Hubli to Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal & Anshi National Park Tour

Pick-up from Hubli airport and begin your drive to Badami, with cultural stops en route.
• Visit Gadag, a key Chalukyan-era town known for the Trikuteshwara Temple, built in the 10th century. This architectural gem has a triple sanctum (Trikuta), intricately carved pillars, and a shrine dedicated to Saraswati, a rare feature in South Indian temple architecture.
• Continue to Lakkundi, a historic town with over 50 intricately carved temples and 101 stepped wells (kalyanis). Explore the Kashi Vishwanatha Temple, a beautiful example of early Kalyani Chalukya style, adorned with exquisite lattice windows and friezes.
• Arrive in Badami, once the regal capital of the Early Chalukyas.
• Check-in at the hotel and rest for the day.
Overnight at hotel in Badami.

Breakfast at hotel. Begin the cultural day trip with two of Karnataka’s most revered temple towns.
• Drive to Pattadakal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and royal coronation center for the Chalukyas. The site houses a stunning blend of Dravidian (South Indian) and Nagara (North Indian) architectural styles.
• Visit Virupaksha Temple, the most celebrated structure here, built in 745 CE by Queen Lokamahadevi to commemorate her husband's victory over the Pallavas. It features elaborate bas-reliefs of the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
• Explore the Sangameshwara Temple, Papanatha Temple, Galaganath Temple, and the Jain Narayana Temple—all standing testimony to early experimentation in temple construction.
• Proceed to Aihole, known as the cradle of Indian temple architecture. With more than 125 temples, the town served as a testing ground for architectural prototypes.
• Visit Durga Temple, shaped like an apsidal Buddhist chaitya with a pillared corridor and ornate sculptures.
• See the Lad Khan Temple, possibly one of the oldest Hindu temples still standing, and the Ravanaphadi Cave Temple, which displays early Shaivite rock-cut architecture.
• Explore other temples such as the Huchappayyagudi, Gowda Temple, and Huchimalli Temple, each showcasing experimentation with design and form.
• Return to Badami and visit the city’s key highlights.
• Explore the Badami Cave Temples, carved into red sandstone cliffs overlooking the Agastya Lake. These include four caves—three dedicated to Hindu deities (Shiva and Vishnu) and one to Jainism—with finely carved columns and mythological friezes.
• Visit the Badami Fort, situated above the caves, offering panoramic views and glimpses of ancient granaries and watchtowers.
• Walk along the scenic Agastya Lake, flanked by ghats and shrines.
Overnight at hotel in Badami.

Breakfast at hotel. Drive westward into the forested landscapes of the Western Ghats.
• Arrive at Anshi National Park, now part of Kali Tiger Reserve, one of India’s lesser-known but ecologically rich wildlife sanctuaries.
• Check-in at a forest lodge or eco-resort, located amidst lush green hills and valleys.
• After lunch, embark on an evening Jeep Safari through the dense deciduous and evergreen forests. The park is known for sightings of black panther, tiger, Indian bison (gaur), elephants, and over 200 species of birds.
• The park’s terrain includes deep valleys, river gorges, and thick bamboo and teak forests, offering picturesque vistas and excellent birdwatching.
• Return to the lodge for dinner.
Lunch, dinner & overnight at lodge in Anshi National Park.

Early morning Jeep Safari for another chance to spot elusive wildlife in their natural habitat.
• Optionally, enjoy white water rafting on the Kali River (subject to season and safety conditions). The river offers Grade 2–3 rapids and flows through deep forest canyons.
• Breakfast at lodge.
• Later, drive back to Hubli Airport for your onward flight.
Tour ends with memories of majestic temples and rich biodiversity.