hampi travel vlog

Historical Hampi – a complete travel guide

Architecture , Karnataka

Last Updated on: Mar 22, 2020  

Hampi was in our bucket list for long. The place has everything that could possibly pull us towards itself – the story of a lost kingdom, architectural marvels from our past that we could boast of and a rugged yet alluring landscape. Hampi being a UNESCO World Heritage site was an added attraction (my love for these old, dull, decaying structures is now well known to my readers). So Hampi had to be in our trip when we visited Karnataka this year.

Where is the historical city Hampi?

Hampi, the historical and mythological city is located in Karnataka. From Bengaluru, the distance of Hampi is about 365 km and from Hyderabad, it is 380 km. So you can easily access the place from both Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Hospet is the nearest town. Thus Hampi can serve as a great weekend destination from Bangalore and Hyderabad.

What is the History of Hampi?

Hampi is full of stories – stories from the historical past as well as the mythological anecdotes. Infact, the history of the place gradually mingles with the folklore and then subtly blends with mythology.

Hampi is also known as the Pampa Kshetra and Kiskinda Kshetra. These magical stories of Hampi are inexorably linked with the Hindu mythology.

Pampa was the daughter of Lord Brahma. She was a fierce devotee of Lord Shiva. The Lord pleased with her devotion wanted to grant her a boon. She wanted him as her husband. Lord Shiva had to give in to Pampa’s demand, but before marrying her, the Lord did penance at the Hemakuta Hills (He was already married to Parvati). And then it rained gold on the hill. “Hema” is the Sanskrit term for gold and hence the hill came to be known as Hemakuta Hills.

Hampi is also known as Kiskinda Kshetra. It is said that the Vanara kingdom of Kiskinda of the Ramayana was actually here. The Kiskinda episode of the Hindu epic Ramayana was based here at Hampi. Infact, it is believed that Anjaneya Hills was the birthplace of Hanuman, the faithful devotee of Lord Rama.

Those were the mythological stories around Hampi. The history starts with the popular folklore that two local chieftains Hakka and Bukka were on a hunting expedition when they viewed an unusual sight. A hound was chasing a hare which was normal. But suddenly, the hare became all-powerful and started chasing the hound. Hakka and Bukka reported this strange incident to their guru (master) Vidyaranya. The Guru could foresee the place to be special and asked his disciples to shift their local capital to that very place. Thus one of the richest and most beautiful kingdoms were born. This was during 1323 when the two brothers laid the foundation of the Sangama dynasty, the first rulers of Vijaynagar, the City of Victory. From 1323 to 1565 for almost 200 years, four dynasties ruled over Hampi and made the Vijaynagar empire one of the richest and famous empires. Hampi was also one of the biggest trading centres of those times and the markets of Hampi were always abuzz with traders and merchants not only from India but also from other parts of the world. No wonder that we see so many market areas in Hampi!

Hampi had reached its pinnacle during the reign of Krishna Deva Raya of Tuluva dynasty who ruled between 1509 to 1529. Hampi at that time reached great heights under the progressive and international trading practices. Also, the art and architecture flourished with beautiful and magnificent temples being made around the city.

But the golden era of Hampi did not last long. The empire was brutally attacked by the Deccan Sultans during 1565 and Hampi fell under their attack. The Deccan Sultans looted and ransacked the city for almost six months leaving only mass destruction everywhere. The temples were damaged and the markets were robbed; ultimately nothing left of the great empire. The empire was ruled by different kings after the massive attack, but it could never regain its lost glory. Gradually, the city lost its strategic importance and gradually lost into oblivion. The city became a ghost city.

The story about the boulders of Hampi:

The boulders in Hampi has the composition of granite. They belong to what is known as Eastern Dharwar Craton. A craton is a piece of the Earth’s crust that has existed as a solid, without being modified by plate tectonics, since they were formed. These boulders are highly metamorphosed.

However, Hindu mythology has a more dramatic and colourful answer to the boulders of Hampi. The place was believed to be Kiskinda and there was a battle for power between the two monkey brothers Bali and Sugreeva. In the fierce battle between the two brothers, the army threw boulders at each other and thus these boulders were piled up all around Hampi. Well, almost everything in India has a mythological essence linked to it.

What is Hampi famous for?

Hampi is a wonderland. The place is like an open museum – you just have to explore the place at your own pace and discover its charm. And be ready to get surprised even at nondescript places; because even in ruins, Hampi is charismatic. So we have collated a list of places that should not be missed while you are at Hampi.

• The Virupaksha Temple

One of the most prominent structures of Hampi is the Virupaksha Temple located on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra River. Standing tall near the market area, it is not easy to miss the temple.  It is an important place of worship for all the Shiva worshippers. The temple is a grand structure sprawling over a large area with many smaller shrines, pillared halls and gateways. The temple also has an interesting engineering marvel – working of one of the first pinhole cameras can be seen here.

• The Vijaya Vittala Temple

The Vijaya Vittala Temple is the most extravagant architectural wonder of Hampi. The temple is spread across a large complex where there are numerous halls, pavilions and gateways. Outside the main temple complex, there are other ruins also. Seems like an entire town had been set up there. In fact, it is the remains of the ancient town of Vittalapura. Vittala, another form of Lord Vishu was worshipped in the temple. The most extraordinary feature of this temple is the stone chariot.

• Hampi Bazar

Near the present day market of Hampi, also stands the old Hampi Bazar. The bazaar is also known as the Virupaksha Bazar and is located in front of the temple.  The sides of the street are lined by old pavilions that used to the yesteryear markets.

• The Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

The Lakshmi Narasimha statue is the largest statue in Hampi. Narasimha is sitting on the coil of Seshnag, a giant seven-headed snake. The statue presents a menacing look of Lord Vishnu in his Narasimha avatar (incarnation). The original statue had Goddess Lakshmi sitting on the lap of the God. But the statue was damaged heavily during the fall of the Vijaynagar empire.

• Krishna Temple

The Krishna Temple was built by the King Krishnadevaraya in 1513 AD to commemorate his victory over the kingdom of Udaygiri or Utkala (in the present day Odisha). The main idol inside the temple was the figure of Balakrishna (Lord Krishna as an infant). This idol is now displayed in the state museum at Chennai. There is a huge slab inside the temple that tells the story of the conquest of Utkala.

• Hemakuta Hills

The hill is just near the Virupaksha Temple. The hill provides a gorgeous sight of the Virupaksha Temple and the other ruins of the Vijaynagar empire. The hill itself has a large number of ruins of temples, archways and pavilions. This is one of the places to view the splendid sunsets at Hampi.

• Sasivekalu Ganesha

The temple is situated very near to the Hemakuta hills and a little south of the Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple. This is a giant statue of Lord Ganesha.

• Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple

This temple is situated on the north-eastern slope of the Hemakuta Hills. Here a giant statue of Lord Ganesha is present that is carved out of a single stone.The belly of this statue resembles a Bengal gram (Kadalekalu, in local language) and hence the name.

• Matanga Hills

The Matanga Hill is just at the centre of Hampi and you can get a bird’s eye view of the entire place from here. while at Hampi, do not forget to view the spectacular sunset from the Matanga Hills. We missed the sunset at Hampi this time because it was raining heavily on both the evenings of our stay!

• Hazara Rama Temple

The Hazara Rama Temple was built in the early part of the 15 th century by Devaraya II, the emperor of Vijaynagar. This small but beautiful temple is located in the centre of the royal area. The temple once served as the private temple of the royal household of the Vijaynagar empire. The “Hazara Rama” literally means “a thousand Rama” and the temple carries the story of Ramayana carved on stone. The relics found in this temple is one of the most extensive ones found in India.

• The Anjaneya Hill and Temple

The Anjaneya Hill is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. The hill is located on the other side of River Tungabhadra on the Anegondi Area. There is a temple on the hilltop dedicated to Lord Hanuman.

• Pampa Sarovar

The Pampa Sarovar is one of the sacred ponds among the Hindus and is located near the Anjaneya Hills. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Pampa Devi beside the pond.

• Durga Temple

The Durga temple is also located on the Anegondi side on a small hillock. The temple is located at the base of a fort. Hence it is also believed that its name is derived from the word “Durg”, meaning fort. We moved further from the temple towards the gate of the fort.  There were a number of tombs belonging to the Vijayanagar dynasty. We trekked a further up and came to the edge of a rock. The place was simply out of the world. The whole of Hampi was in front of us – we got a panoramic view of the whole place. Didn’t I tell you that Hampi would surprise you at the strangest of places? We never thought that the place would be so beautiful.

Other places of interest at Hampi are the Queen’s Bath, Mahanavami Dibba, Zenana enclosure, Courtesan’s Street, Royal enclosure, Sugreeva’s cave and Bhima’s Gateway.

How to Reach Hampi?

The nearest railhead to Hampi is Hospet. Hospet is well connected to Bangalore by buses and train. From Hospet, you can take an auto to Hampi. We took an overnight bus from Bangalore to Hospet. From Hospet we took an auto to Hampi. The auto took Rs.150 from us. There are local buses from Hospet to Hampi that you can get from the Hospet bus stand.

The nearest airport to Hampi is the Bengaluru airport.

Places to stay & eat:

Hampi has a lot of accommodation options for various ranges. You can stay near the market area near the Virupaksha Temple where you will find a lot of options according to your choice. We stayed at the Rocky Guest House.

You can also opt to stay on the other side of the Tungabhadra River. There are a number of homestays in this area. This area has a Goa like feel to it. The foreigners mostly stay in this part.

Hampi has a number of restaurants for eating out. Most of the guest houses have restaurants on their top floor where you can eat.

If you want cheaper eating options, the best places are the roadside shops. We had great South Indian fares at the roadside at a very cheap rate.

What is the best time to Visit Hampi?

Hampi can be visited all round the year. but given that you have to roam around a lot around Hampi, the winter season are the preferable time. Also, the Hampi Festival is held during the month of November.

What is the best way to travel around Hampi?

Hampi is a place that should be explored and discovered by yourself.  At Hampi, you will get bicycles at rent at very cheap rate. You will get bicycles without gear at Rs.100/- per day and with gear at Rs.150/- per day.

You can also get moped for rent at Rs.200/- per day. You will not get scooty and bikes for rent at the temple side of Hampi.

At the Anegundi site, you will get scooty and bikes for rent at Rs.250-400/- per day depending upon your vehicle.

The rate of the vehicles may also vary with seasons.

There are also autorickshaws that you can take to see the various places in Hampi.

Why should you visit Hampi?

If heritage and history is your thing, if you get intrigued by the stories of the past, then Hampi is a place that you must visit. Each stone in Hampi tells a story, be it stories about the Vijaynagar kingdom or the mythological stories that are so good to listen.

If you like the architecture of the past, visit Hampi. The Virupaksha Temple and the Vittala Temple are the finest examples of architectures. You will simply get awed by the intricate designs and craftsmanship of these structures.

If you like adventure, then you must visit Hampi. You will get wonderful opportunity to do bouldering. The coracle ride at the Tungabhadra river is also a beauty.

If you love nature, visit Hampi. A small temple town beside the Tungabhadra river dotted with numerous boulders seems a playground for nature’s architecture.

Simply visit Hampi. Unless you visit the place, you will definitely not know why you should visit Hampi.

Some important tips:

• Ideally, it would take around 3 days to visit Hampi. But you can see most of the important places in two days. We did a two days trip to Hampi and covered almost all the places. Unfortunately, we had to miss the Matunga Hills as it was raining heavily in the evening on both the days.
• Most of the places are opened from sunrise to sunset.
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes as you have to roam around a lot in Hampi. That is why shoes are very important.
• Reserve one day for the Anegondi side of Hampi. Believe me, this also a wonderful place. The views from the Anjaneya Hills and the top of the Durga Temple is simply breathtaking.
• While at Hampi, do not forget to take a coracle ride at the Tungabhadra River. This is going to be an experience of a lifetime.
• Do not forget to meet Lakhsmi, the elephant of the Virupaksha temple. Lakshmi goes for a bath every morning at the Tungabhadra River. try not to miss the scene.
• You can cross the Tungabhadra River near the Virupaksha temple to go towards the other side. There are motor boats that take Rs.25/- per head. And if you want, you can also get a coracle to cross the river to the other side.

Did you like the post? Please share your views by commenting below. We would love to hear from you. Also, contact us if you need any help in planning your trip to Hampi.

Agni Amrita

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39 comments.

Well written!!!

Interesting Blog. I am planning to go with all senior citizen. Are there climbing up on hills or is it simply walking. Do we get rental cars?

Hello Rashmi, thanks for stopping by our blog. Most of the attractions can be done by simply walking. There are a few points where you have to climb. It is advisable to hire an auto rickshaw or e-rickshaw for going from one point to another. Have a wonderful trip.

Will covering all these spots in Hampi & around be physically strenuous?

Covering all the spots in a single day will be a bit strenuous. You can hire a scooty or bike to move around. Or you can also take an auto to move from one place to another.

Thanks for this Information

Hi thanks for the info. Would u know any professional guide who would explain in more details.

Thank you Abhimanyu! We do not know of any professional guides at Hampi, but I am sure you will find them there.

Wow! What a great and awesome blog.I am truly grateful for you providing us more information.

Thank you so much!

Fantastic Travel Guide. I appreciate your blog site..keep going with it.

How many days does it take to cover Hampi ? How about Badami ?

Would end Feb be a good time to visit Hampi/badami ?

2-3 days are good enough for Hampi. We had spent 2 days there. Badami also requires one full day. February is definitely a good time.

Thanks for the share of the post and content

Just read your blog and You covered a great deal of points there. Impressive! Just visited Hampi and posted my video vlog of the place. I’d be glad if you check it out!

Thanks Sam. Your video is equally great!

I love nature especially I like adventure places. Therefore, mostly I travel towards different places. In this way, I spend my most time near to nature.

thank you for such beautiful write up and mentioning each information in detail. it will be helpful for travel lovers around the world.

Thank you so much. Glad that you liked it.

Wonderful read. Thanks for sharing your experiences. I would be going there in a couple of days time and this was really helpful.

Beautifully written 🙂

Thank You “AA”, the experience you share help a lot, I always love historical places, and found Hampi one of the best, as of its statue and other, I am sure to visit in nest year and going to share with you My experience, thank you again.

Thank you so much. Hope you enjoy Hampi and do let us know how your trip went.

as i plan bangalore, Mysore Ooty, how do I connect Hampi?

You will get overnight buses from Bangalore to Hampi. Check the KSRTC website for online booking.

iam planning a trip to hampi this november. while searching about hampi i came to see ur post. it covered all the aspects of hampi a traveller wants to know with super narrations and awesome fotos. stay blessed

Very well described.. i recently visited this awesome place and it give very rich experience of backpacking travel..

Thank you so much! Glad that you liked it.

Great travelogue, guys! Loved reading it!

Thank you Priyanka!

amazing photographs . I had visited this place 11 years back with family . Te area is radically changed over the years. Please inform me on my email whether you had used any kindly of photographic filter .

Thank you Arun. 11 years is a long time! 🙂 We had not used any filters for the photograph. The sky in itself was dramatic that day with clouds and everything!

I visited Hampi in 2015 from Mumbai. It was just awesome. Thanks for posting. The world needs to know about this place.

Great. I hope you enjoyed

Hampi is amazing. The history and natural beauty make it a great visit from Goa, Hyderabad and other places in South India. Thanks for sharing this article.

Wow.. Love reading about Hampi and the stories behind it… Hampi does look like an open museum with all the temples and incredible structures. Would love to see the panoramic view as well. It sounds magical!

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The Revolving Compass

To share our love for travel….countless soul enriching experiences

A complete guide to visit Hampi Karnataka

Huge Royal Enclosures that speak luxury !

International Trade Markets from before the era of Christ !

Temples with architecture most brilliant and stunning !

Spread over acres and acres of land & spanning thousands of years !

Welcome to Hampi – the largest open air museum of India . If you like visiting historical places you will definitely be in for a treat at Hampi – the UNESCO World Heritage site of Karnataka, India. Which once flourished as one of the richest kingdoms in the world. And was the epitome of cultural and architectural brilliance. In fact, the kingdom of Hampi had markets where international traders came for trade, had cultural events where artists from across the world were invited. The era of the Vijayanagara Empire in Hampi was one of the most glorious for India.

Table of Contents

About Hampi  – the largest open air museum of India

History of hampi – ramayana era.

Although most of the glorious structures of Hampi are attributed to the Vijayanagara Empire . But actually, it’s past goes back upto the era of Ramayana. And even the Puranas. It was then called “ Pampa Devi Tirtha Kshetra” . Because it is believed, Pampa Devi , a form of Goddess Parvati , resided in this region. Goddess Parvati did meditation for years and attended spiritual power while staying in this region. And this is where Shiva and Parvati got married. Also, when they got married, it is believed that showers of gold from heaven blessed the region. Forming the “Hemkuta Hills” which you will see right besides the Virupaksha Temple in Hampi.

In fact the word “ Pampa ” is a sanskrit word which over time transformed into “ Hampa ” – a kannada version. And finally this place came to be known as Hampi. Even the river Tungabhadra on whose bank Hampi is located was called Pampa River for the same reasons.

Another legend from Ramayana states that this is where Vali and Sugriv got into a fight. The two of them threw huge boulders on each other. And that is what explains the huge monolithic granite boulders that you see all around Hampi.

How interesting!!

History of Hampi – The grandeur of Vijayanagara Empire

As early as 2nd century BC, Hampi was part of the great Maurya Empire of emperor Ashoka . The evidence of which is found in the form of coins and artefacts excavated in Hampi. Later, it was also ruled by the Chalukyas and Hoysala . In fact, it was the Chalukyas who commissioned land for construction of Virupaksha Temple in Hampi.

During the 13th to 15th Century, Hampi saw a rise in power. As the Vijayanagara Empire flourished in this region. The Vijayanagara Kings were not only progressive. But also great patrons of art. As a result, art, architecture and creativity flourished in their kingdom. The result of which is the numerous ancient temples, large and small with intricately carved pillars and painted ceilings like none other. And enormous royal structures all around Hampi including palaces, markets, stables for horses and elephants, stepped water tanks, water reservoirs and a lot more.

Hampi was so prosperous that traders from as far as Persia (current day Iran) and Portugal traveled here for trade and business deals. There were huge markets setup in this area for encouraging smooth trade. As of today, we can visit seven such huge markets in Hampi. In fact, as per some writings and accounts of travellers, Hampi was the second most prosperous and largest town of this era, after Beijing.

Alas, from around 15th Century, the Muslim Rulers of the North attacked Hampi several times. And finally defeated the then king of Hampi. What followed was reckless plundering and looting of the vast empire of Hampi that continued for over 6 months. At the end of which, the kingdom was completely abandoned. And turned into a ghost town. And became what we today know it as – the monuments of Hampi or the UNESCO World Heritage site in Karnataka.

The cultural heritage tour of Karnataka – Hampi, Badami, Pattadakal & Aihole

Hampi is often visited along with Pattadakal, Aihole and Badami as a cultural circuit of North Karnataka. Aihole is fondly called the “school of temple architecture” in India. As it is a very interesting place where one can see prototypes of several famous temples of India. It is believed that the art of temple architecture started here, and a lot of practice was done on prototypes.

PS: Visiting Aihole – the birthplace of temple architecture in India

Pattadakal, on the other hand, just 10km from Aihole, is called the “University of Temple Architecture in India”. As the artists gained perfection, they created huge and stunning temples. Which stand today in the Pattadakala Temple Complex . This is another UNESCO World Heritage site in Karnataka.

And around 10km to Pattadakal is Badami – the sandstone hill surrounded valley of Malaprabha river where you will see rock cut cave temples of Badami like nowhere else. The beautiful Bhootnath Temple on the banks of Lake Agastya . And several other architectural wonders to discover in Badami will await you.

Often one can do a trip to Hampi, Badami, Pattadakal and Aihole together. Wherein one can base themselves in Hampi for 3-4 days. And then shift to Badami for couple of more days. From Badami, one can visit Pattadakal and Aihole on a day trip. And spend the other day exploring Badami. We visited Badami, Pattadakal and Aihole on a separate road trip from Bangalore. Here’s the details of our trip to Badami, Pattadakal and Aihole .

Badami, Pattadakal and Aihole region was like the cultural centre which flourished in parallel to the kingdom of Hampi which in turn was the main business hub.

Where to stay in Hampi

Hampi has definitely been gaining a lot of popularity over the last few years. As, when we visited here almost a decade back there was hardly any stay option in Hampi. But, now, it abounds with all kind of accommodation options from humble guesthouses, bed and breakfast, homestays to hotels and luxury resorts. Couple of properties that we have personally stayed in Hampi include –

• Royal Orchid Hampi
• Hotel Malligi Hampi

Our stay experience was good at both of these places. But will definitely prefer Royal Orchid as it was more comfortable and had a lavish breakfast spread.

Some other accommodation recommendations from our guide to visit Hampi, which are worth considering include the following –

Luxury accommodations :

• Welcomheritage Shivavilas Palace Hampi
• Evolve Back Hampi
• Hampi Heritage Resort
• Hyatt Palace Hampi

Hotels and homestays with good ratings and proximity to the ruins :

• Clarks Inn Hampi
• Arjun Homestay Hampi
• Gopi Homestay

Here’s a complete list of accommodation in Hampi and the nearby town of Hospet for you to explore.

How to reach Hampi

The ruins of Hampi are located almost 10km from the town of Hospet in Karnataka.

Hospet railway station is located some 15-20km from the ruins of Hampi. There are many hotels in Hospet town as well including some of the above mentioned luxury hotels. In fact, both the times on our trip to Hampi, we stayed in Hospet. You can book an overnight train from Bangalore to Hampi or Hyderabad to Hampi. And from the railway station get an autorickshaw to your accommodation.

Hampi and Hospet are well connected to other towns of Karnataka as well as Andhra via road network. We did a road trip from Bangalore to Hampi. We followed this route on our Bangalore to Hampi road trip :

Bangalore -> Neelamangala -> Tumkuru -> Chitradurga -> Hospete -> Hampi

The highway from Bangalore to Hospet is in excellent condition.

Hospet also has a domestic airport now. So, one can also fly to the town of Hospet and then visit Hampi from there. Although the number of flights are limited. Bangalore and Mysore have more options of flights compared to Hospet.

When is the best time to visit Hampi

Winter months from November to February are considered best to visit Hampi.

However as per my guide to visit Hampi, you will find the pre-monsoon season also an excellent time to explore Hampi. As mostly skies are overcast during this time. And with the pleasant monsoon winds blowing, it really makes for a very nice weather to visit Hampi.

Summer months of March – May are best avoided. As the temperature in this region crosses 40 degrees.

In monsoon season, there is a risk of flooding in Hampi if all of a sudden very heavy rain happens. So, monsoon season should also ve avoided if possible. However, monsoons are often characterised by intermittent dry spells. And you can definitely check the weather forecast and visit Hampi in those dry spells.

How to explore the places to see in Hampi

As per our guide to visit Hampi, you can divide the places to see in Hampi in these major groups.

• Virupaksha Temple and it’s surroundings (Part of the ruins of Hampi Kingdom)
• Vithala Temple and it’s surroundings (Part of the ruins of Hampi Kingdom)
• Royal Enclosure of Hampi (Part of the ruins of Hampi Kingdom)
• Hippie Island Hampi across the Tungabhadra River
• Newly added places to see in and around Hospet Town (Zoo, Park near Tungabhadra Dam etc.)

Each one of these is geographically a little distant from the rest. And contains a lot of places to see. So, you can visit each region separately.

You can easily drive to the above three regions in which I have divided the ruins of Hampi. Near each region, you will find a car parking spot where you can park your vehicle and then walk around.

While another good option is to hire a local autorickshaw for a complete day and hop between places using it. Many a times, the autorickshaw drivers are very well informed. Thus, they can act as your guide as well.

To reach Hippie Island, you can either go via road. Or, take a ferry across the Tungabhadra River on the other side.

As per this guide to visit Hampi, the best is to take breaks between exploring each of the above regions of the ruins of Hampi. As each of these are very extensive. And can be overwhelming with their details.

How many days should I spend in Hampi

This really depends on what all you want to do on your Hampi Trip. If you want to skim through each of the historical ruins then you can visit them all in 2 days. So, you can visit Hampi even over a weekend. Take an overnight train on Friday night. Visit the ruins throughout Saturday from early morning to late evening. Visit the Hippie Islands on Sunday and then take an overnight train back home.

But, if you really want to explore the architectural details of the ruins of Hampi. Then, as per our guide to visit Hampi, you should dedicate a day each to Virupaksha Temple and it’s surroundings , Vittala Temple and it’s surroundings and the Royal Enclosure of Hampi . And then another day to spend some time on the Hippie Island of Hampi .

My first trip to Hampi was very overwhelming. As back then I didn’t have much idea on how to go about exploring the different areas of Hampi. Basically I was unprepared for Hampi. As a result, I mostly explored around Virupaksha Temple and a little bit of the views of Tungabhadra river. But not much beyond that.

Although on my second trip, a 3 days Hampi trip itinerary, I could systematically cover most of the ruins of Hampi across the above 3 trails, I could still not cover Hippie Island. So, I would say, make at least 5 days trip to Hampi to see all the important places to see in Hampi . And experience all that Hampi has to offer.

Guide to visit Hampi – Recommended Hampi Trip Itinerary

As per our guide to Hampi, we recommend two Hampi trip itineraries for you –

Option 1: Take an overnight train from Bangalore to Hampi. Explore the most popular ruins and structures of Hampi. Take an overnight train back to Bangalore on Sunday night.

Option 2: To explore all that Hampi has to offer, follow this itinerary:

Day 1-3 : Explore each of the trails of Hampi each of the days – (1) Virupaksha Temple and around (2) Vithala Temple and around (3) Royal Enclosures of Hampi. Stay in a guesthouse or homestay near the Virupaksha Temple. This way you will get to experience the local life of Hampi more closely. Also, enjoy the hospitality of the locals. And all the ruins are almost walkable from the guest houses.

Day 4: Take a coral ride in a traditional round bamboo boat on the river Tungabhadra from the ferry point near Virupaksha Temple. Enjoy the scenery, the islands on river Tungabhadra. And finally go to Hippi Island. Enjoy overnight on this side of Hampi. You can soak in the natural beauty, absorb the vibes of hippie island and enjoy some delicious food in some of the best cafes on this side of Hampi. You can stay overnight on this side of Hampi. At Hampi Boulders Resort or one of the several guest houses on this side of Hampi.

Day 5: Today, move to the town of Hospet. Visit the Tungabhadra Dam, the park near the dam, the zoo etc.

Day 6: This can be the last day of your trip to Hampi. Enjoy a relaxing day in one of the many luxury resorts of Hampi.

Best places to have food in Hampi

Hampi has really evolved over the years as a tourist destination. It has several places to enjoy all kind of cuisines. From humble homemade food that you will get in the lanes behind the Virupaksha Temple. To one of the most luxurious spreads at resorts like Evolve Back and Shivavilas Palace, you will be spoilt by choice.

As per our guide to visit Hampi, you can enjoy north Indian, south Indian, Italian, Continental, Chinese, Tibetian and spanish delicacies in the food outlets of Hampi. Some of the places to eat in Hampi which are highly recommended as per our guide to visit Hampi include –

Happy Buddha Cafe on the other side of the river

Gopi’s Guest House near the Virupaksha Temple

The in-house restaurant at Royal Orchid Hospet where we had enjoyed an enormous spread at very reasonable price.

Naivedyam Restaurant in Hospet Market

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A Complete Hampi Travel Guide 2021: Hampi Itinerary & Tips

Hampi is an incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site located by the Tungabhadra River in Karnataka, India. The ancient city’s boulder-strewn landscape delights the eye; lush paddy fields and serene lakes soothe the soul, and the timeless ruins with their impressive history and architecture amaze the mind.

Here is a Hampi travel guide with a solid itinerary to maximize your time, details of how to get there, places to stay in Hampi, how to get around and tips for your visit!

Before we start, let us tell you that the face of Hampi has changed in the last year. If you’ve read or seen any content on Hampi before landing on our Hampi travel blog, then note that Hippie Island and restaurants like Mango Tree in Hampi don’t exist anymore. Because of this, your Hampi itinerary could look a lot different from what you had initially planned. Luckily for you, this blog post is from our visit after these changes so you’ll get the most updated information.

Brief Hampi History

Hampi was the capital city of the mighty Hindu Vijayanagar Empire for over 200 years (around 1336 AD to 1565 AD) covering all of southern India south of the Tungabhadra river. The city was an important centre of trade since it controlled both cotton and spice trade routes of Southern India and traded gold, pearls, and other precious items by the kilo. The rulers fortified the kingdom and used their wealth to build an impressive city with beautiful palaces, temples, monolithic statues, markets streets, and monuments.

After the death of the empire’s greatest king, Kishnadevaraya (reigning period 1509-1529), the kingdom soon fell to the combined armies of the neighbouring Muslim rulers of the Deccan. The city was ravaged and plundered and now lies in ruins.

In around 1 CE (the era of the Ramayana) this area was called Kishkinda – the kingdom of monkeys. The Hindu God Hanuman was born in the area!

When to Visit Hampi

Hampi’s main tourist season is in winter from October to February. To avoid crowds, you can also visit in March (explore early morning and evening) and September (rains slow down and Hampi is very green). Know that in the rainy season, however, you will not be able to take a coracle ride in the Tungabhadra due to the strong current!

We have only travelled to Hampi in these off-season months and it turned out to be awesome. Lots of peace when exploring the ruins.

How to Reach Hampi

Flight: Toranagallu (11 km), Bellary (61 km) and Belgaum (191 km) are the nearest airports to Hampi. However, since flights are limited to these locations, it would be best to fly to Bangalore (351 km) and then take a bus or hire a car and drive for around 6 hours to Hampi. Book your flight here .

Car: Hampi is at a drivable distance from major cities like Bangalore (351 km or 6 hours), Hyderabad (385 km or 7.5 hours), and Panjim Goa (346 km or 8 hours). We love this method of transport and have always gone on a Hyderabad to Hampi road trip. The drive is a pleasurable one with vast fields and bouldered hills. 

Bus: You can book an overnight bus to Hampi in all cities mentioned above like Bangalore, Hyderabad and Goa. You can book this on Redbus. If living in the neighbouring town of Hospet, you can catch a local KSRTC bus to Hampi which takes about half an hour.

Train: Hospet Railway Station, located about 12 km from Hampi is the nearest station. It is directly connected to major cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa, etc. From Hospet, you can take a local bus to Hampi which takes about half an hour.

Days Required to Explore Hampi

You need a total of at least three days to see the main sights of Hampi – Two days to explore the heritage area side and one to explore the other side of the river – Anegundi, Anjaneya Hill, etc.!

Four-five days is ideal for a slower, more comfortable, visit!

Places to Stay in Hampi

To make the most of your time in Hampi, it is best to stay at a distance of 0-10 km from Hampi – the closer the better! Know that Hampi isn’t a town in itself. Locals live in a small village called New Hampi but the location doesn’t have any hotels or accommodation. So, you will have to opt for the area near Hampi or at nearby villages.

We have stayed at below given (first two) Hampi resorts and hotels and highly recommend them in terms of location.

Clarks Inn – Located in Kamalapur Town 4.7 km from Hampi’s main attractions, it makes for an ideal place to stay. Small but well-appointed rooms with an in-house restaurant and a small pool! Perfect for those who’ll spend their days exploring and look for only basic comfort in their accommodation. We booked this for only Rs.2000 per night making it a super budget stay, but per our understanding prices are not so low during season time. Check prices and book property here .

Heritage Resort Hampi – Located 7 km from Hampi, this resort is a great mid-range option for families and couples looking for a relaxed and comfortable stay amongst nature. Large rooms, great food at the restaurants, happy hours, evening entertainment, amazing greenery (lots of mango trees) and a decent-sized swimming pool make this stay option one of the most ideal resorts in Hampi. Check prices and book this property here .

Evolve Back Hampi – For the ultimate luxury, opt for this Hampi resort located 9 km away. The architecture of the resort is inspired by that of the Vijayanagar Empire. You’ll feel like you’re staying in a palace. We haven’t stayed here but would love to someday! Check prices and book property her e .

If you’re on a tight budget and don’t care much about worldly comforts, opt for a homestay. You’ll not only save money but also have an authentic local experience.

How to Get Around Hampi

Having your own set of wheels is super convenient. However, if you can’t do that, hire an auto-rickshaw for the day.

You can also opt to hire rickshaws to transport you from one location to the other but this might be more time consuming and you may not find rickshaws outside all points of interest especially if travelling out of season.

Earlier, scooters used to be available for rent, but now due to the demolition of the hippie area, we are not sure if it is possible. It would be best to enquire about scooter hire at your accommodation or ask guides in the Hampi area on Day 1.

Hampi Itinerary – 3 Days

Here is a 3-day Hampi itinerary that will help make the most of your time.

Day one’s itinerary has been written assuming you will be reaching by mid-day or morning, checking into your accommodation and stepping out only after lunch.

If you type Hampi on Google Maps, it takes you to the main Hampi area consisting of Virupaksha Temple and Hemakunta Hills. This is the area you should explore today to get a flavour of what Hampi is all about.

Park your car at the Virupaksha Temple parking or take an auto till there and start your walking adventure for the day. You won’t need a vehicle till after sunset to go back to your hotel.

Sri Virupaksha Temple

Dedicated to Virupaksha, an incarnation of Shiva, this is the most popular and probably the oldest temple in Hampi as it was built in the 7th century (most other sites were built in the 15th century). It is a must-visit for two reasons:

• It is the only working temple in main Hampi
• You get to meet and get blessings from an adorable elephant called Lakshmi.

As you approach the temple, you’ll be welcomed by a beautiful gold Gopuram. Leave your shoes on the left side of the entrance (Rs.2), buy your ticket (Rs. 25 per person), and hire a guide (Rs. 200). You’ll start at a serene courtyard, admire vegetable paintwork on the roof of the main temple, gape at a fascinating opening in the wall that works like a pinhole camera, see a charming kund, and various temples dedicated to other Hindu gods.

The visit should take about half to one hour.

Hemakuta Hills

When we think about Hampi, the Hemakuta hills is what comes to mind. It is a hilltop (made of one huge rock) dotted with several temples and smaller boulders. While the most iconic place to visit here is the Moola Virupaksha Temple just a 3-min walk from Virupaksha Temple, we say don’t sweat it. Just climb the hill and explore on your own though we must mention we love the frangipani tree at the Hemakuta Hanuman temple. Watch the sunset sitting on one of the cliffside benches (google sunset point Hemkuta) or anywhere else that appeals.

Remember the sun doesn’t set at the horizon but much above it due to the haze in the area. Don’t miss the sunset thinking you have a lot of time. Also, as soon as the sun sets, get ready to leave. If you don’t, a police guard will usher you out.

Wondering why this is important? Well after sunset, bears and leopards freely roam the Hampi area. You wouldn’t want to serve yourself as dinner to these animals 😛

Vijaya Vitthala Temple

The Vithalla Temple is dedicated to Vittala, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is the most popular, beautiful and fascinating structure in Hampi and attracts a significantly large crowd. Therefore, it is best visited first thing in the day.

The temple opens at 8:30 AM so ensure you’re at the parking by 8:15 AM. Since the temple complex is at a distance of about 1.3 km from the parking, you will have to choose between the two options for getting to the temple – a 15-minute walk or a golf cart ride for Rs. 10 per person. We recommend you walk to the temple visiting various sites on the way and take a golf cart when exiting to save time and energy for the rest of the day.

While walking to the temple’s entrance, you will see the Pushkarni (water tank), Guduregombe Mandapa (temple), and lastly structures that used to be a marketplace. At the entrance buy a ticket (Rs. 40 per person). Keep the ticket safely as it is used at some other sites you’ll be visiting today as well.

On entering the walled temple complex through the gopuram gate, you’ll immediately notice the stone chariot that is featured on India’s Rs. 50 notes. A marvel! Further, you’ll see the Nritya/Ranga mandapa (dance hall) that has musical pillars. When tapped, these pillars that are made of a single piece of resonant stone, make musical sounds. It’s an absolute wonder! This mandapa is shut for maintenance so you may be shown this phenomenon at another mandapa.

After your visit, check out the King’s balance nearby (300 metres) or head directly to the Queen’s Bath (in the Royal Centre) which is about 5 km from here.

The visit should take about 1-1.5 hours.

Royal Centre

Hampi is divided into two – the Royal Centre and the Sacred Centre. Today, for the first half of the day, you’ll be exploring buildings in the royal centre that houses the palaces, durbars, tanks, residences, and baths used by the royals of the empire. Start at Queen’s Bath the first building in the Royal Centre area.

Queen’s Bath

The Queen’s bath makes for a short and interesting visit. Constructed in Indo-Islamic style, the structure has a simple exterior and an ornate interior with a colossal sunken bath. Due to its distance from the royal enclosure, it is believed to be a pleasure complex. Arched corridors and ornate balconies are what makes this place worth the visit. An owl and owlets are often found inside the empty bath. An additional delight!

After exploring the bath for about 15-20 minutes, head to the Royal Enclosure located 550 metres from the Queen’s bath. Better to take your vehicle instead of walking it if you have one!

A guide is not necessarily required to explore this structure and as such, you won’t find any outside it.

Royal Enclosure

The royal enclosure was the seat of power of the Vijaynagara Empire. In its heydays, this 59000 square meter area housed 45 buildings including the great platform, durbar halls, tanks, and underground chambers.

The main places to see in the Royal Enclosure are:

Mahanavami Dibba (Great Platform) – This 3 tier 8-meter-high platform is the only structure in the enclosure that still stands as it did back then. The raised platform was used by the king to view the Navami/Dussehra celebrations. There are beautiful war carvings at the lower sidewall of the structure.

The Underground Chamber  – This is where spies were held for questioning. It is constructed in a manner that left spies wondering where they are and was made soundproof with flowing water above.

The Stepped Tank  – This is a 5-tiered super-symmetrical and aesthetic 7-metre deep tank that was used for ritual bathing before prayers by the royals. It is different from other tanks in Hampi as it is made of black schist stones to heat and purify the water.

It’ll take you about 30-45 minutes to see the above three structures. Other structures in the enclosure are absolutely ruined so we did not see them. But if you wish you see them anyway then you’ll take about an hour!

Next, proceed to the Hazara Rama Temple located 280 metres from the Royal Enclosure.

Hazara Rama Temple

The Hazara Rama temple is a small but beautiful temple that was used only by the royal family. As the name suggests, it is dedicated to Vishnu in his aspects as Lord Rama. Since the geographical area is a part of the epic Ramayana, it isn’t tough to reason why there exists a temple entirely dedicated to showcasing Ramayana stories on its walls. The pictorial stories are almost like a comic strip carved along the exteriors of the main shrine. The temple also has black marble pillars that are unlike any other in the city.

The Hazara Rama Temple will take about 20-30 minutes to explore.

Zenana Enclosure

Now, proceed 500 meters along the dirt path to the Zenana Enclosure, a fortified and secluded area for the then royal ladies including the Queen. Per our guide, this structure was primarily used to house the royal women and protect them in times of war. The area was protected by eunuchs and the only man allowed inside was the king.

The main attraction here is the Lotus Mahal built in Indo-Islamic style. You aren’t allowed to step inside which doesn’t matter much as the beauty can be appreciated from outside itself!

You’ll take about 10 minutes here.

Elephant Stables

Just through a pathway from the enclosure, located right outside it, is the famed Elephant Stable. This structure used to provide shelter to the royal elephants, clearly showing their importance in the empire. The architecture has fluted arches topped with Jain, Hindu and Muslim style domes. The secular nature of this Hindu empire was something we appreciated a lot.

You can explore the stables and just sit in the garden and relax for a bit. It will take another 15-20 minutes to explore this area.

Lunch and Relaxation

It’ll be around lunchtime by now. So, head to your hotel, grab a bite and relax for a bit before heading back to explore.

Note that all the famous restaurants you must have heard of do not exist anymore so eating at your hotel restaurant is a good option. If you don’t want to head back to the hotel, ask a guide for information on where to eat.

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

This temple is dedicated to Lord Narasimha, one of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, and Goddess Lakshmi as well who was his consort. It is the largest monolith statue in Hamp – an imposing sight! You’ll take about 5-10 minutes here.

Badavilinga Temple

Located a few steps away from the Narasimha Statue is this giant shrine for Shiva. At 3 metres, it is the largest Linga in Hampi and is made of impressive black stone. Another 5-10 minutes are required to admire this structure.

Kadalekalu Ganesha

Next visit the Kadalekalu Ganesha, a 4.6-meter statue, the belly of which resembles a Bengal gram. The temple is a beautiful stone structure decorated with ornate tall granite pillars (that reminded me of Roman ruins for some reason). This Ganesha statue was worshipped by the royals.

This structure is located on Hemakuta hills 450 meters from the Narasimha statue. It will take about 10 minutes to visit.

If you’re a devout Ganesh follower or simply would like to see another Ganesh statue, then you can also visit the Sasivekalu Ganesha – a 2.4-metre high statue of Ganesha that has a snake wrapped around it (to prevent it from bursting due to over-eating per mythology). This Ganesha statue was built for the common people of the kingdom. It is located just 170 meters away from Kadalekalu so you can visit both statues with just 15 minutes to spare.

Coracle Ride on the Tungabhadra River

The coracle ride on the Tungabhadra river was our favourite experience and we’re sure you will enjoy it too. The evening is the best time for a coracle ride as the area is in shade in the evening.

The round boat (coracle) is rowed on the river between massive boulder-strewn cliffs on either side. It is incredibly serene and so hypnotising that you’ll forget you’re in present-day India. You’ll see flowing water, boulders, temples perched precariously atop these boulders and some even submerged in the water. The boatman will tell you about these temples and tell you other interesting facts about the area. Then he will ask you for permission and spin the boat. Shut your eyes and enjoy as the world rotates around you!

We only did the half an hour ride and weren’t completely satisfied, so I suggest you do the whole one hour ride.

The coracle ride costs Rs. 400 per person for half an hour and Rs. 750 per person for an hour.

Sunset at Kamalapur Lake

For sunset, just sit on the benches on the banks of Kamlapur Lake (you’ll see this from the road itself while going from Hampi to Kamalapur) and enjoy as the sun dips and the birds fly by! You’ll only be able to do this if you have your vehicle as there is no transport available in the area.

Phew, that was a long day. It feels longer than it was but for sure it will be tiring. Sleep early to be rejuvenated for the next day’s adventures.

Matanga Hill

Do a sunrise climb to Matanga Hill that has a small Veerbhadra temple at the top. The view from the hill is incredible. You’ll see vast expanses of paddy fields, mountains, scattered boulders, Hemakuta Hills with all its temples, Virupaksha Temple and Achutaraya Temple. You might also be shown a cave on your way up. The hike to Matanga hill is not to be missed!

I suggest hiring a guide for this hike since the path is not defined. As it is just through rocks, it is exposed and slippery in some areas so it is ideal to have someone knowledgeable and confident guide you up. Besides that, the hike isn’t gruelling at all! It takes 40 minutes to reach the top. You will have to start the hike between 5:30 AM-6 AM but confirm the time with your guide first. The hike back down is is a relatively easy one through proper stairs.

It is always better to do this hike at sunrise than at sunset due to the danger of bears after dark!

Have Breakfast and Change

It’ll be around 8:30 AM-9 AM by now. Go back to your hotel to change out of your sweaty hike wear and have breakfast. If you want to catch a little nap (like we did) you can do that too and head out by 10:30 AM -11 AM. You will not be coming back to the hotel until after sunset!

If you don’t care about hotel breakfast, then explore Achyutara temple (below) first before going back to change, as it is located right beside Matanga Hill.

Achyutaraya Temple

We didn’t visit this temple ourselves (despite plenty of requests to our guide), however, it is a great place to visit as far as I know. It is a temple dedicated to Lord Tiruvengalanatha, a form of Vishnu. The pillars and walls of the temple have exquisite carvings and ornamentation. The temple is secluded so few people visit!

Park your car/ get off at the Virupaksha Temple parking. Now head toward the opposite side of Virupaksha temple. You’ll see the Hampi Bazaar on either side and the Monolithic Bull at the base of the hill before heading to explore the temple. The visit will take an hour or so.

Note that this temple cannot be visited after 5 pm as leopards have often been stopped after that time, so visiting during the daytime is ideal!

Lunch at Baba Café

Head to the other side of the river for a relaxing lunch at Baba café. This café is reminiscent of the hippie island days with a similar vibe. Due to it’s awesome location amongst nature, the cafe makes for a great place to have some beer and international fare.

Attractions around Anegundi

Visit temples at Anegundi only if you’re religious or into the Ramayana. We only visited these because our guide had planned today’s itinerary with no interference from us. As per us, these temples are not architecturally beautiful – just regular temples.  

• Chinthamani Temple: Chintamani Temple is a Shiva Temple visited by Ramayana enthusiasts. It is the spot from where Ram aimed and shot his arrow to kill Baali during his fight with Sugreev. The temple is worth considering for all due to its epic location beside the Tungabhadra.
• Pampa Sarovar Temple: Pampa Sarovar is a sacred lake for Hindus – one of the 5 sacred lakes (Panch Sarovar) in Hindu mythology. The temple is constructed where Pampa (a form of Parvati) punishes herself to show her dedication to Shiva. If you’re not into mythology, consider visiting only from November to December when lotuses are in full bloom at Pampa Sarovar Lake.
• Anegundi Fort: The Anegundi with its many gates, tombs and temples (Ganesha Cave Temple and Durga Temple) is a sprawling fort that once used to guard the region.

Another famous spot is Sanapur Lake. Again, we did not find it worth the visit. This is where cliff jumping took place. However, per our guide cliff jumping is now banned as several people have lost their lives while at it. If you wish to cliff jump, do ask the locals before attempting it. We did a coracle ride here too but it paled in comparison to the one on the Tungabhadra. Do a coracle ride here only in the Monsoons when coracle rides in the Tungabhadra are not possible due to the strong current.

You can do all the things mentioned above if they appeal to you. Else, simply drive around the area through lush paddy fields. This is the bit I loved. Riding a bike here (if available) is an excellent option!

Anjaneya Hill

This hill is known to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman! There is a Hanuman Temple on top of the hill which takes about 2 hours to climb through a well-defined shaded path. Check the sunset time on google and start your hike up well in time to be able to explore the temple and see a spectacular sunset from the top!

This brings us to the end of the three days Hampi itinerary. If you have more time on hand you can consider visiting the  Krishna Temple near Kamalapur, the Underground Shiva Temple  or the  Tungabhadra Dam  at a distance of 27 km from Hampi. The dam’s premises has a Japanese style garden that makes for a pleasant visit.

Read our post on the 25 best places to visit in and around Hampi for more details or options for things to do.

Hampi Travel Tips

Photography : Drones, tripods, high-resolution cameras, and any out of the ordinary camera equipment is not allowed at Hampi’s sites. We carried our DSLR without issues, however. You aren’t even allowed to sketch, paint or draw at the sites. Per our knowledge, you can do all of this on the other side of the river – Anegundi and surrounds.

Guide : Hire a guide to understand the ancient ruins better. A full day guide cost around 2000 per day but due to COVID, some may ask about 1500 per day. However, while they make navigating the ruins of Hampi a breeze and make you understand the structures better, they also kind of put pressure on you to hurry up in order to show you as much as possible.

If you’re okay with that, do use full day guides. Honestly, we felt it was a bit rushed. 

Photographers, bloggers and vloggers would be better off hiring guides at specific structures. Follow this itinerary and hire guides at Vithalla Temple, Royal Center, and for the Matunga Hill hike. 

When hiring one, ensure he/she speaks your language fluently. Ours wasn’t very fluent in English or Hindi so sometimes it got very difficult to understand what he was explaining.

Google Maps : Download offline maps of the area on Google Maps to navigate easily. The internet is quite sketchy in Hampi.

Cash : Keep cash on you to pay for things like tender coconut, sugar cane juice, entry tickets, guide hire, coracle ride etc. While UPI is widely accepted, it doesn’t work a lot of times because of bad internet.

Shoes : Wear comfortable walking or sport shoes as you’ll be walking all day and hopefully even hiking. 

Clothes : Wear comfortable clothing in Hampi. There are no restrictions on what you wear to temples. However, it will be better to dress appropriately (cover midriff and knees) to not hurt the religious sentiments of worshippers. 

Day Bag Items : Important things to carry in your day bag for exploring Hampi:

• Sunscreen : Physical sunscreen without a white cast
• Some light snacks to eat in case you get hungry midway – We always carry Whole Truth Minis for a quick but healthy bite.
• A filled reusable water bottle (at least one each per person). We particularly like collapsible bottles to save space or the thermos type bottlesto keep water cold .
• A reusable straw for drinks on the trip. Think tender coconut and sugar cane juice. Yum!

Hope this Hampi travel guide mentions all that you were looking for. Comment below if you thought our Hampi travel blog post was helpful. Also, do tell us if we are missing any information you’d like mentioned in the post.

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1 thought on “A Complete Hampi Travel Guide 2021: Hampi Itinerary & Tips”

Nice blog about hampi, worth reading your blog. Nice information you have provided about hampi. If you want stay in this beautiful place, connect with us to book a luxurious stay at evolveback hampi

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Backpacking Hampi Travel Guide

Hampi, perhaps the most amazing place in all of India…

Packed to bursting with rock-cut temples, towering piles of boulders, buzzing backpacker enclaves and fascinating history, non-pushy Hampi has everything you need to have a truly fantastic time.

I first visited this place nearly ten years ago, when I was nineteen, and I’ve been coming back ever since. Throughout my two years of travel in India, Hampi has always been my favourite place to rest up, recharge and get blazed in Southern India.

Conveniently, it’s easily accessible from both Goa and Bangalore and every year more and more backpackers come to place to soak in the chilled vibes, explore the rock-cut temples, hit up the world-class bouldering and partying under the stars.

Backpacking in Hampi has well and truly caught on. When I first travelled there, there was hardly anybody there. Hampi had just about made it into the Lonely Planet and was still a couple of years of being fully developed. it was, in short, a backpackers paradise.

These days, Hampi has experienced wave after wave of development and the entire backpacker scene has been pushed to the far side of the river. Hampi’s fate has been uncertain for years as greedy Indian politicians attempt to steal land and cash in on the influx of tourists but luckily the backpacker scene has remained somewhat untouched, simply retreating further and further from developments on the ‘not so cool’ side of the river.

Historically, Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, a vastly powerful Hindu empire bought suddenly to its knees by a confederation of Muslim Kings. Hampi was ransacked following the Empire’s defeat and the many extravagant temples, carved from the huge piles of gargantuan boulders littering the land, were abandoned to the forces of nature.

Hampi has an air of lost glory and yet many of the temples and rock carvings, depicting beauties and beasts, gods and demons, are still in excellent condition.

Even if you have only the faintest interest in Indian history, travelling to this village offers a fantastic opportunity to soak in a sight of real historical importance.

Related:  Epic, In-depth India Travel Guide

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Top Things to Do in Hampi

Where to stay in hampi, hampi travel tips, what to pack for hampi, hampi travel guide to getting around.

Hampi is jam-packed with truly incredible sites and you could easily spend a week or more travelling around this village and only manage to see half of them. Hire a moped (150RS a day) and explore away. A few of my favourite places to visit are…

1. Visit the Virupaksha Temple

This is the oldest temple in Hampi. Virupaksha means ‘the one with the oblique eye’. Lord Shiva who is said to have three eyes is the principle deity of this temple.

This temple also has the iconic broken rock chariot. I would suggest wake up early and visit the temple so you can walk or cycle back through the Hampi village and soak in the early morning rural feel of the place. You could also sit in on one of the ceremonies at the temple.

2. Explore the Anjaneya Temple/ Monkey Temple

Hampi has special importance for the worshippers of Hanuman (the monkey God), as mythical Kishkinda (the monkey kingdom) in the Indian epic Ramayana , was located here. You can see plenty of colourful carvings of Hanuman all around the site. The vibe of the temple is crazy!

3. Chill at the Lotus Mahal

This is a pleasant deviation from the typical architecture you see in Hampi. Shaped like a lotus, this was where the women folk of the royal family chilled.

4. Swim at the Dam

Though there are signs hung all around the Hampi dam warning tourists of the crocodiles in the water, there are actually none. But just to be safe it’s better to ask the locals before you dive in.

You can go for a nice peaceful swim in the dam, the water is beautiful and clear. You could also go for a coracle ride. Coracles are flimsy, round boats found in river-dwelling communities across India. Make sure to ask the coracle guy to point out nice spots for a swim and for cliff jumping.

5. Check out the Elephant stables

This is one of the few well preserved structures in Hampi . The Elephant Stable is a major tourist attraction so expect a ton of camera-happy tourists to be milling around.

The row of chambers was used to house the royal elephants that were used for royal processions back in the day. The stables are huge and well worth exploring…

6. Watch the sunset at the hilltop

It’s impossible NOT to catch an epic sunset when you are in Hampi. Every day on the top of the ‘Sunset Hill’, backpackers get together to catch the sunset and play some chill tunes on their guitars and didgeridoos. More often than not local children who sell tea at the spot join them and sing along.

It’s a really beautiful experience. If you want something a bit more peaceful, simply stake out a spot on one of Hampi’s many boulders and enjoy the sunset by yourself.

Find out where to stay in Hampi using our comprehensive insider’s guide!

Between Airbnb, Couchsurfing, and hostels, there are plenty of accommodation options in Hampi!

Actually, finding hostels in Hampi is a bit challenging, but this is India! With how dirt cheap everything is, this is a great opportunity to avoid hostels and get a nice comfy bed and room to yourself!

Best Places to Stay in Hampi

If you want to see this gorgeous area without having to break the bank, the best place to stay is Sanagpur! On the north wide of the Tungabhadra River, you can relax in the rural landscape whilst still being close to the main area of Hampi.

This is the nest neighbourhood near Hampi if you’re travelling with the family- big or small! whether you’re into wildlife or just fancy getting out and seeing the sights, there’s so much on offer here.

Alternatives to Backpacker Hostels in Hampi

Most of the budget friendly accommodation is on the far side of the river, it costs 20RS to cross the river by boat (boats run till 6pm), and a few of my favourites on either side of the river are in the table below.

Camping in Hampi

Hampi has plenty of great accommodation options but if you’re feeling adventurous, it is also a great place to camp at. One great spot, among plenty of others, is Matunga hill.

Here you can set up shop with absolutely no problem. It is a great spot for sunset but an even better spot for sunrise! Do check around with the locals before you camp in other places since there are a few sites that are off limits on account of being temple property.

If you’d rather hang your hammock over pitching a tent, invest in a good camping hammock for your travels!

Below I have highlighted a few Hampi travel tips, like how to get to Hampi, and a bit about the bouldering scene in Hampi!

Books to read on Hampi

Hampi: Discover the Splendours of Vijayanagar  – As you know, Hampi is one of the greatest heritage sites in India. There is an exquisite collection of monuments that lie scattered across this alluring place. This book is a great insight into the history of this village.

Golden Boulders – A great climbing guidebook for Hampi. Bouldering enthusiasts might find this book helpful.

Love and Death in the Middle Kingdom – The story of forbidden love between a sixteenth-century Vijayanagara courtier and a Persian traveller, this book is an intriguing insight into the taboos and beliefs of ancient India.

Berlitz: India Pocket Guide – Discover the ancient sites of Hampi and other heritage sites in India through this great guide.

Here are some more amazing books to read during your Hampi backpacking trip.

Top Budget Tips for Broke Backpackers in Hampi

To keep your spending to an absolute minimum whilst traveling in Hampi and India I recommend sticking to these basic rules of budget adventuring….

Camp: With plenty of gorgeous natural places to camp, India is an excellent place to take a tent. Check out this post for a breakdown of the best tents to take backpacking.

Cook your own food: I took a small gas cooker with me to India and cooked a lot of my own meals whilst hitching and camping, I saved a fortune (even though the food is already super cheap!) – check out this post for info on the best backpacking stoves.

Haggle: Haggle as much as you can. You can always get a better price for things especially while in local markets.

Volunteer: If done properly, volunteering is an excellent way to cut down your costs on the road. I strongly recommend Workaway – you pay just $29 for the year and then have access to literally thousands of projects all around the world where you can help out in exchange for food and board.

Pack a travel water bottle : save money (and the planet) every day! Stop buying bottled water!

Why You Should Travel to Hampi with a Water Bottle

Plastic washes up on even the most pristine beaches… so do your part and keep the Big Blue beautiful

You aren’t going to save the world overnight, but you might as well be part of the solution and not the problem. When you travel to some of the world’s most remote places, you come to realise the full extent of the plastic problem. And I hope you become more inspired to continue being a responsible traveller .

STOP USING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC!

Plus, now you won’t be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtle’s life again.

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

Get insured

Traveling without insurance would be risky (especially if you are going to be bouldering in Hampi) so do consider getting good backpacker insurance sorted before you head off on an adventure.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

On every adventure, there are six things I never go traveling without:

Travel Security Belt

This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside – you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off.

Microfiber Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Petzl Actik Core Headlamp

A decent head torch could save your life. If you want to explore caves, unlit temples, or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must.

‘Monopoly Deal’

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

For plenty more inspiration on what to pack, check out my full  backpacking packing list.

Hospet is the nearest railhead and there are trains from both Goa and Bangalore. From Hospet, it’s a mere thirty minute tuk tuk journey to get here, you then need to cross the river and find a backpacker friendly place to crash. You can catch a bus from Gokarna all the way to Hampi itself.

Stay in Hampi for Free

Are you a native English speaker looking to earn cash whilst traveling the world? Teaching English online is a great way to earn a consistent income—from anywhere in the world with a good internet connection. Depending on your qualifications (or your motivation to obtain qualifications like a TEFL certificate) you can teach English remotely from your laptop, save some cash for your next adventure, and make a positive impact on the world by improving another person’s language skills! It’s a win-win! Check out this detailed article for everything you need to know to  start teaching English online .

In addition to giving you the qualifications to teach English online,  TEFL courses  open up a huge range of opportunities and you can find teaching work all over the world. To find out more about TEFL courses and how you can teach English around the world, read my in-depth report on  teaching English abroad .

Broke Backpacker readers get a 50% discount on TEFL courses with  MyTEFL  (simply enter the code PACK50), to find out more, please read my in-depth report on teaching English abroad.

Whether you are keen to teach English online or looking to take your teaching game a step further by finding a job teaching English in a foreign country, getting your TEFL certificate is absolutely a step in the right direction.

Bouldering in Hampi

Hampi used to be a bouldering mecca only for those in the know but not anymore. Hampi has exploded in popularity amongst climbers and many travel to India specifically to check out Hampi. Make sure to take an experienced climber with you if you are new to this since Hampi rocks can be pretty tricky.

November and December is the best time of the year for bouldering in Hampi. It’s better to avoid the rainy season. Make sure you have the right gear before you venture out. You can usually hire bouldering mats from your guesthouse and go climbing on the amazing piles of rocks littering the area.

Marijuana in Hampi

Hampi is pretty famous for its  blazed backpackers enjoying the cheap and plentiful weed that seems to be pretty much everywhere in Hampi. It’s easy to find, just avoid smoking in the main town or you may find yourself having to pay a bribe.

So there you have it, folks, my Hampi Travel Guide! Let me know in the comments if I missed anything or if you have any questions! Cheers!

Being a Responsible Backpacker in India

Reduce your plastic footprint:  Perhaps the best thing you can do for our planet is to make sure you do NOT add to the plastic problem all over the world. Don’t buy one-use water bottles, the plastic ends up in landfill or in the ocean. Instead, pack a  tough travel water bottle .

Go and watch A Plastic Ocean on Netflix – it’ll change how you view the plastic problem in the world; you need to understand what we are up against. If you think it doesn’t matter, get off my fucking site.

Don’t pick up single use plastic bags, you’re a backpacker – take your daypack if you need to go to the shop or run errands.

Bear in mind, that many animal products in countries you travel through will not be ethically farmed and won’t be of the highest quality. I’m a carnivore but when I’m on the road, I only eat chicken. Mass-farming of cows etc leads to the rainforest being cut down – which is obviously a huge problem.

Need more guidance? – Check out our post on  how to be a responsible backpacker.

Backpacking Hampi and India at large can be one hell of a crazy party at times. Take it from me, it can be easy to get carried away. It is important to keep in mind that you are an ambassador for your country, which is awesome. We can make a positive impact on people when we travel and get rid of any ugly stereotypes that may be associated with your country.

If you visit indigenous villages or small communities in the rural areas always ask before taking photos. The people who live in these villages are not exhibits in a museum. They are normal folks just living their lives.  Always show them the complete respect that they deserve.

When buying a local craft, do not haggle so low that the price is unfair to the person who spent countless hours crafting it. Pay people what they are worth and contribute to the local economies as much as possible.

I know it can be hard, but do your best to use the least amount of plastic water bottles that you can. Refill the ones that you do buy! Use a Grayl Geopress . Refill at your hostel! There are plenty of ways to reduce plastic!!!

Backpacking India or any region for that matter often illuminates some of the great socio-economic inequalities of the world. Never take it for granted that you are healthy and financially able to go traveling. Show the world around you some gratitude and help to make a positive impact on it. Most of all have the time of your life and spread the love!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Will Hatton

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17 Comments

A well detailed post, thanks for sharing your views. The sunset at the hilltop is worth watching.

Hi! I am planning for a trip to Hampi for about 3-4 days. Could you suggest some hippie cafes in and around?

Hi Pranshu, There are quite a few on the “other side” of the river, once you cross over the river and walk up past the Cheeky monkey guesthouse, turn left and follow the road down.

Hey, I am so glad to read your thoughts because I really enjoyed reading this. The way you explain your travel experience is truly awesome.

Its an amazing place!

Very descriptive and detailed information about Hampi. I am planning to visit in Feb end. Hope it will be great weather.

Very Well Written

Hello Will, I visited Hampi just last week. This was a good read. I also found quite a few good cafes to chill overlooking the lush green rice fields, especially in the early morning hours. The food, however, was disappointing for me at most of the places. Also, the boat guys charged me 50 rupees :p But, every time I have visited this place (this was my 3rd time), I have fallen in love with it even more… 🙂

A comprehensive guide to the place. Nice! Like you, I keep going back to Hampi. It is an overnight drive for me from Bangalore 🙂

Do check out my illustrated travel journal of Hampi: http://lonelycanopy.com/2017/12/14/hampiness-beyond-the-ruins/

Seema – Artist & Writer Lonely Canopy

Informative..

I had never heard of Hampo before, but it sounds nice. Ivr written it down in case I ever go to India to consider. x

hi thanks for the good reviews , i wanted to know how n wer to find marijuana in hampi….. plz guide me in this ….. coz i want to have it there itself not carry it with me …. by and finish it off in hampi itself .

Hey Will am planning a drive to hampi in couple of weeks, I just wanted to make double sure should we take some bud on our own as precautionary measure or is it available for sure in the destination

I would say there is a 97% chance you will find it with no problems 🙂

Beautiful article and a well described experience of the trip. I am planning a trip to hampi in the coming month. I would like to know one thing in particular. Is it safe to camp in tents on any of the hill tops? Probably for one night? Just to cut down on the expenditure further??

Definitely safe, just watch out for scorpions 🙂

Nice info Will, and 2 of my favourite places in Goa, Patnem and Palolem. Been there 3 times over the last 12 months, and on the last visit, we found a place just behind Palolem at the southern end, Ourem. It’s like a small village and quiet part of Palolem away from the hassle. Also love Colomb Bay in between Patnem and Palolem.

Take it easy and happy travels dude.

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Orange Wayfarer

Culturally Immersive & Responsible Travel

3 days in Hampi: Exploring the Ruins of Hampi and other Best Things to do!

About Hampi travel blog: Hampi is one of the most scenic ancient UNESCO Heritage Sites in India. Situated in Karnataka by the banks of Tungabhadra river, Hampi houses numerous ruins dating back to the Vijayanagar empire dating back to 1500 CE. Scholars spend 3 months at a stretch to explore the old ruins and still can not get enough of Hampi! ASI, the Archaeological Survey of India has been working at excavating old ruins for ages and hope to finish the project by 2021. 

Hampi: Know before you go!

Hampi reached the zenith of fame and riches during the reign of Vijayanagara dynasty, the last Hindu empire of Indian peninsula. With consecutive attacks from the Muslim Sultanate, Hampi fell finally and succumbed to ruthless destruction and looting, that lasted or more than 6 months. Once the second largest city of Asia, Hampi was reduced to rubble and left in utter neglect. nature reclaimed parts of Hampi, with trees and caves growing everywhere. Bears and leopards and wild bores came to live in the sprawling temple complexes.

From late nineteenth century, Hampi slowly appeared back in limelight. Photographers and historians took interest in the ruins of this beautiful and prolific civilization. From that, Hampi is now one of the integral spot of exploring South India! In fact, Hampi is part of exploring the Goa -Hampi-Bangalore triangle and is very well connected with the rest of the country by air/train/bus.

As a traveler, we often travel on a tight schedule. A weekend is all we have or may be a week at a stretch. I have designed the perfect 3 days itinerary to explore Hampi on one such long weekend. If you have longer time, do not miss exploring the ruins of Badali, Aihole, Bijapur and Pattadakal temple (another UNESCO heritage site). These are all historical places and bound to leave every cultural traveler in awe with Dravidian style of temple architecture, meticulous urban planning and powerful kingdoms now lost in the transient time-span. 

It is easy to get overwhelmed when you are in Hampi. The whole area looks like an open museum. There are temples. There are temple ruins. Then there are ruins that live under the trees and caves at every nook and corner of Hampi. What are the places you must visit in Hampi? What are the experiences you must not miss while in Hampi? Especially when you are traveling on a really tight schedule, say just  3 days? 

Well here I am to help you plan a 3 day trip to Hampi. I have written a detailed travel blog on guide to Hampi already to help you plan this unforgettable trip to the ancient Vijayanagar empire. That should cover as a starting reference point to take you through planning and others.

Also read: Offbeat things to do in Goa!

Most of the attractions in Hampi are free to visit, specially if they are “living” temples. However some of the tall standing structure has a visiting fee. Often, that visiting fee is a combination of 3 or 4 monuments close-by. Keep the ticket issued to you handy. You do not need to shell out more than INR 40. I assume entry ticket fee is different for foreigners (USD 10 or likewise).

3 days in Hampi which you can shorten to 2 days! (And still not miss out on the most culturally immersive things to do in Hampi)

In this post I will sketch a rough trail for you to explore Hampi. This guide is designed keeping in mind the standard 3 day Hampi itinerary. However if you have only 2 days in Hampi, just skip crossing the other side of the river or visiting Daroji bear sanctuary where sloth bears live. Decisions, decisions, I know! 

If you ask me, allow yourself a day and a half to wander around the old ruins of Hampi. Allocate rest of the time to wander away on the nature trails! 

About Local Guides in Hampi: Do you need to hire a local guide in Hampi for siteseeing?

If you hire a local guide in Hampi, he would plan it for you for even a shorter time span and save a lot of hassle. That said, I find walking with guides is a rushed affair. Instead, ask the auto driver (if you are taking an auto to commute) and he will take you where you need to know. They know the routes.

If you are reaching Hampi with the local bus (that goes till Hampi Bazar), get down at the urban cluster, explore and then take an auto and reach the sacred ruins. The bus to Hampi bazaar is cheap (INR 15 only) and makes for a very sweet deal!

I did not take any guide. I learnt from the rookie mistakes and roads less taken. That was rather adventurous (with sometimes a dangerous undertone) but here I am writing Hampi itinerary after all these days! So relax! Hampi is a safe place with kind and genteel residents.

Also read: Ramadan food-walk in Hyderabad!

Hampi ruins divided into Clusters!

Before you begin to explore Hampi, get your hands on an illustrated map of Hampi. There are 3 clusters of ruins in Hampi.

• Urban ruins cluster (King’s palace, queen’s palaces, Queen bath etc)
• Sacred clusters (Multiple temple complexes) 
• Riverside ruins (more temples now steeped deep inside the river bed of Tungabhadra) 
• Apart from this, Hampi is divided by Tungabhadra river. the other bank of Tungabhadra is also known as Anegundi or Hampi island.

Please note, to explore all the ruins of Hampi and “See it all”, you need to allow at least 4 to 5 hours at each ruin cluster. The more the merrier. You should ideally be looking at the temple, wall inscriptions, the remnants of ruins. Sometimes, there are temples underground!

Apart from the Hampi ruins some of the best things to do in Hampi are:

• Watch ethereal sunsets of Hampi. The Sunset scenes in Hampi are often held as the best sunsets in Asia.
• Explore nature in the nearby villages of Hampi. Paddy fields, sunflower fields, lakes, all essential constituents of an idyllic peaceful life. 
• Visit the Daroji bear sanctuary to see the sloth bears who once used to thrive in the caves and ruins of Hampi
• Indulge in rock climbing session (only applicable for the dry months). There are many monolith boulders in Hampi, remnant of a very old hill range. Rock climbing gears are available in Hampi for renting as well.
• Photography: If you love taking pictures, Hampi will win your heart. people are eager to pose. Nature is bountiful. And the ancient temples are mind-boggling! Keep your camera handy and climb up a hill by the end of the day for that great sunset shots. Sunset usually happens in Hampi at around 6:30 pm.
• Birding in Hampi (more than 150 species of birds are recorded here)
• Drive to Tungabhadra dam, specially if you are traveling to Hampi during monsoon
• Try to rent a bike from Hospet or Anegunde (also known as Virupapur gadde) on a daily basis. It should not charge you more than INR 250.

Now that we have a rough plan (or agenda?) to explore Hampi, and her surroundings, lets delve into day by day basis and see what we can find!

Day one in Hampi

Explore the old ruins of Urban cluster and Vittala temple. Sunset from Hemakuta hill.

Start early. Hampi group if monuments are open from sunrise until sunset, from 6 i the morning till 6 at night. Visiting hampi at the break of dawn also lets you experience one of the most ethereal sunrises! It is nothing less than Bagan in Myanmar!

Add to that, photographing the temple ruins is a very sweet deal when performed in the mellow light of early morning! 

Cross the king’s gate and visit the riverbank. You will be greeted with various nameless ruins and tall standing rocks. the famed boulders of hampi. The decaying old hillocks are now shaped like these profound rocks. Hampi rocks found a way in mythology as well. They are supposed to be the rocks used in the kill-fight between Bali and Sugreev in the epic Ramayana! 

On the road, rural Indian life unfolds in serendipitous ways. Cows and oxen enjoy a leisurely walk. A snake charmer walks towards the tourist hub. locals occupy the courtyard of a huge temple complex. The temples may look ruined but they are very much in use by the locals on certain occasions, especially the ones off tourist trails. Though it is good to note that hampi was never inhabited by humans after the fall of Vijayanagara empire. 

Proceed towards the Vijaya Vittala temple.

Vijaya Vittala: the Temple with Musical Pillars: One of the major attractions in Hampi and well worth it

The Vijaya Vittala temple Complex remains quintessentially the most famous temple in Hampi. Known for the stone chariot in the temple complex, which now features in the 50 rs Indian currency note, Vittala temple also houses the musical pillars. If you have hired a guide, he will show you how the pillars play music for visitors. 

The temple  complex of Vijaya Vittala is huge! There are many buildings and it is a 2 km walk from the gate.  Hop on to the electric tuk tuk run by the women of the local community and pay a meager INR 20 for the ride.

This is the most famous temple in Hampi. needless to say, Vijaya Vittala attracts loads of visitors, local and tourists alike. If you are keen on photography, visit Vittala Vijaya at the wee hours of the day and shoot sunrise. It is open from 6 am.

Urban ruins of Hampi

Check out the ruins of palaces of monuments once used by the kings and the queens!

Please note, the temples of Hampi remain closed to visitors during lunch hours. This time can be spent at the urban complex.

Check out the queen’s bath,the step well, the elephant stable, lotus temple, zenana enclosure, the mahanavami dibba one by one. 

The urban ruins did not undergo massive destruction as the religious monuments of Hampi. Just the trunk of the stone elephants were chopped off. The lotus mahal stands as an epitome of Indo-islamic architecture, with curved arches on the tip of the tall pillars. 

The area has green grass carpet befitting for a temporary seat. You can rest and walk again. 

Next to Mahanabami dibba stands the most beautiful temple of Hampi in my honest opinion, Hazararama temple. The walls of Hazara Rama are inscribed with the tales from Ramayana. You can easily spend a day here reading those stories.

Hemakutha Hills for Sunset view: Scouting for the most beautiful Sunset Spot which is also an easy hike

To end the day, proceed towards the top of Hemakuta hill. The climb is not very steep. There are multiple temples on top of Hemakuta hill. You can play around with your camera and click as many pictures as you want. 

From the top of Hemakuta your eyes will greet unbound green pastures, the river Tungabhadra, many temple ruins and a setting sun.

Tip: If you can climb higher and are staying at the Anegundi river side, visit Matanga hill top for sunset photography instead. You will have to come back to Virupaksha temple the next day and can easily climb Hemkuta hill one more time.

Also read: Bonedi barir Durgapuja in Kolkata!

Pro tip: If the Sun shines bright and you are humidity-stuck, take refuge at the Hampi Archaeological Museum close to Hampi Bazar. It is closed for lunch from 1 pm to 3 pm. Plan you visit accordingly.

Day two in Hampi: an offbeat wildlife destination adds to the old ruins!

Explore the sacred ruins at the Virupaksha temple, riverside ruins and pay a visit to the Daroji bear sanctuary.

On the second day of the Hampi itinerary, you can finish off visiting the sacred ruins and aim for visiting a bear sanctuary close-by. 

Did you know: As a sign of respect, open your shoes while entering the temple sanctums in Hampi, even if the temple seem to be in ruins. Though it is not mandatory, it is a sign of respect to the deity and you will find the locals doing the same. It is as if you are entering a person;’s house and we do not wear a shoe inside the house.

The Narasimha Statue and others

Start your day by visiting more of the old religious ruins of Vijayanagara empire. Ask your guide/auto driver to take you to the Narasimha temple. Known to be another Avatar of Vishnu, one of the Hindu Trinity, the Narasimha statue is a unique one. There are very few narasimha statues in the whole of India. In the Hampi temple, the hands of the deity are cut off as a sign of destruction that raged hampi. Narasimha translates into Nara and Simha, the lion-man. 

The Narasimha statue is very evocative. Close to it stands the Big Shivalinga in a very small sanctum and maintained by a very elderly priest. This is another beautiful small spot in Hampi, not known to many travelers.

Also visit the underground temple. The temple stands with multiple pillars and somehow dodged the destruction of Hampi to a large extent. 

Virupasksha temple: A prominent spot for Hindu pilgrimage in Hampi

Now proceed to Virupaksha temple. Close to Hampi Bazar, Virupaksha temple is a living temple, a prominent step on the pilgrimage route in India, and in short the heart center of Hampi. 

Virupaksha temple is huge and huge is an understatement. You need to reach the top of Matanga hill on the other bank of Tungabhadra (part of the third day of this Hampi itinerary) to get an idea of the temple’s enormity. It is also a part of Adi Shankaracharya’s India exploration and an important stop of the pilgrimage route. 

Virupaksha temple was not destroyed while Hampi fell. The temple is dedicated to lord Shiva. 

There are flanking pillars with ornate inscriptions and large Gopurams. When I visited, Gopuram was undergoing work. I hope it is finished now. 

Opposite Virupaksha temple you will find a huge Nandi, the bull of Shiva housed inside a pillar. In fact every south Indian temple has Nandi sitting atop the temple, close to the temple. The Nandi bulls of Hampi are particularly huge.

River side ruins of Hampi

Once you have seen Virupaksha temple, visit the riverside ruins of Hampi. Depending on the season, the riverbed of Tungabhadra bares the riverside ruins. Sometimes all, sometimes none. In the small hike, look for the thousand shiva lingas by the river bank. There is an intriguing site of thousand rock cut shiva lingas by the riverbank. 

The riverside of Hampi is the most eloquent place in my observation and has immense photo opportunities as well as observing locals.While hiking the riverside trail, if you are with a guide, ask him to show you the ancient rock carvings. They are believed to be 10,000 years (or more) old. 

If the sun is too hot, take refuge at the hampi archaeological museum for a while. 

Daroji Bear Sanctuary

To end the day, you may visit Daroji bear sanctuary. The bear sanctuary is 15 km from Hampi bazaar and can be reached by an auto. If you pay INR 500, you will be allowed entry inside the jungle in a jeep and with a guide. 

Watch out for the Asian sloth bears. the butterflies. the birds. Reach by evening. The bear sanctuary is open from 2 pm to 6 pm. I recommend visiting after 4 pm.

Also read: Naropa Festival in Ladakh!

Day three in Hampi

Explore the other side of Tungabhadra river (Hampi island), Matanga Hill, Coracle ride, Sunset from Sana lake

Reserve the last day to explore Hampi’s Hippie island. 

The place is also known as hampi island. It is basically the other bank of Tungabhadra river. hampi island remains submerged in water during monsoon. A handful of homestays and quirky cafes have sprang up here, especially after Hampi was named as the 2 best places to visit in the world by NYT. 

Start your day with a short hike up the Matanga hill. Here, you can shoot beautiful sunrise, witness the birthplace of Hanuman, the monkey god of Hinduism, and get a panoramic view of Hampi with all her beautiful elements: Shikhara of Virupaksha temple, boulders, the bend of river Tungabhadra, the green pastures etc. 

Pay a visit to the Durga temple next. There is a wish-tree in the compound, where local women make a wish and hand a piece of cloth tied. 

You can further visit the riverbank and take a coracle ride. These round boats made of cane and bamboo are believed to be brought from Arab by the moorish traders. Hampi and Goa were part of an ancient trade route as the Vijaya nagara dynasty had extended till Portuguese Goa. Through them, the European and Arab traders found their way to the courtroom of Vijaya nagara. 

I was charged a fee of INR 600 for a 30 minutes ride, I was alone. Prices vary depending on the number of people. Is it safe to ride the oracles of Hampi? Well, take your decision. I think they provide a life jacket. The river is deep and littered with boulders and rocks.

For sunset, visit the beautiful Sanapur lake at Hampi island. The fact that Hampi does not have a beach has been redeemed by Sanapur lake. You can even cliff jump here, ignoring the crocodile placard. I have heard it is to scare away drunkards. I did not cliff-jump because I can not swim!

Sanapur lake is also a beautiful place if you are keen on sunset photography, though no ruin will come on the way. For ruins, you have to pay a visit back to Matanga hills of Hemakuta. 

You can also wander your way to the nearby villages, explore the paddy fields and the sunflower fields of Hampi. 

In case you are visiting Hampi during the famous Hampi Utsav (also known as Vijaya Utsav), you are better off staying close to Hampi Bazar. Though this is the time you will witness Hampi to be quite a crowd puller!

I have designed this 3 days Hampi itinerary keeping in mind you are staying at the Hampi Bazaar or Hospet and kept Anegundi for the last day. If you are staying close to Anegundi, may be you should check out Anegundi the second day and process with the second day’s plan on the last day so that you can catch the night bus (or train) home!

Other things to know about Hampi:

Hampi has an almost non existent night life. Even at the Hampi island, life is slow and nights are mystic. Hampi Bazaar is the place where you shall find beautiful souvenirs to bring back home. Mostly curved out of stone, these miniature temples are mind blowing and make for perfect gifts. Hampi bazaar also sells cheap food and great hippie clothes.

There are rumors that Hippie island (also known as the Hampi island) is famous for weed. Please note, smoking weed is illegal in India and can get you into trouble.

There is a temple elephant named Krishna at the Virupaksa temple, Hampi. One of the touristy activities is to visit the temple, pay some money to the Mahut and get “Blessings” from the elephant. I suggest stay away from this activity.

After sundown, try to get back to your accommodation as soon as possible. The Hampi ruins site is also part of wildlife corridors and bereft of human habitat. You might encounter unpleasant encounters at night, specially if you are traveling alone.

Hampi ruin and surrounding area is no meat and no alcohol zone. Be respectful to the local customs and do not bring alcohol in these areas. In fact, this is the reason why Hampi island (or hippie island of Hampi) rose to fame. These rules are relaxed there.

There are no ATMs in Hampi. Cash is king.

The Tungabhadra river that connects both the banks of Hampi can be crossed by a coracle (the round boats) or a water taxi. The last boat leaves at 5:30 pm. In case you miss it, you have to travel on land and take a longer U-turn. Keep that in mind!

Also read: 3 days in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh!

Carry enough sun shades, a reusable water bottle (otable water is available at many places, think Virupaksha temple for example. This is a prime spot you can’t miss in Hampi).

Carry mosquito and other insect repellent while you are traveling in Hampi.

Best time to visit Hampi

Hampi is hot and humid for the maximum part of the year. the sun shines bright. Humidity is excruciating. That said, during monsoon, temperature is much more bearable. But rock climbing is not practiced because slippery moss reclaims the boulders. 

I would recommend visiting Hampi from October to March or shoulder season if you are keen on rock climbing. During heavy rains, most of the establishments on Hampi island remain closed. I visited Hampi in August and I was happy. The only regret is not being able to catch the stunning sunsets of Hampi. 

That brings me to the last recommendation about traveling in Hampi. If you are visiting this amazing destination, stretch your vacation with two more days and visit Badami and Pattadakal. Thou shall thank me later!

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5 Responses

Amazing itinerary!!! It looks like you have covered almost every place. A very detailed, inspiring and informative post, all pictures are extremely beautiful.?

Great itinerary! The architecture and food are incredible. I would love to visit!

As a history lover these look like the perfect spots for me to explore!

Nice recommendation Will try it

Best blog, you have given useful information for travellers. If you want stay in this beautiful place, connect with us to book a luxurious stay at evolveback hampi, Contact us for more details Website: https://evolvebackhampi.com/ Contact: 6366366971

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9 Best Things to Do in Hampi & Important Travel Tips!

By: Author Sophie Pearce

Posted on Last updated: August 17, 2023

Categories HAMPI , INDIA

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

Are you looking for all the incredible things to do in Hampi? Then keep reading! Hampi is such an adventure!

You’ll be transported to a world of ruins, ancient palaces, stone carvings, palm trees, monkeys, and giant Ganesh statues.

It’s quite a crazy place and well worth exploring if you find yourself in the Indian state of Karnataka.

This site is the birthplace of Hanuman, the fighter monkey god in the Hindu religion. He likes to play tricks and features an integral part of the Ramayan epic legend.

So, naturally, you’ll find a tonne of monkeys who wander around waiting for banana offerings. You’ll need at least a day or two to explore as there is quite a lot to do and it’s spread across a wide area.

Here’s my complete Hampi travel guide and the best things to do in Hampi! 

How to reach Hampi in India

Hampi is in the north of Karnataka and, unfortunately, there are no direct flights which will deliver you here.

So, your best bet is to hire a taxi, take the train or bus from the main cities of Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa , or even Pune.

If you’re heading here by car from the cities, it’s a mammoth of a drive along a pretty terrible stretch of country roads.

If you’ve ever been on long drives in India, the roads are a mix of really great open highways to narrow lanes with potholes and large lorries to take over!

So, although Google maps will tell you a time, add another 2 hours onto that to be safe.

If you’re taking the train there is a Hampi express train which runs overnight from Bangalore. For more information on this and the schedule, see here. 

Click here for more Indian train travel tips

How to travel around and explore Hampi

Hampi is spread across a massive area and so depending on your level of fitness or more importantly how you handle the heat you’ll have to decide how you want to explore it.

When I went to Hampi, it was the Indian winter season.

Although it was only 34 degrees, which is nothing compared to the peak temperatures of summer, it was HOT!

Hampi is mainly sand and stones which all absorb the heat. They then radiate it, which makes the place seem 10x hotter than it is on the thermometer.

That’s why when it does hit peak summertime, Hampi closes down.

You can still wonder about it obviously, it doesn’t disappear! But, there won’t be any restaurants, tour guides etc. So, best to visit in Winter between November – January.

If you’re like me and love your air conditioning, I would recommend hiring a taxi to take you about with your tour guide. That way, you can avoid being in the relentless heat for the day.

If you’re made of stronger stuff, I would hire a bike to explore or go on foot.

Some of the main attractions are quite close together and there are some great designated walks to follow.

The best things to do in Hampi 

1. virupaksha temple or main temple.

The first place to head is to the main temple in the centre of Hampi.

Locally known as the Virupaksha Temple, it has a massive stupa with some pretty saucy carvings of the Karma Sutra.

Why do you need sex ed classes when you can just study here, right?! Haha.

You will need to walk around barefoot and there is a shoe counter to store your shoes in for 2 rupees.

But, as this is an old temple, the floor is pretty tough on your tootsies. It’s hot, oily (it felt so gross *shudders*), sticky and there are little stones everywhere just waiting for you to tread on. So, go carefully.

There are A LOT of monkeys who cause havoc here as they are looking out for pilgrims offering bananas in the temple. So, keep an eye out for mischief. Don’t carry food with you and don’t leave valuables on display.

You can get a blessing from the Laxshmi elephant or have a look inside at the priests burning incense to the gods. A great place to look around.

2. Admire the EPIC view from Virupaksha viewpoint

Just up the stairs from the main temple is an amazing viewpoint that looks like something out of Bedrock in the Flinstones!

This is a great place to visit at any point of the day, but best at sunset for an incredible view of the city and beyond.

You can also head to the big Ganesh statue from here if you head up the hill and through the caves.

3. Visit Sasivekalu Ganesha statue

I’m not sure if it’s a ‘thing’ to have a favourite god, but my favourite is Ganesha.

The remover of obstacles and all-around giver of good luck, what’s not to like?

In Hampi, there are two massive single stone carved Ganesh statues that you can visit and they’re insanely gorgeous!

The first is called Sasivekalu Ganesha which is on an open pavilion. This Ganesha has a snake as a belt when he ate too many sweets!

This was also a statue for the common people to worship back in the day and was a gift from the Raj.

4. Kadalekalu Ganesha

The second statue is the Kadalekalu Ganesha which is inside an ancient temple. It is absolutely humungous!

It’s one of the largest statues which has been carved out of a single stone and was a private statue for the King and Queen to use for worship.

You have to remove your shoes to go inside and it’s still an active temple today.

I accidentally lost my step here as it was so dark and nearly face palmed a woman heading in. So, be careful!

5. Hazara Rama Temple

The Ramayan quite literally means the story of Rama, a Hindu deity. The infamous story of Rama who went to rescue Sita from the clutches of Ravana is a popular tale.

Hampi has numerous shrines dedicated to Rama as it’s the birthplace of Hanuman, who helped him with his army of monkeys.

The ruined city features in the legend and so there are numerous temples dedicated to them.

The Hazara Rama temple has some of the best carvings depicting the numerous chapters of the Ramayan legend.

Your guide should be able to translate for you and point out highlights on the panels.

What’s even more amazing is this temple was built in the 15th century for the Kings and Queens of Vijayanagar. 

Although some parts have been reconstructed, it still has an ancient feel as you wander about.

6. Hampi Stepwell

Hampi stepwell and the ancient kingdom it resides in are pretty awesome to take in.

As you walk around and your guide describes the parties, traders, and armies who used to reside here, you can let your imagination go wild and picture it.

Although most of the city is in ruins, a lot of the infrastructure still remains.

7. The Hampi Lotus Temple and Elephant Stables

Possibly my favourite location in Hampi was the Lotus Mahal. The symmetrical petal archways were just so beautiful to look at.

The temple was made for the royal ladies of the time for dancing, gossip, and recreation.

Miraculously, it has hardly been damaged since it was originally constructed.

The gardens surrounding this temple are so lush and green and I loved the colourful flowers. It made a really beautiful setting; pity I couldn’t pull up a picnic here!

The elephant stables are what it says on the tin. Located in the Royal Centre, they used to act as the home for the royal elephants while they were here. Today, it’s a nice open area to explore with beautiful arched roofs.

8. Lakshmi Narasimha statue 

An imposing figure tucked away in the jungle of Hampi, the Lakshmi Narasimha is the largest monolith statue in Hampi and depicts one of the 10 transformations of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.

It’s one of the most popular statues to visit and so will be packed with tourists at all times of the day.

Be sure to also check out the Shiva Lingham which is located next to it.

My tour guide told me that I should throw some rupee cents onto the Lingham for good luck with fertility.

If you get it on the bottom part, it’s a 50% chance of success, and if you get it on the top 100%! I got it on the bottom, so fingers crossed haha!

9. Hampi Stone chariot

The stone chariot is by far the most impressive excavation site of Hampi.

It’s the flagship tourist attraction and the reason why most people are drawn in to take a visit.

The chariot is not just a statue but actually a temple that is dedicated to Lord Vittala, another aspect of Lord Vishnu.

It’s an awesome place to wander around and get your classic super tourist picture by it!

Save this list of things to do in Hampi for later!

There is honestly so much to do in Hampi that you will need at least a few days to get around all of it.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I got here. It was miles and miles of boulders, palm trees, ancient temples, and palaces.

You really feel like you’re on an adventure or stumbled into the ancient times of India.

If you haven’t thought of visiting Hampi yet, I would put this on your list. If you’re not convinced, here’s some more Hampi travel wanderlust.

Where to stay in Hampi | Hampi Hotels

There aren’t really any luxury hotels which are in the city of Hampi itself, but I would highly recommend the Orange County Resort which is located a few kilometres away.

The stay included breakfast and an outdoor jacuzzi, I was in heaven!

You can check available dates and rates for Orange County here

Heading around the south of India? Read more of my articles!

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Thursday 9th of July 2020

Amazing blog! Interesting post, beautiful pictures, A very detailed, inspiring and informative post.

Sophie Pearce

Hi Bharat, thank you for your kind words. I'm glad you liked the post! Hampi is a gorgeous place in India. Sophie x

Essential Hampi – A Brief Guide to Hampi

The perfect break from India’s bustling cities, our brief guide to Hampi looks at how to get the best out of your visit to Hampi.

This is a guest post contributed by Karen Turner of Wanderlusting K . All photos in this post are copyright to Karen unless otherwise stated.

This post may contain compensated affiliate links. More info in our disclosure .

Visiting Hampi, Karnataka

One of my favorite places that I visited in India had to be Hampi. 

This ancient city destroyed by the Mughal empire was one of India’s biggest medieval cities with more than 500,000 residents.  It was long covered up by banana plantations, however, its recent UNESCO recognized status is likely to draw visitors to its quiet beauty. 

Hampi truly still shines as a destination for history lovers, wannabe Lara Craft archeologists, and Hindus looking to step back in time. I hope that these Hampi tips help you prepare for your trip go off without a hitch.

How to get to Hampi

If you’re visiting Hampi, it’s easy to take the overnight train to/from Bangalore or Mysore. (It is possible to fly from Bangalore or Mysore to Hubli, which is three hours away.)

The train does not run every day, so be sure to check the schedule. Those looking for a bit of comfort will want to book first-class for a bit more privacy and the ability to lock the door at night while you’re sleeping.  If you can sleep well under any conditions, second-class AC or third-class AC work well enough and save you quite a bit of money.

Your train will arrive at Hospet Junction, which is the closest station to Hampi . We paid 1,600 rupees for our one-way journey in third-class air-conditioning on the train from Mysore to Hampi and 4,000 rupees for a one-way train journey in first-class for two people.

From the train station, it’s a 20-40 minute ride with a rickshaw to Hampi Bazaar.  This newly constructed village surrounding the ruins was constructed after UNESCO officials said that the village of Hampi was too close to the ruins.  It’s otherwise a very quiet and peaceful place surrounded by banana plantations and sugarcane plantations. It’s hard to imagine the ruins as you travel here by rickshaw.  We were picked up by our guesthouse with a smiling driver with a card for a small fee.

If you’re travelling from Goa to Hampi you can take the Howrah Express train from Vasco da Gama station in Goa to Hospet, passing through the stunning Dudhsagar waterfalls. If trains are full, there are several bus services available, the most recommended AC Volvo service being run by Paulo Travels . Search and book train tickets here .

Or you can book a tour from Goa such as this one .

How Long to Spend in Hampi

We spent two full days and one night in Hampi, with arriving in the morning and departing in the evening on the second day.  It was just enough time, but I’d recommend giving yourself more time, especially if you’re a climber.

Three full days and two nights would have been perfect as two days felt rushed, or three nights if you really want to slow down and savour the experience.

Where to Stay in Hampi

Accommodation at Hampi is split between Hampi Bazaar which is close to the ruins and home to most of the budget accommodation, or Hospet has some more upmarket options.

Accommodation in Hampi Picks:

– Gopi Guest House (Budget) – Great views on a budget – click here for rates

– Padma Guest House (Budget) – Alternative great value option in Hampi Bazaar with air conditioning – click here for rates

– Evolve Back Hampi (Luxury) – Beautiful award winning high end accommodation, in the grounds of a palace just 4km from Hampi – click here for rates

We stayed at Gopi Guest House , which took care of all the details for us from our pick-up at Hospet to finding us a driver to explore the ruins to our final drop-off with an ATM detour.  They also happily fed us drinks with an incredible view of Virupaksha Temple to savor as you enjoy a fresh mango juice. 

Listening to the temple music as the sunset was absolutely one of the most memorable moments of our trip.  Gopi Guest House was a quintessential Indian guest house: The basics with air conditioning with warm hospitality. 

For a bit of luxury, look outside of Hampi Bazaar at hotels such as Evolve Back Hampi .  

Visiting the Temples at Hampi

Hampi is absolutely beautiful to explore, however, you’ll be exposed to the sun quite a bit as there’s little shade. Be sure to wear sunscreen and bring plenty of water with you.  

Hampi is a sprawling site of 3.2 acres. 

Although you could walk it, enter the 21st century and hire a rickshaw to take you around.  We hired a driver via our guesthouse for one day to wait for us outside of the temples as we explored them on your own. 

You can pick up books in town about history and guide yourself, or you can opt for a true guide who will walk you around the sights who will accompany you in your rickshaw. You’ll pay less for simply a rickshaw driver. 

Be warned that the rickshaw drivers can be a bit overly enthusiastic outside the site and you’ll be asked by what seems like a million drivers if you need a ride if you pop out of a temple without a driver next to you.   

If you have a bit of a fear of monkeys, Hampi can be a bit of a challenge as monkeys are in many parts of the park, however, they were not generally aggressive. Still, take caution in interacting with monkeys.

One of the most famous temples in Hampi is the Monkey Temple , the birthplace of Hanuman.  Not surprisingly, there are lots of monkeys.  Many people come here for the view close to sunset although be careful and watch out for sunglasses and other shiny things that the monkeys like to grab.

The Vittala Temple and the most famous monuments of Hampi are included in the Hampi ticket, which costs 600 rupees for foreigners (2019) and less for Indian nationals. This also includes admission to the Lotus Mahal and the elephant stables, definitely a highlight.  I also loved the step-well.

Similarly, it might be worthwhile to step into the impressive Virupaksha Temple , a beautiful 7th-century temple.  The shoe fee is 2 rupees although there is a camera/video fee.

It should be noted that the Virupaksha Temple has a temple elephant. The temple elephant stands all day blessing pilgrims to this temple and a deeper dig into the animal welfare of temple elephants led me to choose not to get an elephant blessing. Please research this issue!  If you want to see Lakshmi in a happier environment, she takes a bath in the mornings in the river–and she is a typical elephant at this moment. 

Any decent guide will cover most of the attractions in one day. I found the architectural museums less interesting than the actual sights, but those into history might enjoy them more. I especially loved the quiet Underground Shiva Temple, which gave me some serious Lara Croft vibes.

Many of the temples in Hampi are free to visit, so be sure to ask your guide to cover all of the paid admission sites (e.g. Lotus Mahal) within one day to maximize your ticket.  You can visit the rest on a second or third day. It’s said that UNESCO will be making more notable changes in the coming years to Hampi to make it more tourist-friendly. 

Practical Tips for Hampi

Hampi Opening Hours : Most temples and sights are open from morning until dusk. After this point, security guards will kick out everyone who is around. Although various things online mentioned about sunrise and sunset, be aware that access might not be allowed if it’s too dark out.  The view from sunset point Hemakuta was lovely without being too far from Hampi Bazaar. 

What to Wear for Visiting Hampi: You’ll be walking a lot while in Hampi, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes with a good grip.  You’ll be walking up boulders, within abandoned temples, and along stone paths, which can be slippery if wet.  Although many of these temples are abandoned, visitors should still be aware that these are still religious sights important to many Hindus and Indian visitors.  It’s best to cover up with a long breathable skirt or loose trousers. The heat might get to you, even in winter!

Solo Female Travel in Hampi: Solo female travelers should be okay in Hampi, however, they should be careful exploring more remote parts of Hampi on their own.  Some caves and temples can be very dark/remote. It’s very easy to meet fellow travelers at guesthouses, so don’t be afraid to strike up conversations as it will bring down the price and allow you to have a travel companion.

Money at Hampi : Most importantly, we highly recommend bringing all the cash that you think that you’ll need with you.  We spent over 5,000 rupees ($70 USD) for two full-days with touring Hampi, all meals, all drinks bouldering for one, transit to/from the station, and our accommodations with a view of the temple.  There are ATMs in Hospet and notably, the State Bank of India ATM is the best for foreign cards. 

Where to Eat & Other Things to do in Hampi

We had a nice thali lunch at Green Restaurant where you can sample the local vegetarian specialties. Western options were also available here and food was prepared with filtered water.  This is close to the Lotus Mahal.

In the Hampi Bazaar, my favorite restaurant was Mango Tree Restaurant with its reclined seats, comfy pillows, and delicious juices.  It should be noted that alcohol is illegal in Hampi.

Across the river, you’ll find Hippie Hampi or the village of Virupapura Gadde. You can cross the river in a traditional riverboat for a small amount. Many of the more hippie-oriented things are on this side of the river, including Hampi’s most famous places to boulder. The rocks surrounding Hampi are famous for bouldering. 

While in Hampi, you’ll want to look up Hampi Adventures (next to Pradeep Campsite) .  Tom is a great climber who intimately knows many of the bouldering routes, so call him at least a day before to see if you can come with if you can boulder.  (Tom and Jerry used to run a bouldering outfit together, but have now split off into Golden Boulders and Hampi Adventures just down the road from each other. Both are located across the river from Hampi Bazaar. 

You can rent all the essential bouldering equipment (crash pads, chalk, shoes) from them, but bring your own exercise clothes!

Final Thoughts

Overall, Hampi was a dreamy destination away from the hustle and bustle of other Indian cities.  If you are visiting the south of India, it is worth making a detour for Hampi, especially once you experience your first sunset here…

This is a guest post by Karen Turner from Wanderlusting K, an adventure travel blog. All photo copyrights belong to Karen Turner unless otherwise stated.  The usage of these images without permission for commercial usage is NOT permissible.

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The Ultimate Hampi Itinerary for 3 days in 2024 (With Free PDF)

Last Updated on March 13, 2024

This is a detailed account of our Hampi itinerary for 3 days and an equally invigorating road trip from Bangalore to Hampi. So, join us on this virtual trip to the Rome of the East as we immerse ourselves in its glorious history.

As we sailed in the Tungabhadra River, I could picture myself as one of the thousands of foreign travelers and merchants who came to Hampi in the 14th-16th century. The lively road trip from Bangalore , the grandeur of the ruins, the sunset at Tungabhadra – they will be etched in my memories forever. 

So let me help you plan a Hampi trip from Bangalore , or anywhere in India for that matter.

Know nothing about Hampi? Start here .

The post contains affiliate links for tours, hotels etc. This means if you make any purchase through the links in the post, I may get a commission without any additional cost to you.

A Quick Outline

Short on time? Steal this Hampi Itinerary

This is the best itinerary for a weekend trip to Hampi from Bangalore on a long weekend. Our trip was slightly different because we left late and had to leave Hampi earlier for some reason.

Well, things don’t always turn out the way you planned, but it’s always good to have a solid itinerary to begin with. Let’s start with that here, and then we’ll see how my trip with friends turned out.

Day 1: Reach Hampi

• Start Early from Bangalore : Check-in to Hotel by 2 pm
• Walking tour of Royal Enclosure and Danaik’s Enclosure
• Then explore the Hemkunta Group of Temples – A highlight
• Visit Virupaksha Temple – one of the oldest living temples in India

Day 2: Explore Hampi Highlights

• Archeological Museum : Collect the Hampi Monuments Ticket here.
• Drive to the Vittala Temple Complex : You’ll spend least 2 hours here.
• Hippie Island for lunch and music
• Daroji Wildlife Sanctuary : For wildlife enthusiasts, but it’s optional.
• Visit the Zenana Enclosure with the Hampi Ticket
• Coracle Ride in Tungabhadra : A unique experience, costs around Rs.1000 for a 30-minute ride.

Day 3: Depart from Hampi

• Drive to Anjaneya Hills and hike to the Monkey Temple
• If you had to skip Daroji Wildlife Sanctuary on day 2, you can visit it today
• Departure : Start for Bangalore at 2pm.

Trust me, this is not as hectic as it might sound. If you can start early, book some tours I recommend in this article, you can make the most of your trip with family.

I have skipped some adventures like bouldering in Hampi, climbing the Matange Hills and cliff-diving at Hampi. You can do it on your second trip to Hampi, or if you can extend your stay by one more day.

Read till the end to download a Hampi Itinerary PDF for your future reference.(Free download, no signup required).

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An introduction of Hampi – a UNESCO Heritage site

Located in Karnataka , India, Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage site. When you start planning your trip to Hampi, it’s important to know a little bit about the history of this place.

Hampi is famous for being the capital of the great Vijayanagara empire of the 14th and 15th centuries . However, the documented history of Hampi goes back to the kingdom of Ashoka.

The region was successively ruled by many great Hindu dynasties before the Vijayanagara kingdom was formed. 

With Hampi as the capital, the kings of the Vijayanagara empire controlled a major part of South India . This made possible, the booming trade relations with countries all over the world. The prosperity and greatness of this Hampi have been chronicled in many travelogues of that time. 

Love Heritage Sites? Also read about the monuments of Mahabalipuram . Don’t worry, the link opens in another tab.

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Read 10 exciting facts about Hampi that are unknown to many.

Day 1 of 3: Bangalore to Hampi itinerary

It’s ideal to leave Bangalore by 6 am so that you face less traffic and can reach Hampi by noon. However, we started late. By the time we freshened up at our hotel and had our much-needed lunch, it was almost 4 pm.

Hampi has two distinct areas separated by the beautiful Tungabhadra river – the main Hampi and the North Hampi. There is, of course, another less explored part of Hampi, which is wildlife! Yes, we will talk about it later.

The Hampi bazaar was just 2 km from our hotel, so we started with the hope of exploring them. You can easily call this part of Hampi an open-air museum. You don’t need to search for sites, it’s all around you.

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Royal Enclosure Area |   Hampi itinerary

The most prominent structure here is the Mahanabami Dibba  which was used for Dushera festivities. Other significant places to see here are the  King’s audience hall , a.k.a. 100-pillared hall, the Queen’s bath , the Octagonal bath , the stepped tank , the public bath , and horse stables .

The royal enclosure was the seat of the emperor of the Vijayanagara kingdom and naturally the home to many significant monuments. There are over 45 structures in the Royal enclosure, or should I say ruins of the glorious structures that once existed.

We parked near the Danaik enclosure and walked straight to the Queen’s bath. From there we just explored the area on foot.

I’ve laid out this walking map of the Royal enclosure area for you to explore the monuments. 🗺️

Queen’s Bath

Danaik’s Enclosure Area   | Hampi itinerary

Danaik’s enclosure or Dannanayaka enclosure is adjacent to the Royal enclosure, and an area which historians are divided on.

Some believe it to be the mint area of Hampi, some the seat of administration (Danaik meaning chief administrator), while some say it is the military training area. Most of the monuments here were completely destroyed, hence the ambiguity.

As we entered the beautiful Hazara Rama temple, a monument that has withstood the test of time; we could hear the evening azaan from the Mohammedan quarter. The Mohammedan watchtower offers a great panoramic view of the Hampi bazaar.

This place is famous for bouldering, a perfect adventure in the rocky landscape of Hampi. The weather was cloudy and pleasant, but not ideal for watching the sunset. We climbed one of the smaller rocks to watch the dramatic landscape in the evening. 

Hemkunta Group of Temples

As we went past the Royal enclosure towards the Tungabhadra River, our eyes fell on the canvas of stone on our left side. It was a cluster of ancient temples on the Hemkunta hills – the Hemkanta Group of temples.

The architecture of these temples is distinct from the rest of the Hampi group of monuments. These temples were built between 9th and 14th centuries. Traces of fortifications show that this area was a protected zone during that era.

“Adda” at Tungabhadra River | Hampi itinerary for 3 days

The next stop from here normally would be Zenana Enclosure, which is just 750 meters from the Danaik’s enclosure. However, we decided to visit the Tungabhadra River for a coracle ride. Unfortunately, the coracle ride closes at 6 pm, and by this time it was dark.

We sat at the banks of the river and enjoyed the serene calm, unlikely of such a tourist hot-spot. We had the quintessential Bengali “Adda” (chit-chat with friends on topics ranging from nature to politics).

  That was the end of our first day at Hampi. We returned to our hotel and played cards till midnight.

We spent so much time reading all the background stories and navigating our way in Hampi.

So, I highly recommend this 2-hour guided walking tour of this historic site .

It will help optimize your time on Day 1.

Day 2 of 3: Hampi itinerary from Bangalore

Our plan for the next day was ambitious but doable. If you have just one day in Hampi, this could be your itinerary.

We decided to start the day at 9 am with a tour of the archaeological museum of Hampi. Luckily this was exactly opposite to our hotel.

Archeological Museum of Hampi

There is one Hampi ticket (costs Rs. 40/-) valid for 24 hours, which will have you covered for the Archeological Museum in Hampi and the UNESCO group of Monuments – the Vijaya Vittala Temple and the Zenana Enclosure.

The Archeological Museum is a great place to start your day as it will give you the best introduction to this Heritage site.

It was also our obvious choice as we stayed at Clarkes’ Inn Hampi , right opposite to the museum. I highly recommend this mid-budget property.

The museum has a beautiful lawn with some pillars excavated from the ruins. Inside the museum, you will find a large model of the city. This will give you a solid orientation of the city and help you with planning. It would have been ideal if they had audio guides available in the museum but they don’t.

All the relics are supported by sufficient information written in English, Hindi, and Kannada. Some of the notable collections here are the idols of Hindu deities and the coins of different eras from the Chalukyas to the kings of Vijayanagara.

Another interesting exhibit was the one showing the evolution of the Devanagari script.  

Things to Note!

• Entry Fee – Rs. 40, including Vijaya Vittala Complex and Zenana Enclosure Complex.
• Open time: 10 am to 5 pm
• Photography – Free

Vittala Temple Complex

From the museum, we drove straight to North Hampi on the other side of the Tungabhadra River.

The best alternative of driving is taking a boat from the banks of Tungabhadra to go to the other side. When you search on Google Maps, use “Vijaya Vittala temple” since there is another Vittala temple almost 100 km away from Hampi.

The Vittala Temple is the zenith of architecture in the Vijayanagara kingdom and a must-to-include place in your Hampi itinerary. From the parking area, you can either walk 1.5 km to the temple complex or you can hire a tuk-tuk.

At Rs.20 per person, the tuk-tuk takes you to the main temple complex from where you can explore the Vittala Bazaar, the temple, and the river. On your way back you just have to wait in queue for a tuk-tuk to arrive.

No matter how packed your schedule is you will have to spend at least 2 hours in the complex. The Vittala bazaar was the large market of North Hampi. A series of parallel pillars on both sides lead to the main entrance of the Vittala temple complex.

As soon as you enter the complex you see the spectacular Stone chariot, the icon of Hampi, right in front of you. It was built out of multiple granite blocks put one over the other. The intricate carvings on the joins completely hide the crease giving an impression of a monolithic shrine.

This is where we saw the overwhelming crowd that we were (not) missing till now. People thronged upon the stone chariot waiting for their turn to take multiple photos, while we continued our way to the main hall.

We then entered the gate of the main Vittala temple. There were two temples here. One of these had the famous musical pillars, pillars that were used to create music. We spent an unexpected amount of time experimenting with our music composition skills on the pillars.

The other temple had intricate carvings depicting stories of mythology and history. The stories were inscribed in words on the wall in the Kannada language. After exploring and photographing the temples in the scorching heat we went to the riverside to relax and enjoy the breeze.  

After spending an hour by now we walked towards the King’s balance,  followed by the other side of the Tungabhadra river. The experience was magical and I could just stay there the whole day if I had time.

At the banks of Tungabhadra river in North Hampi

Anjaneya hills and the Monkey temple

The Anjaneya Hills holds a significant place in Hindu mythology. Believed to be the birthplace of Hanuman, a Hindu deity who helped Ram in his battle against the Ravan.

At the top of the hill stands the Hanuman temple also known as monkey temple. The flight of stairs along the hill leading to the temple is completely shaded and one has to leave their shoes behind when they visit.

Believers visit the temple to seek blessings of Lord Hanuman while nature lovers undertake the journey to see the most beautiful sunset.

We stopped by it but were too hungry to embark on this hike. Probably you’d be too. Don’t worry you can come back here the next day for a hike before you depart from Hampi.

Hippie Island

From here you can head to the Hampi island, also called Hippie island. The place earns its name owing to a large number of Goa-style shacks and the laid-back lifestyle in the region.

Most backpackers choose to stay in this part of Hampi, in small huts at a ridiculously low price. The road to Hippie island is not ideal for driving hence it is advisable to hire a tuk-tuk or a bicycle if you visit it in the evening.

The Hippie Island didn’t look too special in the afternoon. Of course, there were some interesting artifacts and cool dresses on sale out there. We had lunch at one of the shacks here and headed to our next stop.

Hippie island is the favorite spot for foreign tourists. It comes alive at night when live music bars open up, and people gather for a bonfire.

Though Hampi has a good tourism infrastructure, it takes time to find your own way in the mesh.

If you are travelling with family and are not accustomed with Karnataka, I recommend a guided tour with cab service to explore Hampi .

Have your own car? Then hire a government-licensed local guide on your trip .

Daroji Wildlife Sanctuary

While Hampi is famous for the rocky landscape and heritage monuments, it is has a surprise hidden for wildlife lovers too.

The Daroji Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the endangered sloth bear among other species like peafowls, mongoose, etc. However, there are a few points to note before you visit-

• There is no organized safari, the entry fee allows you to enter the forest and explore it on your own.
• There is no jeep or car rental service here, so you need to hire a car from Hampi.
• Entry Fee is quite expensive at Rs. 250/- per person
• No extra fee for the car, but you are not allowed to enter the forest without a car.
• There are no toilet or drinking water facilities here.
• You need to climb a watchtower which is not disability-friendly.
• Best time to see a bear is after 3 pm but you should have at least 2 hours. 

Four kilometers from the main entrance lies the watchtower, where you need to park the car and climb up. This is where you are supposed to take out your binoculars and high-zoom cameras and start looking for sloth bears. The forest is dense and the black bear is difficult to spot.

We stayed there for about 30 minutes and returned without seeing a glimpse of the animal. Patience is the key to watching wildlife, that’s something we learned on our six-hour Bandipur tiger safari . However, we wanted to return for the coracle-ride, hence we had to leave by 5:00 pm.

If you have only 1 day in Hampi, just skip Daroji National Park and Hippie island.  

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Coracle Ride in the Tungabhadra, Hampi

The coracle ride is one of the least advertised, yet most amazing attractions in Hampi. We parked for free near the Virupaksha temple and walked towards the Tungabhadra river like we did the previous day.

There were no signboards, so we had to keep asking locals for guidance.

Well, this is where prebooking a tour helps elevate your travel experiences. Many people skip this unforgettable adventure simply because they are lost and return frustrated.

Prebook this guided Tungabhadra tour online before you leave for Hampi . It includes a guided walking tour plus coracle ride at less tha Rs. 850!

Well, we didn’t plan it out so well that time, but luckily, we managed.

We walked into a cave that descended into the Tungabhadra basin. This is where the round-shaped boats were waiting to take us on a memorable tour.  

You need to haggle here. Unless you have a prebooked tour, the locals quote prices on the basis of demand. The four of us could negotiate a 30-minute coracle ride at Rs.1000 in total.

The sailor showed us some of the floating temples and precarious rocks on both sides of the river.

The tour ended with few rounds of spinning in the river. I must say it was a thousand bucks well-spent.  

Check out more pictures on my Photo Story of Hampi .

Virupaksha Temple

Our last stop of the day was the Virupaksha temple, one of the oldest active temples in India. It was created in the 7th century, after which it was enhanced during the Chalukya era and followed by the Vijayanagara era.

The intricate carvings on the well-maintained temple make it difficult to believe that it is so old. This grand shrine is a must-visit place in Hampi and one of the monuments that were awarded the status of UNESCO world heritage site. Unlike many active shrines, there is no specific dress code for entering the temple.

The temple is also famous for a small slit in the wall which exhibits a pin-hole camera effect in the day. When the sunrays pass through it creating an inverted image of the main tower.

Day 3 of 3: Hampi trip from Bangalore

The last day we checked out of the hotel at 9:15 am. We wanted to visit the Zenana enclosure before we set off on our way back through route 2.

Zenana enclosure  

The name Zenana suggests that it was a secluded area for royal women, a harem. The most notable structure here is the Lotus Mahal . It looks refreshingly different from the usual architecture of the Hampi group of monuments. This used to be the social hangout area for the royal ladies. Unlike most other monuments of Hampi, it is made of limestone and bricks.

Lotus Mahal at Zenana Enclosure

The Zenana enclosure, unlike the other to “enclosures” we visited before, is indeed enclosed by high walls. The area within is well maintained with lawns and large trees and a map of the area to help you out. Unlike the Royal enclosure, there are security officers here, probably the reason why we didn’t notice the acts of vandalism by tourists that we saw in the former.

Some of the other prominent structures here are the basement of the queen’s palace , the guard’s quarter and the beautiful elephant stables . The design of the elephant stables strangely sync with the lotus temple.

Many archaeologists differ from the view that the Zenana enclosure was a harem at all. The proximity to elephant stable and guard’s quarter, according to them suggests that this area was used for military purposes.

The proponents of the harem theory claim that the guards’ quarter was for the eunuch guards to protect the royal women.

Elephant Stable in Zenana Enclosure, Hampi  The basement of Queen’s Palace

We had to pay Rs.40 entrance ticket again since our previous ticket was valid for just 1 day. However, we didn’t mind because just the Zenana enclosure alone was worth the money spent.

Hampi is not just an outstanding must-visit place in India, it is one of the cheapest places to explore.

The only exception is probably the Daroji wildlife sanctuary, which didn’t really justify the value of the entrance fee. We departed for Hampi with the hope of returning soon.

How to reach from Bangalore to Hampi?

Hampi is just 350 km from Bangalore, and you can reach via train, bus or by car. The train is the most preferred means because they are cheap and comfortable. However, given the high demand, the trains in India need to be booked in advance.

Buses are easier to book because of their availability. There are a number of private Volvo buses that you can book from Bangalore to Hampi within the budget range of Rs. 500 -Rs.800.

Search and book bus, train or taxi from Bangalore to Hampi here . 

Driving Route for Bangalore to Hampi Road Trip:

This was our choice of conveyance from Bangalore to Hampi. We started late, at around 8:00 am from our home. There are two driving routes from Bangalore to Hampi. The shortest one is via NH 48 (345 km) and the slightly longer one is via the Bangalore-Hyderabad highway (365 km).

We took the shortest route on our way to Hampi and the second route back. I think the second (longer) route is much better for driving. The best thing is that you can stop at Veerabhadra temple of Lepakshi in the Bangalore-Hyderabad highway route. It is also another wonder of the Vijayanagar era.

Related: Best One-day Trips in Bangalore

Where to stay in Hampi?

There is a plethora of options to stay in Hampi, a backpacker’s paradise. There are guesthouses in Hippie Island at economical rates. I would recommend staying in the Hampi town, close to the Hampi Bazaar, where you can see most of the heritage group of monuments.

We stayed at Clarks Inn Hampi . At around Rs.2500 per night including breakfast we got an indoor swimming pool, gym, play zone, and amazing interiors. 

My Top Picks

For big groups, book Iconic Hampi Homes , where up to 4 people can stay in one room.

For family-friendly government-owned property in city-center, book KSTDC Hotel Mayura

My favorite Clarke’s Inn for affordable luxury – indoor pool, Play Zone for children and good food

For package tours, I recommend Bangalore to Hampi all-inclusive 2-day tour and Goa to Hampi Package tour .

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How many days are enough for Hampi?

You can explore the best of Hampi in three days. If you are short on time you can still condense it into a 2-day, 1-night itinerary.

However, Hampi is also an amazing place for slow travel. Many travelers come and stay here for weeks and months enjoying the slow life, bouldering, swimming and exploring the nearby heritage sites like Badami and Aihole.

What is the best time to visit Hampi?

Hampi is usually hot and dry almost throughout the year. Despite that tourist of all kind throng to Hampi for everything it has to offer.

However, according to me the best time to visit Hampi is in the monsoon when the light showers bring down the temperature. In fact, it is one of the best places to visit in monsoon in India.

How safe is Hampi for solo women travelers?

I found Hampi very safe for women, just like most of Karnataka. Some places near Tungabhadra are quite desolate. I would advise exercising the minimum caution that you would do anywhere else.

What to wear in Hampi?

I have seen women in shorts and tank-tops and saris alike. There are not many restrictions on what to wear even inside the temples. Although I prefer comfortable traditional attires that suits the nature of the place.

Wear good shoes for adventure activities. Check out the best travel shoes for India.

So, are you excited to visit Hampi? I hope my post helps you make the best of your Hampi trip plan. If you liked it please share the post.

And as promised, here’s the Hampi Itinerary 3 Day PDF for you to download and start planning.

Read more about the best places to visit in Karnataka. You may also like to read about the offbeat places in India .

Author Alice is a full-time business professional with a penchant for writing and travel planning. She shares her travel stories and exclusive practical tips on Backpack & Explore, that you won't find anywhere else.

39 Comments

I really enjoyed reading about Hamp, it looks like an open museum with all the temples and incredible structures. I had the chance to visit it in several occasions while I was in India but something always came up. When I come back to India, Hampi is definitely on the top of my list. I saw some amazing photos of the panoramic view of the Bazaar and it looked magical! I would love to experience this someday.

Visiting Archeological museums are one of my favourite thing to do while travelling so I feel like I would really love Hampi! I also love those Temples on your photos! They look so beautiful! Such a perfect place with so much to do! I cant wait to visit India one day!

I was not familiar with Hampi until I read your post. I love touring historical sites when I travel, so I know I would enjoy seeing and learning all about Hampi and the surrounding area. The name Hippie Island gave me a chuckle.

I really enjoyed your article and photos. The Queens Palace is impressive. The road trip would be a definite challenge depending which way you travelled. All roads in India seem to be like this, that makes it more of a fun adventure.

The roads in south India are usually very good, except these small challenges. That’s why I described the alternate route through Lepakshi. That will be a safe and amazing drive.

What a fascinating place. To know that the craton exists due to changes from volcanic movements from tens of millions of years ago is hard for the mere mortal to really comprehend. The history behind this place is amazing and the museums, temples and ruins looks beautiful. Those rows and rows of columns that ends with the temple is gorgeous and reminds me so much of Angkor.

Hampi is a place that we are in love with. Even three visits have not satiated our appetite to soak in the history. We look forward to getting there again at the earliest. I like your term for Hampi, “3-D History Book”, it is so apt.

I’ve not managed to visit Bangalore but your itinerary looks great. Virupaksha Temple looks like a nice temple to visit. Sounds like this would be a great trip!

When I lived in Bengaluru for more than 7 years, never I had visited this beautiful UNESCO-listed place. Now I have made sure when I go to the South, I would surely have to visit Hampi. It is indeed an 3D-history book. I find a strong similarity of this kingdom complex with Angkor. The ruins look magnificent. I was amazed by the Queens Palace – such rich architecture and history. Appreciate your pictures more than anything.

Thanks Shreya! Hope you visit Hampi soon on your trip to south india

Wow that is some incredible history there. I love how even looking at the photos some of the places look so incredibly large and full of life. My favorite places to visit are definitely temples, you guys found some great ruins to check out.

Hampi was one of my favorite places in India, indeed a 3d history. I enjoyed the calm river, the bazar and the baths ruins were impressive. I wish to come back one day and roam between the temples. ANd so many monkeys there! I wold definately take more days there the next time.

That was such an interesting post on visiting Hampi. I really enjoyed reading about this place, as I’ve not yet been to India. I love that there’s clearly many things to do here, from seeing the magnificent temples, to seeing the wildlife sanctuary too. I love the sound of Hippie Island, I bet it’s vibrant there at nighttime!

I’ve heard so much about Hampi and it’s temples and architectures, so this is already on my bucket list. What I appreciate is that you included some other activities that help visitors understand the culture and historical significance these landmarks have. That I think is very important for when we travel. I think I just might have to head to Hippie Island and see what that nightlife is all about, ha!

Haven’t been to Hampi yet, but after reading this detailed blog, I so want to. Many of my friends have been there and have heard some interesting stories, and seen some visually appealing photos. Looks like a trip to Hampi is soon on the cards now.

I still remember my trip to Hampi last year and how I was blown away with so many boulders and rocks and the vast paddy fields. We explored all the ruins and temples on a bicycle and it was a lot of fun. I loved your detailed post on this town and the way you have covered everything from how to reach to what places to visit.

Thank you so much. Hampi has definitely left a deep impression in my mind

Wow Sinjana! I’m loving Hampi with your pictures and narration! I’d love to visit all the sites the famous chariot, Vittala Temple Complex, janaza, lake, activities, and the monkey temple 🙂 This is such a comprehensive post, I’m going to keep it bookmarked and pinned for reference.

Thank you so much Jyoti. I would definitely recommend this trip when you are in India

This is a really good guide to a really rich historical site. Hopefully the archaeologists can uncover enough and maybe virtually reconstruct the buildings. An empire that prosperous from a stoneworking culture must have had incredible structures. This kingdom would have coincided with India’s early Hindu influence in Southeast Asia.

Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts. Hampi is believed to have been the second largest city in the world at that time and one of the wealthiest kingdoms! If not restoration I think a little more security to prevent vandalism by the irresponsible tourists who think it’s cool to carve their own names in all monuments would go a long way.

I’ve yet to make it to Hempi too. It does look fascinating! Hopefully, I’ll get there one day. I’ve been to India three times, each time to a different area. Each one unique and each one fabulous!

I know about your love for traveling in India so I’m sure you will visit again. Hampi is one of the most underrated gems and is highly accessible from major cities in south

I want to to thank you for this good read!! I absolutely enjoyed every little bit of it. I have you book marked to check out new stuff you post…

India is so high on my Bucketlist and I read blog posts like yours and just want to buy my flight! You have some really great information. I will for sure be adding Hampi to my list for when I visit!

Thanks Caro. It’s indeed the most interesting country to explore.

Your Hampi Itinerary is awesome. PS – Your photos alone make me want to visit.

Thanks Brett.

What an incredible place! And I loved all the details you included from the rather steep speed-bumps through to the photography options. The Queen’s Bath is magnificent; I can imagine it deep with water and with the women gathered to chat and bathe. I’d certainly be wanting to try a tune on those musical pillars.

Thanks a lot. You will thoroughly enjoy Hampi.

Wow- lots of history and architecture here. Our boys love both- so this would be an awesome place for us to visit with them!

What a fantastic 3-day itinerary. There’s certainly many things to see and explore and for anyone visiting Hampi, this itinerary gives them a great idea on what to do and when. The temples and buildings look stunning, certainly a sight to see with your own eyes I’d say.

Thanks a lot. You will love Hampi.

I’ve never heard of Hampi before, but will definitely put it on my bucket list for when I’m visiting India – which will hopefully be soon. I was especially intrigued by the Vittala Temple Complex – so majestic!

Thanks Renata. You will totally love Hampi.

I have been wanting to visit Hampi for so long. This is such a beautiful and culturally rich place. Thanks for sharing such detailed information about it.

Thanks Karthika.You should definitely visit Hampi now.

Oh wow, I love all the old ruins! So beautiful!

Looks like an incredible area and this itinerary is perfect! The wildlife and historic temples are just stunning!

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Hampi Travel Guide For 2022 | Everything You Need to Know Before Going to Hampi

Hampi Travel Guide ; the place connotes images of colossal and intriguing ruins spread over vast acres of land, evidence of the bygone era of grandeur, pomp, and splendor.

A place with fascinating stories to tell; Hampi beckons every tourist to visit and drown in the mysterious beauty of its rugged landscape, monolithic structures, intricately carved monuments and the fascinating and weird arrangement of its huge boulders.

Table of Contents

Why you must make hampi travel plan.

Hampi which was once the base of the powerful Vijayanagara Empire has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. It is one of the must-visit sites in Karnataka and draws hordes of tourists always of the year. And why not!

Hampi tourism is all-encompassing: history, natural beauty, mythology, sightseeing, cultural fulfillment, and one of the best examples of the tech-savvy minds of the rulers of those days.

Hampi -Located on the banks of the tempestuous Tungabhadra in central Karnataka, Hampi can be a dream world for every photographer, history enthusiast, and all those seeking a place to de-stress. With a host of places to visit in Hampi and the surrounding region, your visit will be a bright moment.

Hampi for One Day Trip – Must See

Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich history and stunning architecture. Here are some of the must-visit places in and around Hampi:

• Virupaksha Temple: This is the main center of pilgrimage at Hampi and is considered the most sacred sanctuary. The temple’s history dates back to the 7th century.
• Vitthala Temple Complex: Famous for its iconic stone chariot, musical pillars, and the Hampi Bazaar, Vitthala Temple is a masterpiece of architecture and a photographer’s delight.
• Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex: Explore the numerous small temples and shrines scattered across this rocky landscape. The sunset view from Hemakuta Hill is breathtaking.
• Achyutaraya Temple: This temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is known for its impressive architecture and carvings.
• Lotus Mahal: Located in the Zenana Enclosure, this beautiful structure is a fine example of the Vijayanagar style of architecture.
• Elephant Stables: Admire the grandeur of the Elephant Stables, a row of domed chambers where the royal elephants were once housed.
• Matanga Hill: For a panoramic view of the Hampi landscape, trek up Matanga Hill, especially during sunrise or sunset.
• Tungabhadra River Coracle Ride: Experience a coracle ride on the Tungabhadra River, offering a unique perspective of the Hampi ruins.

If you’re looking for places similar to Hampi regarding historical and architectural significance, consider visiting Badami, Pattadakal, and Aihole .

Along with Hampi, these places form the UNESCO World Heritage site known as the “Group of Monuments at Hampi, Badami, and Pattadakal.” They are all within a reasonable distance of each other and showcase the evolution of Chalukyan architecture.

A BLEND OF ANCIENT & MODERN CULTURE

Hampi used to be a bouldering ruin town of north Karnataka only for those in the know but not anymore. Hampi has in recent time exploded in popularity amongst the backpackers community, and many foreigners travel to India individually to check out Hampi. Make sure to take an experienced local guide with you if you are new to Hampi since rocks can be pretty tricky.

November, December & January is the best time of the year for bouldering in Hampi. It’s better to avoid the hot and dry season from March to June. Make sure you have the right gear & keep plenty of water before you venture out. You can usually rent mats & moped (trim down version of bikes) from your guesthouse and go exploring the amazing piles of rocks littering the town.

GETTING TO THE BASICS

Hampi serves as a rejuvenating weekend getaway to residents of Bangalore provided you set out very early in the morning. And believe me, the trip always turns out to be a fulfilling and rewarding experience. You move out with a bagful of memories of the sheer magnificence of the place; inspiring, tragic, centuries-old remains of the erstwhile Vijayanagar Empire!

HOW TO REACH HAMPI?

There are several ways you can get to Hampi and the common point in all is Hospet, a bustling town offering a lot of travel connections. Many road and rail routes pass through this town from several major cities in and around the area.

By Rail : For rail commuters, the nearest rail station is Hospet Junction which is 13 km from Hampi. Several overnight trains ply from Bangalore, Goa, Hyderabad, Mysore and so on to this place. Local buses ply from the railway station to the bus depot and further ahead to Hampi. In this context, you need to be alert for rickshaw drivers who will charge you exorbitantly for a very dusty and tiring ride.

By Road : There are a couple of options here. Buses of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation operate daily from Hospet to Mysore, Bangalore, Gokarna, etc.

From Hospet, again the local buses take you to your destination. Private operators also offer a direct overnight service to Hampi from places in Goa or Gokarna. However, there is no return service provided by them.

The third option is to drive your own vehicle or reach via a tourist vehicle from a city like Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli, etc. Hampi to Bangalore covers about 353 km and takes about seven to eight hours depending upon your speed. The route is quite enjoyable as it passes through some beautiful farmlands, vineyards and in general, lovely countryside.

By Flight : The nearest major airport is Hubli which is at a distance of 143 km from Hampi. Then again you must take the roadway to reach Hampi.

You can also resort to the Jindal Vijaynagar Airport near Bellary which is situated about 40 km from Hampi. The airport is connected to major cities like Hyderabad or Bengaluru through twin-engine, turboprop airlines meant for short-haul distances.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The ideal time to visit Hampi is the period from November to March as these are the periods of best weather and times when you can immerse in the spirit of the colorful cultural and musical activities that take place here.  The Hampi Festival, for one, is a three-day festival normally held around November and is the time when the entire ruins come alive with dance, music, drama, puppet shows and varied kinds of fireworks.

A classical music festival is held around the months of January or February to commemorate the birth of poet Purandaradasa. Another event that can be of great interest to you is the Virupaksha Car Festival that is held in March or April. It is one of the largest of all and symbolizes the yearly marriage ceremony of the goddesses and gods.

PLACES TO STAY IN HAMPI

There are several options of Hampi accommodation ranging from star rated resorts to budget hotels in Hampi . The luxurious setting can be obtained in Hospet which boasts of premium hotels like Royal Orchid Central Kireeti or the opulent Orange County Hampi Resort located in Kamalapura. Some of the other Hampi resorts stay includes the Kishkinda Heritage Resort Hampi, Hampi’s Boulders and Clark’s Inn, etc.

On the other hand, places to stay in Hampi which include clean, decent guesthouses or budget hotels are localized either near the main bazaar and the bus stand or Virupapur Gadde which lies on the river’s other side. This is often referred to as Hippie Island and draws a lot of backpackers who choose this area for their Hampi to stay .

THINGS TO DO IN HAMPI

Besides visiting the travel hotspots in Hampi, there are a couple of other interesting things to do. Given below is a list of them.

• Chilling on the Backpacker’s Island is one of the favorite activities for most of the backpack travelers. The island stands in the center of the river and is one of the star attractions in the Hampi tourism Many guest houses, coffee places, and restaurants flourish here, and you can have your fill of them along with a relaxing stint in a hammock.
• Getting involved in the bathing ritual of the elephant residing in the Virupaksha Temple is another activity. It is an hour-long ritual where the elephant is bathed in the river. Tourists are welcome to give a helping hand in return for gifts like bananas.
• Bird lovers can have a field day watching some rare bird species, flamingos and pelicans at the Ankhasamudra bird sanctuary.
• You can also go for a boat ride on the river waters. Coracles are the name of the bowl-shaped boats that take you on a leisure ride through Tungabhadra waters reaching out to some of the unseen temples with beautiful carvings. However, the ride charge is pretty steep; it almost costs about a thousand rupees for an hour or less.
• Visiting a local village, the likes of Anegundi; mingling with the locals, eating their food, getting to know their lifestyle and overall obtaining an enriching experience.
• Cycling is another activity that is very much alive here. People, especially foreigners, take bicycles on rent and roam around with a map on their own.

PLAN YOUR HAMPI ITINERARY

You need to plan your sightseeing in Hampi well if you want to have your fill of everything or I would rather say almost everything as a single visit will fail to leave you satiated. The sightseeing areas can be divided into two parts; the Royal Centre and the Sacred Centre which lie within a 3 km distance from one another. The Sacred Centre includes temples and other religious sites while all structures related to the former royalty lie in the Royal Centre.

As such you need to set aside a minimum of three days if you want to cover almost all the travel spots.  There are several options to carry on your sightseeing. If you are a practiced walker then you can cover the area on foot. Go equipped with water, don a hat, apply some sunscreen and explore to your heart’s content.

You can also hire a bicycle or a moped for the day. You will need to offer something as a security to the owner. The third option is to hire an auto-rickshaw for the entire day or on a personal basis. Tours are also organized by bus operators as a feature of their larger package.

However, in all cases do not forget to hire a guide as he alone will be able to recreate the magic of the past. Authorized guides are available who will take you around and explain the importance and history of the places.

They will add some spice to the story sometimes, but it is still nice to listen to their explanation which brings the grandeur and royalty of the place alive. They will charge around INR 1500-2000 and remember you can negotiate with them and find a mutually beneficial plan.

RECOMMENDED PLACES TO VISIT IN HAMPI

As mentioned above, the Sacred Centre of Hampi includes several temples that are all must-visit sites. Before embarking on your temple journey, however, remember that the temples remain closed for visitors between 12.30 pm and 2 pm. This will help you to plan your sightseeing accordingly. Most of the Hampi temples provide for free entry though some may charge a nominal fee for phones or cameras. Following is a brief on a few of them.

TEMPLES & STATUES- HAMPI’S PAST GLORY

• Virupaksha Temple: This is the only religious site where rituals are still carried on today. One of the largest and oldest structures this edifice stands tall at a height of nine stories with its impressive golden tower capping the top. Lord Shiva is the main deity of this temple.
• The Stone Chariot: A huge chariot in stone with intricate carvings adds to the beauty of the Vithala temple. One of the three chariots found in India, this one leaves you awestruck at the depth of the artisans’ skill.
• Monolith Bull: The imposing monolith Bull can be reached by climbing a few stairs as the Hampi Bazaar ends. The bull is a huge piece carved out of a single rock and has a shrine enclosing it.
• Achyutraya Temple: As you climb further up the stairs after the Monolith Bull you reach the Achyutraya temple. Unfortunately, this temple is not in a good shape with no maintenance work in progress.
• Badaviling Temple: This temple dedicated to Lord Shiva includes a huge Shiva Linga carved out of a single stone. It sits in a pool of water and there is a priest sprinkling holy water from the Shiva Linga on to the visitors.
• Statue of Lakshmi Narasimha: Beside the Shiva Linga stands the statue of Narasimha, half man, and half lion. It also dwarfs you with its sheer magnificence and size.
• Sasivekalu Ganesh: A huge statue of Ganesh in stone lies beside the Hemakuta Hill temple’s entrance. This is enclosed by a shrine.

HILLS & HILL TEMPLE AROUND HAMPI

• Hemakuta Hill temple: The Hemakuta Hill temples lie on a small hill which gives an enchanting view of Hampi. Many tourists climb uphill to get an epic view of the setting sun.
• Malyavanta Raghunath Temple: This temple lies on Malyavanta Hill and has priests chanting hymns and prayers there. A huge boulder that is located within the temple structure is a big tourist attraction in addition to the beautiful sunset that can be viewed from atop. The entrance is easily accessible by autos and cars.
• Monkey Temple: A temple dedicated to the Monkey God, Hanuman, the temple can be accessed by climbing almost 600 stairs.
• Matanga Hill: The Matanga hilltop offers a panoramic view of the town and some stunning views of the sunrise or sunset. You can start off early before the heat catches up with you and go equipped with a bottle of water and a protective cap.

STRUCTURES THAT YOU SHOULDN’T MISS

• Lotus Mahal: Shaped in the form of a lotus this was a separate enclosure meant for the royal ladies of the Vijayanagara dynasty. Located within the Zenana Enclosure, it is one of the few buildings that have remained intact to date.
• Elephant Stable: A huge row of domed chambers which housed the elephants of royalty at one point of time, is also in quite a good shape today. A favorite haunt for the shutter-happy tourist, this place is a not to be missed site.
• Royal Enclosure: Spread across vast acres of land, this was the base of the Vijayanagara Empire. Imposing structures of the ruins still draw throngs of tourists to the site.

ON A FINAL NOTE

Hampi is a place you bid goodbye to with your mind totally amazed at the awesome collection of monuments spread across the entire area.  Every boulder there is entrenched with a meaning.

Some have helped to create majestic hills of boulders, some have taken the form of ruins belonging way back to the Middle Age, some have gone towards the building of temples and others utilized for carvings. Hampi stands truly unique and magnificent among the heritage sites of India!

Should you be considering to visit the historical Hampi, do check out on Karnataka tourism official website for all details and information

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Dear readers, I hope the blog post answered some of the questions about the Hampi tourism guide . Do you still have a question? Feel free to comment or rate us by clicking the 5 stars.

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About the author: lakshmi vijayadas.

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Any contact for guide in Hampi, please?

Maybe you can try – Ravi (94805 69320), who is highly recommended on trip advisor, Virupakshi (94803 19244). Virupakshi’s enthusiasm coupled with his knowledge of the Vijaynagar empire & dates of events, interest in archeology, and ability to weave a story that reaches the facts as it goes along

I wanted to express my heartfelt appreciation for the time and effort you put into your blog. If you want stay in this beautiful place, connect with us to book a luxurious stay at evolveback hampi, Contact us for more details Website: https://evolvebackhampi.com/ Contact: 6366366971

Very simple and effective information for hampy

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A Trip to Hampi from Bangalore: The Complete Itinerary

traveller Sahil

Bangalore Hampi itinerary is to be planned and implemented well if you want to enjoy both these lovely south Indian destinations. The travel route of most visitors to this part of the world is from Bangalore to Hampi. This is where a good travel plan comes in place.

The Bangalore Hampi itinerary should cater well to the traveller’s tastes. The journey is beautiful and inspiring in so many ways. Hampi is an important historic and cultural destination in southern India.

Hampi is a land that symbolizes the rich script of ancient Indian times. A land that has seen battles and traditions and engraved the relics in its temples like a canvas. The quality of workmanship in the monuments is prominent throughout.

Hampi as a travel destination is rich historically and culturally. This is a capture from the Chariot at Vittala Temple. Picture by Vikash Kumar

The Complete Bangalore Hampi Itinerary

Located in Karnataka state at approximately a distance of 350 km from Bangalore city, Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the early period of 1500 CE (Common Era), it was possibly the richest state of India and attracted many traders, especially from Persia and Portugal.

It was the centre of the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire capital in the 14th century and was brought to ruins by the Muslim sultanate armies in 1565.  Through the means of my current blog, I intend to elaborate on the complete Bangalore Hampi Itinerary in this blog. I hope it proves to be of value to fellow travelers.

A practical Bangalore Hampi itinerary should ensure that you start really early from the ‘Garden City’ of Bangalore, reach Hampi by noon and start exploring the region by sunset. Not to forget, try the delicious local cuisine.

Day Wise Bangalore Hampi Itinerary

Usually, in two days, you would be able to explore most of Hampi. Here is the day-wise itinerary. Even though you should stay here longer, I see a lot of travelers devoting a time span of 48 hours here and then moving forward elsewhere.

Day 1 of Bangalore Hampi Itinerary

Day 2 of Bangalore Hampi Itinerary

How to Travel to Hampi from Bangalore?

From Bangalore, if you plan to go via road you can either choose the Karnataka State Buses or you can hire a car from various car rental apps on your phone. A bus would be a better option to explore Hampi. This is because of the various off-road terrains, you would have to abandon your vehicle at a point anyway.

It takes approximately 800 INR and 8 to 9 hours to reach Hampi from Bangalore. You can book your journey on the Karnataka State Bus Service website (KSRTC).

You can also opt to travel to Hampi. Please note that a direct train to Hampi is not available. Hospet, which is the nearest city to Hampi (around 13 kms) has a train station. So if you travel via train, you would be boarding the train from Yeshwantpur Junction in Bangalore and reach Hospet station in the duration of around 8 to 10 hours.

After reaching Hospet, you will have to take a private tuk tuk or local bus to Hampi. The most economical way is to take the tuk tuk to the Hospet bus stand and then go to Hampi via local buses.

For adventure lovers, bikes can also be a feasible option. Rent a bike in Bangalore and ride it till Hampi. But ensure your safety at all times.

On the way from Bangalore to Hampi and especially inside Hampi, make sure to stay hydrated at all times. Picture by Sahil Rana

What All to Do on Reaching Hampi?

First things first – You probably want to shake off the tiredness from the 8-hour journey. So taking a nap will help. You can find accommodation and food at Hippie Island in Hampi. There is a ferry that goes to and fro and connects you to this island while you cross the Tungabhadra River.

To find the ferry, just go along the Viruprakahsa Temple Road along the river and you will find stairs going down, pointing right at it. Note that the last ferry to Hippie Island is at 5:30 p.m. After that, you are stuck on either side of the bank.

You can also choose to stay on the other side of the river but when in Hampi, bunking at Hippie Island is the way to be. Do not forget to apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or more) here.

Exploring a culturally rich destination like Hampi with friends has given me immense joy. Picture by Sahil Rana

Hippie Island

Hippie Island is a very laid-back yet chilled-out place. The vibe of this place is simply amazing. You can find cheap accommodations there and there are also quite a lot of cafes present. The cafes serve both Indian and Western cuisine.

This island is basically the village of Virupapura Gadde. The locals are friendly and fluent in the English language. This village is just a few minutes of boat ride away but if you travel during the monsoon season (mid-July to September), you would not be able to get a boat ride as the water levels of the river are significantly high. At that time, the only option left is to hire a private taxi or a tuk tuk which would take you to the island which is around 40 km across the other side of the river.

There are some beautiful sites at the Hippie Island that you should certainly explore –

Witness the early morning sunrise or the early dust sunset at Hippie Island. Picture by Sahil Rana

Exploring Hippie Island Internally

The best way of getting around on the Hippie island is on a moped (small scooter). You can rent it on either side of the river. However, you cannot get across on the motorboat with it.

Another option is to rent a bicycle, which would be obviously cheaper than the moped and can be taken on either side of the river.

If you have chosen the bicycle, make sure you are well hydrated as Hampi is a hot place and dehydration almost took an hour of my time while I was there. Hippie Island though is better experienced on a moped.

If you want to make your trip more adventurous, you can also opt for rock climbing and bouldering (all the gear would be provided) here which can be done from the months of November to May.

The Hampi Side of the River

Here you will find rocks, ruins, and sand wherever you go. There are many interesting sites in Hampi owing to its history and heritage. Just like Hippie Island, this place too can be explored on a moped and bicycle. There is a complete route map you can buy and follow the trail as you explore.

There is one more option f you want a relaxed and easy tour of the ruins and temples of this small town. You can hire an auto-rickshaw for the day for about 500 to 600 INR with 3 people sitting capacity and the driver would take you on the route.

He would also provide you with information regarding that particular place as you go. Hence, he will even serve as your guide.  You would find ice cream rickshaws and coconut water stalls all along the way so you need not worry about the dehydration.

You can also choose to explore Hampi on your own. For that, buy a guidebook.

There are some beautiful sites here that you should surely explore –

The famous and beautifully crafted ‘Queen’s Bath’ at Hampi. Picture by Sahil Rana

The Famous Hampi Bazaar

Hampi is famous for its stone carvings in temples and monuments and is also famous for the same done by local artists on a small scale. The Hampi Bazaar is located near Viruprakasha temple. It’s a flea market where you can find artistic goods.

A small area with slightly tight streets gives you a feel of Middle Eastern town exploration as you go through them. You will also find some cafes and eateries in this place. One of the most famous and also my favourite is the Mango Tree Restaurant. It’s typically full during the tourist season and you would have to wait for your table. But the food variety here is ample to feed one’s soul.

If you are still feeling a bit heated up, you can take a dip in the river as locals do the same during the evening time. But make sure you are on the boat to Hampi Island before 5:30 PM if you are staying there because that would be the last time the ferry would take you to the other side.

Buy locally carved artefacts and jewellery at Hampi Bazaar. Picture by Amit Suman

Sunset Point

There are mainly two sunset points in Hampi. One is located on Hippie island and is the compulsory place to be around sunset. The reason being that there is a whole different vibe that goes on around sunset there. Just a few minutes of the hike would lead you to this amazing spot.

There is a local artist who plays music on guitar and sings native songs. Near him are some vendors selling tea or carbonated drinks. Stay here for a while and enjoy the scenery.

The other spot for sunset is around the Viruprakahsha Temple on the other side of the river in Hampi. Just a little 5-minute hike from the side of the temple would take you to the spot.  I would recommend watching the sunset from there if you have to catch the bus back in the evening as you would not be able to cross back to Hippie Island after 5:30 PM.

You can peacefully watch the sunset and be on your way towards the bus stand which is located at a 10-minute walk from there when you come down.

A couple of days or three are enough to explore this small town and have backpackers’ travel feel. The history and culture would make you wonder about the grand life in Hampi in the 15 th Century. Usually, the tourists stay for a week and chill. Whatever your story might be, Hampi is definitely a Backpacker’s Paradise.

Happy wayfaring.

THIS POST IS AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF BUDGET WAYFARERS. ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ASSOCIATION INDULGING IN PLAGIARISM WILL BE DEALT WITH STRICTLY . IF YOU WANT TO USE INFORMATION FROM THE ARTICLE ABOVE, KINDLY QUOTE THE SOURCE.