Kurinjal Peak Trek
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Tucked away in the heart of the Western Ghats inside the Kudremukh National Park, the Kurinjal Peak Trek is the perfect blend of serenity and adventure. Less crowded than its famous neighbor, Kudremukh, Kurinjal offers untouched beauty, lush forest trails, rolling meadows, and expansive summit views that stretch for miles.
The trek takes you through the dense Shola forests, stream crossings, and misty clearings before rewarding you with sweeping views of the valley from the peak. If you’re looking for a peaceful yet fulfilling weekend escape into nature — Kurinjal is your calling.
And the best part? The experience doesn’t end with the trek. On Day 2, we explore the historic town of Karkala, known for its ancient temples, serene lakes, and rich cultural heritage. It’s the kind of weekend that leaves your heart full and your camera roll fuller.
Trek Highlights
Here’s something to keep close — Kurinjal Peak isn’t just a place on the map. It’s a quiet escape tucked deep inside Kudremukh National Park, in the heart of the Western Ghats. These hills are ancient, wild, and alive — and if you listen closely, they’ll tell you their stories.
This trek isn’t about racing to the top. It’s slow, honest, and soulful. You’ll walk under tall trees that let in just enough sunlight. The air is thick with the smell of wet earth, leaves, and something you forgot you were missing.
Here’s what you’ll actually feel on the trail:
- A path that’s far from the usual crowd — just you, the forest, and folks who feel like old friends by the end of it
- One moment you’re deep in the woods, and the next, you’re standing in a wide, open meadow wondering how it even exists
- Streams that appear out of nowhere, little falls tucked behind trees — and you’ll want to stop, not because you're tired, but because it’s too beautiful to rush
- Evenings that smell like firewood and sound like laughter. Stories, chai, and simple local food that somehow tastes better up here
- You’ll breathe a little deeper, think a little less, and maybe find something you didn’t know you were looking for
- And before you head back to city life, there’s Karkala — a quiet old town that gives you one last dose of peace. Anekere Lake, Chaturmukha Basadi… slow travel at its best
And when you finally stand at the top of Kurinjal, it’s not just a photo-op. It’s stillness. It’s perspective. It’s that feeling that somehow, for a moment, everything makes sense.
Come for the trek. Stay for what it brings out in you.
Plan The Unplanned will take you there.
Highlights
Day 0 – Friday
‣ Depart from Bangalore at 7:30 PM
Day 1 – Saturday
‣ Reach the homestay and freshen up
‣ Enjoy a hearty breakfast by 6:45 AM
‣ Bus ride to the Kurinjal trek base
‣ Begin the trek by 7:30 AM
‣ Packed lunch en route
‣ Reach the summit and soak in the views
‣ Begin descent by early afternoon
‣ Reach the base by 5:30 PM
‣ Drive back to the homestay
‣ High tea and snacks
‣ Dinner and rest
Day 2 – Sunday
‣ Wake up, freshen up, and have breakfast
‣ Head out to explore Anekere Lake
‣ Visit the beautiful Chaturmukha Basadi
‣ Self-sponsored lunch at a local restaurant
‣ Begin return journey to Bangalore
‣ Arrive back in the city by approximately 10:00 PM
Day 0 - Departure from Bangalore
Private Vehicle (Non-AC Push Back Seats Vehicle)
Homestay
Dinner
Your weekend adventure begins on Friday evening as we leave the chaos of Bangalore behind. The meeting point is buzzing with excitement — strangers exchanging hellos, backpacks getting loaded, and the road trip vibe settling in.
By 7:30 PM, we hit the highway. As the city lights fade into the rearview mirror, conversations flow, games spark laughter, and before you know it, you're surrounded by people who already feel like friends. The overnight journey gives you the perfect window to relax, unplug, and set the tone for a refreshing weekend ahead.
Day 1 - Trek To Kurinjal Peak
MultipleModes
Stay Not Applicable
All Meals
We reach our cozy homestay nestled in the heart of the Western Ghats just as the sky begins to lighten. After freshening up and enjoying a warm, local breakfast, we hop onto jeeps that take us through bumpy village roads and into the green embrace of Kudremukh National Park.
The trek begins around 7:30 AM, and from the very first step, it’s a complete mood shift. Tall trees, winding trails, and a silence that feels sacred. The path takes you through lush Shola forests, with occasional openings that reveal misty valleys and rolling hills. It’s a 14 km trail, but you won’t be counting the kilometers — you’ll be too busy soaking it all in.
We pause mid-way for a packed lunch — think of it as a picnic in the forest. With full bellies and happy hearts, we push onward to the summit. And what a summit it is. The view from Kurinjal Peak is raw, quiet, and infinite — the kind of view that makes you forget everything else.
After spending time at the top, we begin the descent. The trail winds us back through the forest, eventually leading us to our base point by around 5:30 PM. A jeep ride later, we’re back at the homestay.
Evening greets us with hot chai, snacks, and a much-deserved chance to stretch out and relax. As the stars come out, so do the stories — around the bonfire, over dinner, and in quiet conversations. Sleep comes easy in the hills.
Day 2 - Explore Karkala & Return
Wake up slow and easy — there’s no rush today. After breakfast, we pack up and head to the peaceful town of Karkala, where culture and history blend beautifully with nature.
First, we visit Anekere Lake — calm, reflective, and picture-perfect. Then we make our way to Chaturmukha Basadi, a stunning Jain temple with intricate stone carvings and a timeless energy that leaves you in awe.
After soaking in the vibe of Karkala, we stop for a self-sponsored lunch at a local restaurant — a final taste of coastal Karnataka. With full hearts and camera rolls, we begin our return journey to Bangalore. Expect to reach the city by around 10:30 PM, with new stories, new friends, and a quiet reminder of the mountains within you.
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!
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Inclusions
- Round-trip via non-AC tempo traveller or minibus (based on group size) with push-back seats
- Cozy shared accommodation (homestay/tents)
- Separate zones for men and women
- 2× Breakfast • 1× Lunch • High Tea • 1× Dinner
- Karnataka Forest Department entry fees
- Round-trip jeep ride to base camp
- Trained outdoor leader from Plan The Unplanned & a local guide
- The overall experience that you gain during the trek
Exclusions
- Any meals beyond those listed
- Any kind of personal expenses
- Jeep ride to Kodige waterfalls
- Any kind of insurance (health, medical, life and accidental)
- Anything not expressly mentioned in the inclusions
Things to carry
Xerox Copy of you Aadhar/Voter ID (Mandatorily required for permits) Small backpack to carry your essentials during the trek Power Bank Warm Layer ( Kodaikanal has a cold temperature up to 6-10 Degree ) 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 Polybags to pack your wet clothes Extra cash for meals not included in the itinerary
PICKUP LOCATIONS
Udupi Grand, Teacher's Colony, HSR Layout
Yamaha Showroom Domlur
Cubbon Park Signal
KTM Mekhri Circle
Govardhan Theatre
Without Travel
Policy and more
The general cancellation policy for weekend treks from Bangalore is listed below 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 For all the above points 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”
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 containing details regarding Pickup Points ( Location and Timings ), Outdoor Leader ( Point of Contact ), and 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 priorities at all times. Hence it is safe for women/girls to join us on our treks and travels. Our trek leaders always accompany the team, and our campsites are secured and safe for accommodation. We also have female trek leaders who attend 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: I've never gone on a hike before, so can I do this one?
A: Few difficult areas of the Kurinjal Peak walk need for strong stamina and endurance. This walk can only be finished by a fit hiker while taking in the splendour of nature.
If you are a newbie and would like to tackle this journey, you can do so after improving your physical condition.
Q: What about the Kurinjal Peak trek's cellphone network and connectivity?
A: The Kurinjal trek has no network. Only the BSNL network, nevertheless, is accessible close to the forest office where you must obtain permission.
Q: Can we leave the luggage at the homestay?
A: Yes, it is possible to leave your luggage at the homestay and carry the necessary things on your trek.
Q: When is the ideal time to visit Kurinjal Peak?
A: June through February is the ideal time to hike up Kurinjal Peak.
Q: Is the trail filled with leeches?
A: Yes, there are leeches on this trail and are mostly found near the rivers and streams.
Q: Is it possible to camp anywhere along the trail?
A: Camping is not permitted on this journey. The forest administration does not permit camping anywhere along this journey because the entire area is part of Kudremukh National Park.
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