Akola to Hampi via Aurangabad
The most direct route to Hampi from Akola is via Aurangabad. Buses run daily from Akola to Aurangabad, and from Aurangabad you can catch a bus heading south to Bijapur. From Bijapur, head to Hospet, as most bus companies do not offer buses directly from Bijapur to Hampi. From Hospet, buses run every 30 minutes to Hampi. If you would like to break up the trip with an overnight stop, the best place to stay along this route is Aurangabad. Here you can visit the mausoleum of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's wife or explore the Aurangabad Caves. Just a 45-minute bus ride from Aurangabad is another World Heritage site, the impressive Ellora Caves.
Akola to Hampi via Pune
If you are willing to take a slightly longer route, start your journey from Akola by passing through Aurangabad and continuing on to Pune, pronounced locally as Poona. Formerly the home of many South Indian maharajas, Pune is a popular stop on the India backpacker trail. Visit local temples, learn meditation techniques at a yoga center or check out the Tribal Culture Museum before heading on to Bijapur. From Bijapur, follow the same bus route as described above: Bijapur to Hospet to Hampi. While in Pune you may also want to check out the Katraj Snake Pakr and Zoo or visit the nearby ruined fort in Sinhabad village.
Akola to Hampi via Hyderabad
Take a detour through Andhra Pradesh with a stop in Hyderabad on your way from Akola to Hampi. Instead of going west to Aurangabad, head east to Nagpur. There isn't much to see in Nagpur, so hop on a bus for another 12 hours to Hyderabad, a center for India's booming IT trade as well as Islamic culture. Known as the "City of Pearls" and the "City of Nizams," Hyderabad was one of the last hold-outs for autonomy after Indian independence in 1947. The then nizam refused to join the newly formed country until the Indian army resorted to military action. Here you will find elaborate mosques and Mughal-style architecture. From Hyderabad, head south to Hospet (10 to 11 hours) and then on the Hampi. One service that runs the Hyderabad / Hospet route regularly is Diwakar Travels.
Article Written By Heather Carreiro
Heather Carreiro is a certified English teacher who has been writing since 2008. The editor of Matador Abroad, her work has appeared online at BootsnAll, Matador Network, GoNOMAD, Journey Beyond Travel and Expat Women. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in linguistics and Middle Eastern studies from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is pursuing a Master of Arts in English at Bridgewater State University.
