Badami
Karnataka, India, Beginner-friendly, 1N 2D.
Ancient caves, epic climbs and stunning sunsets. Badami is fast becoming a favourite among adventure lovers, and this is a weekend escape from Bengaluru that needs no leave: the overnight coach leaves on Friday night and you are home before Monday morning. Saturday is heritage day: Pattadakal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Aihole, then the 1,400 year old Badami cave temples, the climb up North Fort and sunset at Bhuthanatha Temple on Agastya Lake. Sunday is adventure day: rock climbing on Badami's sandstone cliffs with trained instructors, then rappelling off the cliff edge, before the coach home.
Choose your date
- Fri 20 to 23 Nov, with Shilpi Suman, Rs 6,999 per person, 12 seats left
- Fri 11 to 14 Dec, with Chandrika, Rs 7,490 per person, 11 seats left
Moments you will experience
- Your first real rock climb: scale the sandstone cliffs that made Badami a favourite among climbers, with trained instructors and full safety gear. Feel the adrenaline, and maybe find your next passion.
- Explore India's ancient wonders: Pattadakal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 1,400 year old Badami cave temples and Aihole, the cradle of Indian temple architecture.
- Strangers today, travel buddies tomorrow: a small group, rooftop evenings at Antilia Inn with the red cliffs in view, and a weekend of shared adventures. Come for Badami, leave with new friends.
The route, day by day
- The adventure begins Friday, 10:30 PM: Bengaluru departure. Meet your group and your GoExplorer trip captain, and settle into the overnight coach. Badami, here we come!
- Ancient wonders and sunset views Saturday, 7:00 AM: hello, Badami! Arrive, check in at Antilia Inn, freshen up and fuel up with a hearty local breakfast. 9:00 AM: a journey through history. Explore Pattadakal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Aihole, the cradle of Indian temple architecture. 1:30 PM: lunch and recharge. A delicious local lunch (at your own expense), then a short break at the stay. 3:00 PM: the magnificent Badami caves. Rock-cut temples carved into the cliffs 1,400 years ago, full of sculptures and stories. 4:30 PM: climb to the views. Up North Fort and Upper Shivalaya for sweeping views of the red cliffs and Agastya Lake. 5:30 PM: a sunset worth remembering at Bhuthanatha Temple, where ancient stone meets golden evening light. Cameras ready. 7:30 PM: dinner, stories and good company. Dinner at the stay and relaxed rooftop conversations with your new travel buddies.
- Discover your adventurous side Sunday, 5:30 AM: rise and shine! An early start, but trust us, what comes next is worth waking up for. 6:00 AM: let's go rock climbing! Scale Badami's iconic natural sandstone cliffs with trained instructors and full safety equipment. Never climbed before? Perfect. 9:00 AM: breakfast break. You've earned it. 10:00 AM: the big one, rappelling! Walk backwards off a cliff edge, guided at every step. The photo of the weekend. 1:00 PM: one last taste of Badami. Check out, lunch at a local restaurant (at your own expense) and a wander through town. 5:00 PM: homeward bound. Board the overnight coach, swap photos, relive the best moments and catch some sleep. Monday, about 4:30 AM: back in Bengaluru. Tired muscles, happy memories and a camera roll full of stories.
Where you will stay
Antilia Inn, Badami (1 night)
- Rooftop terrace with views of the red cliffs
- Comfortable modern rooms, AC and non-AC
- Early check-in on arrival
- Breakfast and dinner at the stay
- Garden and relaxation spaces, close to the Badami caves
- Evenings on the rooftop, sharing stories with your fellow travellers
What is included
- Round-trip travel from Bengaluru in an overnight coach
- 1 night at Antilia Inn, Badami, sharing as per your room category
- 2 breakfasts and 1 dinner
- Guided sightseeing across Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal
- Rock climbing and rappelling with trained instructors and safety equipment
- A dedicated GoExplorer trip captain with the group throughout, alongside each date's host
Not included
- Lunch on both days (we stop at good local restaurants, order what you like)
- Monument entry tickets
- Dinner during the return journey
- Personal expenses and shopping
- Anything not specifically mentioned under inclusions
Questions
Why are there different dates and hosts?
Badami runs on several weekends, each with its own host: a GoExplorer creator, or the GoExplorer team while a date's creator is being finalised. The route, the stay and the activities are the same on every date; the host, and sometimes the price, differ. Each date's page shows its host, its price and the seats left.
I have never climbed before. Can I join?
Yes. The trip is beginner-friendly with moderate physical activity, and no climbing experience is needed. Rock climbing and rappelling are run by trained adventure professionals with safety equipment, and taking part is subject to the instructor's assessment on the day.
How do we travel, and do I need to take leave?
By overnight coach from Bengaluru and back. We leave at 10:30 PM on Friday and are back in Bengaluru around 4:30 AM on Monday, so no leave days are needed.
Where do we stay, and what kind of room will I get?
At Antilia Inn, a modern stay surrounded by Badami's red cliffs, close to the Badami caves, with a rooftop terrace and garden. There are two room categories: AC triple or non-AC double sharing, and AC double sharing. Prices change per date, so each date's own page shows what each category costs.
Which meals are included?
2 breakfasts and 1 dinner. Lunch on both days is not included: we stop at good local restaurants and you order what you like. Dinner on the return journey is not included either.
How do I pay?
Reserve your spot with a deposit and pay the balance before the trip. Each date has 12 spots. Questions? WhatsApp or call us on 8618307629.
What should I pack?
Comfortable walking or trekking shoes, light breathable clothes, a warm layer for the overnight journey, sunscreen and a cap, a reusable water bottle, a small daypack, a power bank and any personal medication.
Can the plan change?
The itinerary may be adjusted for weather, local conditions, activity safety and group pace. If time permits, we may add the Mahakuta Temples or Malegitti Shivalaya.