Bangalore to Hampi Itinerary
Introduction
Hampi, located in Karnataka state about 350 kilometers from Bangalore, is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was possibly the richest state in India in the early 1500 CE (Common Era) and drew many traders, particularly from Persia and Portugal.
It was the capital of the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th century and was destroyed by Muslim sultanate armies in 1565. I intend to elaborate on the entire Bangalore Hampi Itinerary in this blog using my current blog. I hope it proves useful to other travelers.
A practical Bangalore Hampi itinerary should start early from the ‘Garden City,’ arrive in Hampi by noon, and begin exploring the region by sunset. Not to mention the delectable local cuisine.
How to Travel to Hampi from Bangalore?
If you plan to travel by road from Bangalore, you can either take the Karnataka State Buses or hire a car from one of the many car rental apps available on your phone. A bus would be a preferable mode of transportation for exploring Hampi. Because of the various off-road terrains, you will have to abandon your vehicle at some point.
From Bangalore, it takes about 800 INR and 8 to 9 hours to get to Hampi. You can reserve your seat on the Karnataka State Bus Service website (KSRTC).
You can also choose to visit Hampi. Please keep in mind that there is no direct train to Hampi. Hospet, the nearest city to Hampi (about 13 kilometers), has a train station. If you travel by train, you would board the train at Yeshwantpur Junction in Bangalore and arrive at Hospet station in about 8 to 10 hours.
After arriving in Hospet, take a private tuk-tuk or a local bus to Hampi. The most cost-effective option is to take a tuk-tuk to the Hospet bus station and then take local buses to Hampi.
Bikes can also be a viable option for adventure seekers. Rent a bike in Bangalore and ride it to Hampi.
What All to Do on Reaching Hampi?
First and foremost, you’ll probably want to shake off the fatigue from your 8-hour journey. So taking a nap will be beneficial. Hippie Island in Hampi has accommodation and food. There is a ferry that connects you to this island while crossing the Tungabhadra River.
Hippie Island
Hippie Island is a very relaxed and chill place. This place has an incredible vibe. There are many cafes and cheap accommodations available there. Both Indian and Western cuisine are available at the cafes.
This island is essentially Virupapura Gadde’s village. The locals are welcoming and speak English well. This village is only a few minutes by boat, but if you visit during the monsoon season (mid-July to September), you will be unable to get a boat ride due to the river’s high water levels. At the time, the only option was to hire a private taxi or a tuk-tuk to take you to the island, which was about 40 kilometers across the river.
The Hampi Side of the River
Everywhere you look, there are rocks, ruins, and sand. Because of its history and heritage, Hampi has many interesting sites. This location, like Hippie Island, can be explored by moped or bicycle. You can purchase a complete route map and follow the trail as you explore. There is one more option if you want a relaxed and easy tour of this small town’s ruins and temples. You can hire an auto-rickshaw for the day for around 500 to 600 INR, with seating for three people, and the driver will take you on the route.
The Famous Hampi Bazaar
Hampi is well-known for its stone carvings in temples and monuments, but it is also well-known for similar work done on a smaller scale by local artists. Near the Viruprakasha temple is the Hampi Bazaar. It’s a flea market with artistic items for sale.
As you walk through the small area with slightly tight streets, you get a sense of middle eastern town exploration. This location also has a few cafes and eateries. The Mango Tree Restaurant is one of the most well-known, as well as my personal favorite. During the tourist season, it is usually full and you will have to wait for a table. However, the food variety here is sufficient to satisfy one’s soul.
Sunset Point
In Hampi, there are primarily two sunset locations. One is on Hippie Island and is required to be present around sunset. The reason for this is that there is a completely different vibe around sunset. This breathtaking location is only a few minutes hike away.
A local musician performs guitar music and sings native songs. Nearby, there are some vendors selling tea or carbonated beverages.
