of Nandi Hills, plan on about 7:30 PM. We call the evening before to confirm your pickup time.