Step into Vijayanagara Empire! Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a surreal landscape of 500+ ancient temples, palaces, and structures scattered among giant boulders and banana plantations. Once the richest city in medieval India (14th-16th century), now ruins narrate tales of grandeur. Explore Virupaksha Temple, Stone Chariot, Vittala Temple musical pillars, Royal Enclosure, Lotus Mahal, Elephant Stables, and boulder-strewn Tungabhadra River. Add Badami cave temples. From history enthusiasts to photographers, from trekkers to spiritual seekers, Hampi offers an unforgettable journey into Indias glorious past.
Day 1:
Arrival Hampi - Arrive Hospet (nearest railhead/bus station), transfer to Hampi (13km), check-in guesthouse, lunch, afternoon walk around Hampi Bazaar (450m long ancient market street), Virupaksha Temple (UNESCO listed, dedicated to Shiva, 9-tiered gopuram 50m high, active since 7th century), climb Hemakuta Hill for sunset (cluster of small temples, 360┬░ views of ruins, boulder landscape), overnight|
Day 2:
Hampi Royal and Sacred Center - Breakfast, pick up bicycles, cycle tour of major sites: Vittala Temple complex (masterpiece, 56 musical pillars, famous Stone Chariot, ornate mandapas), Krishna Temple, Narasimha Monolith (6.7m tall single-stone), Badavilinga (3m tall Shiva linga), Sasivekalu Ganesha, Queens Bath (Indo-Islamic architecture), Royal Enclosure (Mahanavami Dibba platform, Stepped Tank, Hazara Rama Temple), lunch break, afternoon Lotus Mahal, Elephant Stables (11 domed chambers), Archaeological Museum, evening coracle ride on Tungabhadra, overnight|
Day 3:
Badami Excursion - Early checkout, drive to Badami (150km, 3 hrs, early Chalukya dynasty capital 6th century), explore 4 rock-cut cave temples on red sandstone cliff: Cave 1 - Shiva (18-armed Nataraja), Cave 2 - Vishnu, Cave 3 - Largest with Vishnu in various forms, Cave 4 - Jain cave, Bhutanatha Temples on lake shore, Upper Shivalaya temples on hilltop, lunch, option to visit Aihole and Pattadakal (additional cost), drive to Hospet/continue journey, tour ends