Savandurga Trek
Hosted by Plan The Unplanned
- Verified Host
- Logout's Trusted
- Traveler's Choice
All About It
- 25 Slots
- Difficulty - Moderate
- For 12+ years
Savandurga is one of the largest monoliths in Asia and makes for a perfect one-day escape from Bengaluru. From the very start, the trek feels different — wide granite slabs under your feet, open skies above, and that slow, steady climb that’s more satisfying than exhausting.
Once you reach the top, it’s all worth it. You’re greeted with sweeping views of Manchanabele Reservoir, Thippagondanahalli Reservoir, Magadi, and the Arkavathi River quietly winding its way through the valley below. It’s the kind of view that makes you pause, breathe, and just take it all in.
At the base of the hill, the presence of Savandi Veerabhadra Swamy Temple and Sree Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy Temple adds a calm, grounding start and finish to the trek.
Simple, scenic, and full of character — Savandurga is one of those climbs that stays with you long after you’re back.
That’s the Unplanned way.
Highlights
Day 0
- Departure day
- Depart from Bengaluru at 11:00 PM
Day 1
- Trek day
- Reach the base, rest for a while
- Warm up before the trek
- Start your ascent at around 5:15 AM
- Reach the peak & explore
- Descend back to base
- Breakfast en route
Day 0 - Depart for Savandurga
Private Vehicle (Non-AC Push Back Seats Vehicle)
Breakfast
We depart from Bengaluru late in the evening and settle in for a comfortable overnight drive towards Savandurga. As the journey begins, we break the ice with a few light games and easy conversations, helping everyone get to know each other and ease into the trip.
With music, laughs, and a relaxed travel vibe, the night passes smoothly as we head closer to the base, ready for an early morning start to the trek.
Day 1 - Trek day
We begin the trek early in the morning, around 5:15 AM, while the surroundings are still quiet and the air is pleasantly cool. Starting near the base of Savandurga, the trail eases us in before quickly opening up onto massive granite slabs — the signature of this monolith trek.
The climb is steady and exposed, with wide rocky stretches rather than dense forest. As daylight slowly breaks, the granite beneath your feet glows, and every pause gives you a reason to turn around and admire how quickly the landscape unfolds below. The trail alternates between gentle slopes and slightly steeper sections, making it engaging without being overwhelming.
After a continuous ascent, we reach the summit just as the morning settles in. From here, you’re rewarded with expansive views of Manchanabele Reservoir, Thippagondanahalli Reservoir, the plains of Magadi, and the Arkavathi River winding quietly through the valley. It’s an open, breezy summit — perfect for pausing, hydrating, and soaking in the views.
After spending some time at the top, we begin our descent along the same trail. Going down needs attention, as the smooth rock can be slippery, but the changing angle offers a fresh perspective of the terrain you just conquered.
Once we reach the base, we head to a nearby local spot for a self-sponsored breakfast — the perfect way to wrap up the trek, swap stories, and relax after the climb.
A short, rewarding monolith trek that’s all about big views, early starts, and a satisfying finish — the Unplanned way.
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
Transportation from Bengaluru and back in Non AC tempo traveller/mini bus
Experienced trek leader throughout the trek
Trek permits
Basic first-aid support
Breakfast
Exclusions
- Any kind of personal expenses
- Any kind of insurance (life, medical, or accidental)
- Expenses arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions, roadblocks, or local restrictions
Things to carry
- Comfortable trekking shoes with good grip
- Backpack (small to medium)
- Headlamp/Torchlight
- Water bottles (minimum 2 litres)
- Energy snacks (dry fruits, bars, fruits, etc.)
- Cap or hat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Light jacket or hoodie (early morning)
- Personal medication, if any
- Extra cash for breakfast and personal expenses
PICKUP LOCATIONS
Indian Oil Petrol Pump HSR opp to Nandas
KLM Fashion Mall, Marathahalli
Domlur Sky walk | Old Airport Road, Domlur
McDonald's Kasturba Rd, Ashok Nagar
Gloabal Mall near Nayandahalli Metro
HOW TO REACH
Please select your preferred pickup point from the drop-down list while bookin
Any change in Pick up locations/ timings would be updated via mail 24 hours before the start of the tri
Drop-off points shall be same as the pick-up points.
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: I've never been on a hike, so can I do this one?
A: Yes. If you lead an active lifestyle, you might want to start your first trek to Savandurga. We advise a little less demanding trek like Brahmagiri or Skandagiri for folks who live reasonably sedentary lives.
Q: Can we leave the luggage at the homestay/tents?
A: This is a one-day trek. So it won’t be possible to leave the luggage at the homestay. You can leave it on the bus and carry the necessary for the trek
Q: What about Savandurga’s cellphone network and connectivity?
A: Only up to the base will you have access to a mobile network for practically all major providers, including Airtel, Vodafone, Jio, and others. Only at isolated areas along the trail will you find the network.
Q: Is the trail filled with leeches?
A: No, it is not filled with leeches.
Q: What is the best time to trek Savandurga?
A: The Savandurga Trek is best done between the end of September and the beginning of February.
Q: Is it possible to camp anywhere along the trail?
A: No, you cannot camp anywhere along the trail.
Q: Is it possible to trek Savandurga during the monsoon season?
A: It is not advisable to trek Savandurga during the monsoon season as it is a rocky terrain and the trail gets slippery.
Q: How to reach the Savandurga trek?
A: By public transport:
1. Take a bus from Majestic to Magadi and then proceed to take shared auto or bus.
Shared autos cost Rs. 20 per person and are available every 15 minutes. With so many residents visiting the temple every day, it is a safe and enjoyable way to travel.
Every 30 minutes, buses run and cost Rs. 15 per person.
Bus number 241M to Savandurga from KR Market. Each ticket should cost Rs 42.
Every day, BMTC offers two excursions from KR Market to Savandurga and vice versa. This is the schedule:
By your vehicle:
There are two ways to get from Bangalore to Savandurga.
1. After passing Decathlon on your left and Rajarajeshwari Dental College on your right, turn right at the light onto Dodda Aladamara Road from Mysore Road.
The Big Banyan Tree, also known as Dodda Aladamara, must be visited before or after your walk. The local banyan tree is at than 400 years old, and you can't help but be in awe of its enormous structure.
Take a right into Savandurga-Manchalabele Road after crossing Manchanbele Bridge at around 16 kilometres.
Take a right into Savandurga Road after 4 kilometres.
2. Leave Nayandahalli on the outer ring road, and at the T-intersection, turn right onto Magadi Main Road.
After travelling 40 kilometres on Magadi Main Road, turn right onto Magadi-Ramanagara Road at the intersection. Turn left onto Savandurga Road after about 8 kilometres.
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