You must’ve read about my knack for traveling through the countless articles under my name. While I do enjoy writing about travel, if there’s something I love more than that, it has to be travel itself!
It was in 2021 that I first stumbled across a random video vlog about Hampi. That video was all it took – I was instantly spellbound by this UNESCO World Heritage Site, steeped in history and scattered with surreal landscapes. As someone who likes his own company more than anything else, I had always dreamt of setting out to explore the country on my own. After four long years of anticipation, that long-held dream finally came to life. My Hampi trip was about to happen!
What unfolded was nothing less than a full-blown ride. We found a lost phone, rode a coracle, and survived a power outage – and did plenty of other exciting things! Here’s how I set out to explore one of India’s most breathtaking UNESCO Sites – Hampi!
A 4-Day Hampi Trip And Memories For Lifetime
How I Reached Hampi
It wasn’t just me who set out to explore Hampi – my sister and two of her friends decided to accompany me. We boarded the CSMT Hospete Express from Thane Junction at around 9:00 PM and reached Hospete around 12:45 PM the next day. Then we hired a rickshaw to get to Hampi which is just a 25-minute drive away.
As we stepped out into the blazing sun, we were immediately hit by the sweltering heat – nature’s first reminder that this trip would test us in more ways than one.
A Disappointing Power Outage
As we were reaching closer and closer to Hampi, I was mesmerized by the hundreds and thousands of giant rocks that laid out across the entire landscape. Massive boulders, weathered by time, lay scattered like ancient sentinels guarding a lost world. The entire region of Vijaynagara where Hampi is situated was a part of the prosperous Vijayanagara Kingdom, most notably ruled by Emperor Krishnadevaraya. It is during his rule that most of the temples and structures in Hampi came into existence.
Our day 1 in Hampi sounded exciting on paper but we were severely disappointed to know that the entire area of Hampi and the neighboring towns and cities were experiencing a power outage. The Hampi Utsav is an annual festival celebrated in the month of February. In 2025, it was celebrated from 28th February to 2nd March.
As the famed Hampi Utsav approached – scheduled from February 28 to March 2 in 2025, the final preparations had disrupted electricity across nearby towns.
A word of advice to future travelers: avoid planning your trip just before this grand festival.
Day 1 In Hampi: Lakshmi, Monkeys, And The Sunset
We checked into our hotel, freshened up and then set out for some lunch. It was peak afternoon – we were baked by the scorching sun and the unbearable heat. After struggling to finish our meals in the heat, we decided to visit the famous Virupaksha Temple, inarguably the most iconic landmark of Hampi. The 7th-century temple’s main gopuram is nine storeys tall, standing at a whopping 50 feet!
It is here that we also met the famous elephant Lakshmi. She is an important member of the temple and is taken out of the temple during festivals and religious processions. The Virupaksha Temple from inside is a sight to behold – be it the detailed carved pillars or the captivating idol of Lord Virupaksha.
After visiting the temple, we decided to catch a sunset at the Hemkuta Hills adjacent to the temple. Surprisingly, we weren’t alone! The hill was teeming with monkeys who seemed just as enchanted by the golden hour as we were.
As we descended the hills, we found a lost mobile phone lying atop a random rock. After multiple attempts of contacting its owner, we finally managed to return it back to the couple who had lost their device. The smiles and relief on their faces as they took hold of their lost property is what truly made our day.
We ended our day by exploring the Hampi Market right next to this temple. Here, you’ll find interesting souvenirs, apparel, hats, accessories, and so much more at reasonable prices! It was truly a happening first day in Hampi!
Day 2 In Hampi: Puddu Vade And Hampi Group Of Monuments
Our second day in Hampi (our first ‘full’ day) began with savoring authentic idlis and puddu vade at Taste of Brahmins, a famous eatery here. Then, we made our way to the Hampi Group of Monuments that are situated about a 10-minute drive away. For INR 35, you can explore all the monuments inside.
This group of monuments is located within a giant, multi-acre complex and includes the following structures:
- Lotus Mahal
- Elephant Stables
- Queen’s Bathhouse
- Hazara Rama Temple
- Mahanavami Dibba
- Zanana Enclosure
Apart from these sites, there are many other big and small structures that you will come across. These sites are at a walkable distance from each other, but make sure to stay hydrated as you’ll likely be exposed to direct sunlight.
After a lunch break, we made our way to the Vijaya Vitthala Temple Complex. Note that, the ticket you purchase at the entry gate of the Hampi Group of Monuments is applicable at the Vijaya Vitthala Complex as well, given you visit the site on the same day. Also, the complex shuts down for the day at 6:00 PM so make sure you reach there on time.
I entered the complex and the first thing I noticed was the iconic Stone Chariot right in front of me. This is the structure you see on our 50 rupee currency, and I was simply too stunned to see it through my own eyes. The complex is also home to many other big and small temples that are neatly carved in stone. Visit the site just approximately an hour or so before it closes to get the best sunset views!
Day 3: Hippie Island Adventures
The scorching heat had troubled us enough for two days, so we decided to refresh and rejuvenate on the third day by visiting Hippie Island. Tungabhadra River stands between Hampi’s main town and Hippie Island and there are ferry services that ferry you across. Hippie Island is home to some of the most breathtaking paddy fields, cozy cafes, and luxurious homestays and hotels. It is also home to the Anjanadri Temple, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman.
We hired a rickshaw and first visited the Pampa Sarovar and the Shabari Gufa adjacent to it. The latter is believed to be the cave where Shabari, a tribal lady in the Ramayana meditated and waited for Lord Rama to visit her. We also fed fish at the Pampa Sarovar where it was once home to crocodiles!
Then, we visited the Vali Caves perched on the Anegundi Hills. This is the cave where Vali, the king of the Vanaras used to live, according to the Hindu epic of Ramayana. The hike to the top can be a little exhausting, so make sure to keep a water bottle handy!
We then made our way to the Hampi Falls – a much needed break from the scorching summer heat! The waterfall is a lesser-known spot in Hampi which is why we were delighted to find almost nobody there.
After a refreshing glass of coconut water, we visited the Sanapur Lake – home to some of the mightiest crocodiles in the region. On a lucky day, you can spot one of these creatures basking in the sun or catching their prey, but we weren’t lucky enough! After exploring the Hippie Island, we made our way back to our homestay and called it a day!
Day 4: Coracle Rides And Departure
Our train was scheduled to depart from Hospete at 1:30 PM, so technically we had a few hours before that to explore Hampi as much as we could. When I first learned about this UNESCO World Heritage Site, the thing that kept me hooked was the coracle ride here. It is one of the few places in India where you can go coracle riding in a river, and I had to make sure to not miss out on the one chance I had received after 4 long years! I encouraged my sister to accompany me and we quickly reached the bank of Tungabhadra from where you could enjoy these rides.
You have two options here – INR 500 per person for 30 minutes or INR 1000 per person for 60 minutes. As we were in a time crunch, we decided to try the ride for 30 minutes. The boatman gave us interesting information about the ancient settlement here, the temples situated along the river, and the unique history of this place. As we neared our 30-minute time limit, we were surprised to find him spinning the coracle rapidly!
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This is a unique attraction of the coracle rides here – the drivers spin these boats rapidly along the water current – and it is absolutely fun! While our heads spinned, we definitely enjoyed this whirlwind finale!
Parting Thoughts
As we left Hampi and reached Hospete, I couldn’t help but realize how fast these 4 days went by. Every single day was an adventure in itself. Be it exploring the temples, meeting new people, doing exciting activities, or simply absorbing the sheer beauty of this place. Hampi has a way of slowing down time. It invites you to pause, breathe, and soak in the little joys of life.
As our train alighted from Hospete and we were making our way back to our city, I gathered all my memories and cherished them. My sister and I had spoken about it since our school days, and to see it finally materialize was deeply fulfilling. There’s a special kind of joy in watching your travel itinerary unfold into cherished memories. What destination is on your bucket list?
