The Best of Nandi Hills and Lepakshi in a Day
Description
In this guided day tour, we will explore a variety of fascinating sites from different eras. These include ancient Hindu temples, medieval ramparts and fortifications, an over 800-year-old sacred tamarind grove—one of India's few biodiversity heritage sites, and a pottery workshop. Breakfast and lunch are included in the price.
Tour Options
Itinerary
"From the very start, we want you to know that this is the most comprehensive Lepakshi and Nandi Hills tour available, offering an unparalleled collection of sites and experiences. Unlike other tours, we’ll visit every location listed, ensuring you see it all—not just a select few. We believe that food is an essential part of experiencing India’s rich culture, which is why we begin our day early, taking a detour from the highway to a traditional eatery renowned for its authentic local breakfast. Here, our knowledgeable guide will lead you through a delightful culinary journey, introducing you to the flavors that define this region."
Nandi, the revered bull, serves as both the vehicle and devoted disciple of Lord Shiva. The Nandi statue at Lepakshi Temple is truly extraordinary, standing as the world's largest monolithic Nandi, adorned with intricate carvings in ornamental granite. Despite enduring 500 years of exposure to the elements, this magnificent statue and its serene expression have remained impressively well-preserved, embodying an enduring sense of devotion and artistry.
Nestled in the quaint town of Lepakshi, the Veerabhadra Swamy Temple is an extraordinary testament to the artistry and grandeur of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire. Established in the 1530s by two brothers who governed this region, the temple holds several unique distinctions in India. Here, you’ll find the country’s largest snake sculpture, the largest hand-painted fresco, and the impressive Nandi statue—the largest of its kind. Adding to its allure is the temple’s famous 'hanging pillar,' a marvel that has intrigued visitors for centuries.
Dating back to the 800s, the Bhoga Nandishwara Temple stands as the oldest temple in the Bangalore region and one of Karnataka's most ancient sanctuaries. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it features three distinct shrines to the powerful deity, along with shrines to his consort, Goddess Parvati. Over the centuries, the temple evolved from its modest beginnings, expanded by successive empires that ruled this land until the 1500s. Each empire left an indelible mark, enriching its beauty and significance. With our knowledgeable guide, you’ll dive into the temple’s layered history, discovering the fascinating tales behind every stone and carving.
"Our journey then takes us to Nandi Hills, the highest point in the Bangalore region. Surrounded by nature's tranquility and offering breathtaking panoramic views, Nandi Hills adds a refreshing contrast to our tour. Here, you'll find an ancient fort and lush landscapes that once served as a summer retreat for the British and hosted notable figures, including Mahatma Gandhi. This scenic haven invites you to immerse yourself in its history, beauty, and the calm of its lofty heights."
The Nallur Tamarind Grove holds the distinction of being India’s first designated Biodiversity Heritage Site. Established in the 1200s, this ancient grove is home to several hundred tamarind trees, each with fascinating characteristics. Some trees here have aerial roots and tree suckers that have grown into distinct, separate trees. Remarkably, many of these tamarind trees are over 400 years old—double the typical lifespan of their kind—making this grove a captivating natural wonder and a unique area of study for its resilience and biodiversity.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included for locations within a 13 km radius of the M.G. Road Metro Station. Please contact us if you would like to confirm whether your pick-up location falls within this area.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Language English only
- Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date
- Adult pricing applies to all travelers.
- Minimum age is 4 years
- A maximum of 8 people per booking
- Dress code is smart casual
- Wheelchair not accessible
Reviews(14)
I'm so thrilled to have booked Hidden Gems tours again to spend an amazing day touring incredible archaeological sites. My tour guide, Mr. Deenanath was a friendly and knowledgeable guide -- answering all my questions about what we were seeing and going into depth about the stories and ancient culture. He also kept me safe from cheeky monkeys who may try to steal a backpack or two! :P The Lepakshi Bull was so beautiful and serene, and being able to participate in two, still partially active temples was a wonderful experience. Lunch on top of the Nandi hills was delicious and the views simply could not be beat! I can't wait to return to India and experience more with Hidden Gems! Thankyou again Mr. Deenanath and Praveen!
I added this tour to my itinerary because I wanted to walk around the Nandi Hills a bit. What I got was a truly amazing, fun day! We started out with an outstanding dosa breakfast at a pleasant neighborhood spot. Once we talked about my interests, my guide suggested we start out by visiting the local potters (I am a ceramic artist) since they work in the mornings. I loved seeing the potters hand-build giant tandoors using more or less the same techniques I use, and seeing the various steps involved beginning from lakebed clay. We visited the Bhoganandishwara Temple and I learned about how it grew from the 9th century to today. In Lepakshi, we visited the Nandi Bull and Veerabhadra Temple, where among other things we saw stunning, well-preserved frescoes. Hearing that I enjoy spicy food, the guide took me for lunch at a good Telegu restaurant. We then tried to drive up to the Nandi Hills to take in the views. But the road was closed for construction and everyone (including several tour buses) was being turned back. Disappointed, we headed off, but the guide had an idea: if I wanted to see the views, he would lead me up the Nandi steps (the 19th century step route to the top). So we embarked on this adventure. Although I did not have enough water to get to the very top, we went up high enough to enjoy the views! Finally, we stopped to see the Nallu Heritage Tamarind grove to see the ancient tamarind trees, and headed home. What a day! Hidden Gems tours provided me with a lot of hidden gems that day, and I am very grateful.
A culturally fascinating tour into the countryside around Bangalore with a knowledgeable and engaging guide. Authentic!
Sculptural marvel of Vijayanagara empire belonging to 16 th century in Andhra. Well maintained Veera Bhadra -Siva - temple in a sprawling complex with several sculptures still in tact. Treat to eyes. Mystery pillar where bottom is free from ground also can be seen. Takes around one to two hours on a weekday. Pigged attractions like Jatayuvu on a hillock and single rock Nandi are in a different place. Recommended.
Our trip was fantastic and very memorable not only because of the extreme beauties of Bangalore region, but mainly because Praveen and Hidden Gems provided a customized service of exceptional quality. If you visit Bangalore, you will miss a lot if you not select Hidden Gem as your private tour provider.
We had an amazing day seeing the sites around Nandi Hills and Lepakshi! We visited several temples and saw some amazing sculpture and engineering in the temple designs. The great thing about this tour was the combination of visiting historical sites and being out in nature at the Nandi Hills---the perfect combination of cultural heritage and peaceful surroundings. I would definitely recommend the tour for anyone traveling to Bangalore.
If you want to get away from the city and experience the history and culture of India then book this tour. Yes, 6:30 is an early morning pickup, but the reward is to have the chance to spend the day with Praveen, who loves to share his extraordinary historical knowledge with you. The tour takes you out of the city and into the country in order to give you a truly off the beaten track experience. Praveen’s in depth commentary during the visit at the Lepakshi Temple made it easy for me to imagine what a pilgrimage to the temple would have been like for those who made the pilgrimage hundreds of years ago. In his quest to make certain his guests had the correct information, Praveen stopped to have a quick conversation with a temple priest to confirm that he had a piece of history right. Another part of the tour that I thought was valuable was the easy conversations that we had while travelling in the car. Praveen was happy to discuss any topic that I thought would give me a better understanding of his country. Among other things, we talked about economic development generally, the opportunities available to the youth of India, the electoral process, and engagement/marriage customs The Nandi Hills are beautiful, the views are breathtaking, the lunch was relaxing and the food was delicious. It was very hot during my visit in April, so we took the bus to the top of the hills. I was happy that Praveen knew about this option so that I experience the views without the stress of hiking in the heat. It’s easy for you to read the description of what you will see during the tour, but what you really need to know is that you will be cared for like a friend during your Hidden Gems Tour
My sister and I took this tour on our last day in India. This was our second tour with Praveen, we love travelling with him as our guide! It was a busy day on this tour. We hiked the Nandi Hills (my legs are still tired, but it was worth it!) for the beautiful vistas at the top. Afterwards, we visited a pottery workshop where we were able to make a pot each with the help of the owners. We saw the Nandi Bull statue next. After, we visited an active Hindu temple with the most intricate and beautiful carvings. We wrapped up at an amazing Tamarind Biodiversity Site. At every location, we learned the historic and cultural significance of the site. Each spot was interesting and beautiful, and was enriched by the knowledge we gained from Praveen. It was an amazing day, we are so glad that we booked with Hidden Gems!
This was a great tour. I was picked up from the hotel at 6:30am, and we stopped en route for a local breakfast. The Lepakshi temple and area was amazing and well worth the trip. We then called into the astonishing site of the Isha Foundation, before taking in another temple which was a brilliant demonstration of three different architectural styles as the temple was extended. We then went up to the Nandi Hills - and I do recommend the Nandi Hills wine, which was worth the extra cost. We sat by the window next to a stunning view of the plains below. The guide was knowledgeable and I thoroughly enjoyed the day.
The trip was great! Deepak is very knowledgeable and a gentleman. I had the best Dosa Masala I have eaten so far. As we were visiting Lepakshi, Deepak was explaining the rituals in the temple and the history behind it. Same as we walked through Nandi Hills. As a gift, all the trip is registered in 70+ photos Deepak took during the trip.
