Nethravathi Peak Trek

Hosted by Plan The Unplanned
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- Logout's Trusted
- Traveler's Choice
All About It
- Difficulty - Moderate
- For 10+ years
- Best Season - Winter (Nov, Dec, Jan) Summer (May, June, July) Monsoon (Aug, Sept, Oct)
A walk in the park might give you a few moments of peace, but if you really want to break free from the monotony of your everyday life, you need to get away from it all.
Bangalore folk often look for weekend getaways, and we at Plan The Unplanned have something pretty picture perfect!
Talk to anyone who has ever gone Western Ghats trekking and they will tell you that some of the most amazing trails lie in this region and one such trail has to be the Nethravathi Peak. It’s straight out of a postcard! And the homestay? Some of our trekkers swear that it brought back nostalgic memories of Karnataka's serene charm.
Sandwiched between Samse and Belathangady, this 12 km trail sits cocooned in Chikmagalur and offers excellent views and an incredible adventure. As you walk, listening to the serene sound of a stream on its way to becoming a mighty river, you will get to spot local birds and perhaps some elusive animals too.
Break the monotony of your daily routine. As you scale this mountain and descend down with the clouds, you will go back home a changed person for sure!
Trek highlights
What makes the Nethravathi Peak trek so unique and special is the fact that the terrain changes every few miles. One minute you are climbing up a rugged hill, and the next you are on grassy flatlands. While you have a river for company, natural streams will provide you with the hydration you need. Here is a sneak peek into all that you will get to experience:
- Start the adventure with a jeep ride from your homestay to the trek base
- Catch glimpses of tea, banana and areca plantations on the way
- Take in the views of some of the most prominent and picturesque peaks of the Western Ghats
- Witness the pathway of the mighty Nethravathi River
- Magical and photo-worthy sights in every direction, including the Kalasa Hanging Bridge
- Stunning shola forests that will captivate you and leave a mark on your mind
- Take a sip from natural streams, originating from pristine waterfalls and cool your body and soul
- Make a pit stop at the famous Chennakeshava Temple in Belur and get in touch with the divine
- Enjoy campfires, conversations and more during the trip
Your journey from Bangalore to Netravati Peak might take just a handful of hours, but we assure you that the experiences and friendships you gain will last you a lifetime! So, come join our tribe and discover brand new worlds, just a few hours from bustling Bangalore.
Highlights
Weekend departures:
Day 0 – Friday
‣ Depart from Bengaluru at 7:00pm
Day 1 – Saturday
‣ Freshen up and finish breakfast by 6:45am
‣ Jeep ride to trek base
‣ Start the trek by 7:30am
‣ Packed lunch
‣ Reach the summit
‣ Start the descent
‣ Reach the base by 5:30pm
‣ Return to the homestay
‣ Dinner
Day 2 – Sunday
‣ Freshen up and breakfast
‣ Visit Kalasa hanging bridges
‣ Visit Belur temple
‣ Self-sponsored lunch
‣ Return to Bengaluru by 10pm
*All timings are an estimate and subject to change
Weekday departures:
Day 0 – Wednesday
‣ Depart from Bengaluru at 7:00pm
Day 1 – Thursday
‣ Freshen up and finish breakfast by 6:45am
‣ Jeep ride to trek base
‣ Start the trek by 7:30am
‣ Packed lunch
‣ Reach the summit
‣ Start descend
‣ Reach the base by 5:30pm
‣ Return to the homestay
‣ Dinner
‣ Depart to Bengaluru
Day 2 – Friday
‣ Reach Bengaluru by 6:00am
*All timings are an estimate and subject to change
Day 0 - Leave from Bangalore

Private Vehicle (Non-AC ( Push Back Seats ))

Stay Not Applicable

Meals Not Applicable (No Dinner break)
Your journey to Samse begins at Bengaluru when you are lost in the star-studded sky, with the city lights fading in the background. With excitement in the air, we begin with a few ice-breaking sessions - the best way to get to know your fellow trekkers and unwind from the long weekday stress. As the night lingers on, it’s best to settle down and fall into a short slumber - allowing your bodies and minds to get that much needed rest. Enjoy the calm and relax as we arrive at our start point for an exhilarating adventure ahead.
Day 1 - Trek Day

Trek (Non-AC ( Push Back Seats ))

Homestay

All Meals
At 5:30am we will be in Samse right as the sky starts to lighten. With a short break and a hearty breakfast, our trek leads will take everyone through a short warm up, and explain to you what the day entails in terms of the trail, what it offers and how to pace yourself.
Soon you will jump into jeeps that will take you through 14 km deep inside the wilderness till the trek base. It is not a ride you expect, you will be standing in the back of the jeep and bumping along rough roads, muddy routes and over mist laden banana, tea and areca plantations. It is a rough and rocky road but also one of those travelling experiences where the destination is as thrilling as the journey itself.
There will be a brief halt at the forest department checkpoint to do materials check and get permits and a plastic check. There is always a chance that you have to pass your bags through the inspection process of forest guards, so choose to pack wisely and carefully. Although you may carry plastic items, do remember to take them back. Cameras and drones permitted but at an extra cost, everything else including local guides and permits are included.
It starts with an adventure or rather something of a challenge; a rocky steep climb that gets the heart pumping. However, only a kilometre down the road, the trail starts to level-off and you will also find yourself inside a dense forest with the sunlight barely able to penetrate the canopy. Your reward? The most beautiful two-level waterfall deep in the wilderness, the kind of sight that makes you stop at your tracks and breathe - taking it all in.
The woods begin to get scantier, and as you go on the path begins to lead out on undulating grassland. It is at this moment of silence that you are going to hear the murmur of a stream near you - this is the Nethravathi River. You may see the water flowing or not see it at all depending on the season but its presence is always felt.
The scenery here will not await: forests dissolve into fields, and hills will make a shy appearance, and disappear. You have already traveled approximately 4 km, and when you believe that you are approaching the peak, mountains begin to play small games: this peak is the false one. As you move up, you get to see yet another higher ridge - nature is teasing you!
Then it does, the actual summit greets you with open skies and valleys that are draped with clouds. It is the theatre of lightness and mist and you are sitting in the front row. During bright days you are even able to see the Kudremukh Peak glistening in the distance, almost 15 km away.
We will stop here and eat our packed lunch and enjoy the views that are almost like taken out of a dream. After everyone has relaxed and ready, you will go back the same route to the base, about 1.5 hours downhill, assuming weather permits.
Jeeps will be waiting at the base to drive you back to the homestay. At 5pm, we will go back to the homestay, muddy boots, hearts still full, and stories to be told. With a good bath, you finally get to relax, having snacks around the bonfire and having cozy chats. The sounds of the forest will remain with you as the night falls and we go to bed after having dinner.
Day 2 - Visit Kalasa Hanging Bridge & Belur Temple

Trek

Stay Not Applicable

Breakfast
The last day on this trip starts with a healthy and tasty breakfast to get you prepared for the day. After you are prepared, you pack your bags, load it all directly into the bus, and say goodbye to the homestay forever, marking our departure to Bengaluru.
You will first visit the Kalasa Hanging Bridge, which is a tranquil small place smuggled in the crevices of nature. As we are traveling to Bengaluru, we will use our time and stroll over the swinging structure, appreciate the scenery and perhaps capture some final images, to complete our set of memories.
At noon, we will take a lunch break on the way, to get back our energy to continue the trip.
After lunch we will reach the Chennakesava Temple in Belur which is a great creation of Hoysala architecture in Hassan district. This temple was constructed in the 12th century, but it needed 103 years to be finally built. Time has made its mark here, through periods of demolition, rebuilding, and repair but the temple is standing tall. Its complex sculptures, carved friezes, rich iconography and marvelous reliefs still surprise the visitors, revealing something new to admire with each visit.
By the time the sun sets, we will be getting into the bus and start taking the long journey back, watching the honey-coloured landscape change into a moving sequence of slideshows of the scenery passing by at a slow pace through the bus window. The bus is filed with a kind of peaceful quietness now, the vague kind that comes after laughter, sore muscles and a heart heavy with stories. Some will sleep, some talk quietly and others lose themselves to a game or the sweet rhythm of an engine.
We will do one more stop to stretch our legs and get dinner later in the evening. We would arrive at our destination by about 10pm. Saying goodbye is never easy, particularly when you had days to be together and became closer than expected. However, our bodies are tired and the chance to reunite is promised so we bid farewells... till the next big adventure calls
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
- Round-trip via non-AC tempo traveller or minibus (based on group size) with push-back seats
- Cozy shared accommodation (homestay)
- 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
- Any kind of insurance (health, medical, life and accidental)
- Anything not expressly mentioned in the inclusions
Things to carry
✅ Soft copy of your Aadhaar or Voter ID (mandatory for permits)
✅ Lunch box and reusable cutlery to carry your packed lunch
✅ Small backpack to carry your essentials during the trek
✅ Extra cash for any meals not covered in your itinerary
✅ A comfortable pair of trekking shoes with good grip
✅ Compact raincoat or backpack cover to stay dry
✅ Power bank and charging cable for your phone
✅ Portable chargers for other electronics
✅ Flip-flops for lazing around the campsite
✅ Torch or headlamp for visibility at night
✅ Extra pairs of clothes to change into
✅ Poly bags to pack your wet clothes
✅ Warm layers and jackets
✅ 2x one litre water bottles
PICKUP LOCATIONS
New Udupi Grand, Teacher's Colony, HSR Layout
Yamaha Showroom Domlur
Cubbon Park Metro
KTM Mekhri Circle
Govardhan Theatre near Yeshwanthpur Metro
Without Travel
Policy and more
In the event that YOU cancel your trek, this is the cancellation policy we follow:
Intimation Period | Cancellation Fee |
7 Days or more | 10% of the total invoice value |
3-6 days before the trek date | 50% of the total invoice value |
0-2 days before the trek date | 100% of the total invoice value |
- *Intimation Period means the number of days before the tour is scheduled to start
- **Cancellation Fee is the amount of money that will be deducted from the total billing amount before offering the refund.
- Refund/Cancellation requests are accepted only by email at [email protected] and not via call or Whatsapp.
NOTE:
- There will be no consideration given to cancellations on the day of departure or the day before due to work/family emergencies, health issues, etc., and no refund or transfer to alternative dates will be permitted for the same.
- You would be required to pay an additional fee of RS 1500 if you wanted to postpone your trek and cancel on the day of departure. This is only available for 3 months after the departure date of the actual trip.
- If you cancel the trek at any time (in addition to the scenario stated above), additional fees will be collected (depending on where you made your booking) as payment gateway/event listing fees.
- If we have booked a forest entry permit for your booking, the cost of the same has to borne by the traveller as the forest entry permits are non refundable and non transferable
The following is our cancellation policy in the unlikely event that we have to postpone your trek:
During and After the Trek: In the event of severe weather, taking the trekkers' safety into consideration, a day may be shortened or the trek may be abandoned entirely. There will never be a refund of any kind.
Prior to the trek: Make a plan in the event that a trek is canceled due to a natural disaster (such as a rainstorm, flood, landslide, earthquake, or unanticipated political disturbance, curfews, local riots, government orders, or directives from the forest department). A VOUCHER for the full value of your ticket will be issued by The Unplanned.
The payment gateway fees will be deducted from any refunds that are granted.
If we have to cancel your trek because there aren't enough reservations for that particular batch or we don't have enough participants, PLAN THE UNPLANNED will refund you 96% of the trek money ( Payment Gateway charges shall be deducted )
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- In case of Government orders/ any unforeseen circumstance Elniru Falls happens to be closed, we shall make an alternate plan to Hanumangundi Falls/Soormane Falls. The decision of outdoor leader shall be final.
- The Jeep Ride at Kudremukh has the challenges of dirt and slushy roads during monsoons. Kindly co-operate in case the vehicles are arriving late or if there is delay in start of the trek.
- On certain days, if there is a heavy crowd on the Kudremukh Trek Trail, expect a few delays in the trek start time or reaching the summit.
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 Event Headsup mail that would contain details as regards 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: How to reserve trek Permits
A: It is essential to sign up for the Nethravathi Peak at least one week in advance due to recent changes in regulations by the Karnataka Forest Department. Each participant must individually register for the trek through the official website: Kudremukha National Park. - https://kudremukhanationalpark.in/
To ensure a smooth registration process, please follow these steps:
Navigate to the Nethravathi Peak Trek section on the website.
Accurately fill in your details as per your Aadhar card.
Ensure you provide the correct email address, as your permit will be sent there.
Upload your correct identification details.
Download the permit once you have successfully signed up
Please note that permits can only be booked for yourself. If multiple permits are booked from the same device, all related permits will be invalidated, and you will not be allowed to participate in the trek.
This strict measure ensures fair access and compliance with the forest department's regulations.
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
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: Yes, you can postpone your trek to a future date by paying a rescheduling fee of Rs 1500/person. You can write to us at [email protected] as regards and our team will get in touch with you on the same.
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