2-day Hampi tour from Bangalore: Private car, temples & ruins

Vijayanagara Empire tour: walk ancient temples with musical pillars and stone chariots

A 2-day private tour of Hampi's world heritage site departing from Bangalore by car, with an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, entrance fees and one night accommodation in Hampi. Day one covers the Ugra Narasimha idol, Badavi Linga, Balakrishna Temple, Hemakunta Hill and the 165-foot Virupaksha Temple. Day two focuses on the Vijaya Vittala Temple with its famous stone chariot and musical pillars, the King's Balance, royal enclosures including the Elephant Stables and Lotus Mahal, and the Iron Age caves at Anegundi. The private car means you travel at your own pace without waiting for other groups.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Explore Hampi hill temples

• 6AM hotel pick up in Bangalore
• Drive 350 KM to Hampi
• Visit Ugra Narasimha idol
• See Badavi Linga with canal
• Tour Balakrishna temple carvings
• Climb Hemakunta hill for views
• Watch sunset at Hemakunta hill
• Visit Virupaksha temple

Day 2: Visit Hampi heritage monuments

• Tour Vijaya Vittala temple
• See stone chariot and musical pillars
• Visit King’s Balance stone frame
• Explore Royal enclosures and structures
• Visit Anegundi Iron Age caves

The experience

The tour starts with a 6am pickup from your Bangalore hotel for the 350 km drive to Hampi. You arrive around 2pm and begin at the Ugra Narasimha, a 22-foot idol carved during Krishnadevaraya's reign with a serpent carved at the back of its head. Next is the Badavi Linga, a 12-foot black stone linga that rises from a canal running through it. The Balakrishna Temple, built in 1513 to mark a royal conquest, shows off mythical beast carvings. You climb Hemakunta Hill for views across the entire town and watch the sunset before ending the day at Virupaksha Temple, an 11-storey structure from the Hoysala period with the Tungabhadra River flowing through it.

Day two begins at the Vijaya Vittala Temple, built on a polyhedron foundation and considered the grandest structure in Hampi. The stone chariot at its entrance is carved with figures of soldiers, hunters, Portuguese traders and Arabs. The temple's musical pillars are among the greatest works of art in the complex. You then visit the King's Balance, a massive stone frame where legend says Vijayanagara kings weighed themselves against gold and gems to distribute to the poor. The royal enclosures hold the Elephant Stables, the Queen's Bath and the Lotus Mahal, while the Zanana enclosure housed royal women. The tour ends at the Anegundi caves, where Iron Age paintings date back to around 1500 BC.

You stay one night in Hampi, with single rooms for solo travelers and double occupancy for groups of two or more. Breakfast is included both mornings. The private car and guide are yours for the full two days, so you move through the sites without coordinating with other groups or waiting for scheduled departure times.

What’s included

• Private car for both days.
• English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup from Bangalore.
• entrance charges to all monuments.
• one night stay in Hampi with single or double occupancy based on group size.
• breakfast both mornings.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30

AgesAdult (13 to 70 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Five Senses Tours

Is this one for you?The private car and guide mean you set the pace through each temple without waiting for group departures or coordinating with other visitors. If you're staying in Bangalore or traveling without a car, the included pickup and two-day vehicle access solve the logistics entirely.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

How far is Hampi from Bangalore and how long is the drive?

Hampi is 350 km from Bangalore. The drive takes most of the first day, with pickup at 6am and arrival around 2pm, leaving the afternoon for the first set of temples.

What is the Vijaya Vittala Temple's stone chariot and why is it famous?

The stone chariot at the Vijaya Vittala Temple entrance is carved from rough quartz and features figures of soldiers, hunters, Portuguese traders and Arabs etched into its surface. It is one of the most recognized monuments in Hampi.

What are the musical pillars and where do I see them?

The musical pillars are inside the Vijaya Vittala Temple and are described as one of the greatest works of art by mankind. They are a distinctive feature of the temple's architecture.

What does the Virupaksha Temple look like and how old is it?

Virupaksha Temple is from the Hoysala period and is the oldest temple in Hampi. Its tower has eleven storeys and rises 165 feet in height, with the Tungabhadra River flowing inside the structure.

What is included in the tour price and what do I need to pay separately?

The tour includes the private car, English-speaking guide, all entrance fees to the monuments, one night accommodation in Hampi and breakfast both mornings. Lunch and dinner are not included.

Can I book this tour if I don't have a car or am staying in Bangalore?

Yes. Hotel pickup from Bangalore is included, and the private car is provided for the entire two days, so you don't need your own transportation.