Goa to Sri Lanka: Beaches, Backwaters & Highlands

Arrival in Goa, Train to Hampi

Land in Goa, India's beach capital, and get ready to move. There's no time to settle in here; the real trip starts with an overnight train to Hampi. Your best bet is to find the rest of the crew for a quick dinner and a drink before heading to the train station. This is a dive-right-in kind of start.

Ancient Ruins and a Hampi Sunset

You'll pull into Hubballi station early and finish the journey to Hampi with a three-hour overland drive. After a final tuk-tuk ride to the hotel, drop your bags, grab some breakfast, and wash off the train grime. The afternoon is yours to wander the historic town before the group gets together to catch the sunset from the hilltop Raghunatha Temple. The view across the boulder-strewn landscape is the proper welcome to Hampi.

Boulder Hopping in Hampi

Today is all about exploring the sprawling ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire, a UNESCO World Heritage site that feels like another planet. You'll spend the day navigating between ancient temples, royal structures, and the iconic boulders that litter the landscape. In the afternoon, the plan is a hike up Anjanadri Hill to the monkey temple. It's a classic Hampi move for a reason – the sunset view is worth the climb.