Hyderabad to Hampi Architecture Trail
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Kick off in Hyderabad on a 6–day Deccan adventure – returning to Hyderabad – that’s all about grand architecture and layered history. You’ll explore Gulbarga’s fortress and arcaded mosque, then visit Bijapur’s heavy hitters – the vast Gol Gumbaz, elegant Ibrahim Rauza and the famed Malik–e–Maidan cannon. Continue to Badami’s dramatic cave temples, with side trips to Pattadakal and Aihole – masterpieces of early Chalukyan art. Roll on via Gadag’s Trikuteshwara and temple–strewn Lakkundi to Hampi’s evocative ruins – Virupaksha, Vittala’s stone chariot, royal enclosures and riverside views. Expect sweeping drives, rich stories and a well–paced dose of UNESCO brilliance.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Tour Overview
Duration
6 daysHotel Rating
3, 4 or 5 star hotelsStarts
HyderabadEnds
HyderabadMinimum Age
No minimum ageMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in India that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
NoDeparture Transfer
YesTour Guide
Yes - for included sightseeing.Country
IndiaPassengers
R 22 625,00
R 9 999,00
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 1 / Max Private Tour
Trip Type
Private Tours
Range
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Tour Guide
Yes - for included sightseeing.Group Size
Min 1 / Max Private TourRange
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Private ToursPlaces You'll See
Hyderabad
Gulbarga
Bijapur
Kalaburagi Division
Badami
Vijayapura
Pattadakal
Aihole
Belgaum Division
Gadag
Lakkundi
Hampi
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Included
Not Included
Accommodation Standard
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Itinerary
Day 1 - Hyderabad to Bijapur
We collect you from your hotel in Hyderabad and drive to Bijapur – 385 km – approximately 7 hours. En route we stop in Gulbarga to visit Gulbarga Fort, begun under Raja Gulchand and later strengthened by Ala‑ud‑din Bahmani with 15 towers. Its defences include a surrounding canal‑like moat, and the fort once housed 26 guns, including one measuring 8 metres. We also explore Gulbarga’s Jama Masjid, noted for its arcaded interiors and horseshoe arches that echo the Great Mosque of Córdoba – a style also seen in Hyderabad’s Spanish Mosque. We then continue to Bijapur for check in at your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 - Bijapur & Badami
After breakfast, we explore Bijapur’s Adil Shahi heritage, starting at Bijapur Fort with its cluster of historic monuments. We visit Asar Mahal – built by Muhammad Adil Shah as a hall of justice and revered by Muslim devotees – and Bara Kaman, the striking yet unfinished mausoleum of Ali Adil Shah II. We continue to Gol Gumbaz, noted for its 124 feet diameter dome and the minarets that house the stairways to the top. We also visit Jama Masjid, see the colossal Malik e Maidan cannon, and walk through Ibrahim Rauza, where a mosque and tomb face each other across a tank and fountain. Late afternoon, we drive to Badami – 120 kilometres, around 2 hours – and check in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 - Badami & Aihole
Badami – after breakfast at the hotel, we set out to explore its rock cut heritage. We visit the Badami Cave Temples, a hallmark of Badami Chalukya architecture from the 6th to 8th centuries, then continue to the hilltop Badami Fort, an important archaeological site linked to the Chalukyas and the Pallavas. We also stop at the Open Air Museum, where early trial carvings, steps, caves and unfinished idols offer insight into the artisans’ craft.
We then drive to the Pattadakal Temple Complex on the west bank of the Malaprabha River – a UNESCO World Heritage site of 7th–8th century Hindu and Jain temples renowned for blending northern and southern Indian styles. Highlights include the Papanatha and Virupaksha temples, with Virupaksha still an active place of worship.
In the afternoon we continue to Aihole to explore key monuments. At the Durga Temple you can see a Dravidian base with a later northern style superstructure over an apsidal sanctum. Huchimalli Gudi, dating to the 7th century, houses shrines to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, with a circumambulatory passage and latticed exterior walls. We also visit the Meguti Jain Temple – traced to 634 AD and built without mortar on a raised platform – and the 6th century Ravanapadi Cave Temple dedicated to Shiva. Return to Badami and enjoy free time later to relax.
Day 4 - Gadag, Lakkundi & Hampi
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive 180 km – around 4 hours – from Badami to Hampi, visiting key sites en route. In Gadag, we explore the Trikuteshwara Temple, dedicated to Shiva, with three lingas mounted on the same stone and a Saraswathi shrine with carved columns. We then continue to Lakkundi, home to ruined temples such as Mallikarjuna, Virabhadra, Manikeshwara, Nanneshwara, Lakshminarayana, Someshwara and Nilakanteshwara. On arrival in Hampi, we check in at the hotel and the rest of the day is free – you can relax at the hotel. Overnight in Hampi.
Day 5 - Exploring Hampi
After breakfast, we explore Hampi’s highlights in and around the Royal Enclosure. We visit Hazara Rama Temple – noted for its bas relief panels from the Ramayana – and the King’s Balance, a stone arch with loops where ceremonial scales once hung. We continue to the Mahanavami Dibba, the tallest platform in the Royal Enclosure built by Krishnadevaraya after his victory at Udayagiri, then take in the breadth of the Royal Enclosures to understand the scale of the former Vijayanagara capital. We view the monolithic Ugra Narasimha statue, carved from a single block of stone, and visit the Virupaksha Temple. We also see the graceful Lotus Mahal in the Zenana Enclosure and the Vithala Temple Complex, celebrated for intricate carvings and grand Dravidian architecture on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra River. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 - Return to Hyderabad
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Hyderabad – a journey of approximately 380 km taking around 7 hours – and drop you at your hotel or the airport.
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Tour Reviews
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Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
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Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
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Prices & Dates
The prices you see below are a guide, with final prices per person being determined by the number of travellers in your booking party, desired hotel standard and the rooming arrangements required. To see an accurate price, please click "Book Dates" and enter the details for your booking party.
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