• Virupaksha Temple - Guests will be picked up from their hotel in Hospet and transported to the historic town of Hampi, located just 10 miles away.

Upon arrival, begin the tour with the stunning 15th Century Virupaksha Temple. This temple is intricately carved from stone, with walls and pillars adorned with sculptures illustrating scenes from Shiva’s life and episodes from the Hindu epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata. The outer pillars of the temple are known to produce musical sounds when tapped.

• Vijaya Vittala Temple - Another temple renowned for its remarkable architecture is the Vittala Temple. A massive stone chariot is a prominent feature within the temple complex. The temple boasts several pillared halls, with detailed carvings on the walls depicting stories from Hindu mythology, the military victories of King Krishnadevaraya, and the daily life of the citizens of this magnificent Empire.

Visit the 14th-century underground temple dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, which remains submerged in water for most of the year. The reason for its construction several feet below ground level remains a mystery.

Spend the morning exploring other significant temples such as the Kodanda Rama Temple, Achyutaraya Temple, Yantrodharaka, Chakra Tirtha, Pattabhirama Temple, Ganagitthi Jain Temple, Hazara Rama Temple, Ugra Narasimha, Badavi Linga, Krishna Temple, and the intriguingly named Mustard Ganesh and Peanut Ganesh temples.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (at your own expense).

• Lotus Mahal - After lunch, explore the area around the Old Bazaar and the Royal Center. Visit the old scaffold and the King’s balance, where the Kings of the Vijayanagar Empire were weighed in gold, silver, and precious stones, which were then distributed to the poor. The elephant stables are another fascinating sight among the ruins. Visit the Lotus Mahal, the Watchtower, the Queen’s Bath, Mahanavami Dibba (a grand 3-storeyed royal platform), Aqueduct, the Secret Chamber, the King’s Audience Hall, and the open shower.

At the conclusion of the tour, guests will be driven back to Hospet and dropped off at their hotel.

• Private air-conditioned transport
• Local English-speaking guide
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off
• Complimentary mineral water (2 bottles/person)

• Food or drink, unless specified
• Gratuities

Hampi was a prosperous town of the Vijayanagar Kingdom that flourished in South India from the 14th to the 17th century A.D. It is said that diamonds and precious stones were once sold on the streets of Hampi. Situated on the banks of the River Tungabhadra, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site today and is famous for its ancient temples, palaces, and the ruins of an entire city waiting to be explored. The undulating rocky terrain of Hampi is dotted with the remains of the ancient city interspersed with thousands of giant boulders that seem to defy gravity. Spend a day exploring this open air museum.

Highlights

Musical columns of Virupaksha temple

Stone chariot of Vittala temple

Underground temple of Lord Shiva

Mustard Ganesh and Peanut Ganesh temples

The King’s balance

• Consider wearing comfortable clothes and walking shoes.
• Not recommended for pregnant women and people with back problems.
• A dress code is required to enter places of worship. No shorts or sleeveless tops are allowed. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.