Coconut pickers in Hampi. Picture: Andrew Price

The Vijayanagar ruins of Hampi are uncannily reminiscent of the set of Indian Jones.

Strewn about the boulder-covered landscape, these otherworldly temples and bazaars were once part of one of the largest Hindu empires in Indian history.

It's possible to see the sites in a day or two but the ruins are best seen at a leisurely pace - preferably on bicycle.

Don't forget to make time to see Hampi's natural wonders too. During the dry season, the riverbed to the west of the city dries up, creating an impressive "dry waterfall". Ask a local to point you in the right direction.