Hampi solo travel tops the bucket list for most if not all backpackers. The name ‘Hampi’ did not ring a bell for many travellers till the past few years. But as of late, this culturally rich village has become a favourite pick among passionate backpackers and solo travellers.
On your Hampi solo travel, make sure to feel the travel-friendly vibes of this culturally rich yet modern locale. Hampi is actually a village that is set in Karnataka, on the banks of the river Tungabhadra in southern India. In my current blog, I will share my experience with all of you along with the budget required, places to stay, eat and visit for sightseeing.
An escape to the once magnificent capital of the Vijayanagar empire will prove to be a remarkable experience. You can expect to witness only the remains of what was once a prosperous site. Hampi is hence with due respect referred to as the ‘City of Ruins’.
Hampi Solo Travel
Hampi solo travel is worth every bit, not just in terms of money, but also for the time that one would spend there. It is a unique destination for what it has to offer. The mammoth boulders and ruins of the temples and palaces are bound to set one wondering about the past of the village. It is for this reason that this locale is sprawling with travellers throughout the year.
I went on a backpacking trip to Hampi recently and fell in love with it the instant I landed there. I’m sure any passionate traveller planning a trip to Hampi will feel the same way.
Perks of Hampi Solo Travel and Backpacking
In case you’re wondering as to whether Hampi solo travel is a good idea or not, let me tell you – it surely is a worth-it idea.
Let me elaborate on why is Hampi a favourite backpacking destination for solo travellers below.
| The ‘Hippie’ Island
If you’ve heard of Hampi, you certainly know about the ‘Hippie Island’ or Virupapura Gadde. Situated across the Tungabhadra River, the place is home to hippie backpackers, mostly foreigners. Hanging around in the Hippie Island will introduce you to like-minded people on your Hampi solo travel sojourn. |
| Walk, Hike, Bike
Hampi is spread across just 26 sq. km. and hence, you don’t need a vehicle all the time. The temple side of Hampi can be conveniently explored on foot. Your trip is incomplete without renting a bicycle or a moped to get around sites located just outside the village on your Hampi solo travel experience. |
| Camping in the Ruins
If you love camping, Hampi is the place to be in for sure. Set up your tent on the boulders and spend the night star gazing. You are likely to find a large number of campers as it is a popular thing to do in Hampi. |
| Top-Notch Safety
Hampi solo travel is a peaceful adventure that will without a doubt calm your mind. You might not find a place safer than Hampi to visit in India. Be it solo travellers or women travellers, one must be worry-free while on a Hampi backpacking tour. |
| Shoestring Budget
If you are looking at an inexpensive getaway, Hampi solo travel is your best bet. Believe it or not, your expenses per day in Hampi will be a bare minimum. Spend the night in homestays, eat local food, hire a bicycle to move around – and voila, you won’t have hurt your pockets. |
Now that you know why Hampi solo travel is a good idea, I’d like to share some essential travel information about the place.
The information is based on my own personal experience. It will be hugely helpful for first-time travellers from India as well as abroad.
Ideal Time and Duration of Visit for a Solo Trip to Hampi
Hampi is hot and humid most times of the year. You will face scorching heat in summer owing to its landlocked location. Therefore, the best time to visit Hampi is between November to January, when temperatures are not soaring.
A place like Hampi is great for laid-back souls who can easily spend over a week there. In case you are on a time crunch, two days are enough to cover the main places.
If you really want to uncover the hidden places in Hampi during your Hampi solo travel, I would recommend spending a minimum of three to four days in the region.
Location and Accessibility of Hampi
Hampi sits on the southern bank of river Tungabhadra in the south Indian state of Karnataka. It is almost equidistant from Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Goa, all of which are roughly about 5 to 7 hours away.
If you’re a passionate road adventurer, you can even visit Hampi from Mumbai via AH47. Hampi is a 13-hour drive from Mumbai. The roads are well-maintained and the drive is scenic for a road trip to Hampi.
| A recent development to promote tourism in Hampi is the introduction of direct flights from Bangalore to Jindal Vijaynagar Airport in Ballari district, 36 kilometres from Hampi. |
The city nearest to Hampi where you disembark if you are travelling by bus or train is Hospet, which is just 13kms away. You may take a local bus (15 INR per ticket and a 45-minute ride) or an auto (100 INR and a 20-minute ride) to get to Hampi from Hospet.
Budget Places to Stay in Hampi
Hampi is not the place if you are hoping for a luxurious holiday. Plush hotels are available in and around Hospet but not in Hampi. Moreover, you are undermining your Hampi solo travel experience if you are not staying within the village.
Homestays in Hampi
You will find plenty of homestays and locally owned guesthouses in Hampi. They offer basic rooms with a bed, fan and WiFi. A slightly nicer guesthouse might have a TV and AC in the room, but it’s a rare find.
Hostels in Hampi
As a backpacker’s destination, one might expect to come across hostels in Hampi. But the reality is that you don’t need hostels because you can easily get a private room at a minimal cost.
Guest Houses in Hampi
The top picks for guesthouses in Hampi on either side of the river are mentioned in the table below. The side of the river that you decide to stay on is a personal choice, as both have their own pros.
If you are on the temple side, you will see a village style-setting with narrow streets, local shops, more eateries and a higher number of locals. If you are looking for a relaxed atmosphere with tiny huts and a great view, you should stay across the river.
I would personally recommend spending a couple of days on both sides.
Based on my own travel experience, let me share the names of some decent guesthouses on either side of the river.
Guest Houses located at the ‘Temple’ Side of Hampi
| Gopi Guest House |
| Rocky Guest House |
| Thilak Home Stay |
| Padma Guest House |
Now, coming to the other side.
Guest Houses located on the Other Side of the River in Hampi
| Shanthi Guest House |
| Nargila Guest House |
| Rashmita Guest House |
| Mowgli Guest House |
No place is good for travellers without good food. Right? So it is important that you hit some decent eateries on your Hampi solo travel experience.
Best Places to Eat in Hampi
You can pick from a plethora of eating joints in Hampi.
Most guesthouses on the temple side have roof-top restaurants. Guesthouses on the other side have bigger restaurants overlooking the river, with an Indian-style sitting.
The food that you’ll be served will always be fresh, but might not be the best in taste.
Recommended Eating Places in Hampi
Israeli food is a common offering by most restaurants and is a must-try. Other popular cuisines found in Hampi include Indian, Kannada, Chinese and German.
Here is a list of the recommended restaurants in Hampi.
| Mango Tree |
| Chillout Bamboo |
| Funky Monkey |
| Laughing Buddha |
| German Bakery |
It is extremely crucial for solo travellers and backpackers to plan their budget in advance when it comes to exploring a new place. Hampi will come across as budget-friendly to travellers from India as well as outside.
Budget for Hampi Solo Travel
You might have figured by now that Hampi is not a very fancy place. Hampi solo travel is more about local experiences, thus proving to be a cost-effective trip.
A three-day trip to Hampi can be planned on a budget of under 5,000 INR (70 USD or 61 EUR). I am sharing an estimate of the amount that you must allocate for each parameter to help you plan and manage your expenses.
| Bus – Hampi to and fro from Hospet
50 INR 0.7 USD 0.61 EUR |
| Accommodation – 2 nights in a guesthouse
1500 INR (This is the maximum. You can avail good guest houses for way less as well). 21 USD 18.3 EUR |
| Meals
1000 – 1500 INR 12.76 – 21 USD 12.00 – 18.3 EUR |
| Bicycle or a moped rent
300 INR 4.2 USD 3.7 EUR |
| Sightseeing entry tickets
500 INR 7 USD 6.1 EUR |
As a traveler, you should know a few important aspects of Hampi beforehand. They will help you ease your trip.
Things to remember – Hampi Solo Travel Tips
Based on my Hampi solo travel experience, I’d like to share a few handy tips with you.
| Keep yourself hydrated
Exploring Hampi involves a lot of walking or cycling. Thus, you should hydrate yourself well throughout the day. The weather in Hampi is warm, and travelers are prone to dehydration. Keep drinking water at regular intervals to avoid falling sick. |
| Observe sunrise and sunset
The start and end of your days in Hampi will be your best time there. Watching the sunrise at Matanga Hill and sunset at Hemakuta Hill is a must on your Hampi solo travel itinerary. |
| Experience riding the Coracle
Crossing the river Tungabhadra is just a short boat ride. Hampi is one of the very few places where you can ride the coracles – circular county boats made out of cane. Do remember that the last boat departs at 5:30 pm in the evening. |
| BSNL works in Hampi
Hampi is a no-signal zone for most mobile network providers. BSNL is the only network that has coverage in and around Hampi. Guesthouses and restaurants offer free WiFi, but that too is unreliable at times. |
| Speak in English if you don’t know Kannada
The local language spoken in Hampi is Kannada. The scope of conversing in Hindi is fairly limited as not many locals are well-versed in the language. English comes to the rescue, thanks to the number of foreigners visiting the place. |
| No booze and meat zone
Serving alcohol and non-vegetarian food is banned on the land of temples in Hampi. If you wish to enjoy these, you might want to consider staying across the river on Hippie Island. |
| Head to Hampi during the off-season
Hampi tends to get extremely crowded during weekends and holidays. Since the places of accommodation are locally owned, they increase the rates when they see an opportunity. The best time to plan your Hampi backpacking tour is during the off-season or on weekdays. |
| Book directly or via reliable sites
Most guest houses in Hampi do not have an online presence of their own. They have their properties listed on a few online travel aggregates. But, prices quoted are quite high on most. So, either book through credible sites like Agoda or contact the guest houses directly for the best deals in advance. |
| Bargain in Hampi
Try your hand at bargaining in Hampi, right from booking a room in a guest house, to renting a bicycle or moped, to buying a ticket for your boat ride. You are likely to get great discounts, especially if you travel during the off-season. |
| The Hampi Utsav
The Hampi Utsav is the largest of all festivals celebrated in Hampi. It is scheduled every year in the first week of November and is a cultural treat. Hampi is brimming with people during the festival and though it might be a great time to be there, the availability of rooms is close to impossible. |
My time in Hampi has been spent in exploration and hence knowing the place better. During the time of my stay, I could connect to the region in a deep manner.
Hampi Solo Travel –A Mix of Learnings
The transformation of the opulent site of Hampi to its remnants took me in awe. The place spoke loudly to me the tales right from the Vedic age. I was taken back to the bygone era. It was an interesting concoction of history, mythology and religion, making my Hampi solo travel an enriching experience.
Rich Historic Folklore and References about Hampi
Hampi’s historical highlight is the Vijayanagara Dynasty in Southern India which flourished in this very place. Hampi served as the capital of this greatest Hindu kingdom of all time for over 200 years. The temple complexes, mandapas, shrines, and numerous monolithic structures and monuments in Hampi date back to the Vijayanagara Empire.
Folklore tells us that Hampi finds mention in the mythological epic of Ramayana. The mythical vanara or the monkey kingdom called Kishkinda is none other than this sacred site. Ram, Lakshman and Hanuman (characters from the Indian epic of Ramayan) are believed to have frequented this place in search of Sita (Ram’s wife in the Ramayana) before they headed to Lanka. The monkey king Sugriva was also believed to have resided in Hampi and had a cave dedicated to his presence.
Hampi – The Sacred Land of Hindus
The religious significance of Hampi is immense since it is considered as a sacred land for Hindus. The name Hampi was derived from ‘Pampa’, now called Tungabhadra, the river that passes through the village.
Lord Shiva married the Pampa, the daughter of Brahma, and titled himself Pampapati. Devotees of Lord Shiva are the oldest worshipers of temples and shrines dedicated to him in Hampi.
During the peak of the Vijayanagara Empire, temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu were built. The grandiose temples from this age are all worshipped by the Vishnu devotees. Both cults – Saivites and Vaishnavites to this date are still in practice in Hampi.
Must-Visit Attractions on your Hampi Solo Travel Escapade
The ruins of Hampi were discovered in the early 1800s. There have been ongoing excavations on the site ever since, suggesting the original settlements of the village belong to the 1st century.
Hampi is today considered to be one of the largest archaeological wonders of India. The group of monuments at Hampi are a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1986.
Out of the countless temples and monuments that exist in Hampi, the following are the ones that you should not miss out on.
| Virupaksha Temple
This is where the ‘temple side’ of Hampi gets its name from. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is the most visited temple of Hampi owing to its popularity. |
| Vittala Temple
This temple is named after Vittala, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple complex is an architectural masterpiece and is home to the famous Musical Pillars, Stone Chariot and King’s Balance. |
| Hampi Bazaar
It is a kilometre-long stretch of open land in front of the Virupaksha temple with ruins on either side where you can shop for antiques, clothes and jewellery. |
| Monolithic Bull
At the far eastern end of the Hampi Bazaar is the Monolithic Bull, the divine vehicle of Lord Shiva. The Bull symbolically faces the shrine of Lord Shiva at the Virupaksha temple. |
| Lotus Mahal
Named after the shape of the architectural marvel, the Lotus Mahal was known to be a place for socializing in the earlier days. |
| Queen’s Bath
This place was once a bathing complex for the royals. Verandas surround the complex with little windows opening up to a pool in the centre. |
| Hazara Rama Temple
The temple depicts incidents from the Ramayana through the intricate carvings. It was once a private temple for the royals set within sprawling lawns. |
Other popular places of interest include the Octagonal Bath, Stepped Tank, Underground Shiva Temple, Badavilingi Temple, Anjanadri Hill and Sugriva’s Cave.
Hampi solo travel is a treasured experience. It is one of the most unusual places to visit and it won’t let you down.
You’ll be back from your Hampi solo travel or backpacking experience with memories to cherish for life. You could even head back to Hampi year after year, which I can almost guarantee you will.
Go ahead and plan your Hampi backpacking tour – the boulders are calling!
Happy Wayfaring.
