Bangalore may provide many options for day trips. But when it comes to sunrise places, it is Nandi hills that takes all the limelight. We have visited Nandi Hills twice in the morning, once during July and another time in January. But it is the sunrise in January that will always stay our favourite. The view of cotton candy clouds hanging below and sun rising above them painting the horizon in an orangish hue is still fresh in our minds.
Best time to visit Nandi Hills
December – January: Sunrise is best enjoyed in the winter months. During this time, the place looks heavenly with the sun rising behind the thick layer of fluffy clouds.
June – September: Monsoon is also a great time to visit when the fog covered surrounding looks absolutely enchanting. But you may not be able to enjoy sunrise views at this time.
How to reach Nandi Hills
Nandi Hills is approximately 60-65 kilometres from Bangalore and takes around 1.5-2 hours to reach. The road is in good condition and is suitable for both two and four wheelers. The last few kilometres to the top of the hill is through a winding path and requires a bit of driving expertise.
What to expect
Even though the sunrise scene lasts for half an hour or so, it is not all to experience on the hill top. The whole area at the top looks amazingly beautiful in the morning light. Take a walk in the surrounding area afterwards and you can enjoy the chirping of birds, the soothing breeze, the greens all around and the view of low hanging clouds shrouding the nearby hills. The scenic views also provide perfect photo opportunities.
Other things to do around Nandi Hills
You can also club your visit to Nandi Hills with one of the following.
Bhoga Nandishwara Temple
A historic temple with beautiful architecture and very peaceful surroundings. It takes around 30 minutes drive to reach the temple from Nandi Hills. We have visited this place twice and absolutely loved it.
Winery or Vineyard Tour
The area around Nandi Hills has numerous vineyards and wineries. If you visit during the months of Jan-March, you can choose any winery for a half day tour. We chose Grover Zampa Vineyards and had a great time tasting different varieties of wine, visiting the vineyards laden with grapes and grooving to the music while stomping grapes.
Have you already visited Nandi Hills? How was your experience? Do let us know in the comments.
Check out the other day trips around Bangalore here.
