Pick up a packed breakfast (idli/dosa/fruit + water) from your Bengaluru stay or a 24/7 bakery; this keeps you mobile for an early start and saves time. If you prefer a sit-down, plan a quick stop at a highway restaurant that opens early.
Start the drive early to avoid city traffic; the road (NH) runs mostly north-east and takes you to Hospet/Hampi in one long stretch. This gives you maximum afternoon exploration time in Hampi.
Check in at your Hampi stay (Hospet hotels or Hampi Bazaar guesthouses) and freshen up; most hotels welcome early arrivals if informed. Use this half hour to drop luggage and plan the afternoon route.
Eat at a popular Hampi cafe like Mango Tree (Hampi Bazaar) or another local eatery offering fresh South Indian thali and quick meals; good fuel before walking the ruins. Many cafes are open from ~8:00am to 10:00pm.
Visit Virupaksha Temple and wander the historic Hampi Bazaar streets — central to Vijayanagara heritage and still active; temples typically open 6:00am–7:00pm so afternoon darshan and photography are ideal.
Head to the Vittala complex to see the iconic Stone Chariot and musical pillars — the showpiece of Hampi's archaeology; ASI-managed areas are best visited before late afternoon (usually open ~6:00am–5:30pm).
Explore the royal enclosure: Lotus Mahal and Elephant Stables are close to each other and give insights into Vijayanagara court life — visit before sunset while the sites are accessible (usually until sunset).
Climb Hemakuta or Matanga Hill for a panoramic sunset over boulder-strewn Hampi — one of the best golden-hour views. Reach ~45–60 minutes before sunset for best light and photos.
Have a relaxed dinner at a rooftop cafe or your hotel; many places serve simple thalis, continental and local specialities and stay open till ~9:30–10:00pm. Ideal to rest after a day of walking.
If not too tired, take a short, quiet stroll near the lit Virupaksha complex or return to your hotel — most historic sites are closed at night, so this is a low-key wind-down.
Early hike to Matanga Hill for sunrise — spectacular views over the Tungabhadra, ruins and temples; start before dawn (Matanga accessible from ~5:30am) to reach the top for first light.
Check out and drive from Hampi/Hospet to Mantralayam (approx 3.5–4.5 hours depending on route); the route moves east/north-east so plan one short stop en route.
Eat at a reliable local pure-vegetarian restaurant close to the temple area (many options serve thali/meal plates). These open for lunch from ~11:00am onward and cater to pilgrims.
Plan darshan at Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt / Brindavana. Typical visiting windows: morning ~4:00am–12:30pm and evening ~3:00pm–9:00pm – check local noticeboards for sevas and queue procedure; arrive early for the afternoon slot if lots of pilgrims.
Collect prasadam, walk the temple precinct and visit the Tungabhadra river ghats for a calm evening; light photography and local shops are active in the late afternoon.
Have an early simple dinner in Mantralayam or plan a longer en-route dinner stop (Kamat Upachar / highway dhaba) on the return drive to Bengaluru; many highway restaurants serve until late evening.
Begin the long drive back to Bengaluru (approx 7–8 hours depending on traffic and stops). If using a private vehicle, swap drivers if possible and plan a couple of short breaks for safety.
Estimated late-night arrival back in Bengaluru. End of 2-day loop; if you prefer a less rushed return, consider overnighting near Anantapur or returning by overnight train instead.