I would suggest that you book a package when you are there. We paid £45 with daytrippers for a three day trip. The hotel was not too good, but you can upgrade I believe. Best to go by train as the roads are horrendous. Well worth a visit though, but next time I would go for longer, one day in Hampi is not enough.

We went to Hampi in Jan on an organised trip with Jewel.it was amazing.....2 nights in Hospet.Its 9 hours on the train.

You could do it independently,easily enough.

I hear there is a hotel at Hampi called Boulders.

The trip was good value as it included an escort and a brilliant guide called Prakesh who was born in Hampi and he was involved in restoration projects too.His knowledge was invaluable.

Whatever you choose ,...ENJOY....You "ll never forget it !!

I have just finished sorting this trip out, we are also staying in Cavelossim at xmas. Going to Hampi by train for 2 days.

There are no 3 star hotels in Hampi itself so we are staying in a 'guest house' in Hampi village.

go to www.hampi.in/hotels-and-lodges.htm#hampi

for more hampi information.

Hi,

We went to Hampi in March, absolutely incredible worth every penny, We booked with John boat tours in Candolim and it cost us £45. We were picked up and looked after very well by our superb guide and also picked up a professional guide to tell us about Hampi. If you like history and being well informed in a way that is light hearted and interesting then the trip is for you. We could have done it ourselves cheaper but we would not have seen or done as much as we did nor would we have known properly what we were looking at. The LP is excellent but the guide was wonderful and informative. The hotel we stayed in was also very good. We would not have missed it and it helped make our holiday totally superb. Please ask me if you need to know anything else and have a good holiday.

Chris

I went to Hampi with a French group. It was fabulous. The site is as spectaculout as those from South America. Our hotel was in Hospet, not Hampi.

We've been to Hampi 3 times, booked with 3 different agents - Cosmos, John's Boat Tours and another but can't remember - and every one has been managed by Melo Tours.

So, the tour agent you book with arranges your transport which takes you to Margao Station and then the Melo rep takes over, bringing everybody together.

I'm not sure if Footprints or Daytrippers (2 other tour agents) use Melo Tours.

Take a look at http://www.melotours.com for more info.

On every trip, everything has gone smoothly.

The guide was excellent, very knowledgable.

The hotel we stayed in was at Hospet, not Hampi.

Hampi is fabulous, but do be aware that it's a very tiring trip.

Pick-up on day 1 is usually around 4:30 am (obviously depending on where you're staying), train leaves Margao around 8am and arrives in Hospet around 5pm.

Day 2 start is around 5:30am for breakfast and Day 3 is the same, arriving back in resort around 8 or 9pm.

Do NOT under any circumstances wear white clothes on the train - it's very dusty.

Hi,

The trip we did with John,s boat tours also isedMelo tours and stayed in a hotel in Hospet. The itinery was identica to the last posting.Would go again, fabulous.

Chris

Thank you all for your information. Am going to look up Melo tours and try and book now so that I know it is booked. Have travelled by train from Margoa to Cochin and back, so know about Indian trains. What an experience, not to be missed!

I have written on a previous occasion about our trip to Hampi...I think you will be able to read my suggestions if you click on my username. It is well worth the trip (probably two nights will be enough!). I don't think you will find a three star hotel in Hampi itself and would have to stay in Hospet. Why not rough it for the fun!...

Thanks to janeywhit re your Hampi experience. Sounds like we can certainly do it by selves. May I ask you, how much the whole trip cost? Melo tours are quoting £90 per person. Would have thought this didn't sound too bad.