[pramodpk]

Originally Posted by libranof1987

Hey, there are tons of TLs on Hampi for you to have a general glimpse of the place. Here is mine : http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ire-hampi.html

Based on your preference, you can decide which places to visit.



There are plenty places to stop while you're on NH4. Once you get off, there is none.

So, you can stop at the Kamath/CCD on NH4; they are about 70kms from Bangalore.

If we start at 5:00 AM, we would reach Kamat/CCD by 6:30 - 6:45 AM which would be too early for breakfast. Do you know of any places beyond these? 100 - 200 KMs from Bangalore?

[libranof1987]

Originally Posted by pramodpk

If we start at 5:00 AM, we would reach Kamat/CCD by 6:30 - 6:45 AM which would be too early for breakfast. Do you know of any places beyond these? 100 - 200 KMs from Bangalore?

Actually no. There are plenty restaurants on NH4. But the moment you step on SH19, there's hardly anything. We barely managed to find a tea shop!

So, you're best bet is an early breakfast. You might just get some stall on SH19 but then, if you're fine with the hygiene and all is up to your discretion.

[santhosh_lv]

Originally Posted by pramodpk

I am planning to drive to Hampi (Hospet) on Dec 10th. Any update on the latest condition of Blr-Tumkur-Hiryur-Challakere-Bellary-Hospet route.
I plan to start at 5:00 AM from Brookefields (Kundalahalli). Where can I stop for break fast.

Hey, i was just back from a hampi weekend. Though it was a stressful drive, really loved the place and history. I will definitely plan for an other hampi trip to cover few places i missed.

Route :
Bangalore - Tumkur - Challekere - Bellary - Hospet and same route back.

Roads are pretty good till Chellekare and you can cruise around 100 kmph. From Chellekare watch on the small little speed breakers near towns and still average speed can be 70-80 kmph.

Stay:
Since Shanbag was full, stayed in Hotel Karthik which is very close by shanbag. Pretty nice hotel. Rs 900 for one day inclusive of breakfast. I might consider staying at the same place if i go next time.

[jacs]

Originally Posted by libranof1987

Hey, there are tons of TLs on Hampi for you to have a general glimpse of the place. Here is mine : http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ire-hampi.html

Based on your preference, you can decide which places to visit.

Thanks libran, this is helpful.

Originally Posted by ampere

Hotels to book:
- KSDTC Mayur at Hampi
- Malligi at Hospet
- If you want to splurge, Royal Orchid

Thanks Ampere but my friends booked some Shanthi Resorts at 800 bucks per hut. I was busy with office stuff this week and No choice now!

Originally Posted by laluks

Jacs,

Thungabhadra reservoir is nice place to be. I have been there September. But I had to drive back to Bangalore and hence left the place by 18:00hrs. There is some musical fountains there. Probably the shows is by 18:30 or so.

Staying at KSTDC is better, online booking is possible. It is very near to the ruins and its easier. Hospet to Hampi drive takes time, as I felt it was crowded. KSTDC worked for us and I'd suggest that.

Hampi to see leisurely will take some days, but a crash course is possible with 1 to 1.5 days. Key points are the Ganesha idols, Immersed Shivalinga, Narasimha statue, Vittala temple, Virupaksha Temple, Lotus Mahal, Elephant Stables, Hazara Rama Temple etc.. Staying at KSTDC will help you for a crash course. Guides are available in plenty.

If you still have time some 30KM away there is a Bear Sanctuary. Else add Pattadakkal, Aihole, Badami loop.

Roads were pretty much OK when I visited, except the huge humps near rannebennur which takes you by surprise.

Have a great trip.

Thanks Laluks, its very helpful. Shall try our best to cover as many without loosing the fun.

Only confusion is still on Route, getting mixed opinions. Whether to take Bellary or not?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by jacs

Only confusion is still on Route, getting mixed opinions. Whether to take Bellary or not?

No confusions Jacs! Take the Bellary option (i.e. Hiryur-Chalkere-Bellary bypass).

Just that NH63 bypasses Bellary town in a semi-circular arc. The Chalkere SH meets this arc somewhere in between.
You can take the by-pass and drive on till Hospet.

[pramodpk]

Originally Posted by santhosh_lv

Though it was a stressful drive,

Could you please elaborate? Anything to wathc out for?

Thanks in advance.

[download2live]

Originally Posted by pramodpk

If we start at 5:00 AM, we would reach Kamat/CCD by 6:30 - 6:45 AM which would be too early for breakfast. Do you know of any places beyond these? 100 - 200 KMs from Bangalore?

If you take :
Bangalore-> Hiryur -> Chalkagere -> Hospet (Bypassing Bellary)
Then there is a hotel Gandharva at around 30 mins drive from Hiryur on the way. It will be on right side of the road.
Ok place to eat.

Originally Posted by pramodpk

Could you please elaborate? Anything to wathc out for?
Thanks in advance.

Watch out for speed breakers once you take a left turn at railway crossing on the way to Hospet. This railway crossing comes after you cross Chalkagere.

[jacs]

Hi All,

Back from the trip, got busy with work. Here's the updates from my trip.

Onward trip : EC -> NICE ROAD -> Nelamangala -> Tumkur -> Sira -> Hiriyur -> Bellary (bypass) -> Hospet -> Hampi (436KMs - I'm sure I missed some shortcuts)
Road Condition : EC till Bellary->Hospet bypass is excellent, may be very few patches. But from Bellary till Hampi, road was bad atleast 60% with lots of potholes and breakages and unmarked humps. Total time of travel would be 7 hours excluding breaks.

Return trip : Hampi -> Hospet -> Chitradurga -> Hiriyur -> Sira -> Tumkur -> Nelamangala -> NICE ROAD -> EC (364KMs)
Road Condition : Hampi till Thungabardra reservoir in NH13 had some bad patches but still drivable. Due to ore trucks as well as NP trucks, 5-6KMs near the Tungabadra reservoir had heavy traffic blocks which ate an hour easily. But rest of the drive was very good, not remembering any bad patches at all. Total time of travel was 6 hours excluding breaks and around 1 hour block in the evening.

[rogercharlie]

Thanks jacs, so you would recommend that one should take the Hampi -> Hospet -> Chitradurga -> Hiriyur -> Sira -> Tumkur -> Nelamangala -> NICE ROAD -> EC option instead of taking the Hiriyur, Challakere route? The total time taken seems the same. Which one is the less painful drive?

FYI I plan to leave Bangalore at 6AM.

Warm regards,

[pramodpk]

Originally Posted by rogercharlie

Thanks jacs, so you would recommend that one should take the Hampi -> Hospet -> Chitradurga -> Hiriyur -> Sira -> Tumkur -> Nelamangala -> NICE ROAD -> EC option instead of taking the Hiriyur, Challakere route? The total time taken seems the same. Which one is the less painful drive?

FYI I plan to leave Bangalore at 6AM.

Warm regards,

I had been to Hampi this weekend ( Dec 10th and Dec 11th). Started from Banglore (Brookefields) at 5:30 AM and reached Hospet at 1:30 PM with total breaks of around 1 hour. Route taken

Brookefields - Hebbal - Hiriyur - Challakere - Bellary Bypass - Hospet

I would recommend this route. Total distance 388 KMs.
The surface is not great on the NH 63 from end of Bellary Bypass till Hospet but very much manageable. You need to be aware of unmarked speed breakers and restrict to max speed to 80 KM/h. Nothing to worry.
The SH 19 from Hiriyur till Bellary is great. I could do 150 KM/h in many places. Watch out for rumbler trips. I enjoyed this road more than the NH4.

[jacs]

Originally Posted by rogercharlie

Thanks jacs, so you would recommend that one should take the Hampi -> Hospet -> Chitradurga -> Hiriyur -> Sira -> Tumkur -> Nelamangala -> NICE ROAD -> EC option instead of taking the Hiriyur, Challakere route? The total time taken seems the same. Which one is the less painful drive?

FYI I plan to leave Bangalore at 6AM.

Warm regards,

Hi Roger,

Atleast 80% people recommend Challakere route so there would be something which I missed out and took a longer bad route. In my travel, I liked the return route due to the road conditions.

Regards
Jacob.

[pramodpk]

In my personal opinion, there is no need to hire a guide to see Hampi. All places are nearby. You could get a map from the hotel or buy a map in Hampi (costs Rs 20/- for the map + book). We hired one on Saturday and paid Rs 500/- for 2 hours which is not worth. We saw more places on Sunday without the guide. Moreover the guides do not know much about the places. They repeat the same thing in all places. The information that is required is anyway written at the places in sign boards. If you are very much interested in history, you will definitely not be satisfied with the information that guides give you. They also will not let you explore the place at your own pace.

Another word of caution:

There are lot of violent monkeys and cattle in and around Virupaksha temple. DO NOT buy the banana they sell you outside the temple to feed the elephant inside. The monkeys and cattle will attack you to grab it. We learned it the hard way.

[jacs]

Originally Posted by pramodpk

In my personal opinion, there is no need to hire a guide to see Hampi. All places are nearby. You could get a map from the hotel or buy a map in Hampi (costs Rs 20/- for the map + book). We hired one on Saturday and paid Rs 500/- for 2 hours which is not worth. We saw more places on Sunday without the guide. Moreover the guides do not know much about the places. They repeat the same thing in all places. The information that is required is anyway written at the places in sign boards. If you are very much interested in history, you will definitely not be satisfied with the information that guides give you. They also will not let you explore the place at your own pace.

Another word of caution:

There are lot of violent monkeys and cattle in and around Virupaksha temple. DO NOT buy the banana they sell you outside the temple to feed the elephant inside. The monkeys and cattle will attack you to grab it. We learned it the hard way.

Absolutely agree with you Pramod. No guide is needed. Though time was limited, we explored all the keypoints using GPS on iPAD and the Hampi local map.

We relied on Autos to ferry to some local sightseeing rather than taking the car out from parking lot. Rs 10 per head in most of the cases.

Monkeys create a mess if you carry food, in our case it was near the Lotus Mahal compared to all other places. Never try to feed them, they will follow you till you are empty handed .

Another thing is regarding the accomodation. If you have ample time (say 3 days), try staying on the other side of the river atleast for a day. Its a different experience. We had to park the car in the lower camp parking and use autos and boats to fery to the resort. Its time taking but a unique experience. Cars can be brought but taking a ~35Kms de-tour which is not worth doing.

[Su-47]

Seeing Jacs mention NH13 being driveable, I'm wondering if anyone else has tried it out over the last few days.

Or, is Hiriyur->Bellary->Hospet still the best option?

Thanks,
Su-47

[pramodpk]

Originally Posted by Su-47

Seeing Jacs mention NH13 being driveable, I'm wondering if anyone else has tried it out over the last few days.

Or, is Hiriyur->Bellary->Hospet still the best option?

Thanks,
Su-47

Hiriyur->Challakkare->Bellary Bypass-> Hospet seems to be the best option. Don't miss the Bellary bypass. You need not go to Bellary. Road condition is great till end of Bellary bypass. After that surface is not great is some sections and there are lot of speed breakers.