Bangalore to BR Hills Road Trip Guide: Route, Stops & Itinerary
BR Hills, home to the BRT Tiger Reserve and the Soligas indigenous community, is a quieter wildlife-and-hills escape from Bengaluru. Here’s how to plan the drive.
How to reach BR Hills from Bengaluru by road
Via Kanakapura & Kollegal (recommended)
The most direct route from Bengaluru runs via Kanakapura, Malavalli and Kollegal before climbing into the Biligiriranga hill range. Roads are reasonable two-lane highway for most of the distance, with a winding but short ghat section at the end.
Via Mysore & Chamarajanagar (alternative)
An alternative route heads via Mysore and Chamarajanagar before turning towards BR Hills, useful if combining the trip with Mysore sightseeing, though it adds some extra distance and time.
Distance and drive time to BR Hills
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| Distance (one way) | About 185 km from central Bengaluru |
| Drive time | 4–4.5 hours |
| Suggested trip length | 2 days |
Distance (one way)
- Detail
- About 185 km from central Bengaluru
Drive time
- Detail
- 4–4.5 hours
Suggested trip length
- Detail
- 2 days
Leaving Bengaluru by 7 am gets you to BR Hills comfortably by early afternoon, with most of the drive on manageable two-lane roads through Kanakapura and Kollegal. The final climb into the hills is short but winding, best driven in daylight.
Fuel up at Kollegal before the final ascent, as options are limited within the sanctuary area. Safari bookings at the BRT Tiger Reserve typically need to be made at the forest department counter, so plan your arrival time accordingly.
Best time to visit BR Hills
October to April offers pleasant weather for both the drive and wildlife safaris, with better visibility and more consistent water-hole activity for sightings in the drier months towards the end of this window.
The monsoon (June–September) makes the hills lush and green but safaris may be limited or cancelled during heavy rain, and some approach roads can be affected, so plan around the weather if travelling then.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Oct–Feb | Comfortable weather, good general sightseeing |
| Summer | Mar–Apr | Best wildlife sightings near water holes |
| Monsoon | Jun–Sep | Lush and green, but safaris may be restricted |
Winter
- Months
- Oct–Feb
- What to expect
- Comfortable weather, good general sightseeing
Summer
- Months
- Mar–Apr
- What to expect
- Best wildlife sightings near water holes
Monsoon
- Months
- Jun–Sep
- What to expect
- Lush and green, but safaris may be restricted
Places to stop on the way to BR Hills
Kanakapura
A convenient early stop on the route out of Bengaluru, useful for a quick break before the longer stretch to Kollegal.
Malavalli
A small highway town roughly midway, good for a short break and refreshments.
Kollegal
The last significant town before the climb into BR Hills, worth stopping for fuel and a final meal before the ascent.
Suggested BR Hills itinerary
- 1
Day 1 — Drive in and temple visit
Leave Bengaluru in the morning via Kanakapura and Kollegal, reach BR Hills by early afternoon, check in, and visit the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple before evening.
- 2
Day 2 — Safari and drive back
Take an early-morning safari through the BRT Tiger Reserve for the best chance of sightings, have breakfast afterwards, then begin the drive back to Bengaluru by midday.
What a BR Hills trip from Bengaluru costs by vehicle
Estimates below are for a 2-day round trip of about 185 km each way plus roughly 30 km a day of local sightseeing, using our current per-km rates and daily minimums, with driver bata included. They are a planning guide, not a quote.
| Vehicle | Seats | Rate | Billable km | Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan (Swift Dzire / Etios) | Up to 4 | ₹13/km (min 250 km/day) | 500 km | ≈ ₹7,200 |
| MUV (Ertiga) | Up to 6 | ₹18/km (min 250 km/day) | 500 km | ≈ ₹9,700 |
| SUV (Innova Crysta) | Up to 6 | ₹20/km (min 300 km/day) | 600 km | ≈ ₹12,700 |
| Tempo Traveller (12 seats) | Up to 12 | ₹26/km (min 300 km/day) | 600 km | ≈ ₹16,600 |
Sedan (Swift Dzire / Etios)
- Seats
- Up to 4
- Rate
- ₹13/km (min 250 km/day)
- Billable km
- 500 km
- Estimate
- ≈ ₹7,200
MUV (Ertiga)
- Seats
- Up to 6
- Rate
- ₹18/km (min 250 km/day)
- Billable km
- 500 km
- Estimate
- ≈ ₹9,700
SUV (Innova Crysta)
- Seats
- Up to 6
- Rate
- ₹20/km (min 300 km/day)
- Billable km
- 600 km
- Estimate
- ≈ ₹12,700
Tempo Traveller (12 seats)
- Seats
- Up to 12
- Rate
- ₹26/km (min 300 km/day)
- Billable km
- 600 km
- Estimate
- ≈ ₹16,600
Tolls, parking, interstate permits (where applicable) and GST are extra at actuals. Your exact fare depends on pickup point, dates, stops and the final kilometres — ask us for an exact quote before you travel.
Travel tips for a BR Hills road trip
- A sedan is comfortable for small groups; larger groups may prefer an Ertiga or Innova Crysta for the hill roads.
- Book safari slots at the forest department counter in advance where possible, especially on weekends.
- Carry binoculars and neutral-coloured clothing for better wildlife viewing during safaris.
- Network coverage is limited within the sanctuary area, so plan check-ins in advance.
- FASTag covers highway tolls on the main stretches; carry some cash for local needs.
- Respect forest department rules on vehicle speed and noise within the reserve.
- Book hill-top accommodation ahead, as options within BR Hills itself are limited.
Ready to go? Book your BR Hills ride
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