For the loner, the historian and the wanderer

380 kms from Bangalore

What’s in it for me?

• Time travel: travel back 300 years in time and re-live history
• Be an explorer: Go walk amidst the ruins and poke your nose around. Hampi will inspire the photographer in you.
• Be a bum: You can rent a room by the lazy Thungabadra river and sit by the banks, sipping a beverage of your choice until…well…hmm..until the aliens from Mars take over the world?

What about shelter?

There are innumerable guest houses in Hampi. Alternately, you can go across the river in a small ferry and find guest houses which are by the riverside. A room will cost you between INR 200 – 800 per night depending on view from room, size, and cleanliness. There are big hotels and resorts to stay at as well, which will cost you INR 1500 upwards. During peak tourist season prices may soar to INR 800-1500 range across town.

We recommend: Shiva Café (400 per night)

How’s the grub?

Hampi is no connoisseur’s delight! But depending on the place you stay, your cook will decide your destiny. On side 1 of the river, visit Mango Tree, where almost everything is awesome. On side 2 of the river, build a good rapport with the cook of your guest house and hope for the best. Most menus have all kinds of cuisines ranging from Italian, to Chinese, to Indian and Continental, all thanks to the diverse tourists Hampi receives. You can also find typical south Indian ‘meals’ at small hotels around town.

How much do I have to shell out for the trip?

Hampi is pretty reasonable. Food will not exceed INR 500 a day (and that’s a higher end estimate).Stay will, on an average, cost you another 500 a day. Besides food and stay, you will spend a very nominal amount on entry and camera fees at certain historical sites (between INR 20 – 50). But shopping in Hampi is not cheap. You will be charged ‘tourist prices’ for almost anything you want to buy. But of course the better you bargain, the more you save. Over all, you will spend less than INR 5000 on a 3-4 day trip to Hampi.

How do I get to Hampi?

Close you eyes, count to three and really ‘think’ Hampi. And you’ll be teleported. Alternately, take an overnight bus from Bangalore. Most of the travel agencies have nightly buses to Hampi. You could also take an overnight train to Bellary which is 8 km from Hampi. There are several auto-rickshaws to transport you from Bellary to Hampi. To drive down to Hampi, take NH 4 upto Chitradurga, and then drive down NH 13 to Hospet. From there you can simply ask around and get to Hampi.

If you want to know anything more about Hampi, or have specific questions for which you haven’t found answers here, leave a comment and we’ll respond in 24 hours.