Swarajya Is Launching Heritage Tours: First Trip To Hampi In Partnership With Wanderfirst

Swarajya is happy to announce the launch of Swarajya Heritage.

Organised in partnership with Wanderfirst, this is an attempt to help our readers visit and enjoy the splendour of some of India's historically important places.

Curated by some of India's best travel experts, Swarajya Heritage aims to assist the traveller to understand and immerse themselves in Indian antiquity.

Our first trip will be to Hampi, the ruins of Vijayanagar.

We have limited the tour's size to no more than 10 travellers to ensure the best possible experience for everyone involved. You can find more details about the trip and ticket requirements below.

About Hampi

Hampi was the capital of one of the most glorious empires of India, the Vijayanagara empire, back in the sixteenth century. It is also referred to as Kishkindha, the Vanara kingdom from Ramayana. Today, the temple town is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Hampi was witness to the glory days of the Emperors of Vijayanagara, like Krishnadevaraya. It was also home to the witty Tenali Rama, who graced Krishnadevaraya’s court. The town was renowned for its riches as well as the rich culture, and played an important role in the history of South India for over two centuries.

The place fell into despair after the fall of the Vijayanagara empire at the hands of Deccan sultanates in 1565.

Today, Hampi is largely made up of the ruins from that glorious past. The architecture and heritage that you will see and experience is bound to leave you spellbound. One can only imagine how glorious it must have been in its heyday.

Wanderfirst

Wanderfirst will be managing this tour of Hampi. The travel startup provides custom-built holiday tours as well as curated tours, like this Indic Heritage tour of Hampi, on different unique themes. It is run by a group of travel enthusiasts who believe in the concept of “wander the world”.

The people behind Wanderfirst have previously worked for some of Bengaluru’s well-known Information Technology companies. Now they have come together and set out on a journey to provide the best possible travel experience in India, and help people ‘wander’ and see the country the way it is meant to be seen.

Hampi tour dates

> Tour starts: 6 am, 26 January 2017, from Bengaluru (Bangalore)

> Tour ends: Late evening, 28 January 2017, Bengaluru

Itinerary

Day 1, 26 January

- Leave Bengaluru early morning and reach the hotel at Hampi by lunch time

- Have lunch, and begin the tour

- Places likely to be covered on the day: Ugra Narasimha, Badavi Linga, Krishna Temple & Bazaar, Kadlekalu Ganesha, Virupaksha Temple, Hemakuta Hill (group of temples), Sasivekalu Ganesha

- End the day with sunset at Hemakuta Hill overlooking Virupaksha Temple

- Retire for the night

Day 2, 27 January

- Start early after breakfast

- Try and reach Vijaya Vittala before the crowds gather

- Places likely to be covered on the day: Vijaya Vittala Temple with its famous Stone Chariot, Kings Balance, a walk along the Tungabhadra river banks from Vijaya Vittala to Virupaksha Temple with a view of the river and the feel of the rocky terrain (Kishkindha of Ramayana), Purandaradasa Temple, Sugreeva Cave, Narasimha Temple opposite Sugreeva Cave (with stories of Ramayana), Kotilingam -- 108 Shivalingas carved on a rock on the banks (with some soft adventure for those interested), Monolithic Bull (Yeduru Basavanna at the other end of Virupaksha Bazaar)

- Lunch in Hampi

- Then, visit: Zenana Enclosure, Lotus Mahal, Queen's Bath, Hazara Rama Temple, Elephant stables, royal place area view point, underground Shiva temple (Prasanna Virupaksha Temple)

- End the day with sunset at Malyavantha

- Retire for the night

Day 3, 28 January

- Start early after breakfast

- Places likely to be covered on this day: Mahanavami Dibba, Pushkarani (stepwell) and Aqueduct, Pattabhirama Temple, Hampi Museum and any of the sights which could not be covered on days 1 and 2

- Lunch in Hampi

- Leave for Bengaluru to reach late evening

Price

Rs 9,999 per person

Inclusions

1. Transport from and to Bengaluru on a Tempo Traveller (A/C)
2. Stay at a three-star hotel or resort near Hampi or Hospet on twin-sharing basis
3. Vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch)
4. Temple and monument entry fees (for Indian nationals only; foreign nationals will need to pay separately at some monuments)
5. A guide with good knowledge of the history and heritage of Hampi and comfortable with English, Hindi and Kannada

Exclusions

1. Photography and videography charges (need to be paid separately)
2. Dinner
3. Additional refreshments like small eats, drinks

Payment and cancellation policy

1. Full payment to be made upfront
2. Full refund will be made if the tour is cancelled by the organisers
3. No refund will be made if the customer cancels the tour after having paid the amount

Things to note

1. Hampi is hot and dry for most of the year. Even during January, when the weather is relatively pleasant, the temperature rises in the afternoon. So, please ensure you carry your caps and sunglasses. Keep a bottle of water ready with you at all times to beat the heat.
2. There will be some amount of walking to do. The terrain is also a little hilly. Ensure you get a good pair of walking shoes that you’re comfortable with, for the tour.
3. Hospet is the nearest town (where we will be staying). It is a small town. If you need things like medication, keep it handy. If you have any allergies, be sure to check explicitly on the food that will be served to you.
4. Photography and videography charges are not included in the trip cost. Similarly, with coracle rides, battery-operated vehicles in some attractions will attract a separate charge. Please ensure you have enough cash, preferably in small-denomination notes of Rs 100 or lower, for such expenses. Do not depend on ATMs in Hospet or Hampi to provide for this.
5. The tour will start early morning on 26 January, and we will return late in the evening on 28 January to Bengaluru. So if you’re not from Bengaluru, it is best if you plan your arrival and departure in Bengaluru on 25 and 29 January respectively at the least.

Contact

E-mail: heritage@swarajyamag.com

Phone: +91-888-082-0044