Cycling in Hampi

Magical Hampi

Hampi, is a truly magical place, enchanting and timeless. Don't hesitate to book a week of your itinerary during your trip to India just for this village, and you won't be disappointed.

In the heart of Karnataka state, the village itself, which stretches along a charming river, is really lovely, calm, and tranquil. The little temple in the town, which is still in use, is very interesting, and there are lots of small hotels, restaurants, and shops to buy things in. It's a particularly good place to buy souvenirs and presents because of the multitude of small stalls selling a huge number of different things at bargain prices.

In the middle of luxuriously breathtaking nature there are more than 400 temples, statues and other remains. Hampi's monuments are classed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Bike rides

I have often been to Hampi and I've spent some lovely days wandering about in the tropical countryside. Most of the time, I rented a bike from my guest house, most of the places to stay in the village do it, and so I went from temple to temple on two wheels.

In my opinion, it's the best and nicest way to discover this architectural jewel, wandering where you want, going from place to place, stopping when you want, and exploring the less touristy and more hidden corners.

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Nina Montagné

By the riverside

I particularly remember a good restaurant in an ideally located in Hampi: the Mango Tree. On the village side of the river bank, 5 minutes walk from the center, I spent whole days there, on the terrace's benches or on the swing attached to the mango tree above the water, reading or watching the ballet of the pirogues on the river.

In fact, the village is on one side of the river, and on the other is the architectural site with all its temples and several lovely guest houses, right in the countryside on the edge of the river, which I recommend to travelers during a trip to India.  

Lots of little boats or coracles go backwards and forwards across the river, children swim in it, and women do their washing... A most enjoyable show to watch while eating a cashew nut spring roll, the house's specialty!