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Cloud over the Skandagiri hills at dawn

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Chikkaballapur, Karnataka, India · India

Skandagiri night trek: grade, cost & permits

Bengaluru's best sunrise trek: you climb in the dark past the ruins of a Tipu-era fort and wait on top as the valley below fills with cloud. Nandi Hills next door gets the crowds and a road to the top; here you earn the view. Cost is the DIY total from Chikkaballapur; operators sell it from Bengaluru for ₹800-1,200 with transport and breakfast.

Photo: Aranyaparva · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

GradeModerate
Duration1 night (4-6 h)
Highest point1,350 m
SeasonOctober to March (October-November for the sea of clouds); April-May with an early start; June-September monsoon, slippery rock and possible closures
Cost from base₹350per person
BaseKalavara village, trail starts behind Papagni Mutt, about 3 km from Chikkaballapur and 65-70 km from Bengaluru

Bengaluru's best sunrise trek: you climb in the dark past the ruins of a Tipu-era fort and wait on top as the valley below fills with cloud. Nandi Hills next door gets the crowds and a road to the top; here you earn the view. Cost is the DIY total from Chikkaballapur; operators sell it from Bengaluru for ₹800-1,200 with transport and breakfast.

Good for soloGood for couplesGood for groupsGood for families
Live weather

On the trail now and the next 7 days

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Forecast for the trek's map point. It is usually colder and windier at the top.

Step 2 of 7Next: Route

The route

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On the map

Skandagiri night · Open in Google Maps ↗

The climb

915 m1050 m1200 m1350 m1200 m1050 m915 m Start · 915 mEnd · 915 m 1,350 m

How to reach the start

From Bengaluru, take a train to Chikkaballapur station, then an auto-rickshaw to the base (about ₹80-120, 10 minutes). By road it is about 1.5 hours on NH 44; leave Bengaluru by 11:30 pm for the night slot. Parking at Kalavara is ₹50-100 per vehicle.

Directions to the trailhead ↗Open in Google Maps ↗
Step 3 of 7Next: Permits

Permits and rules

Permit: Book online on the Karnataka Forest Department's Aranya Vihaara portal (Trekking, Chikkaballapur, Skandagiri): ₹250 per person. No walk-ins. Book at least 1 day and up to 30 days ahead; weekend slots fill fast. Bring the original photo ID used for booking. Cancel 8 or more days ahead for a 50% refund; no refund after that. Night slot: check in at the base gate 3:30-4:00 am, start 4:00-4:15 am; late arrivals are turned away.
GuideRequired
Seasonal closureSlots can be suspended in heavy rain; the afternoon slot is often suspended. Check the portal before you go.

Official permit or booking page ↗

Rules change. Check the park office or official booking system before you travel.

Step 4 of 7Next: Gear

What to carry

Step 5 of 7Next: Cost

What it costs

Ballpark ranges, not live quotes. Page updated 18 October 2026. Prices move with season and demand, so check live fares before you book.

Your group, from the base₹700
Couple · from Kalavara village, trail starts behind Papagni Mutt, about 3 km from Chikkaballapur and 65-70 km from Bengaluru
Per person₹350

Covers local transport, permits or entry, a guide where needed and food on the trail. Getting to Kalavara village is extra.

Step 6 of 7Next: FAQ

Photos

Questions people ask

How hard is the Skandagiri night trek?

Moderate grade. It takes 1 night (4-6 h) and climbs to about 1,350 m. Bengaluru's best sunrise trek: you climb in the dark past the ruins of a Tipu-era fort and wait on top as the valley below fills with cloud. Nandi Hills next door gets the crowds and a road to the top; here you earn the view. Cost is the DIY total from Chikkaballapur; operators sell it from Bengaluru for ₹800-1,200 with transport and breakfast.

Do I need a permit for Skandagiri night?

Book online on the Karnataka Forest Department's Aranya Vihaara portal (Trekking, Chikkaballapur, Skandagiri): ₹250 per person. No walk-ins. Book at least 1 day and up to 30 days ahead; weekend slots fill fast. Bring the original photo ID used for booking. Cancel 8 or more days ahead for a 50% refund; no refund after that. Night slot: check in at the base gate 3:30-4:00 am, start 4:00-4:15 am; late arrivals are turned away.

How do I reach the Skandagiri night trek?

From Bengaluru, take a train to Chikkaballapur station, then an auto-rickshaw to the base (about ₹80-120, 10 minutes). By road it is about 1.5 hours on NH 44; leave Bengaluru by 11:30 pm for the night slot. Parking at Kalavara is ₹50-100 per vehicle. Base: Kalavara village, trail starts behind Papagni Mutt, about 3 km from Chikkaballapur and 65-70 km from Bengaluru.

What is the best season for Skandagiri night?

October to March (October-November for the sea of clouds); April-May with an early start; June-September monsoon, slippery rock and possible closures.

How much does the Skandagiri night trek cost?

From about ₹350 per person from the base, covering local transport, permits or entry, a guide where required and food. The journey to the base is extra.

What should I carry?

Shoes with good grip for bare rock, a headlamp or torch for the dark climb, a windproof layer for the cold summit at dawn, and 1-2 litres of water. No alcohol, smoking, fires, loudspeakers or unpermitted drones; carry all waste back.

Step 7 of 7Next: Sources

Sources and last check

Checked 11 October 2026. Fees, hours and rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay.

  • karnatakatourism.org Official₹250 permit via Aranya Vihaara only, no walk-ins; slot timings; 1,350 m; 8 km round trip; Kalavara/Papagni Mutt base; auto ₹80-120 from Chikkaballapur station; parking ₹50-100; banned activities; best months; forest guides assigned; operator packages ₹800-1,200
  • aranyavihaara.karnataka.gov.in OfficialBooking rules effective 15 July 2026: book 1-30 days ahead; 50% refund if cancelled 8+ days ahead, none within 7 days; original photo ID; report 10 min before slot
  • en.wikipedia.orgCoordinates; Tipu Sultan-era fort ruins; 150-person cap on the 4 am and 8 am slots

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Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we sell nothing, take no commission, and every booking link goes straight to the provider. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.

By Gokul · Updated 18 October 2026 · Photo: Aranyaparva · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Karthik Vasudev · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Prasath P · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Vijets at English Wikipedia · Public domain · source · Photo: Photos Worldwide · CC0 · source

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