Morning: Depart Pune early, taking NH48 and NH48A towards Hampi. Enjoy the scenic Western Ghats and stop for breakfast at a local dhaba.
Afternoon: Continue the drive, crossing the Krishna River. Pause at Hampi Bazaar for a quick lunch and fuel refill.
Evening: Arrive in Hampi, check into your hotel, and unwind with a sunset view over the Stone City.
Book a HotelMorning: Explore the iconic Virupaksha Temple and the surrounding ruins, soaking in the ancient architecture.
Afternoon: Visit the stunning Vithala Temple complex, famous for its stone chariot and musical pillars.
Evening: Stroll along the Hampi Riverbank, capturing the golden hues of sunset over the boulder‑strewn landscape.
Book a HotelMorning: Set off after breakfast, heading north on NH44 towards Tirupati. The drive is about 300 km and takes roughly 6 hours.
Afternoon: Arrive in Tirupati and check into your accommodation. Have a light meal before visiting the bustling Shree Padmavathi Ammavari Temple precinct.
Evening: Attend the evening **Aarti** at the world‑famous Sri Venkateswara Temple, experiencing the spiritual ambience.
Book a HotelMorning: Depart early on NH716, crossing the scenic Eastern Ghats toward the coast.
Afternoon: Stop at Madurai for a quick lunch and a brief walk around the historic Meenakshi Amman Temple complex.
Evening: Arrive in Rameshwaram, settle into your hotel, and enjoy a beachfront dinner by the Bay of Bengal.
Book a HotelMorning: Visit the sacred Ramanathaswamy Temple, renowned for its longest corridor and sacred tanks.
Afternoon: Explore the historic Dhanushkodi ruins and stand at the tip of the Indian subcontinent at Gandhamadhana Parvatham.
Evening: Relax on Rameshwaram Beach**, watching the sunset over the Pamban Bridge.
Book a HotelMorning: Begin the 350 km journey northwards via NH85, enjoying the lush Western Ghats scenery.
Afternoon: Reach the Adiyogi Shiva Statue at Isha Yoga Center, and explore the surrounding meditation gardens.
Evening: Attend a brief guided meditation session or simply unwind in the tranquil environment before dinner.
Book a HotelMorning: Drive the 230 km stretch to Madurai, arriving mid‑morning.
Afternoon: Tour the magnificent Meenakshi Amman Temple, admiring its towering gopurams and intricate sculptures.
Evening: Wander the lively Madurai Bazaar, sampling local delicacies such as jigarthanda and mutton biryani.
Book a HotelMorning: Depart for Kanyakumari, a scenic 250 km drive along NH44.
Afternoon: Arrive at the southern tip and visit the iconic Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the towering Thiruvalluvar Statue.
Evening: Witness the spectacular confluence of sunrise and sunset over the Arabian Sea at Kanyakumari Beach.
Book a HotelMorning: Embark on the longest leg (≈720 km) via NH66 and NH48, stopping for breakfast in Mangalore.
Afternoon: Continue the drive, enjoying coastal views and the Western Ghats, with a brief lunch break at Udupi (famous for its cuisine).
Evening: Arrive in Kolhapur, check into your stay, and relax with a traditional Kolhapuri dinner.
Book a HotelMorning: Explore the historic Mahalakshmi Temple and the regal New Palace Museum.
Afternoon: Enjoy a leisurely lunch featuring the famous Kolhapuri cuisine, then begin the 250 km drive back to Pune.
Evening: Arrive in Pune, concluding the unforgettable road adventure.
Book a HotelIf you wish to extend the trip, consider adding a day in Hampi to explore the remote Matanga Hill sunrise or a full day at Udupi to savor its famed vegetarian cuisine. To shorten the itinerary, you can combine Day 4 and Day 5 by flying from Tirupati to Madurai and skipping the lengthy Rameshwaram‑to‑Adiyogi leg, saving both time and fuel while still experiencing the key highlights.