Hampi, South India, India

The boulders hills of Hampi, scattered along the banks of the sacred Tungabhadra River in Karnataka, form a landscape of other-wordly beauty, made all the most mysterious by the ruins of a great capital scattered among the banana groves and granite outcrops. The ideal base from which to explore the archeological site and its magical setting is the luxury tent camp at Kishkinda. Comprising ten colonial-style, canvas hunting tents fitted with their own en-suite bathrooms, four-poster beds and wooden decks, the camp offers indulgent luxury in a superbly exotic location. Guests enjoy the services of their own butler, serving sumptuous, gourmet cuisine. Close to the river, the site is particularly recommended for bird lovers, with around 230 species recorded to date.