Family-Friendly Itinerary for Badami, Hyhole, and Pattarakalu

1. Day 1: Visit Badami
   Badami Caves, which are open from 9 AM to 5:30 PM, will take you through a maze of four rock-cut cave temples. Shaped out of sandstone hills, The cave temples represent one of the finest examples of Indian rock-cut architecture. After this, explore the Banashankari Temple, located in the serene countryside village of Cholachagudd. It is an abode of the deity Shakambari Devi.
   Estimated travel time: 15 mins
   Distance: 5 km

   The first day takes you to the most popular sights of Badami. The fascinating Badami Caves, with their stunning sandstone architecture, are a must-visit while in the town. Known for its two beautiful sculptures, the Banashankari Temple is located amongst peaceful and serene landscapes. It is a very popular place of worship for the locals, definitely worth visiting.

2. Day 2: Explore Aihole and Pattadakal
   Begin your day early and head to The Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pattadakal was a royal coronation site in the 8th century and has a group of around ten major temples representing early Chalukya architecture.
   Estimated travel time: 45 mins
   Distance: 27 km

   On Day 2, head out early to visit Pattadakal and Aihole. Pattadakal is home to ten impressive temples and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check out the Temple of Virupaksha, Mallikarjuna, and the Papanatha temple, which showcase intricate carvings. Then head to Aihole to explore more exquisite examples of Chalukyan Architecture, each one a masterpiece.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Badami Caves (1 hour, Rs 50/person)
• Banashankari Temple (1 hour, free entry)
• The Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (2 hours, Rs 25/person)
• Virupaksha Temple (1 hour, Rs 15/person)
• Mallikarjuna Temple (1 hour, Rs 15/person)
• Papanatha Temple (1 hour, Rs 15/person)
• Aihole Temples (2 hours, Rs 15/person)
• Total Estimated Costs (per person): Rs 135

Useful Tips

If you have more time, we suggest expanding your visit to the temples in Badami, exploring more magnificent Temple complexes at Aihole, and other historic and cultural sites located in the vicinity. However, if you have less time, we recommend selecting either Pattadakal or Aihole as each site could take up to 2 hours on average. Finally, to avoid any inconvenience, we suggest carrying a hat, sunscreen, and comfortable clothing and shoes for all the walking in the sun you'll be doing.