Hampi is a pretty vast place to cover in a day or two. Plus the expanse can make your visit ineffective and tiring. So how do you plan your Hampi trip? You need ideally 3 days to cover the important places in the town, not having to race against time!
Hampi has 2 important sets of tourist destinations. First, the tragic and once mighty medieval capital of the Vijaynagara Kingdom. Second, to the north, Kishkindha from the legendary epic Ramayana. Dividing the two is the river Tungabhadra.
Plan 2 days to cover Hampi and 1 day to cover Kishkindha. If you have a very strong interest in History, Architecture or Religion, you may consider spending 4 days.
Day 1:
Visit the Virupaksha Temple, Hemakuta and nearby temples
Day 2:
Cover the Hampi Royal Compound, Hazara Rama Temple and nearby places
Day 3:
Visit Kishkindha: Anjaneyadri Hill, Pampa Sarovar, others.
By the way, this is only a broad suggestion. Factor in where you are staying and any mode of transportation you have access to.
Day 1: Hampi, Vijaynagara Empire
Some important places in the vicinity are outlined below:
The walk and exploration around the Hampi Bazaar will take the first half completely. If you like exploring you will find many rocky terrains to explore all around you.
Evening: Enjoy a sunset at at the Matanga or Hemakuta Hill or a relaxing boat ride on the Tungabhadra River, a scenic way to unwind and witness the sunset hues paint the Hampi landscape.
The Tungabhadra River is to the North. So you may visit the Royal Complex first followed by the Virupaksha Temple and Hampi Bazaar in the early evening.
Day 2: The Royal Complex, Hampi, Vijayanagar Empire
The Royal Complex to the South of the temples above. It is around 3 kms. The Royal Courtyard has several ruins of the area that was once inhabited by the Vijayanagar Royalty.
Follow the map to get a tour of important places to see here:
Hazara Rama Temple, a beautifully carved temple dedicated to Lord Rama. Take in the detailed sculptures depicting scenes from the Ramayana.
Elephant Stables, a massive structure that once housed the elephants.
Thankful to https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Elephant%27s_Stable_Hampi.jpg
Day 3: Visit to Kishkindha, the site of Ramayana
Morning: Depart from Hampi for Kishkindha, also known as Anegundi, located across the Tungabhadra River. This region is believed to be the setting for the epic Ramayana, where monkey god Hanuman resided.
Afternoon: Visit the Anjaneya Hill, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. Climb the 575 steps to the hilltop temple for panoramic views and spiritual significance.
Afternoon (continued): Explore the Pampa Sarovar, a lotus-filled lake considered sacred in Hindu mythology. It’s believed to be the place where Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana met Hanuman for the first time.
Evening: Return to Hampi or explore further in Kishkindha based on your interests and time constraints.
