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Hampi & Badami · Ruins of an Empire

Vijayanagara ruins among the boulders, then Chalukyan caves and temples at Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal

4.7362 reviews
4 Nights / 5 Days(4N/5D)
India, Karnataka
moderate pace
Great for family, friends, couples

Destinations: Hosapete → Hampi → Badami → Aihole → Pattadakal

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Overview

About this Hampi & Badami trip

In the 1500s Vijayanagara was one of the largest cities on earth; today its ruins lie scattered across a surreal landscape of giant granite boulders and banana plantations along the Tungabhadra. You'll have two full days to explore Hampi — the stone chariot, the Vittala temple, the Lotus Mahal and Elephant Stables, the living Virupaksha temple — and climb Matanga Hill for sunrise. Then you go back a thousand years further to the Chalukyas: red-sandstone cave temples above Agastya Lake at Badami, the 'cradle of temple architecture' at Aihole, and the UNESCO-listed temple group at Pattadakal.

The stone chariot and Vittala temple at Hampi, a coracle ride on the Tungabhadra, Badami's cave temples and two UNESCO sites.

Duration: 4 Nights / 5 Days
Stay: 3-star resorts & hotels
Transport: Private AC sedan or Innova with driver (approx. 550 km)
Best time: October to February; Hampi Utsav is usually held in winter
Departures: 8 upcoming dates

Why Choose Hampi & Badami?

Two full days in Hampi with a licensed local guide
Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites — Hampi and Pattadakal
Badami's 6th-century rock-cut cave temples
Coracle ride on the Tungabhadra (season permitting)
Sunrise over the boulders from Matanga or Hemakuta Hill
Great value — and far fewer crowds than Rajasthan

Trip highlights

Vittala Temple & stone chariot
Virupaksha Temple
Lotus Mahal
Badami cave temples
Pattadakal
Aihole Durga Temple

Itinerary

Day-by-day plan for Hampi & Badami

5 days, planned end to end

D1
- Pickup at Hosapete station, or Hubballi airport (approx. 3.5 hours) / Jindal Vijaynagar airport (approx. 1 hour)
- Check in near Hampi or Kamalapur
- Virupaksha Temple and Hampi Bazaar
- Sunset from Hemakuta Hill
D2
- Lotus Mahal, Zenana Enclosure and Elephant Stables
- Hazara Rama temple, Queen's Bath and Mahanavami Dibba
- Stepped tank and underground Shiva temple
- Evening at leisure
D3
- Optional sunrise climb up Matanga Hill (steep, about 30 minutes)
- Vittala Temple, its stone chariot and pillared mandapas
- Riverside trail past the King's Balance to Achyutaraya temple
- Coracle ride on the Tungabhadra (suspended when the river is high)
D4
- Drive to Badami (approx. 3.5 hours)
- Badami's four cave temples — Shaiva, Vaishnava and Jain
- Agastya Lake and the Bhutanatha temples at dusk
- Overnight in Badami
D5
- Aihole — Durga Temple and the Ravana Phadi cave
- Pattadakal UNESCO temple group — Virupaksha and Mallikarjuna temples
- Drop at Hubballi airport/station (approx. 2.5 hours) or Badami station

What's covered

Inclusions & exclusions

Read this before you book — no surprise add-ons later.

Included

3 nights in a 3-star resort near Hampi
1 night in a 3-star hotel in Badami
Daily breakfast
Licensed local guide for two days in Hampi
Private AC car with driver for the whole trip
Pickup at Hosapete/Hubballi/Vijaynagar and drop at Hubballi or Badami
Fuel, tolls, parking and driver allowance

Not included

Flights or trains
Monument entry tickets (Vittala and Lotus Mahal ticket is shared; ASI fees at Badami and Pattadakal)
Coracle ride and battery-car charges
Lunches and dinners
Personal expenses and tips

Stay & travel

Hotels & transport

Hotel category

3-star resorts & hotels

Twin-sharing rooms with daily breakfast unless stated otherwise. Single rooms and upgrades on request.

Transport

Private AC sedan or Innova with driver (approx. 550 km)

Airport and station pick-ups, sightseeing and inter-city transfers are arranged by our ground team.

Overnight stops: Arrival in Hampi · Hampi — Royal Centre · Hampi — Sacred Centre · Hampi to Badami · Aihole, Pattadakal & Departure

Route

Route map

6 stops from start to finish

HosapeteStart
2HampiStop 2
3BadamiStop 3
4AiholeStop 4
5PattadakalStop 5
HubballiFinish

Plan ahead

Best time & what to pack

Best time to visit

October to February; Hampi Utsav is usually held in winter

Things to carry

Comfortable walking shoes — expect 6–8 km of walking a day
Hat, sunglasses and SPF 50 sunscreen; there is little shade
Refillable water bottle and electrolytes
Modest clothing for active temples (shoulders and knees covered)
Torch for the Badami caves and sunrise climbs
Small change for temple shoe stands

Questions

Frequently asked questions

How do we reach Hampi?

Hosapete (Hospet) Junction, 13 km away, is the nearest railhead with trains from Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Hubballi airport is about 3.5 hours away; Jindal Vijaynagar airport is closer but has limited flights.

Can we touch the musical pillars at Vittala Temple?

No. The pillars were damaged by years of tapping and are now cordoned off by the ASI. Your guide will explain how they work.

Is the coracle ride safe?

Yes, when operating. Coracle rides are run by licensed boatmen with life jackets and are suspended in high water during the monsoon or after dam releases.

Is there a lot of walking?

Yes — Hampi is spread over 25+ sq km. Battery cars serve the Vittala temple stretch and our car covers the rest, but expect several kilometres on foot each day.

Is Hampi too hot in summer?

March to May regularly crosses 38–40°C. If you travel then, we start sightseeing at 6:30 am, break at midday and resume after 4 pm.

Reviews

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Policy

Cancellation & refunds

Refund by days before departure
When you cancel	Refund
30+ days before departure	90% refund
15–29 days before	75% refund
7–14 days before	50% refund
Less than 7 days	No refund

Cancel 30+ days before departure: 90% refund · 15–29 days: 75% · 7–14 days: 50% · under 7 days: no refund. Refunds go back to the original payment method within 7–10 working days. Cancel any time from My Trips — the refund is calculated instantly.

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