Skandagiri Night Trek: The Best Night Trek

India is a fantastic country with many nice spots to visit. It is also fairly diverse. Bangalore, India’s Garden City, is surrounded by a number of hill stations that provide nice and wonderful escapes. Skandagiri hills, about 38 miles (62 kilometers) from Bangalore city and about 2 miles (3 kilometers) from Chikkaballapur, are a famous destination for night trekking. This is a beautiful site that is also referred as Kalavara Durga after the castle that is located there. For nature enthusiasts and hikers, the Skandagiri night walk provides an unforgettable experience. It’s a modest hike with beautiful spectacular views, vegetation and hills along the way. Arriving at the peak shortly before sunrise creates an amazing experience. Use this Skandagiri night hike guide to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Onwards to Bangalore from Skandagiri

It’s a terrific weekend vacation for folks in and around Bangalore to do the Skandagiri hills night trek, one of the best trekking experiences nearby. It’s impossible to convey into words the exhilaration of stumbling among the pebbles with your flashlight.

When and how do you get to the hills of Skandagiri?

The Skandagiri base is roughly 62 kilometres from Bangalore, making it easy for guests to get there by car. The Skandagiri Hills Night and Sunrise Treks are offered by a number of travel operators, who can also pick up and drop you off at your hotel. Bangalore has both a train station and an airport. Take a bus to Chikkaballapura and then take an auto-rickshaw to the Papagni Temple from Majestic Bus Station. On-site parking is provided for a fee at the starting point.

Starting point at Kalwara

Skandagiri is an excellent location for connecting with nature and experiencing a sense of calm and quiet throughout the short but unforgettable night walk. This hike has a 5-mile (8-kilometer) ascent and a 5,000-foot elevation gain (1,500 m). The trek’s base camp is in Kalwara village in the Chikkaballapur district. Papagni temple is an ancient temple located in the highlands of Karnataka which is one of the state’s ancient shrines. You can take a break at the temple to orient yourself before embarking on the exhilarating uphill climb. The paperwork that must be performed prior to embarking on the hike is basic and straightforward. If necessary, you might even request the services of a forest department.

Skyline of Skandagiri at Sunrise

Once you’ve reached the summit, you’ll want to stake out a decent vantage point for watching the sunrise. There will be a lot of people, so you may not be able to find a nice place. Make sure to wear a jacket and a hat to protect yourself from the wind and cold at the summit. We’ll all know exactly when the sun comes up thanks to our tour guides. Using your mobile phone’s compass can help you find the sunrise’s path. Sunrise is a beautiful time of day to catch a glimpse of the sky changing colour. The vista from the summit is awe-inspiring as the sun rises.

Temple of Skandagiri

You are free to roam the summit after the sun rises. The Skandagiri temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a popular photo location for trekkers. A reward for the effort is still a sight to behold, even in its crumbled form.

Unusual adventure

This unique night trip allows you to appreciate the sounds of nature while also giving you the opportunity to meet new people along the way. Though it may be a difficult trip for beginners, there are plenty of signboards at all of the key forks in the trail. A walk in nature at night, with the stars twinkling above, is just exciting. The terrain is uneven, with numerous slippery boulders and rocky outcroppings. In several areas, the trail becomes quite steep. Make sure to stop along the road to take some wonderful photos of the journey. You’ll also come across ruins of ancient forts that are now utilized as makeshift shelters by hikers. There are numerous rocky platforms along the way where you can take a breather. Don’t forget to take in the breathtaking scenery along the journey.

Take in the natural splendor

Soak in the splendor of a nearby village, with its verdant fields and small, lovely ponds. Don’t pass up the opportunity to drink some pure spring water. If you begin the night hike at 4 a.m., you will get to the summit in time to witness the spectacular dawn. At the summit, there is a lovely temple with a statue of a holy bull. Along with the calm and tranquilly, the peak can be quite windy and frigid.

Refreshments

On the way back, sample the local cuisine and enjoy a nice breakfast at a hotel. After descending, nutritious options like coconut water, buttermilk, and watermelon juice are available to help you replenish your energy.

Best time to visit

The greatest time for this exhilarating night trip to Skandagiri is between the winter months of November and January, however the summer months are equally lovely.

Restrictions on entry

The trail is limited, and there is a daily maximum of forty trekkers. So, organizing your journey ahead of time will allow you to trek on the day you wish.

Permission from the forest department is required. You can obtain it at the trek’s starting point’s entrance.

Packing

Because the weather in the hills changes rapidly, it is advisable to bring a light jacket or sweater. It can be cool and chilly in the early mornings and at night. Light synthetic track pants that dry quickly and robust cargo pants appropriate for jungle terrain are good outfit choices for this adventurous expedition. Full-sleeved t-shirts can help you avoid sunburns and insect bites, while caps and sunglasses can also be useful.

On rocky terrain, go slowly and steadily to avoid falling. Decent traction and waterproof shoes, or a pair of trekking shoes with a good grip, would be great. If you are going during the rainy season, bring an extra pair of socks and a raincoat. Walking sticks can come in handy during the descent. Keep your luggage as light as possible for simple trekking. A flashlight, as well as a personal medical kit, are required for the night walk.

Highlights:

• Experience a night climb up Skandagiri, a mountain stronghold about 70 kilometres from Bangalore.
• The tranquil and beautiful ambiance of the savannah surrounding Skandagiri will rev up your adrenaline.
• As you near the summit, walk above the clouds and enjoy the blaze in the starry night.
• Witness the breathtaking sight of the sun rising above a cloudy sky.
• At the summit of the hill, you can see the ruins of Tipu Sultan’s fort as well as an abandoned fort.
• In Skandagiri, witness the spectacular sunrise over the clouds.