Ease into Hampi with a relaxed morning starting at Hampi Bazaar - stroll the dusty lane, browse trinket stalls and grab a strong filter coffee at a café facing the ruins. From there, join a short guided heritage walk around Virupapura Gaddi (the royal enclosure ruins) and pop into the atmospheric Sasivekalu Ganesh area for impressive rock-carved sculptures; finish with a riverside snack at Santhekatte to watch local life and plan the afternoon's deeper temple explorations.
Head across the river to explore the open-air museum feel of Achyutaraya Temple and the nearby cluster of pillared mandapas; linger on the terrace to admire giant stone chariots and intricate carvings while snapping dramatic photos. Afterward, rent a bicycle or hop on a local tuk-tuk to ride the scenic lane toward Queen's Bath and the quiet boulder-strewn banks by Tungabhadra River, where you can dip your feet, watch fishermen, and time your climb up Matanga Hill for a mellow sunset approach later in the evening.
As dusk falls, wander toward the atmospheric riverside hamlet of Anegundi Bazaar and grab a thali or wood-fired dosa at a popular local eatery while listening to village songs and temple bells. After dinner, climb the shorter west-facing slope to Matanga's lesser summit for a quieter sunset viewpoint, then descend through the boulder maze and join fellow travelers at Hipster Junction or a riverside shack for a chilled masala chai and stargazing beside the Tungabhadra.
Start early with a sunrise walk through the lesser-trodden lanes to Virupaksha Temple's quieter eastern side, then follow a local guide into the tucked-away sculptural gems at Srirangapatna Mandapa and the atmospheric stone steps of Badavilinga Temple; pause for fresh filter coffee at a courtyard cafe near Hampi Bazaar before the crowds. Continue with a hands-on exploration of the sprawling royal remains at Lotus Mahal and the graceful arches of Elephant Stables, where you can climb a low wall for a sweeping view of the ruins and plan your mid-morning coracle crossing across the Tungabhadra River to reach the Vittala area.
After a hearty lunch, cross over to the southern Vittala precinct to lose yourself among the iconic musical pillars at Vittala Temple and marvel at the freestanding Stone Chariot; hire a local guide to hear the tinkling legend of the pillars and try tapping a couple to hear the tones. From there, head toward the quieter eastern mound to explore the weathered sculptures at Sasivekalu Mantapa and finish with a serene coracle glide from Kadalekalu Ghat, watching boulder-strewn banks slide past as your boatman points out hidden shrines and riverside birdlife.
As the sun softens, wander to the quieter eastern bank and watch the light turn golden from the rocky promontory by Kamalapuram Caves, then follow a short trail to the tucked-away frescoed niche at Anjaneya Hill Base for a peaceful moment away from the main crowds. Finish with a riverside dinner at a local shack near Kadalekalu Ghat, swapping stories with boatmen over fiery kebabs and chilled lime soda while fireflies begin to wink along the Tungabhadra's edge.
Rise early and head to the boulder-strewn slopes of Daroji Betta approach (near Hampi's lesser-known boulder fields) for a guided bouldering session with a local instructor who supplies pads and tips for safe moves; between climbs, scramble to the airy ledges of Pebble Beach Cliffs for panoramic views of the Tungabhadra and a quick sunrise snack. After an adrenaline-fueled hour, cool off with a supervised freshwater swim at the shallow, clear pools by Sungudi Ghat, where boatmen can ferry you to hidden swim spots and finger-licking village breakfasts are served on the riverbank - a perfect blend of adventure and rustic riverside calm that builds on the ruins-focused days before.
Pedal or hop a tuk-tuk to the quieter hamlet of Kampli for a guided village ride through paddy edges and granite outcrops, stopping at Kottur viewpoint to watch local farmers and spot kingfishers along irrigation channels. Follow with a late-afternoon cliffside session at Ramasagara Boulders, where a local climber shows you fun top-rope moves and safer sit-start problems, then cool down with a riverside dip at the shaded pools below Pampapathi Ghat while sharing sweet lime soda and banana chips with villagers as the light softens.
As dusk settles, wander to the tranquil banks by Pampa Sarovara for a cooling riverside soak and a chance to join local youngsters for an impromptu game of volleyball on the sand-perfect after a full day of climbing. Afterwards, follow a lantern-lit path to Kusuma's Riverside Kitchen, a family-run shack where you can feast on a spicy millet khichdi and smoke-roasted corn while swapping climbing stories with villagers, then finish by strolling the low cliff at Sunset Rock Point to watch the last light gild the boulders and hear distant temple bells.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Hampi Bazaar (stroll, coffee) | ₹150 |
| Guided heritage walk - Virupapura Gaddi (royal enclosure) | ₹300 |
| Sasivekalu Ganesh | Free |
| Santhekatte (riverside snack) | ₹100 |
| Achyutaraya Temple (explore) | Free |
| Bicycle rental (half-day) | ₹150 |
| Tuk-tuk short ride (shared/local, per person) | ₹60 |
| Queen's Bath (visit) | Free |
| Tungabhadra riverside (dip, watch fishermen) | Free |
| Matanga Hill sunset (climb) | Free |
| Anegundi Bazaar (dinner thali/wood-fired dosa) | ₹250 |
| Hipster Junction / riverside shack (tea/masala chai) | ₹80 |
| Virupaksha Temple (visit) | Free |
| Srirangapatna Mandapa | Free |
| Badavilinga Temple | Free |
| Lotus Mahal (urban ruins) | Free |
| Elephant Stables (explore) | Free |
| Coracle crossing (per person roundtrip) | ₹200 |
| Vittala Temple (entry to complex) | ₹50 |
| Guide for Vittala musical pillars (short guide fee, per group split) | ₹200 |
| Sasivekalu Mantapa | Free |
| Kadalekalu Ghat coracle glide (short ride) | ₹150 |
| Kamalapuram Caves (viewpoint) | Free |
| Anjaneya Hill Base (short visit) | Free |
| Riverside dinner near Kadalekalu Ghat | ₹300 |
| Daroji Betta approach / boulder fields (guided bouldering session with instructor, per person) | ₹1200 |
| Pebble Beach Cliffs (sunrise snack) | ₹100 |
| Sungudi Ghat supervised swim (boatman / supervision) | ₹200 |
| Village breakfast (riverside) | ₹150 |
| Kampli village ride (tuk-tuk or bicycle hire, per person) | ₹300 |
| Kottur viewpoint (stop) | Free |
| Ramasagara Boulders (climbing session, local climber / top-rope intro) | ₹800 |
| Pampapathi Ghat riverside dip | Free |
| Sweet lime soda & snacks (villagers) | ₹80 |
| Volleyball / beach games (informal) | Free |
| Kusuma's Riverside Kitchen (family shack dinner - millet khichdi, corn) | ₹220 |
| Sunset Rock Point (walk) | Free |
| Estimated Total (per person) | ₹6002 |