Mysore to Shravanabelagola, Belur & Halebidu Tour with Guide

Three centuries of Hoysala stone carving in a single day from Mysore

A full-day guided tour from Mysore to the Jain pilgrimage site of Shravanabelagola, the Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebidu, and the smaller Lakshmi Devi Temple, with an English-speaking guide, traditional lunch, entry to all sites, and air-conditioned transport throughout. The 600-step climb to Shravanabelagola's Gomateshwara statue is optional. A doli service (people-carried seat) is available instead. The itinerary covers four temples across three heritage towns, each built or carved in the 12th century, before returning to Mysore in the evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day Mysore heritage tour

• Depart Mysore with guide and driver
• Climb Vindhyagiri Hill at Shravanabelagola
• Visit Lord Bahubali statue
• Enjoy traditional lunch en route
• Explore Chennakesava Temple in Belur
• Visit Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebidu
• See Lakshmi Devi Temple at Doddagaddavalli
• Return to Mysore

The experience

Fourteen hours and four stops build a route through the Hoysala dynasty's architectural legacy. You leave Mysore in the morning with a driver and guide, heading first to Shravanabelagola, where the 57-foot statue of Lord Gomateshwara crowns Vindhyagiri Hill. The climb is more than 600 steps, but if that does not suit you, a doli, a traditional seat carried by people, takes you up instead. Your guide walks you through the spiritual and historical weight of the place as a Jain pilgrimage site that has drawn visitors for centuries.

After Shravanabelagola, the route turns toward Belur for a traditional vegetarian lunch en route, then to the Chennakesava Temple, built in the 12th century by Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana. The temple is a study in soapstone carving: the exterior walls hold scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavata Purana, framed by finely carved dancers, musicians, animals, and floral patterns. Inside, lathe-turned pillars and bracket sculptures (Madanika) show the precision of Hoysala craftsmanship. The guide explains what you are looking at: the stories, the techniques, the historical moment that made this possible.

Halebidu comes next, the former Hoysala capital, where the Hoysaleswara Temple sits on a star-shaped platform with twin shrines. The carvings here are even more intricate: gods, goddesses, dancers, and scenes from the epics cover every surface, meant to be read from all sides as you walk around. A fourth stop, the Lakshmi Devi Temple at Doddagaddavalli, is simpler than the others (one of the earliest Hoysala temples, with a more compact layout), and offers a contrast to the ornate work at Belur and Halebidu. The return to Mysore happens in the evening, dropping you at your original pickup point or another location in the city.

What’s included

• Traditional vegetarian lunch during the tour.
• two complimentary bottled waters.
• entry fees to all four temples (Shravanabelagola, Chennakesava Temple in Belur, Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebidu, and Lakshmi Devi Temple).
• professional English-speaking guide throughout the day.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Mysore.
• access to 24/7 customer service.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (1 to 11 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Treasure Tours

Is this one for you?The fourteen-hour day and the 600-step climb at Shravanabelagola mean this tour suits travelers with a full schedule and reasonable fitness. The doli option removes the climb if stairs are not comfortable for you.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 11 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How many steps is the climb to the Gomateshwara statue at Shravanabelagola?

The climb to the top of Vindhyagiri Hill is more than 600 steps. If climbing is not an option, a doli service, a traditional seat carried by people, is available to take you up instead.

What is the Chennakesava Temple in Belur known for?

The Chennakesava Temple, built in the 12th century, is celebrated for its exquisitely detailed soapstone carvings, sculpted pillars, and scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavata Purana. The exterior walls feature finely carved dancers, musicians, animals, and floral patterns, while inside are beautifully polished pillars and elegant bracket sculptures that showcase Hoysala craftsmanship.

What makes the Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebidu different from the others on this tour?

The Hoysaleswara Temple consists of twin shrines set on a star-shaped platform, which allows you to walk around and view the incredibly detailed soapstone carvings from all sides. The precision and depth of the sculptures depicting gods, goddesses, dancers, and scenes from the epics make it one of the finest examples of Hoysala art.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes entry fees to all four temples, a traditional vegetarian lunch during the day, two complimentary bottled waters, air-conditioned transport throughout, and a professional English-speaking guide. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Mysore are also included.

How long is the full tour?

The tour runs for fourteen hours, departing in the morning and returning to Mysore in the evening. This allows time for the climb or doli ride at Shravanabelagola, exploration of three major temples, lunch, and the drive between sites.