[cp171185]

It was Dec of 2018; my wife had a full week plan in the Christmas to go to Calcutta to meet her family. We usually travel together, be it for a trip or a visit to our hometown, Calcutta. But this time due to my office commitments, it was impossible for me to get a leave sanction of a week or 10 days.

Without any other choice she booked her flight to Calcutta during Christmas.

At the same time I thought, I can get 4 days for a trip, 23rd to 26th , if I can manage 2 days leave. ( I have office on Saturday).

Since long, two of the many things of my bucket list were:

1) A solo road trip in my car
2) A visit to Hampi

And this time I realised this is a perfect time to tick both off from my bucket list.

And as we travel together, my wife was quite upset about my plan. But as a good friend, we never stopped each other for doing anything. So yes, finally I managed to get the leave sanctioned and this is the tale of my journey to tick off the two things at a go, “A solo road trip to Hampi!”

There are lot of posts about Hampi in the internet; so, not posting about my stay details further. Hampi is having all sorts of hotels or stay options depending upon your budget & preferences. So just limiting my log to the route, photos I have taken and other small details.

I usually do my research on the route rather than what Google is suggesting. Google was suggesting the route via Raichur but I took this route:-

Hyderabad – Kurnool – Alur - Bellary – Kamalapur – Hampi.

Took numerous breaks for photos, food or stretching, so I had to drive nearly 10 hours before I reach Hampi, else I could have reached much earlier. So let’s get started..

Cranked the engine at exact 6 AM:-



Reached hill park restaurant, Jadcherla around 7.15 AM, to take the breakfast:-
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/CYntB9cfixQ2





Around 10 o’clock reached Pullur toll plaza, near Kurnool:-



Somewhere between Alur and Bellary:-



There are plenty of options available once you enter the Bellary town. I avoid heavy lunch like rice & meals at lunch during drive. So, had just a Masala Dosa at one of the food joints. I observed that, food options at Bellary are more on the opposite side of the road while going to Hampi from Hyderabad,. So in case you want to explore the town while going to Hampi, park your car on your side, cross the road & explore. Plenty of options are available.

Finally around 4 O’clock in the evening I reached Hampi!



Now, let some snaps taken in and around Hampi do the talking:-















Next day morning trekked all the way up to Anjana's Hill to experience this beautiful Sunrise:-











Again let some pictures do some talking..







Coming up is, Day 3 & onward..

[cp171185]

Day 3:-

























Near Tungabhdra River..



Evening of Day 3, once again I trekked all the way up to Matanga Hill to watch the Sunset, and the trek was quite tough than the Anajana’s Hill's..



But once I reached the top, the tough trek had paid off..



This view..



When you finally managed to get a selfie with the beautiful background, but someone photo-bombed it..



Found an interesting structure, once I get down from the top :-



The famous Virupaksha Temple at dusk.



Had a lovely dinner at Mango Tree:-
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/VsqAkovkBHz



It was the last day and I had to head back to Hyderabad. So had my breakfast at my hotel before I started off around 8.30 in the morning:-





Touched a magic figure in between.. 30000 and up!!



Had a decent lunch at Food pyramid:-
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/EiZQWDuuPeH2



Reached Home around 5 o’clock. “A solo road trip to Hampi!”, done & dusted!!

Untill next time, much love, my love..

[jailbird_fynix]

Loved the photographs, found them to be crisp, rich & well-compiled at the same time. Hope you had a good time at Hampi. Were you able to cover all the tourist spots in 2 days ?

[cp171185]

Originally Posted by jailbird_fynix

Loved the photographs, found them to be crisp, rich & well-compiled at the same time. Hope you had a good time at Hampi. Were you able to cover all the tourist spots in 2 days ?

Thanks a lot for your kind words

Had a great time at Hampi. Solidarity has got a different taste altogether..

Yes, I covered almost all the places of Hampi town. Actually I never bothered about checking out all the places.. I travel for the sake of travelling.. Exploring.. Couldn't go to Tungabhadra Dam though.

[hemanth.anand]

Beautiful pictures! I've been to Hampe many times and I've seen many photos but your photos are fresh! Thanks for sharing...enjoyed everyone of them!

[Thermodynamics]

Nice sharp photos, point of view is superb. Thanks for sharing, keep travelling.

[Vasuki]

Lovely pictures. Hampi is definitely on my radar. Your pictures rekindled the urge. Believe Nov to Jan is the best time to visit Hampi. Thanks for this wonderful travelogue.

[cp171185]

Originally Posted by hemanth.anand

Beautiful pictures! I've been to Hampe many times and I've seen many photos but your photos are fresh! Thanks for sharing...enjoyed everyone of them!

Thanks bunch for the appreciation!

Originally Posted by Thermodynamics

Nice sharp photos, point of view is superb. Thanks for sharing, keep travelling.

Thank you for your kind words.

Originally Posted by Vasuki

Lovely pictures. Hampi is definitely on my radar. Your pictures rekindled the urge. Believe Nov to Jan is the best time to visit Hampi. Thanks for this wonderful travelogue.

Thanks much. Glad you liked it.
And yes, Nov to Jan is the time to visit Hampi.

[i20ian]

Beautiful pictures. Loved each one of them. Keep traveling and keep sharing.

[GTO]

Really nice report - thanks for sharing . I love solo drives and do them ever so often. If an important media car has come in, I usually take it on the highway alone so that I can 100% focus on the car with no distractions. I feel at one with the car and it also helps me to think my best. In a way, I find it almost therapeutic.

[cp171185]

Originally Posted by i20ian

Beautiful pictures. Loved each one of them. Keep traveling and keep sharing.

Thanks for appreciation, feeling great that fellow members are loving it

Originally Posted by GTO

Really nice report - thanks for sharing . I love solo drives and do them ever so often. If an important media car has come in, I usually take it on the highway alone so that I can 100% focus on the car with no distractions. I feel at one with the car and it also helps me to think my best. In a way, I find it almost therapeutic.

Thanks a lot!
Regarding solo drives, yes I do it often as well (short drives within 50-70 KM). It is really a therapeutic for me. Sadly, Hyderabad is not having much options unlike Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune etc.

One thing, did you find driving solo or only with your regular shotgun (who knows you very well) is much easier than the car packed? I often feel so. Get distracted, when I drive with packed car. (due to different activities or discussions)

Whereas, solo drive or a drive with shotgun (my wife) is way easier. She knows exactly what is best for a drive.

[satishv1987]

Nice write up!

Travelling alone is so underrated. No restrictions whatsoever. You can visit spots of your choosing, eat at restaurants you like, take breaks when you feel like it. It might sound cliched but you get to know yourself better while travelling alone.

[cp171185]

Originally Posted by IndianAutoEnthu

Superb pics, bro! What a stunning destination, will come there definitely if I have a chance.

Thank man! if you ever want to visit Hampi, then AVOID summer time. You will be disappointed as the Hampi gets extremely hot during summer. Its better during winter, from Nov to Jan. Plan accordingly.

Originally Posted by satishv1987

Nice write up!

Travelling alone is so underrated. No restrictions whatsoever. You can visit spots of your choosing, eat at restaurants you like, take breaks when you feel like it. It might sound cliched but you get to know yourself better while travelling alone.

+1

Your words touched me so much. People think solo traveler is mad/crazy. But truly, its the time when you meet yourself. I firmly believe that, its very important to be in solitude for a while to know yourself, to talk to the person inside you! Sadly, not everybody understand that!

[majumon]

Nice and crisp photos started with the one on the ground the moment you reached Hampi and rest were even better. Lucky to be travelling alone it's blissful.

Keep driving and sharing, you have a good hand with the Lens, keep clicking.

[IndianAutoEnthu]

Originally Posted by cp171185

Thank man! if you ever want to visit Hampi, then AVOID summer time. You will be disappointed as the Hampi gets extremely hot during summer. Its better during winter, from Nov to Jan. Plan accordingly.

Does it rain a lot in summer? cause I am afraid of the wet road.