Solo travel Hampi
5 Days Hampi Journey
Before starting, I want to tell you something.
I went on a solo trip in May 2026.
Carry cash as it is very important, including ₹5 and ₹10 coins.
I visited Hampi during the non-season time. There were very few crowds, and I met only a small number of people.
Most people in Karnataka speak two or three languages like Kannada, Hindi, and Telugu. Do not expect English from native local people or inside temples. Mostly, only travel guides know multiple local languages and English.
The heat is extreme during the month of May.
Some construction works are currently going on in a few places around Hampi.
Some guest houses and farm houses remain closed during the non-season period, so check online before visiting. Also, some guest houses and cottages accept only online bookings.
Many shops also remain closed during non-season days.
The best time to visit Hampi is from November to March. Around mid-February, the Hampi Utsava festival usually starts, but the dates may vary every year, so check online before planning. During the festival season, crowds are very high, so be careful. Also, book your rooms 2 to 3 months in advance during season time.
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Journey Started:
Kumbakonam to Bengaluru Madiwala
11th May – Night 9:50 p.m. departure
12th May – Morning 7:30 a.m. arrival
At 8:30 a.m., I took a local bus from Majestic Bus Stand, Bengaluru to Hospet and reached around 3:45 p.m.
12th May – Checked into the room around 4:30 p.m.
In the evening, I spent time near Hospet Bus Stand exploring the local area and eating street food.
Around 7:00 or 7:30 p.m., I spoke with the hotel reception person about the area and the people of Hospet. Suddenly, they told me they knew some local guides who could help with sightseeing and planning. After that, they introduced me to an auto driver.
We discussed the next day’s travel plans in detail. At first, I felt the auto driver’s budget was very high, but by the end of the trip, it completely fulfilled my soul.
We planned two days:
Day 1 – South Hampi including sunrise
Day 2 – North Hampi
One day’s auto budget was ₹2300. The second day's cost was also the same.
13th May – Next morning, sightseeing started at 5:15 a.m.
We started very early because of the extreme heat. During the next two days, we usually finish the trip before 2:30 or 3:00 p.m.
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13th May – Day 1 – South Hampi (Ruins Side)
- Sunrise – Shri Malyavanta Raghunatha Temple
Best place for sunrise, meditation, and yoga. It is a very quiet, calm, and peaceful place.
Matanga Hill
Virupaksha Temple
Camera fees were not collected. Maybe during season time they charge for cameras and tripods.
Drones are not allowed inside the temple area, but you can use drones near agricultural and landscape areas. Some village people may feel scared, so be careful while flying drones.
When you enter the temple, the right-side path is used to leave footwear and luggage. The same path leads to the riverside where many people take baths. Paid bathrooms and toilets are also available and are somewhat clean.
- Vijaya Vittala Temple (Stone Chariot)
You need to buy an entry ticket for this temple. Separate ticket counters are available. You can book tickets online or offline.
The ticket price for Indian visitors is ₹30. Foreign visitor prices may vary.
The same ticket can be used for three places:
- Vittala Temple
- Lotus Mahal
- Museum
At Vittala Temple, you can hire a guide if you want to know the history. I took a Tamil guide for ₹600 for around 45 minutes. It felt expensive, but worth it.
English guides charge around ₹500. Guides are also available in Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, and English. Other languages are rare.
- Underground Shiva Temple
The temple was not very clean, and there was a bad smell inside. However, there is a small landscape area in front where families can spend time peacefully. Construction work is going on around the temple.
Lotus Mahal
Queen’s Bath
Hazara Rama Temple
Pushkarini (Stepped Tank)
Malyavanta Raghunatha Temple
Hemakuta Hill
Kamalapura Museum
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Zoological Park
Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary
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14th May – Day 2 – North Hampi (Hippie Side)
- Anjanadri Hill (Hanuman Birthplace)
Approximately 550 to 580 steps, not exactly sure. This is also a very good place to watch sunrise. Resting areas are available on some steps.
Anegundi
Pampa Sarovar
Vali Cave
Sanapur Lake (Coracle Ride & Cliff Jumping)
Cliff jumping and coracle rides are mostly available only during season time.
- Sanapur Waterfalls
This is not a big waterfall. It is just a small mini waterfall.
- Boating in Sanapur
Ask the auto driver or guide about boating because some boating spots open only during season time.
Boating cost:
- ₹1600 for one person for 25 to 35 minutes
- If you are a group, each boat allows 4 people and charges around ₹500 per person
- ₹2600 for a 45-minute to 1-hour ride for a single person
My first boating experience was very good. It felt calm, peaceful, and silent.
My suggestion: avoid single-person boating because it feels expensive. Go with a group if possible.
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14th May – Afternoon 3:30 p.m. reached the room.
My checkout time was the same day at 4:00 p.m.
Near the travel agency, I booked a return bus from Hospet to Chennai (Koyambedu).
15th May – Morning 7:30 a.m. reached Chennai.
I had some work in Chennai for 2 to 3 days.
After finishing my work, I booked a night bus at 12:00 midnight from Kilambakkam New Bus Stand Terminal to Kumbakonam New Bus Stand.
Thanks for reading.