Agumbe Exploration
Hosted by Plan The Unplanned
- Verified Host
- Logout's Trusted
- Traveler's Choice
All About It
- 20 Slots
- Difficulty - Easy
- For 8+ years
- Best Season - Winter (Nov, Dec, Jan) Spring (Feb, March, April) Monsoon (Aug, Sept, Oct)
Every traveller’s card covers landscapes of all types: mountains, rivers, beaches, forests, etc. And while others are easy to find, we tend to think that rainforests in India are reserved only for the North-Eastern region, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Or, maybe not! Agumbe, or “The Cherrapunji of the South”, is a settlement located in the Shimoga district of Karnataka. If you are looking for a green, happy and wild break, this Agumbe Exploration is ringing you for sure.
Lying in the arms of Western Ghats and at a distance of 380 km from Bengaluru, Agumbe is a beautiful, evergreen rainforest that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Famous among photography, wildlife and nature enthusiasts, it is precisely a mix of history, culture, nature trails and incessant rains, with a slight tinge of adventure. It is a journey where you can spot wild animals like Sambhar, Civet Cat, and Leopard; trek to the offbeat Kattina Madke Falls; visit 9th-century Kavaledurga Fort; visit Kundadri Hills. Agumbe is also famous for its cottage industry, medicinal plants, subsistence farming, and Agumbe Rainforest Research Station. Surprisingly, King Cobra is Agumbe’s flagship species; hence, keep an eye on the slithering, hissing and puffing reptile.
There are too many things to experience and see here. We invite you to a world that is pristine and untouched, unexplored and untamed: Come to life in the dense jungles of Agumbe.
Highlights
Day 0
- Leave from Bangalore at 7:30 PM ( approx )
Day 1
- Reach Homestay and Freshen up
- Have Breakfast
- Get Set to trek to the ruins of Kavaledurga Fort
- Packed lunch
- Descend down
- Drive down to Kattina Madke Falls
- Relax by the waterfalls
- Visit Kundadri Hills/Agumbe Sunset Point ( if time permits )
- Reach Campsite
- Dinner and retire for the night
Day 2
- Freshen up and breakfast
- Visit Sirimane Falls
- Visit Sringeri Temple
- Lunch Self-sponsored
- Reach Bangalore late at night at around 11:30 pm (approx )
Note:
1. The itinerary and places visited may be adjusted as needed. Decisions will be made by the outdoor leader based on the circumstances.
2. Minibus Vehicles cannot reach the top of Kundadri Hills, requiring trekkers to walk up a 2.5 km road to reach the summit. If a pickup vehicle is available, we will use this service and any associated costs will be shared among the trekkers based on actual expenses.
3. Homestay has separate dorms with mattresses for men and women and all basic amenities are available.
Day 0 - Depart for Agumbe
Private Vehicle (Non-AC ( Push Back Seats ))
Stay Not Applicable
Meals Not Applicable
Leave from Bangalore at approximately 7:30 PM. Prepare for an exciting weekend adventure as we head towards our destination.
Day 1 - Trek to Kavaledurga fort and Visit Kattina Madke Falls
Sunset
Trek
Homestay
All Meals
We will arrive at our homestay in the early morning hours. After freshening up, we’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast to fuel up for the day. Our first adventure takes us to the historic Kavaledurga Fort. This magnificent fort, nestled amidst lush greenery, dates back to the 9th century and was a stronghold of the Nayakas of Keladi. It offers panoramic views and a glimpse into the rich history of the region with its ancient ruins and impressive architecture.
After exploring the fort, we'll have a packed lunch and then descend. Our next destination is Kattina Madke Falls, where we can relax and soak in the natural beauty. If time permits, we will drive to Kundadri Hills or Agumbe Sunset Point to witness a breathtaking sunset.
After a day full of exploration and adventure, we will head to our campsite, where dinner will be served. We will then retire for the night, surrounded by nature.
Day 2 - Visit Sirimane Falls & Sringeri
Private Vehicle
Breakfast
We’ll start the day by freshening up and having breakfast. Our first stop is the beautiful Sirimane Falls. Known for its serene ambiance and pristine waters, Sirimane Falls is a perfect spot to enjoy the natural surroundings and take some memorable photographs.
Next, we will visit the Sringeri Temple, a spiritual haven located on the banks of the Tunga River. Established by the revered saint Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century, the Sringeri Temple complex is renowned for its stunning Dravidian architecture and tranquil atmosphere, making it a significant pilgrimage site.
Lunch will be self-sponsored, giving you the opportunity to explore local cuisine.
We will then begin our journey back to Bangalore, expecting to reach late at night, around 11:30 PM.
Join us for this memorable journey filled with adventure, history, and natural beauty!
Meet your host
Plan The Unplanned
- Verified Host
- Logout's Trusted
- Traveler's Choice
What’s life without adventure? Isn’t the real purpose of life to travel, to experience new places, and witness the sunrise from new mountaintops? This thought is what united Jatin and Tarun over a cup of chai, in spite of being from two unrelated backgrounds (CA and IT). They knew each other since the time Jatin was helping Tarun learn the ways of the wilderness through weekend treks and outings with another traveling group. Their love for traveling and trekking together motivated them to start something of their own. Thus was born “Plan The Unplanned”, where travel goals come true. Under the Companies Act, Plan The Unplanned is incorporated as Unplanned Journeys Private Limited They started their journey on unsteady ground, much like any other company, but they shared an infatuation for travel and adventure with their customers, which amplified their determination, and thus, Plan the Unplanned family keeps getting bigger every day! Just about any travel idea can come alive with Plan The Unplanned…treks, adventure activities like rock climbing, kayaking, rafting, backpacking trips across the country, cultural outings, photo walks; everything that fellow travelers need, to explore the great outdoors together. Well now that the wanderlust has kicked in and you can already see a vacation in your nearest future, here’s what we have to offer!
See Plan The Unplanned's other listingsInclusions
Accommodation in Homestay on multiple sharing basis
2 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner, High Tea and Snacks
To and fro Transport from Bangalore ( Non A/c )
Local Guide & Outdoor Leader from Plan The Unplanned
Experience that you gain
Entry fees and Forest Department Permits
Note: Do not expect any kind of luxury. We have ensured that the basic amenities regarding sleeping, food, and washrooms are available. Expect a rustic and minimalistic experience
Exclusions
Any meals not included above
Any kind of personal expenses
Any kind of insurance (health, medical, life accidental,etc )
Anything not included above
Cost of entry tickets to Nisargadhama
Things to carry
- Soft Copy of your Aadhar/Voter ID (Mandatorily required for permits)
- A small backpack to carry your essentials during the trek
- Power Bank
- Warm Layer
- Water bottles – 2 (1 liter each)
- Lunch Box & Spoon to carry your packed lunch
- Raincoat/Bag covers in case of rains
- A comfortable pair of shoes with good grip for trekking
- Flip-flops for lazing around the campsite
- Torch/Headlamp to be used at night
- Portable chargers for your electronics
- Extra pair of clothes to change into once wet
- Next, Polybags to pack your wet clothes
- Last, Extra cash for meals not included in the itinerary
PICKUP LOCATIONS
Udupi Grand, Teacher's Colony, HSR Layout
Croma Store, Sony Signal ,Kormangala
Yamaha Showroom Domlur
Cubbon Park Signal
KTM Mekhri Circle
Govardhan Theatre
Policy and more
For Departures from Bangalore: In the event that YOU cancel your trek, this is the cancellation policy we follow.
- If you cancel before 7 days – 90% of the amount will be refunded
- If you cancel between 3 – 6 days – 50 % of the amount will be refunded
- If you cancel between 0-3 days – No Refund
Note: For All The Above Refund Cases Transaction Fees/Internet Handling Charges will be deducted from the overall amount and the balance amount shall be refunded. You can transfer your ticket to anyone so that you could save your hard-earned money.
“Transfer to a future date is only possible only if you cancel between 3-6 days before the trek date and not on the day of departure or a day before”.
For other trips and travels with us, and detailed terms and conditions check the following link : https://www.plantheunplanned.com/refund-cancellation-policy
Terms and Conditions
The purchase of any travel services offered by PLAN THE UNPLANNED (hereinafter referred as ‘PTU’) constitutes a contractual arrangement between PTU (‘First Party’) and Client (hereinafter referred as ‘You’) (‘Second Party’). Booking of services with PTU represents your unconditional acceptance of the terms & conditions set out herein. These terms and conditions shall be binding on you and all the travel companions booked by you.
Trekking and other outdoor activities provided by the PTU depend on various factors and have inherent risks associated with life. PTU does its best to reduce all types of risks, discomfort, and hazard to the best of its ability (within financial constraints), yet there are chances of accidents, mishaps, and deficiency in service.
Please ensure that you read carefully and understand these terms prior to confirming your booking.
Promotions
Pictures used on the website and collateral are meant for marketing purposes. These do not imply the inclusion of the pictorial content to be a part of your vacation or any guarantee that you will experience, encounter or view whatever is depicted through the pictures.
Fitness Responsibility
PTU offers trip(s) and trek(s) that require varying levels of fitness. The level of difficulty can be based on the extent of physical stress, the terrain, weather, and/or climate. The degree of difficulty for some trips can be physically demanding. To enable you to choose appropriately and prepare accordingly, carefully review the level of difficulty of each trip before booking the same.
PTU doesn’t have any medical expert(s) and it is your responsibility to obtain medical advice, latest health requirements including inoculations and vaccines before you join a trip. PTU takes no responsibility for your inability to cope with the level of difficulty on a trip. While there is no age limitation on any PTU trips, any disability, pregnancy, mental or physical, or any other medical condition that may affect your fitness to complete the trek must be revealed at the time of booking the trip to PTU. You also undertake that you and Your travel companions, for whom You have signed up, do not suffer from any condition or disability that could create a hazard to Your own wellbeing or to others on a trip.
Program Dates
You are solely responsible for verifying the correct dates mentioned on the travel documents.
Itinerary
PTU reserves the right to modify or cancel the trip or part of the trip under circumstances, including but not limiting to Acts of God, road blockage, political unrest, sickness, accidents, events beyond PTU’s control etc. Any extra cost arising from such circumstances shall be borne by you on the spot. Wherever possible, PTU shall intimate you of such changes in advance or while on the trip.
Luggage Responsibility
Baggage and personal effects are at your risk throughout the trip. You are solely responsible for your personal belongings while on the trip. PTU is not responsible for the loss of baggage, goods, air tickets, passport, cash, traveler’s cheques, or any other travel document or item owned by you while on tour, whatever the cause.
On-trip Behaviour
You are required to behave in a manner that is acceptable and conducive to group travel. PTU reserves the right to terminate your trip (if you are found to be causing distress/annoyance to co-travelers, endanger/damage property of any supplier or of other traveling companions), without assigning any reason whatsoever. No refund for unused services is possible in such cases.
You also agree to abide by the authority of the group leader designated by PTU. The decision of the tour leader is binding on all participants on matters that affect the safety or well-being of any person participating in the trip. Behavior that causes danger, distress, or annoyance to others, or interferes with the mobility of the group can result in the group leader terminating your participation from the trip, with no right to refund for missed or unused services.
Protect The Environment
The entire trip/ trek would be through natural trails and we would spend most of the time in eerie forests, serene valleys, soothing hillsides, or at golden beaches. You should know that it’s your duty to protect the environment and not create nuisances on the way by throwing your plastic materials and other wastes like packets of chips or wrappers of chocolates. PTU shall not consider any such behavior towards nature. We expect you to be responsible and aware adults.
No Smoking Or Alcohol Consumption
PTU doesn’t support smoking or any sort of alcohol consumption during the journey and as a team, we earnestly request you to not indulge in those practices while you are with us. Smoking is not only injurious to your health but also equally bad for nature. We should ensure that there’s sustainable natural conservation and our acts, in no way, hampers that. Also, alcohol consumption might ruin your experience as well as cause discomfort to your fellow mates. No action of smoking or drinking shall be tolerated by PTU during the trip/trek.
Amenities
PTU makes every effort to ensure the comfort of our guests, but PTU requests you to understand that the amenities around the trekking region may not be the same as the ones you are accustomed to, at home. Weather is another factor that will have a direct impact on your journey. Hence, you are requested to have patience, enthusiasm and be prepared for compromising, before you choose to undertake this journey.
Awareness
You accept that the very nature of active, adventure travel requires a degree of personal risk. You are likely to visit places where political, cultural, and geographical attributes might pose certain risks, dangers, and physical challenges. By booking a tour with PTU, you accept that you are aware of the personal risks, dangers, and challenges that might arise and that you are aware of the risks involved. You hereby assume all such risk and release PTU from all claims and causes of action arising from such damages or injuries or death resulting from these inherent risks. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with customs, weather conditions, physical challenges, and laws in effect as well as your local embassy contacts in each destination.
Emergency Situations
In the event you fall ill or suffer an accident during the trip, all hospital expenses, doctor fees, repatriation expenses, evacuation from road or mountain, any other charges incurred as a direct or indirect result of your illness/accident are your responsibility.
Photography Rights
PTU reserves the right to take photographs of you during the trip and to use them for promotional purposes. By booking a trip with us, you automatically grant us a royalty-free, perpetual, worldwide, and irrevocable license for using your images in photographs and videos that may be used for promotional material, website, social media, collateral, and any other marketing and publicity materials.
Frequently Asked Questionss
Q: I have booked the trek when will I get further updates regarding the trek?
A: Well, most of our treks are usually confirmed by Thursday and you would receive a BON VOYAGE mail that would contain details as regards Pickup Points ( Location and Timings ), Outdoor Leader ( Point of Contact ), Do’s and Don’ts. You’ll be added to Whatsapp Group for all further updates.
Q: Would I be added to a WhatsApp Group once the trek is confirmed?
A: Yes, the Bon Voyage mail would contain a link for Whatsapp Group through which one can join and interact with fellow travellers and outdoor leaders.
Q: I'm a solo traveller, Can I join?
A: The interesting thing about travelling alone is that you get to meet new people from diverse backgrounds, and towards the end, you are no longer strangers. Hence solo travellers are always welcome to join us on our trips.
Read more about solo travelling here and get inspired! https://www.plantheunplanned.com/solo-yet-accompanied/
Q: Is it safe for Women/Girls?
A: Safety and security are our priority at all times. Hence it is safe for women/girls to join us on our treks and travels. Our trek leaders accompany the team at all times, and our campsites are secured and safe for accommodation. We also have female trek leaders who accompany us on most of our treks.
Q: Do I have to carry luggage during trekking?
A: Not at all. You could keep all the extra luggage back at the campsite/homestay and carry only the necessary stuff for the trek (Raincoats, Torchlight, Waterbottle, lunchbox, and your valuable)
Q: Do you have Washrooms during the trek?
A: Well, you are in the mountains and none of our trails has a washroom facility during the trek.
Q: Do I have any other boarding points apart from the ones mentioned?
A: Yes, we do have options for picking a traveller on board with a few locations provided they are on the route to our destination. The following are the same:
- Croma Store, Sony World Signal
- Trinity Circle Metro Station
- Yeshwanthpur Metro Station
- Goraguntepalya Metro Station
- Nayanadahalli Metro Station
Q: How do I avail discounts?
A: Details for availing discounts are mentioned in the following link, https://www.plantheunplanned.com/membership/
Q: What is the "Without Travel" option during my booking process?
A: Well, if you select this option, all the travel arrangements for your entire itinerary must be managed by yourself, and Plan the Unplanned crew will not be managing anything related to your travel. We recommend you come via car for a smooth travel experience to, from and within the destination.
Q: Would I be able to postpone to the future in case I do not attend the trek/trip on the day of departure?
A: We are extremely sorry, you cannot postpone to any future date in case you fail to attend the trek on the mentioned date for any reasons whatsoever (family/health/work emergencies). You can write to us at [email protected] as regards and our team will get in touch with you on the same
Q: What makes Agumbe unique?
A: The waterfalls, abundant wildlife, and reddish-hazy sundown over the Arabian Sea make Agumbe a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Due to the large number of cobras that can be seen here and on the Ghats, the town is often referred to as India's "Cobra Capital."
Q: What season is ideal for travelling to Agumbe?
A: The ideal monsoon season, which lasts from October to February on average, is the best time to visit this small community since it is moderate and dry—ideal conditions for hiking. Like the rest of the Western Ghats, Agumbe doesn't experience a wide range of temperatures. The majority of the years are cool there. It's very hot and dry between March and May. Late December marks the beginning of winter, as the temperature drops to 18 degrees Celsius.
Q: Can we leave the luggage at the homestay/tents?
A: You can leave your luggage at the homestay/tent and carry the necessary items to the trek.
Q: Is it possible to camp anywhere along the trail?
A: No, you cannot camp anywhere along the trail.
Q: What about Agumbe’s cellphone network and connectivity?
A: The trek's network is quite limited. BSNL and Jio will have the highest prospects of obtaining a network.
Q: How to Reach Agumbe?
A: By Air:
Mangalore Airport is the closest airport to Agumbe located 135 km away.
By Train:
Udupi Railway Station is the closest railway station to Agumbe at 60 km while Shimoga Railway station is 90 km away from Agumbe.
By Road:
If coming by bus, there are buses from nearby cities including Shimoga, Udupi and Mangalore. Direct buses including KSRTC are available from Bangalore to Agumbe as well.
While driving to Agumbe from Bangalore, reach Shimoga first either via Tumkur and divert towards Thirthahalli or head towards Hassan via NH 75 before diverting towards Agumbe via Belur.
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