Wow!
Good job i saved some of my things from the 70's, oh dear that gives my age away
But i thought it was a very Holy place with lots of Sadhus and Pilgrims?

Also a 5 star resort has been opened on Om beach so maybe they are welcoming some of us oldies!

Yes you get the Train from Margao but dont know the times

try this site for some Hampi info
http://www.gohampi.com/

We went to Hampi in November and the train goes on Wed back Friday and Sunday back on Tuesday. Daytrippers use the Anex in the Malligi Hotel which is a hostel and was quite grim. There was some building works going on which made the place look even worse.
Foodwise we were advised to stick to the veg menu, we did and we were both fine.

The views from the train will stay with me forever it was fantastic. The train journey was very different to what we are used to. We met some lovely people from all parts of India on the train a truly great experience.

Never been to Hampi yet, always seems to be well booked up. This trip I'm going a bit longer so fingers crossed.....

Gooner fan it has got to be done, you will love it .

I know... this time I promise

Hi
we've been to Hampi a couple of times, but this February we're going to Goa for 3 weeks (instead of our usual 2) and would really like to spend a bit more time in Hampi.

Has anyone done this or does anyone know if it's possible to arrange?

Thanks
Polly

Prettypollytcat
It should be easy enough for you to do it but remember if you are doing it by train then you are restricted to the days they rum. I think its only 2 days a week either way. You can always check the buses out but I have heard its very uncomfortable however the travel time is about the same.
Rgds
GL

Ginlizzy
thanks for the reply.
I've just noticed your earlier post:

the train goes on Wed back Friday and Sunday back on Tuesday.

which would mean taking at least 6 days of our holiday, so I think we might decide to give it a miss.
I'm not sure that I'd fancy doing it by bus.

Thanks

Polly

Any recent returners from Hampi notice any lodges there that looked reasonable? As I said before, I'm going in Feb and I want to stay in Hampi rather than Hospet. (will have child in tow!)

We've decided to do an orangised trip to Hampi on our next trip to Goa in March, I've read loads on here about it being a fantastic place to visit and a definite must but several people have mentioned how wild Hospet is..... Now being a bit of a girly girl I'm a bit worried as we'll be spending a couple of nights there, is it anything to worry about? I'll be travelling with my big strapping OH

Hampi will more than live up to your expectations, i did the trip 4 years ago and found it just amazing.
As to Hospet being wild, I really don't know what you mean, it's certainaly a good example of an Indian rural town. On the organised trips you are only there to eat and sleep. We went with Melo Tours and the Hotel was basic with indian shower (tap and jug) western loo, hot water 2hours morning and evening and room service boys on every floor! Alcohol was available in the restaurant.
I have heard that there are some strange characters hanging around Hampi but on the organised tour you will be fine.
my tips---
Lots of wet wipes for the train journey, the red dust gets everywhere
Sensible shoes, adventure sandles or the now popular Crocs.
Shorts mini skiirts or sun tops are not advisable
I found a calf length skirt was especially good , easiest if you need the loo !
A sarong is always useful

Remembering all this makes me want to return
Have a great trip

Don't know about being wild - but Hospet is not a place I would want to spend to much time in.

The temples at Hampi however are wonderful - I advised someone else on this forum to take an old pair of socks to wear when visiting the temples. There are thousands of people each year walking barefoot through these temples - think about it.

We stayed here while at Hampi -Maligi

I think that's what the other posts meant, not somewhere you'd want to spend any amount of time in.... I had heard about unsavoury characters and the like but thought it must generally be ok because so many people go there.

Good tip on the socks, thanks.

Jules

You will love Hampi. The only downside is doing the organised trip, usually 3days/2nights. This only gives you one day of daylight hours to discover Hampi, and though you will see the "main" sites there are plenty of other areas that you will miss out on due to schedule.
If you can, visit under your own steam and stay a bit longer. Much better to stay in Hampi than Hospet, but remember to take your passport. These days if you stay in Hampi you have to register with the police, the office is in the main courtyard of the Kings Tower at the end of Hampi bazaar.
Try this link for some views and tips.
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/4eab7/10bfe1/4/
Good luck
Eddie

We went to Hampi a few years ago, on the "sleeper" bus from Panaji. Not a lot of sleeping went on, and if a singleton books a sleeper they might have to share with another single person. The air conditioning consisted of a broken fan and wall-sized window, which inspired thoughts of rolling over in the night and falling out. Hampi itself was great, and all the people we met who weren't actively trying to get us to pay them, as guides or whatever, seemed really friendly and happy to see us. Enjoy your trip!

Thanks for all the answers, must admit I'm quite looking forward to the train journey, be nice to see a bit more of the country.

We went to Hampi a couple of months ago,well worth seeing.As for Hospet ..it's a dump if you are staying here just stay in the Hotel as there is nothing there.A trip to the dam just outside Hospet is worth doing.

One word of warning you can't get a beer in Hampi and it's just vegetarian food.

john

Quite right about the veggie option John, but you can get a beer if you nip over to the northside of the river. They have little motorized boats thesedays instead of the coracles. A sign of the times and another bit of charm vanishing.
You can get "cocktails" just off the bazaar close to the tower.
Lord Almighty!!! thet are not for the fainthearted.
The Gin did have a slight tinge of gin flavour with rusty 45gall drum.
The Bacardi was a cross between sump oil and drain cleaner.
As for the other, i think it was supposed to be Brandy but tasted like something with 26 letters and ending in "glyene"