Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Leave Mangalore Railway Station around 8 PM as planned, allowing roughly 9–11 hours by road to Hampi via Udupi, Shivamogga, Chitradurga and Hospet. The final approach is through Hospet; confirm your exact drop-off with the driver, since Hampi Bazaar and Kamalapura are on different sides of the site. Build in rest stops, and arrange your accommodation’s early-morning check-in or luggage drop in advance—arrival after an overnight drive can be tiring, and a room may not be ready straight away.
After freshening up, have breakfast near Hampi Bazaar at Geeth Restaurant; allow about 45 minutes and budget roughly ₹100–250 per person for a simple South Indian meal. Then visit Virupaksha Temple, an active place of worship: set aside 1–1.5 hours, with extra time for queues, and dress respectfully. Entry to the temple is generally free, but check current opening hours locally before setting out; leave footwear at the designated area and follow any restrictions on photography.
Head back to your accommodation near Hampi Bazaar or Kamalapura for a proper rest after the drive. Keep the rest of the morning unplanned rather than trying to fit in more sightseeing—you’ll enjoy Hampi’s long sightseeing day far more after some sleep.
After your overnight arrival, freshen up, eat breakfast and get an early start—these ruins are exposed to the sun, so carry water, a hat and comfortable shoes. Explore Queens Bath first (about 30 minutes), then continue to Elephant Stables (30–45 minutes) and Lotus Mahal (about 30 minutes) in the Zenana Enclosure. Visit the Stepped Tank back in the Royal Enclosure (20–30 minutes). The sites are spread out, so use your vehicle or an auto between clusters rather than trying to walk the whole circuit; keep some flexibility for ticket queues and the heat. Entry charges and access rules can change, so check locally before setting off.
Have lunch near Kamalapura or Hampi Bazaar, then head to Vittala Temple and the Stone Chariot. Allow 1.5–2 hours for the complex, plus time for the internal shuttle or walk from the drop-off point; confirm the day’s access and ticket arrangements on arrival. Don’t rush the pillared halls—the carved details are best appreciated at a slower pace. Carry water, as shade is limited along parts of the approach.
Make your way to Anjanadri Hill (Monkey Temple) in Anegundi well before sunset. The climb and return take around 1.5 hours, and the steps can be tiring after a full day, so bring water and start down before it gets too dark. Have dinner at a local restaurant around Hampi Bazaar (roughly ₹250–500 per person), then set off for Dandeli for the overnight drive—budget about 6–7 hours, and confirm your pickup point and arrival arrangements with the driver in advance.
After the roughly 6–7-hour transfer from Hampi, check in or leave your bags at the jungle resort, freshen up and confirm the day’s river session with the resort or activity operator. The Kali River activities—kayaking, zorbing and rafting—usually take about 2–3 hours, but availability depends on river conditions, operating schedules and the operator’s safety assessment. Confirm which activities are running and whether they’re included in your package; some may cost extra.
Have lunch at the resort, where a meal typically costs around ₹250–600 per person if it isn’t included. Since you’ll have had a long road transfer, leave time to rest before heading to the pool and outdoor games for a relaxed 1–2 hours. Follow the resort’s guidance on pool and activity timings, which vary by property.
Freshen up for dinner, then settle in for the campfire or DJ program if your resort is hosting one—these arrangements depend on the property and package. Keep the evening easy and get a good night’s sleep; a full river session after the drive can be tiring, so it’s perfectly reasonable to skip an activity if you’re worn out.
Set off from Dandeli around 6–7am in the pre-arranged cab, and ask the driver to wait at both stops. Allow roughly 4–5 hours to reach Yana, depending on the route and road conditions; with the walks and onward drive, this is a long day, so carry water, snacks and sturdy shoes. At Yana Caves, follow the forest trail to the dramatic limestone formations and allow 2–3 hours for the walk and visit. Access can depend on local conditions, so check with your driver or resort before setting out, and plan to finish the trail in daylight.
Continue to Vibhooti Falls for the forest-side walk to the cascades; allow 1.5–2 hours, though access and water flow vary with conditions. Then stop for lunch in Sirsi—a simple local restaurant such as Hotel Mayura is a practical choice—or eat at a suitable roadside restaurant if your timing runs late. Budget about ₹150–350 per person and 45–60 minutes. With the visits included, expect the day’s driving and sightseeing to take around 11–13 hours in total, so keep the stops focused rather than lingering.
From the falls area, allow around 2–3 hours by road to Gokarna, plus time to check in at the resort. You may arrive late; have dinner at the resort rather than counting on finding a convenient restaurant after the drive (roughly ₹250–600 per person if dinner is not included). Confirm in advance that the cab fare covers the full day, waiting time at both sites and the final drop-off.
Start early from Gokarna for Mirjan Fort, near Kumta—roughly 25–30 minutes by road. Give the later beach stops enough time by keeping the fort visit to about an hour. The fort is best explored on foot; opening and access arrangements can vary, so check locally before setting out. Carry water, especially if you plan to walk around the grounds.
Continue south to Om Beach (about 30–40 minutes from the fort) for a relaxed hour or two by the shore. Take care around currents and skip swimming if conditions look rough. Have lunch at Namaste Cafe overlooking the beach; budget around ₹400–800 per person, and allow time for a relaxed meal. Then head to Kudle Beach for a walk and sunset—leave enough time for the access walk down to the sand and back.
There’s a timing conflict in today’s plan: Murudeshwar Temple is north of Gokarna, so visiting it after sunset at Kudle Beach and then driving south to Mangalore makes for a very long day, and temple access may not be available late. To include the temple, you’ll need to leave the beaches early, confirm visiting hours locally, and accept a rushed afternoon; the more realistic choice is to skip it or stay overnight near Murudeshwar. From Gokarna to Mangalore, allow roughly 4–5 hours by road, plus breaks, via Kumta and Udupi; if you do visit Murudeshwar, budget substantially more time for the northward detour and return south.
No packing list attached yet.