4-Day Karnataka Temple & Scenic Hill Itinerary from Chennai

Day 1: Chennai → Belur & Halebidu

Morning: Depart Chennai early by a 1‑hour flight to Bangalore, then board a pre‑booked car for the 130 km drive to Belur (≈3 hrs). Enjoy the countryside en route and arrive by mid‑morning.

Afternoon: Explore the intricately carved Chennakesava Temple in Belur, admiring its Hoysala architecture for about 1.5 hours. Continue 30 km to Halebidu’s Hoysaleswara Temple, where you’ll spend another 1.5 hours marveling at the stone sculptures.

Evening: Check into a comfortable guesthouse in Hassan, enjoy a relaxing dinner of local Karnataka cuisine, and unwind for the night.

Day 2: Halebidu → Shravanabelagola

Morning: After breakfast, drive 80 km (≈2 hrs) to Shravanabelagola. Begin with a gentle trek up Vindhyagiri Hill to view the towering Gomateshwara (Bahubali) Statue.

Afternoon: Spend time circling the hill, visiting the Chandragiri Jain Temple and the museum that explains the site’s history. Lunch is served at a local eatery offering thali meals.

Evening: Return to Hassan (≈2 hrs) for a quiet evening, perhaps strolling the town’s market before dinner.

Day 3: Hassan → Horanadu & Kukke Subramanya

Morning: Depart early for the sacred Annapoorneshwari Temple in Horanadu (≈150 km, 4 hrs). Participate in the morning pooja and enjoy the serene mountain setting.

Afternoon: Continue to the pilgrimage town of Kukke Subramanya (≈70 km, 2 hrs). Explore the famed shrine beside the Netravathi River and have a light lunch of Karnataka snacks.

Evening: Stay overnight in a modest lodge near Kukke Subramanya, allowing time for a peaceful evening walk along the riverbank.

Day 4: Kukke Subramanya → Kemmangundi Peak → Return to Chennai

Morning: Drive to the scenic Kemmangundi Peak (≈120 km, 3 hrs). Enjoy panoramic views, a short nature walk, and a visit to the nearby Honnammana Kere Lake.

Afternoon: After a relaxed lunch, begin the return journey to Bangalore (≈250 km, 5 hrs). Stop for refreshments and stretch breaks along the way.

Evening: Catch an evening flight from Bangalore back to Chennai, arriving late night with wonderful memories of Karnataka’s heritage and hills.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Chennakesava Temple, Belur – 1.5 hrs – ₹50 (donation)
• Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu – 1.5 hrs – Free
• Gomateshwara Statue & Vindhyagiri Hill, Shravanabelagola – 2 hrs – Free
• Chandragiri Jain Temple – 1 hr – Free
• Annapoorneshwari Temple, Horanadu – 1 hr – Free
• Kukke Subramanya Temple (Netravathi) – 1.5 hrs – ₹20
• Kemmangundi Peak & Honnammana Kere – 2 hrs – ₹20
• Flight Chennai‑Bangalore (round‑trip) – 2 hrs each way – ₹5,000
• Car hire with driver (4 days) – – ₹8,000
• Fuel & tolls – – ₹3,000
• Accommodation (4 nights, mid‑range) – – ₹4,000
• Food & beverages – – ₹6,000
• Total Estimated Cost per person: ₹26,090

Tips

If you have an extra day, consider adding a visit to Chikmagalur for coffee‑plantation tours or extending your stay at Kemmangundi to enjoy sunrise and sunset viewpoints. To shorten the trip, you can skip the Kukke Subramanya leg and fly directly from Bangalore to Chennai after Day 3, reducing travel fatigue while still experiencing the major temples.