Vijayanagara Kingdom Tour

Overview

The landscape at Hampi is dotted with lush paddy fields, majestic boulders, and the ruins of an entire empire. The Hampi ruins are located on the banks of the Tungabhadra river and form an integral part of the Karnataka Heritage tour. Spread over an area of 26 sq. km, Hampi is home to some of the finest temples in South India. The natural beauty of the place combined with the rich historical and cultural value of the Hampi ruins makes this place a favorite among tourists from all across the globe. Hampi is also called the ‘hippie-haven’ by the locals owing to its laid back vibes and popularity as a tourist destination. Several hotels and restaurants are found at the Hampi Bazaar. We also explore the regions of Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal which are also amongst the jewels of Northern Karnataka.

Trip Highlights

Group of Monuments at Aihole
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal
Badami Caves Temple
Queens Bath, Vijaya Vittala Temple at Hampi

ITINERARY - 8 Days

Day 1	Arrival at Hampi After you reach Hampi, our representatives shall receive you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. Accommodation options are very limited in Hampi as most of the tourists prefer to stay in Hospet or Anegundi, a village on the opposite bank of the river. Hampi was a part of the erstwhile prosperous Vijayanagara Empire. It flourished in the Deccan region between the 14th and 16th centuries. The most heralded monarch of the empire, Krishna Deva Raya took a keen interest in architecture. He had built some of the most spectacular architectural masterpieces at Hampi. However, a war with the neighboring kingdoms in Deccan left the magnificent city of Hampi in ruins. Today, the Hampi ruins are enlisted as a World Heritage Site and are home to some of the finest temples of South India. The culture of Hampi is synonymous with the numerous cultural festivals and religious festivals celebrated in this city. Stay overnight at Hampi.
Day 2	Hampi Sightseeing Hampi consists of temples, wells, palaces, rock-cut temples, bazaars, and even a set of elephant stables. One of the best ways to explore the Hampi ruins is to go sightseeing with a guide by bicycle or on foot. This helps tourists to explore Hampi and its remote areas. Visit the Stone Chariot, also known as the Jewel of Hampi. One of the most popular tourist destinations of Hampi, the chariot is a shrine dedicated to Garuda and is located at Vittala Temple Complex. However, the massive sculpture of Garuda that was once seated atop the chariot is empty at the present date. The Royal Enclosure is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra river and was once the home of erstwhile Vijayanagar king and his queens. The enclosure lies largely in ruins and speaks volumes of the glorious past. Visit the Dasara Dibba or Mahanavami Dibba, a stone platform located within the royal enclosure of Hampi. The next stop is Lotus Mahal, one of the finest architectural masterpieces of Hampi ruins. The walls of the palace are carved with beautiful patterns. It resembles a lotus and is located within the Zenana Enclosure, a segregated area that is used by the royal women of the Vijayanagara Dynasty. Stay overnight at Hampi.
Day 3	Hampi Sightseeing The Sasivekalu Ganesha temple is another major tourist attraction of the Hampi ruins. The monolithic statue of Ganesha with a height of about 8 feet is a breath-taking sight. It is one of the finest specimens of Indian sculptures. The next stop is the Achyuta Raya Temple. It is a must-visit in Hampi and is known for its beautiful architecture and rich historical value. The Virupaksha temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is another must-visit tourist destination of Hampi.
Day 4	Hospet - Aihole - Pattadakal - Badami From Hampi, head north to visit Badami. Visit Aihole and Pattadakal on the way. Aihole is home to over 100 temples, mostly Hindu but also Buddhist and Jain. These temples date back from the 4th century to the 12th century CE. Aihole boasts of rich and illustrious history and was once the capital of the Chalukya dynasty. It is home to more than 125 temples and is an archaeologist’s delight. Pattadakal is located in the Bagalkot district and is home to 10 major temples, all dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temples were built in both Dravidian and Nagara styles of architecture. The VIrupaksha temple is one of the most famous temples in Pattadakal. Stay overnight at Badami.
Day 5	Badami Visit the cave temples of Badami. The temple is perched atop a flight of 200 steps and consists of four ancient rock-cut caves. The caves are replete with beautifully carved pillars and bracket pillars. Three of the temples are Brahmanical temples while the fourth one is a Jain cave. The third cave is the largest in size and is the most beautifully built. The cave temples are the lasting remnants of a golden age of architecture. The temple stands on a precipice of a hill and provides breath-taking views of the surrounding valleys. Visit the Agastya Teertha Lake, Bhoothanatha, and Malegitti Temples. Stay overnight at Badami.
Day 6	Badami-Chitradurga In the morning, drive to Chitradurga and once you reach, you will be transferred to the hotel. Chitradurga is an ultimate treat for the eyes and the soul. Situated in the valley of River Vedavati, it showcases majestic landscapes and is popular for its stone fortresses. Later in the day, proceed for sightseeing. The Chitradurga fort was built between the 10th and 18th centuries by the kings of various dynasties. It is a must-visit place in Chitradurga and underwent the last renovation during the rule of Tipu Sultan. The fort consists of a large temple in the lower part and eighteen temples in the upper part. Interestingly, a mosque was built inside this fort during the reign of Hyder Ali. The next stop is Chandravalli, a beautiful valley formed by three hills, Chitradurga, Kiranakallu, and Cholagudda. It is home to beautiful cave temples and was named after Chandrahasa, who once ruled over this region. The Hidimbeshwar temple located inside the Chitradurga Fort is of great mythological importance. The temple highlights the Dravidian culture and is the oldest among the 20 others existing in the fort. Stay overnight at Chitradurga.
Day 7	Chitradurga-Bangalore Start for Bangalore and transfer to the hotel once you reach. Bengaluru, formerly known as Bangalore, is one of India’s most developed cities. It is located in south-east Karnataka, in the heart of the Mysore Plateau which is a part of the larger Deccan Plateau. This cosmopolitan city is blessed with benevolent climatic conditions, a modern metro system, and numerous famous eating and drinking joints. Bangalore is the face of contemporary India, one that the younger generations can relate to. Bangalore was previously known as the Garden City of India and is now termed as the Silicon Valley of India. This is because Bangalore is one of the major centers for the IT boom in the country. The city is home to lovely parks and beautiful Victorian-era architecture. In the year 1537, Kempegowda, a chieftain from the Vijayanagara empire, established the first settlement in what is currently known as Bangalore. It is a popular destination among tourists as it is very well connected to various other tourist attractions. Stay overnight in Bangalore.
Day 8	Bangalore sightseeing/ Departure This day will be spent in sightseeing. Visit the famous Bangalore Palace, located between Sadashivnagar and Jayamahal. The construction of this place was started by Rev. Garrett in 1862. It was intended to look like the Windsor Castle of England. In 1884, it was bought by Chamaraja Wodeyar of the Wodeyar Dynasty. The construction of the palace took 82 years and was built in the Tudan style of architecture. The beauty of this palace leaves tourists in awe. Another must-visit place in Bangalore is the Vikasa Soudha, one of the best buildings built by the Karnataka Government. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in Bangalore and is located south of its sister building, the Vidhana Soudha. The Bull temple, locally known as the Nandi temple, is home to one of the largest statues of Nandi in the world. It attracts devotees and tourists from all across the globe. Make it a point to visit the famous Bangalore fort. The fort was built in 1537 as a mud fort by Kempegowda, the founder of the city. It was made into a stone structure in 1761 by Hyder Ali and was improved upon by his son, Tipu Sultan. In the evening, our representatives shall transfer you to the airport from where you can catch your home-bound flights. Leave Karnataka with a rich historical and cultural experience of a lifetime.