Skandagiri Sunrise Trek
Skandagiri Hils
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All About It
- 1 Days 1 Nights
- 30 Slots
- Difficulty - Moderate Hard
- For 15+ years
- Best Season - Winter (Nov, Dec, Jan) Spring (Feb, March, April) Summer (May, June, July) Monsoon (Aug, Sept, Oct)
Located at a distance of approximately 70 KM from Bangalore, Skandagiri is the perfect sunrise trek for a weekend getaway from Bangalore for several reasons- its close proximity to the city, the scenic views and of course, the picture-perfect sunrise from the peak.
Historically known as Kalwarbetta or Kalavara Durga, the mountain fortress of Skandagiri holds immense importance – it is said that this fortress was built by Tipu Sultan which has been left deserted since 1791 after he lost the Anglo-Mysore War. Since then, the fortress has been weathered away, and now, nothing but the ruins remain. However, the beauty of the ancient Skandagiri Hills has increased over time. And with more and more restrictions being placed on night treks across the State, the Skandagiri trek is one of the very few sunrise treks remaining that one can do legally
For New Year 2024: The mind-blowing sunrise trek to Skandagiri awaits your arrival for New Year 2024. Notice that this New Year, seats are limited and will be filled out on a First Come, First Serve basis. Also, be informed that this New Year is preceded by a weekend, so kindly check out the itinerary and book your seats at the earliest.
Highlights
Day 1
- Start from Bangalore at 10:30 PM
- Reach the base by 1:30 AM (approx)
- Start the trek at 4 AM and witness the sunrise.
- Descend, and reach back to the base by 10:00 AM
- Have Breakfast En-route (Self-sponsored)
- Depart and reach Bangalore by 1:00 PM (approx)
Please note the following important updates for the Skandagiri Sunrise Trek, as mandated by the Karnataka Eco-Tourism Board:
1. Accurate Registration Information:
- All participants registering for the trek must provide exact details that match their Aadhar ID proof. This includes name, email address, and contact number.
- Discrepancies between registration information and Aadhar ID proof will result in registration cancellation and trekking permission denial.
- No refunds will be issued for cancellations due to inaccurate information or personal choice.
2. Early Registration:
- To ensure timely permit acquisition, we strongly recommend registering for the trek at least one week before the desired date.
We appreciate your cooperation in adhering to these updated guidelines. Please register accurately and well in advance for a smooth and enjoyable trekking experience.
Private Vehicle
Non-AC Tempo Traveller/ Mini Bus (Push Back seats)
Stay Not Applicable
Meals Not Included
We’ll be departing at 11:30 PM from Bangalore to reach the base camp at around 2 AM. But rest assured we shall make the best of this 70 km bus journey as this would be the best opportunity for all of us to get to know each other. And our trek-leads have some fun ice-breaking sessions planned designed to do just that.
Once at the base camp, you can either take a quick power nap and catch up on your sleep or take a short walk under the moonlit sky along with a whiff of the midnight breeze as we while away some time before the exhilarating Skandagiri trek.
The trek starts at 4:00 AM from the Papagni Temple near the village of Kalwara towards the forest checkpoint where we’ll have our permits checked and forest guides allocated. From this point, you’ll be making your way through pitch darkness over rocky terrains with just the silence of the forests for company. Make sure to carry headlamps or torches as you’ll be navigating over slippery boulders and loose stones all along this tricky trail.
The trek starts off along a semi-dry trail from the checkpoint for a few minutes before making its way through thick forest cover. You soon make your way up through the dense foliage into more rocky terrains as the hike becomes more challenging and the inclines steeper. But the views of Chikkaballapura town glistening in the distance amidst the darkness makes it well worth the effort. Don’t worry about the missed photographic opportunities as you’ll have plenty of time to grasp it all on your way down.
All through this narrow trail, one will find several rocky platforms in between where you can take a quick break to catch your breath or simply take in the midnight views down below. But don’t take too long as the sunrise will be anywhere around 5:45 AM and you need to make sure you reach the peak before that. Keep a steady pace as you climb closer to the peak with the sky now giving out various hues of blue and orange letting you know it’s almost show time! The chilly early morning breeze also adds to the electricity in the air.
Once at the peak, find your perfect spot and make yourself comfortable for the spectacle about to follow. Watch as the Sun plays hide and seek with the clouds as the first rays of light hits your cold and tired bodies and all the panoramic views of the surrounding hills and fields down below comes into view. Don’t forget to catch a sight of the beautiful Nandi hills located close by as well. One of the best things about the Skandagiri trek is that it rewards you with a different sunrise every time, making it a unique experience each time you visit these ancient hills. Spend some good time exploring the peak that houses the dilapidated ruins of Tipu Sultan’s fort along with an ancient Temple or simply enjoying the 360 degree view it offers.
In total there are six such ruined fortresses along the trail which lead to the ancient temple at the top. In case you’ve missed them in the dark, do try spotting them on your way down from the peak. The descend offers a completely different experience as you can now enjoy the glorious views all throughout the trail. There are also small samadhi caves in between where you can give your tired legs a break.
We’ll be making our way back to the base camp around 9 AM from where we’ll hop back into our buses and stop for some well-deserved breakfast on our way back to Bangalore. Expect to be back at Bangalore by around 2 PM.
Hosted by
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!
Inclusions
To and fro Transport from Bangalore ( Non A/c Tempo traveller/ mini bus)
Forest Department Permits
Trek leader from Plan The Unplanned
Experience that you gain
Exclusions
Meals
Any kind of personal expenses
Any kind of insurance (health, medical, life accidental,etc )
Anything not included above
THINGS TO CARRY
- Small backpack to carry your essentials during the trek
- Soft Copy of Adhar Id
- Water bottles – 2 (1 litre each)
- Raincoat/Bag covers in case of rains
- Torch/Headlamp to be used at night
- Warm Layer ( down/fleece jacket )
- Woolen Cap
- Suncap and Sunscreen
PICKUP LOCATIONS
Udupi Grand, HSR Layout
Go to Google Maps
KLM Fashion Mall
Yamaha Showroom Domlur
Cubbon Park Signal
KTM Mekhri Circle
Esteem Mall Bus Stop, Hebbal
Without Travel - Skandagiri Parking Lot
Policy and Terms
Refund/Cancellation Policy – Weekend Trips from Bangalore
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 |
Between 3-6 days | 50% of the total invoice value |
Between 0-2 days | 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:
Cancellations on the day of departure or a day prior due to work/family emergencies, health issues, etc. would not be entertained, and no refund or transfer to further dates shall be allowed for the same.
If you are wanting to cancel out on the day of departure and move the trek to a future date an additional charge of RS 1500 would have to be incurred to make the movement to a future date. This can be availed only within 3 months from the date of the actual trip departure.
Additional charges would be deducted (based on from where you booked) if you cancel the trek at any given date (along with the scenario described above), as payment gateway/event listing charges.
Transfer of Dates Policy
If you wish to shift your date of booking due to any unforeseen circumstances, the same should be intimated to us not less than 72 hours before the date of the event. (Not valid for group or corporate bookings)
Only one transfer per booking shall be permitted. Your booking shall stand canceled if you fail to join the event on the transferred dates.
Once the option of data transfer is made, the booking amount shall be held as credits with us, and in no case will a refund be made further on.
For Skandagiri Trek, Makalidurga Trek, Chinaga Betta Trek - Permit Fees will be dedcuted. The charges per person being Rs 600 for Skandagiri, 500 for Makalidurga and Rs 310 for Chinaga Betta Trek. The balance amount will be deducted as per the cancellation policy stated above.
Transfer of dates on the day of departure shall be possible at an additional charge of 1500/- per person (applicable for few events).
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.
Frequest Questions
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 EVENTS HEADSUP 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 the further updates.
Q: Would I be added to a WhatsApp Group once the trek is confirmed?
A: Yes, the EVENTS HEADSUP mail would contain a link for Whatsapp Group through which one can join and interact with fellow travelers 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 all the way 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 have 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 "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 a future in case I do not attend the trek 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: The Skandagiri trek is a easy-moderate trek and one can easily do this trek with a moderate fitness
Q: Can we leave the luggage at the homestay/tents?
A: A one day trek wouldn’t have the facility of a homestay and hence you’ll have to leave your luggage in the bus and carry the necessary to the trek.
Q: What about Skandagiri’s cellphone network and connectivity?
A: Only until the Base of the peak will you have access to a mobile network for practically all major providers like as Airtel, Vodafone, Jio, and others. From the base to the peak of Skandagiri, you will be outside of the network service area.
Q: What is the best time to trek Skandagiri?
A: The ideal season to hike to Skandagiri is from September to February, as the path turns muddy and slippery during heavy monsoons, making the descent difficult, while summers are too humid.
Q: Is the trail filled with leeches?
A: No, it is not filled with leeches.
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 Skandagiri during the monsoon season?
A: No, it is not possible to trek Skandagiri during the monsoon season.
Q: Is there a night trek from Bangalore to Skandagiri?
A: During the winter and summer months, a night walk to Skandagiri from Bangalore is accessible. For novices, night trek is an easy level with medium endurance.
Q: Is there food and water on the Skandagiri Trek?
A: There will be no food or drink available on the walk; you must carry your own. On this hike, bring two to three litres of water with you. To avoid hot and salty foods, bring some packed food such as whole fruits, dry snacks, energy bars, and cakes.
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