Homestays in Hampi

Located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, the ancient city of Hampi takes you through the rich past of the Vijayanagara Empire. It’s the outdoors that reign supreme in the region and with a craggy, rocky landscape interspersed with stretches of greenery, camping in Hampi promises you a unique experience amidst massive boulders and an Archeological treasure within reach.  

As Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is under the Archeological Survey of India, pitching a tent near the monuments or the temples come with restrictions and many of the locals might object to solo camping. However, camping in Hampi is still an option with guesthouses located on the other side of the Tungabhadra River. Here, you’ll find tented accommodation, tasty meals and a view of the reddish hued countryside, right outside your window.  

Spend your days in this historical paradise, trekking, rock climbing or exploring the ancient architectural masterpieces that sprawl across the surroundings, before snoozing the night away in a tent.  

History lovers, trekkers and rock climbers all find something to love in this beautiful testament to India’s rich and glorious past. Hampi, located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River was once the capital of the majestic, influential Vijayanagara Empire and during 1500 CE, was the richest city in India at the time. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hampi sprawls across an awe-inspiring 4,100 hectares and has around 1,600 remains of the last great Hindu kingdom situated in South India.  

When it comes to sightseeing in Hampi, there is plenty to see, with spectacular monuments that have withstood the passage of time and still stand tall and proud, inviting you to examine its artwork and inscriptions. The Virupaksha Temple, Vijaya Vittala Temple, Lotus Mahal and Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple are all iconic structures that will give you a satisfying peek into the past.  

Don’t forget to take a break from visiting the monuments to drop by the local bazaars and eateries that dot the ancient city. Sightseeing in Hampi isn’t complete without immersing yourself in its culture. The Hampi Bazaar spreads across two different roadsides and sells a variety of clothes, spices, sculptures and souvenirs that can be carried home as mementoes of this holiday.  

Scroll through this page and discover the top sightseeing in places along with bits of trivia that will fuel your interest to visit them!  

The destinations you visit are more than what meets the eye. The stories of how the place came about, from the generations that made this area their home, to the architecture that reveals the tastes of our ancestors and its impact on our own culture and way of life, can give you a different perspective on your travels.  Hampi is an iconic heritage site located on the Tungabhadra River and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to it comprising of around 1,600 surviving remnants of the Vijayanagara Empire.  

Tired of relying on Google search results or outdated guidebooks? The heritage tours in Hampi takes you through the rich history of the region as you visit iconic monuments, temples, palaces and more, during your visit to this beautiful historical site. Watch history come to life on one of the heritage tours in Hampi under the guidance of expert storytellers to give you an educative experience amidst the ruins.  
 
Take your pick from our line-up of heritage tours in Hampi and immerse yourself in history with our experts! 

We’re so used to whizzing by in cars or buses, watching the world go by in a hazy blur of greens and browns, that we often forget the magic of walking. On foot, the world unveils itself in different hues, showing us small secrets of nature that we miss while we’re driving past. To truly appreciate a new destination, we should travel on our own two feet, discovering trails that wind away from the traditional path, eateries that can’t be found anywhere on Google and vistas that make you feel as though you are flying, but without your feet leaving the ground.  

Hampi, on the banks of the Tungabhadra River was once the glorious ancient city of the Vijayanagara Empire. Trekking in Hampi can set your love of history soaring as you walk through its ruins, monuments, temples and palaces. A unique feature of the region is how cleverly the artisans have used the boulders that pepper the landscape in their architecture, splitting the rocks in the middle cleanly, and using these sheets in constructing walls and platforms. While trekking in Hampi, you can gaze down at the city from high rocky hills, taking in the reddish historical remains and the glistening river that lazily winds across the rugged countryside.  

A bag-packing paradise, slip on your hiking boots and embark on a journey through history with trekking in Hampi.  

Badami is a town carved and brought to life from the finest red sandstone rocks. The blood and sweat of the people that built those monuments and buildings at the time of the Chalukya Dynasty is visible and marvelled at till date. It is only right that Rock climbing is one of the chief activities to engage in at Badami. Often noted for its rich history, lots of climbing routes that were hidden away amongst the temples and cliffs are being discovered and mounted by trekkers and hikers. It is sometimes referred to as the ‘Mecca of Rock Climbing’.

Rock climbing in Badami is an experience unlike any other. The rocky terrain here gives birth to some beautiful paths; some easy to conquer, others that demand perseverance. Rock climbing in India can be pursued in many places but the benefits of starting in Badami are immense. The trails here are truly beginner friendly and leave you with the confidence and desire to do more. Be that as it may, Badami has something for every type of climber. If you’re an adventure junkie, the climbs here will never disappoint. On the path there you will not only practice resilience but also be rewarded with some of the most awe-inspiring sights that will validate your climb. The difficulty level ranges from 3b - 8b+ and will leave you eager to participate and perfect your sport. 

Rock Climbing in Badami is a perfect 3/3 with trained professionals for safety, engaging beginner friendly trails and spectacular views at sunrise or sunset. To cut your search short, we offer trustworthy resources. Read on. 

It takes a great deal of planning, effort and vision to create difference and nurture originality in each structure that would essentially serve the same purpose. Badami, a town built by the Chalukya Dynasty in the 8th century, is synonymous with a grand exhibition of temple architecture, skill, history and art. Meticulously dug and carved out of stone, this town is home to many temples made of sandstone and serve as epicentres for conversations surrounding the Hindu and Jain faith.  

The Badami Cave Temples, Aihole, Bhutanatha Temples, Mallikarjuna Temples, Ravana Phadi Temple, Agastya Lake and Badami Fort are some places that must feature on your list while sightseeing in Badami. A trip to Badami is incomplete without temple visits where one spends time looking in all four directions, taking in the sight of splendour.  

By virtue of no two stones looking the absolute same, all temples here are built vastly different from one another in terms of the stories they tell and the sculptures contained within their walls. One might say that sightseeing in Badami tends to be monotonous with just temples on the list, when in reality, a large chunk of what Badami has to offer and their culture is this.  

Camping in Badami  

The joy in traveling comes from having small, brief moments to yourself when you're one with the land, sky and air. These are often moments of quiet or shared moments with your loved ones. Camping is a successor to a hike, trek or a climb and nurtures many qualities in people like teamwork, communication and an exchange of smiles and stories. A mere 450 kms from Bangalore, it makes the perfect weekend getaway from the hustle of the city.  

Camping in Badami is an experience on its own. The sky at night has countless bright, twinkling stars and is a sight to behold from the top of the hills. Badami has within it many short canyons that can be explored. You can camp at the foothills or peak of the hills here in Badami. It's safe and has spectacular views. There are no significant camping spots in Badami but to be sure of solo camping plans and the best time and place to set up camp on these hills, check with the organisers and locals there.  

Make that impromptu plan! Go camping in Badami and live out your camp fantasies.  

Karnataka has a long and arduous history that must be remembered and revisited. At Badami,  there really is something for every tourist to experience.  

Badami, a town in North Karnataka was discovered in the 6th century. Today, eons later, we look at monuments and structures that date back hundreds of years. The Chalukya Dynasty is distinctly remembered for building the town from ground up and aiding the growth of the scenic town we have today. Viewing such places through a phone screen or a postcard will never do it justice.  

With over 120 temples, Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal have been termed the cradle of Indian architecture. Heritage tours in Badami will aid our understanding of the history with personal anecdotes, gripping and riveting details about the structures and a clearer timeline.  

With the large number of sources we have access to now to learn about something, it can be difficult to zero in on whom to trust and believe. The main  testament to take into account while attempting to learn about a place is those of the locals themselves. Being part of a heritage tour with the locals present there plays a significant role in strengthening their economy. Coupled with a walk along the monuments whose walls speak for themselves, a heritage tour in Badami is the best way to learn about the town and its history that surprises even its inhabitants to this day.