Hampi: Everything you want to know.

burbujasdeamor

Hi Gianni! I was in wonderful Hampi at the beginning of January and here are my 10 rupees' worth of suggestions:

1) April is one of their slow months, so you'd have no problem finding a room; the "problem" is deciding on which one, AND trying to break free from the swarm of touts and hotel-related richshaw drivers. Hampi village is not known for its high end hotels, medium at best, but it's where all the action is and since there is no nightlife to speak off, the whole town quiets down by sundown. Make sure you look over the room thoroughly before you say yes. That time of the year, the prices should be Rs150-400. I paid Rs600 for a room w/ private "bathroom" @ Gopi Guesthouse.

2) Any time of the day/night, as soon as you get off the train, there'll be lots of rickshaw wallahs right in front of you. If you're a slow mover like me, the wallahs would be right ON the train waiting for customers, so no worries. Rickshaw is the 2nd cheapest way to get to Hampi, and they can go right inside the village or to the ferry landing; other vehicles (except motorcycles) have to stop at a junction 1KM from the village itself. Buses are the cheapest, but you won't be anywhere near the train station nor the Hampi village.

3) Unless you're use to running in 40C heat (albeit dry heat), you'll fry in Hampi The red rocks in that area reflects the heat right back to you, so you get double trouble. Wear a hat, bring a bandana so you can soak it with water and wear it around your neck, and drink LOTS of fluids! You have no idea what a wonderful gift it is to have a chilled soda (Rs10-15) after an hour of walking!

Cheers!
- Bubbles

salempeacock

Hi all,
I spent 4days in Hampi from 10th January to 13nth January. All I can say is, for years I went on dreaming and atlast
'MY DREAM CAME TRUE'.
Beach, your article was very useful for me. Thank you very much.
Much have been described about Hampi and so I am not going to repeat it's glory.

I would like to share some mundane things such as room booking, expenses, safety, where to eat etc.I phoned on 1st January to Padma guest house, gopi guest house and Rahul guest house for booking. All said that rooms are available and the tarif was uniform. Rs800/ for a room with 2beds and attached bath and one extra mattress.

There were three of us. All ladies. Myself, my mother and my niece. We were absoutely safe. Nothing to worry.

We reached Hospet by Hampi Express at 8am and reached Hampi by an auto riksha. We paid Rs100/ for it. The auto driver took us to Archana guest house (at the back side of Virupaksha temple). It was at a cul de sac, had more privacy and a small garden and so we stayed there.The rent was the same Rs800/ for three persons per day. The lady who runs it said that the tarif for a double room will be 400Rs during off season.

The next day we went to dinner at Appu Guest house which is opposite to the bus stand. There they said the tariff for a double room is only 500Rs and for an extra mattress another 100Rs. During off season it will be even less.

Mango tree, prince restaurant and Appu guest house are good places to eat.

We explored Hampi by walk for two days and I enjoyed it more. On the third day we hired an auto riksha from morning 8am to 6pm for Rs650/. People said during off season the rate will be around 450/. The fourth day we crossed the river and reached Viruppaur Gadde and hired an auto riksha for half a day and visited Anjanedhri hill, Durga temple, Pampa Sarover and queen's palace and paid Rs 350/. We missed Rishya mukha temple. (Whoever read this, don't miss it).

Chakra theertha near KondaRama temple is a good place if you want to take a river bath. Less crowd and more clean.One should not miss the coracle ride there. For the three of us we paid Rs100/ and went across the river , climbed a few rocks and visited some rock sculptres and the koti lingas. Also ask the coracle wala to rotate (or spin) the coracle fast. It is a thrilling experience one should not miss.(People who have gone for such a ride in Hogenakkal water falls will know about it.)

To gianni,

Try to spend atleast 3days at Hampi.

Here are the names of some hotels and their phone numbers:
Rahul guest house :08394 241947, 241648, 921117237
Appu guest house : 241345, 9449135654
Padma guest house : 241330,
Archana guest house : 241547, 9449474114
Gopi guest house : 241695

April being off season you will not have problem in getteing rooms. Call the above numbers and try bargaining. You can get rooms even after reaching Hampi.

They said buses start from hospet bus stand to Hampi after 7am. There is a bus for every one hour. So you need not wait for long. Or you can get an autoriksha for Rs100. (or share with somebody)

Even in January it was very hot. So you can imagine how it will be in April. Take a hat, sunglasses and water bottle. You will be ok. You certainly will have a wonderful time!

gianni66

This is right the guesthouse which I am trying to contact, I have read very good feedback of it, above all many say that the rooms are quite cool even if there is no AC...

I use to cycle with 35-40 °C during summer... surely I will rent a bicycle in Hampi!

I wish I could... I've not a long time for my trip, but I've planned two full days in Hampi, arriving the first day very early in the morning (5:15, train from Tirupati) and leaving the second day late in the evening (22:15, train back to Tirupati).

It's two full day, and I'm a good walker, I hope I will not fry too much for the heat!

I'm trying to imagine...

Captain_Neel

just visited hampi over the long week-end. did a lot of cycling, walking, photography. beach's description is briliant - followed in ditto but i missed some of the sites. did not go to the other side of tungabhadra; shall upload some photos.
cheers!!

Ali-Monbeam

Thanks for all the help with trains ect...........

I am trying to find out which one to get back to Goa on....2847?

any idea how I find out what time it leaves Hospet?

I have looked at all the links to timetables and cant work out what time to be at the station.

steven_ber

Look in the train info thread (post 2 or 3), or try www.erail.in

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How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions.



Train information.

Indizen

2847 AMARAVATHI EXP leaves HPT at 06.30 to reach MAO at 13.43 in 07.13 hours except Tue Fri and Sun.
7603 KCG YPR EXP departs from HPT at 06.30 to reach MAO at 13.43 in 07.13 hours daily.
http://erail.in

steven_ber

'7603 daily' is an error, part of 7603 is attached to 2847 4 day a week only. (M, W, Th, Sa)

Micheleeee

Hey, I´m planing my trip in September.
I want to go from Gokarna to Hampi - and then from Hampi to Mangalore. What do you think will be the best options? The bus? Or are there train-possibilities?
And a second question? What about the weather and tourists in this region in September? Is there a lot of rain? And is it full of tourists, or not?
Many questions...

Thank you for your answers!

LoafFree

hey, here's my shout to help you out

if you're travel plan is not too stringent i'd suggest you do mangalore, then take a train to Goks (karwar is the station, i think goks too has a station). then from goks there are buses to hampi.

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freenote

Your best bet for the Gokarna (Goks?)/ Hampi leg is bus , change at Hubli . Takes about 6 hours .
Hope this helps a bit

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LoafFree

i think there are direct buses from gokarna (!!) to hampi, one of those private ones...i'd rather stick to the govt. bus service...cheaper and on time (95% of the time)

snonymous

Here is a nice article on Hampi from the latest edition of Frontline magazine, for those who are interested:

http://frontline.in/stories/20080704251306500.htm