Hampi Educational Tour

Unique experiences that plant the seeds of curiosity,  a sense of wonder and hunger for adventure amongst the participants.

Hampi Educational Tour

HOW WE DO IT ?

Pick learning modules that meet your requirements

We have curated interesting modules, each one is designed with specific learning outcomes in mind. Modules cover History, Heritage, Arts, Archaeology, Wildlife, Adventure, Storytelling, Folklore, Mythology and more. 

Each of the modules are an activity spread over 2 to 4 hours. Choose multiple modules based on what you think would be suitable for your students.  

Customise & Plan your trip

Modules you choose will serve as a start point for us to sit down and plan a customised trip for you.  Our team of experts include program facilitators, logistics & operation managers. We will guide you through everything including safety measures, hygiene & comfort. At the end of this we will give you a detailed hour-by-hour itinerary that fits your budget requirements and learning needs

We can provide suitable accommodations, transportation options, food & all the activities (learning modules). Which of these services you want to avail from us is your choice. 

Our team would be happy to visit the school or your office to chalk out the details if needed. 

Operations & Execution

Once a tour is approved, if requested an advance visit to location can be arranged. 

Each school trip is lead by our experienced facilitator, who will run all the activities along with support staff & guides on ground. An operations executive will be assigned for each trip, this individual will serve and single point of contact between the school management and the travelling group. 

A report will be submitted to the school at the end of trip along with video & images content documenting the trip. 

WHY US?

We believe that travel experiences can be transformational. It can breaks preconceived notions we have, teach us values like empathy, allow us to appreciate uniqueness of cultures and often push us out of our comfort zones, creating opportunities for personal growth. 

We wanted to create a community based tourism venture that would curate these kinds of experiences through our tours. So in 2013 we founded Explore Hampi, with a vision to serve not just the visitors coming to Hampi but also the local communities who are important stakeholders in its development.  

Three years later one of our customers approached us to curate an educational experience for school children. This provided us the best opportunity to inspire & shape young minds.  This is how our journey into educational tours began, along the way we’ve created some memorable and impactful programs.  

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Years of Experience in Educational Tours

At the heart of Explore Hampi are its two founding members – Basava & Arjun. Basava is a native of Hampi, his strong connections to the community lends us credibility and local expertise.  Arjun is a heritage tourism professional with experience of curating tours all over South India. Both of them have worked in heritage tourism separately for many years before joining hands together to start Explore Hampi. 

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of users give us 5 star reviews

Every single program we deliver is tailored to meet the requirements of the students, faculty & parents. A wide array of modules with different learning outcomes means there is something for everyone. So it is no wonder that we get the best ratings amongst the students and teaching faculty that participate in our programs. The success of these programs is such that every school we’ve ever hosted, has returned in the following years for more. 

1456 +
students have participated in our tours

The largest group we’ve hosted is just over 100 participants and the smallest group is around 12 participants. Irrespective of the size of the group we ensure that the program is delivered effectively.  

213
Kilos of waste generated on our tours

Being part of the local community here in Hampi, we have a responsibility towards its upkeep and long-term conservation. All our tours generate zero waste since 2019. No usage of single-use plastics on our tours, everything else we recycle and reuse. All our vendors and partners follow these. We think it is important for travelers to have an option that minimizes the negative impacts of travel on the local population and ecosystems. 

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locals get livelihood opportunities

Through our work we bring the benefits of tourism to the local community by providing direct livelihood opportunities. Everyone from our expert tour leads, operations team to home cooks that prepare food for our guests come from the local community. We employ farmers, shepherds, labour, folk artists, craftswomen, musicians, dancers, all from the local community. 

MODULES

The Young Archaeologist

Excavate, Document and Interpret a mock Archaeological site.
Duration: 4 Hours, Suitable Age: 12 to 16 years

This module is designed to introduce participants to the concept of archaeology and scientific method to learn about the past.


ACTIVITY: Excavating a mock archaeological site, documenting and presenting the findings.

LEARNING OUTCOME: Interpreting the past through evidence collection & narrative building.

SKILLS: Working in teams, effective communication & stage presentation

The Great Scavenger Hunt

Put your investigative hat on for this fun adventure unearthing interesting information about the past.
Duration: 2 Hours, Suitable Age: 10 to 16 years

Learning about art history, iconography & social life of medieval residents of Vijayanagara through a fun group activity!


ACTIVITY: Finding clues and solving puzzles in the former citadel of Vijayanagara.

LEARNING OUTCOME: Interpreting the past through art and relief sculptures depicting activities, festival celebrations & religious motifs. Understanding practical layout & irrigation systems of a medieval city.

SKILLS: Working in teams, interpreting art, logical reasoning, reading comprehension.

Hampi by the dawn

Unraveling the beauty of Hampi to the young adventure seekers
Duration: 3 Hours, Suitable Age: 10 to 16 years

A mild-adventure activity that includes sunrise hike, boulder navigation & learning about the local geology.


ACTIVITY: Sunrise hike up a hill, locating landmarks using a map & compass, navigating boulder strewn terrain.

LEARNING OUTCOME: Learn about the local geology and natural landscape, use of map & compass, climbing boulders.

SKILLS: Physical agility, Stamina, Navigation

Adu Huli

A workshop on traditional board games of India
Duration: 2 Hours, Suitable Age: 8 to 12 years

Module to introduce participants to traditional board games of India, their rich history & use.


ACTIVITY: Presentation on traditional board games, crafting your own board, competitive playtime

LEARNING OUTCOME: Learn about traditional Indian crafts, different types of board games and strategies to play them.

SKILLS: Strategy, Drawing & colouring.

Hampi through its People

An immersive cultural experience of Hampi
Duration: 4 Hours, Suitable Age: 10 to 16 years

Hampi is a living heritage site because the people that reside within the UNESCO world heritage site. This tour is an immersive look into livelihoods, cultural heritage, art, food of Hampi's residents.


ACTIVITY: Handicraft Workshop, Tractor ride, Home cooked meal with locals, heritage walk.

LEARNING OUTCOME: Local livelihoods, traditions, lifestyle and their shared connection to heritage sites of Hampi.

Temple Architecture 101

Basics of temple architecture, layout, styles and types explained.
Duration: 3 Hours, Suitable Age: 12 to 16 years

How master sculptors crafted stone into stunning structures? How resources and man-power was used? What makes it unique? Types & Styles of temples and more


ACTIVITY: A walking tour of Vijaya Vittala Temple Complex with an expert.

LEARNING OUTCOME: Temple architecture types, function of different structures, legacy of temple building.

Prehistoric Hampi *

Exploring Neolithic sites and studying early humans that resided in this region

*Coming soon
Duration: 4 Hours, Suitable Age: 13 to 16 years

COMING SOON

Mythical Hampi

Storytelling & folkart performance by local tribal community
Duration: 3 Hours, Suitable Age: 8 to 16 years

Our story tellers and local artisan community bring you an engaging program that narrates the different legends and folklore of Hampi from Ramayana & Sthala Puranas


ACTIVITY: A walking tour of Hemakuta Hill & Virupaksha Temple. A Theatre performance at a stunning outdoor location by a 10 person troupe.

LEARNING OUTCOME: Origin stories of Hampi & Vijayanagara, stories from Ramayana. History and legacy of folkart form called Hagaluvesha and the community that has preserved it.

Bouldering 101

An introductory class to bouldering with expert instruction and safety precautions
Duration: 2 Hours, Suitable Age: 13 to 16 years

Module to introduce participants to the sport of bouldering. Hampi is the capital of bouldering in India due to its unique boulder strewn landscape


ACTIVITY: Bouldering class with expert instructors.

LEARNING OUTCOME: Learn use of upper body and core.

Raya's Trail

Storytelling & exploring Hampi through the eyes of Krishnadevaraya.
Duration: 6 Hours, Suitable Age: 8 to 16 years

Full day tour that takes us on a journey through time tracing life of one of India's greatest Kings. We visit important sites connected to him, even as we hear his exciting life stories.


ACTIVITY:Walking tour of Sacred Area & Urban Core of Vijayanagara visiting several important monuments.

LEARNING OUTCOME: Medieval military history, social life, politics, cultural influences and achievements of early modern era.

Birds of Hampi

Led by a specialist we learn the basics of spotting birds on a nature walk.
Duration: 4 Hours, Suitable Age: 13 to 16 years

COMING SOON

Wild Hampi

Learn about the local ecosystems and endemic species of animals & birds
Duration: 4 Hours, Suitable Age: 13 to 16 years

COMING SOON

SAMPLE ITINERARY

The Young Archaeologist Program - 5 Days 4 Nights
DAY 1

11:00 AM to 01:00 PM – Arrival & room allotment 

01:00 PM to 02:00 PM – Buffet lunch at Hotel

02:30 PM to 03:00 PM – Hampi Educational Tour introductory session

The program facilitator will meet conduct an engaging session for the participants. This will set the tone for the entire trip and walk everyone through the details of what we will be doing over the next few days. 

3:00 PM to 6:00 PM – Mythical Hampi 

Walking tour of Hemakuta Hill, Storytelling session on origins of Hampi and founding of Vijayanagara. Sunset viewing at Malyvantha Hill. Live hagaluvesha performance by tribal artisans.

6:00 PM to 6:30 PM – Snacks and Juice

7:00 PM to 7:30 PM – Lessons of the day & conclusion session at Hotel

7:30 PM to 8:30 PM – Dinner Buffet at Hotel

DAY 2

07:30 AM to 08:30 AM – Breakfast Buffet at Hotel

09:00 AM to 12:00 PM –  Temple Architecture 101

Walking tour of Vittala Temple Complex including Purandara Dasa Mantapa

01:00 PM to 02:00 PM – Lunch Buffet at Hotel

2:00 PM to 3:30 PM – The Great Scavenger Hunt

Solving puzzles and looking for clues in the former citadel of Vijayanagara. A fun and engaging activity that involves a lot of learning!

3:30 PM to 05:00 PM – Vijayanagara Walking Tour  

Walking tour of Hampi Vijayanagaras’ Urban core. Looking at town planning, city layout, water management, courtly architecture, social & military life of the medieval city. 

5:30 PM to 6:00 PM – Snacks and Juice

7:00 PM to 7:30 PM – Lessons of the day & conclusion session at Hotel

7:30 PM to 8:30 PM – Dinner Buffet at Hotel

DAY 3

07:30 AM to 08:30 AM – Breakfast Buffet at Hotel

8:30 AM to 10:30 AM – Hampi Prehistory 

A field trip that takes us to Neolithic sites with Cave Paintings & petroglyphs that are over 2000 to 3000 years old. 

12:30 PM to 1:30 PM – Lunch at a Restaurant

02:00 PM to 05:30 PM – Sanganakallu Museum & Site Visit

Visit the Robert Bruce Foote Sangankallu Archaeological Museum for an educational program. Field visit with an expert.

05:30 PM to 06:00 PM – Snacks  & Juice

7:00 PM to 7:30 PM – Lessons of the day & conclusion session at Hotel

7:30 PM to 8:30 PM – Dinner Buffet at Hotel

DAY 4

07:30 AM to 08:30 AM – Breakfast Buffet at Hotel

8:30 AM to 11:30 AM – The Young Archaeologist 

Excavation, Documentation & Interpretations of a mock archaeological site.

11:30 AM to 4:30 PM – Hampi through the eyes of its People

An immersive cultural experience of Hampi.

05:00 PM to 05:30 PM – Snacks  & Juice

7:00 PM to 7:30 PM – Lessons of the day & conclusion session at Hotel

7:30 PM to 8:30 PM – Dinner Buffet at Hotel

DAY 5

05:30 AM to 08:30 AM – Hampi by the dawn

Sunrise hike up Matunga Hill, Geology of the area, soft adventure navigating boulders on the riverside, south Indian breakfast on location.

09:00 AM to 10:30 AM – Lesuire time at Hotel. Use of Swimming pool. 

10:30 AM to 11:30 AM – Hampi Educational Tour Conclusion session & Feedback

11:30 AM to 01:30 PM – Checkout, followed by Lunch Buffet at Hotel

02:00 PM – Onward Journey

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We offer a variety of services from which you can pick and choose, this way we meet your specific requirements/needs 

  1. Customise a program around modules based on desired learning outcomes of the school/institution. And execute all of the modules or tours.
  2. Provide an expert facilitator to conduct all of the modules, conduct conclusion sessions every evening.
  3. Optionally provide accommodation booking & management services.
  4. Optionally provide local transportation services.

A module is an activity or tour that we have curated with a specific learning outcome & experience in mind.  Modules can range from 2 to 8 hours and are conducted in one stretch on a single day.  Multiple modules can be combined into a 3 or 4 day educational tour program. These modules therefore are at the very core of our unique programs. 

Our in-house expert will schedule a call with you & help customise a plan

Plan YOUR TRIP