About this tour
Megaliths are giant stones that ancient peoples installed as monuments. Central and southern India are home to thousands of megaliths. There are different types of megaliths - for example, menhirs are single freestanding stones, dolmens are standing stones with a cap-stone on top, and cists are stone-lined burial chambers in the ground.
Megaliths are engineering marvels of the ancient world. They likely commemorated the deaths of important people, and give us insights into how our prehistoric ancestors lived. For example, the dead were buried with grave goods, so perhaps the ancients believed in life after death. Megalith sites have unearthed pottery, beads and iron ore, showing that the people knew how to work these technologies.
This part of India is also well known for its prehistoric rock paintings made with red ochre, a natural pigment. When we see these rock paintings of people and animals, we can imagine how our ancient ancestors saw the world, and how creative and expressive they were.
In this tour, you can visit two ancient sites. An hour's drive from Hampi is the first site, Hire Benkal - an astounding hilltop has almost 1,000 granite megaliths. They date from India's Iron Age around 500 BCE or even earlier. A pleasant hike of 1 to 1.5 hours uphill takes you to this site. There are also several rock paintings here.
An hour’s drive then takes you to the next site, Onake Kindi. At Onake Kindi, climb 15-20 minutes to a secluded hill with a few unique rock paintings.
Duration
6 hours (full day) including a break for lunch in between. We suggest a start time of 8 or 9 am, but have to room to modify the start time per your convenience.
Start Point: Your hotel
End Point: Your hotel
Timing and Duration
Two full days, approximately 6-8 hours each day, including drive time.
Costs
INR 9500 using a small car (can take 2 adults + guide + driver)
INR 11500 using a Toyota Innova car (can take 4 adults + guide + driver)
INR 15000 using a Tempo Traveller/SML small coach (can take 8 adults + guide + driver)
Prior reservation is mandatory. Payment online prior to the tour. Email deepa@magictoursofindia.com or WhatsApp wa.me/+919867707414
Inclusions
Transport (AC vehicle and driver with cell phone), personalized tour, knowledgeable guide, bottled water, all taxes.
Exclusions
Entrances, camera fees if any, tips, meals, refreshments.
Tour Notes
The hikes are easy to moderate level. However, the terrain is uneven and you will need some physical fitness to complete the hikes. Wear comfortable shoes, use sun protection and stay hydrated.