Magical Hampi

Bite-sized trip

Itinerary:
Hampi
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
Price:
from £ 395.- per person (excluding flights)

Be enchanted by the boulder-strewn riverbanks, tumbledown temples and banana plantations of Hampi - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surreal and spellbinding, it’s a place that takes hold of many travellers. Wander between giant boulders, amble amongst rice paddies and soak up the relaxed atmosphere. You’ll spend three days exploring the ruins and we've included a tour with a local guide.

For this bite-sized trip we've included transport from Bangalore and then onto Mysore, but it's also possible to combine Hampi with Goa. Speak to your Travel Specialist for more details.

Day 1 – Arrival in Hampi

Today you’ll travel on an overnight train from Bangalore to Hospet. On arrival you’ll be transferred to Hampi, an enchanting village on the shores of the Tungabhadra River, nestled amongst ancient ruins and crumbling sculptures. In the early mornings and late afternoons, the combination of gentle light and striking landscape gives Hampi a magical ambience that defies description.

You will be staying in a beautiful resort just outside of Hampi. You will actually drive over large boulders to get there and once you arrive you will immediately notice the beauty of your surroundings. The resort is located on the banks of a river, surrounded by bamboo trees, coconut palms, mango trees and the huge boulders that Hampi is famous for. This is a great place for some peace and quiet!

Day 2 – Temple tour

After breakfast, you’ll set off to explore with our local guide. Hampi was once the huge capital of the Vijaynagaran Empire, larger than Paris or London, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ruins are dotted across a large distance between massive rocks, banana plantations and tropical scrub. You’ll visit many extraordinary sites – the Temple of Malyavanta, Hampi Bazaar (a beautiful street in the days of the Vijayanagaran Empire), the Virupaksha Temple, the Ugra Narasimha Burial Mound and the Vithala Temple complex. At the end of the day, you’ll be dropped off at your guesthouse. The evening is free, so why not climb one of the nearby hills and enjoy the magical sunset.

Day 3 – Free time & departure

Today, your time is completely your own. One of the most famous ruins is the massive stone carriage that is parked in front of an impressive gallery of decorated pillars, each sculpted from a single block of stone. Alternatively, you can hire a bicycle to explore more of the ruins, or the colourful rural village scenes around your hotel. This evening you’ll wave goodbye as you head off to Mysore on an overnight sleeper train.