6-Day Scenic Road Trip from Pune to Tirupati Balaji with Hampi, Badami & Kolhapur

Day 1: Pune to Kolhapur

Pune to Kolhapur, India on June 6, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Vaishali Cafe, Pune

Start your day with a classic Maharashtrian breakfast of misal pav and chai at the iconic Vaishali Cafe, open from 7:30am.
INR150, 1h

9:30am

Drive Pune to Kolhapur

Begin your 230 km road trip southwest to Kolhapur which will take around 5 hours via NH48, enjoying scenic rural Maharashtra landscapes.
INR2000 (fuel approx.), 5h

2:30pm

Lunch at Hotel Majestic, Kolhapur

Enjoy authentic Kolhapuri cuisine, especially tambada rassa and pandhara rassa, at the well-known Hotel Majestic, open till 10pm.
INR500, 1h

4:00pm

Visit Mahalaxmi Temple

Explore the famous Mahalaxmi Temple, dedicated to the goddess Amba Bai, a prominent spiritual spot in Kolhapur. Open till 7pm.
Free, 1h

5:30pm

Check-in hotel and rest

Check into a comfortable hotel like the Sayaji Kolhapur to relax and prepare for an early start tomorrow.
INR2500, Overnight

8:00pm

Dinner at The Bengali Hotel

Sample a mix of Maharashtrian and South Indian delicacies at The Bengali Hotel, open until 11pm.
INR400, 1h

Day 2: Kolhapur to Badami

Kolhapur to Badami, India on June 7, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Sri Krishna Bhojanalaya

Have a hearty South Indian breakfast of dosa and filter coffee, a perfect start before the drive. Opening at 7am.
INR150, 1h

8:45am

Drive Kolhapur to Badami

Drive approximately 235 km southeast to the historic town of Badami, known for its rock-cut cave temples. The drive takes around 5 hours.
INR2000 (fuel approx.), 5h

2:00pm

Lunch at Hotel Mayura Chalukya, Badami

Refresh with lunch at the local heritage hotel offering simple but tasty Karnataka cuisine. Open till 9pm.
INR400, 1h

3:30pm

Visit Badami Cave Temples

Explore the stunning 6th-century rock-cut temples carved into sandstone cliffs depicting Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist art. Open 9am to 6:30pm.
INR150, 2h

6:00pm

Sunset at Agastya Lake

Enjoy sunset views over the serene Agastya Lake which sits beneath the cave temples, a perfect photo spot.
Free, 1h

7:30pm

Check in and Dinner

Check into Hotel Badami court or similar, then dine at the hotel restaurant featuring local Karnataka dishes.
INR2500 (room) + INR500 (dinner), Overnight

Day 3: Badami to Hampi

Badami to Hampi, India on June 8, 2025

7:00am

Early Breakfast at hotel

Enjoy a simple breakfast before departure, available from 7am at your hotel to fuel up for the day ahead.
INR200, 45m

7:45am

Drive from Badami to Hampi

Drive about 150 km east to Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire. Approx travel time 3.5 hours.
INR1500 (fuel approx.), 3.5h

12:15pm

Lunch at Mango Tree, Hampi

Try local and international cuisine in a garden setting at the Mango Tree restaurant, open till 6pm.
INR600, 1h

1:30pm

Visit Virupaksha Temple

Explore Hampi’s oldest functioning temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, known for its stunning architecture and lively atmosphere. Open till sunset.
Free, 1h

2:45pm

Explore Hampi Bazaar and stone chariot

Walk through Hampi Bazaar to see the stone chariot and ruins that evoke the grandeur of the Vijayanagara dynasty.
Free, 1.5h

4:30pm

Visit Vittala Temple Complex

Famous for the musical pillars and the iconic stone chariot, this site is open until 6:30pm and a must-see.
INR500, 1.5h

7:00pm

Dinner at Shri Sagar (Dirty Duck) Restaurant

Relax with a dinner offering a mix of local Karnataka, North Indian, and continental dishes, open till 10pm.
INR500, 1h

Day 4: Full Day Hampi

Hampi, India on June 9, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Laughing Buddha Cafe

Start early with healthy breakfast options like shakes, eggs, and pancakes at the cozy Laughing Buddha, open from 7am.
INR350, 1h

8:30am

Explore Royal Enclosure and Elephant Stables

Visit the historic royal enclosure, which includes the famous Elephant Stables and other ruins reflecting Vijayanagara royalty.
INR500, 2h

11:00am

Visit Lotus Mahal and Hazara Rama Temple

Enjoy the exquisite architecture of Lotus Mahal and the mural-adorned Hazara Rama Temple nearby.
INR500, 1.5h

1:00pm

Lunch at Hampi’s Gopi Guest House Restaurant

Try their thali or other local favorites in a friendly atmosphere, open till 3pm.
INR450, 1h

2:30pm

Climb Matanga Hill

Perfect for panoramic views of Hampi’s ruins and boulder-strewn landscape. Best to climb in the afternoon for cooler weather and beautiful light.
Free, 2h

5:00pm

Relax by Tungabhadra River

Spend the evening relaxing by the riverbanks, reflecting on the day’s explorations.
Free, 1h

7:30pm

Dinner at Kannada Restaurant

Enjoy robust Karnataka vegetarian dishes at Kannada Restaurant, open until 9:30pm.
INR400, 1h

Day 5: Hampi to Tirupati

Hampi to Tirupati, India on June 10, 2025

6:30am

Early Breakfast and pack up

Grab a quick breakfast at your hotel and prepare for the long drive ahead.
INR200, 30m

7:00am

Drive from Hampi to Tirupati

Embark on a long road journey approx 470 km southeast to Tirupati, estimated driving time 9 hours, so plan breaks en route.
INR3500 (fuel approx.), 9h

4:30pm

Check-in Tirupati hotel

Check into a comfortable hotel such as Fortune Select Grand Ridge for rest after travel.
INR3000, Overnight

7:00pm

Dinner at Minerva Coffee Shop

Enjoy a variety of South Indian staples and quick bites, open till 10pm.
INR400, 1h

Day 6: Tirupati Balaji sightsee

Tirupati, India on June 11, 2025

5:00am

Visit Tirupati Balaji Temple

Start very early to avoid crowds and experience the famous Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple darshan. Temple opens as early as 3am for special darshans.
Donation based, 3h

9:00am

Breakfast at Royal Treat Restaurant

Refuel with South Indian idli, dosa and coffee at this popular local eatery near the temple, open from 6am.
INR250, 1h

10:30am

Visit Kapila Theertham Waterfalls and Temple

Explore this scenic temple and waterfall complex about 6 km from Tirupati, open till 6pm.
Free, 1.5h

12:30pm

Lunch at Crazy Horses Restaurant

Try Andhra-style spicy meals with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, open till 3pm.
INR400, 1h

2:00pm

Explore local markets

Shop for souvenirs and religious items in local markets around the temple area.
Varies, 2h

5:00pm

Start drive back towards Pune or stay overnight

Depending on your schedule, begin return travel or relax overnight in Tirupati before departure.
Varies, Variable