Experience the best of Hampi

Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara empire, which dominated southern India from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century, until its defeat in 1565 and the sacking of the city. Today its ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site, spread across a landscape of rust-red boulders and banana fields beside the Tungabhadra River. The Virupaksha Temple, still in use, rises at one end of the main bazaar.

The Vittala Temple has a stone chariot and carved pillars, while the Lotus Mahal and the domed Elephant Stables show Indo-Islamic influence. Round coracle boats ferry people across the river to Anegundi, a village that has become a favourite for rock climbers, and a hilltop shrine to Hanuman gives a wide view of the ruins. Hospet is the nearest town, and the Daroji sloth bear sanctuary is a short drive away.

Rice, dosa and thali served on banana leaves are the staples, with jowar rotis typical of northern Karnataka and plenty of fresh fruit. The weather is cooler and kinder between October and February, and the boulders glow orange at sunrise and sunset.