--- title: "Dandeli River Rafting & Yellapur Backpacking" description: "Rafting and kayaking on the Kali River, a bonfire night in the forest, then Sathodi Falls and the Shivapura hanging bridge the morning after." url: "https://www.goweekender.in/escapes/dandeli-river-rafting-yellapur-backpacking" --- # Dandeli River Rafting & Yellapur Backpacking Rafting and kayaking on the Kali River, a bonfire night in the forest, then Sathodi Falls and the Shivapura hanging bridge the morning after. - Destination: Dandeli, Karnataka - Departs from: Bangalore - Duration: 2D/1N (2 days, 1 night) - Price: from ₹5,599 - Categories: Adventure, Nature, Waves - Booking: in the GoWeekender app (iOS and Android), run by a verified host ## Upcoming departures - 30 Oct 2026: ₹5,599 - 6 Nov 2026: ₹5,599 - 13 Nov 2026: ₹5,599 - 20 Nov 2026: ₹5,599 - 27 Nov 2026: ₹5,599 - 4 Dec 2026: ₹5,599 - 11 Dec 2026: ₹5,599 - 18 Dec 2026: ₹5,599 ## About this trip Two days on the edge of the Western Ghats, where the Kali cuts through thick forest and the waterfalls are at their loudest just after the monsoon. We leave Bangalore on Friday night and wake up in Dandeli. The morning goes to the river: a short white-water stretch on the Kali, then kayaking, boating and a swim if the water level allows. The afternoon is deliberately loose, so you can nap, wander the property or walk out to the Kali river bridge for the wide view upstream. Evening is a bonfire with music, games and dinner, and the night is spent in tents or dorms at the property. Day two heads into Yellapur. Sathodi Falls drops into a pool in the middle of the forest, and the Shivapura hanging bridge is the kind of walk that everyone stops halfway across to photograph. After lunch we start back and reach Bangalore late in the evening. Travel is by AC Tempo Traveller or mini bus with a trip captain along. Stay is on a sharing basis in tents or dorms with separate washrooms for men and women, a dining area and indoor and outdoor games. Breakfast on both days and dinner on night one are included; lunch, entry charges and anything extra are self-sponsored. The river activities depend on the water level in the Kali. ## Itinerary ### Day 1: Overnight Departure, Kali River Rafting & Bonfire Pickups begin the previous night at 8:30 PM from Udupi Grand (HSR), then KLM Fashion Mall (9:00 PM), Domlur Sky Walk (9:30 PM) and Govardhan Theatre, Yeshwanthpur (10:00 PM). The trip captain runs an ice-breaking session on board before everyone settles in for the overnight drive in an AC Tempo Traveller or mini bus. We reach Dandeli early, freshen up at the property and head to the Kali for a short white-water stretch followed by kayaking, boating and a swim, all subject to the water level. The afternoon is yours, and the evening is a bonfire with music, games and dinner before an overnight stay in tents or dorms. - 7:00 AM Arrive in Dandeli & freshen up: We reach the property early morning after the overnight drive. Washrooms and a place to change before the day starts. - 8:00 AM Breakfast at the property: A hot breakfast before heading out to the river. Included in the package. - 10:00 AM White-water rafting on the Kali: A short rafting stretch on the Kali with a certified crew and safety gear. Subject to the water level on the day. - 12:00 PM Kayaking, boating & a river swim: The rest of the water session at Kali River Adventures. Also subject to the water level. - 1:30 PM Lunch break: A stop for lunch near the river. Self-sponsored, so carry cash or UPI. - 4:30 PM Kali river bridge & sunset point: A walk out to the bridge for the wide view up the river, or stay back at the property and do nothing. - 7:30 PM Bonfire, music, games & dinner: Evening snacks, a bonfire and a bonding session with music and games, then dinner and an overnight stay in tents or dorms. ### Day 2: Sathodi Falls, Shivapura Bridge & Return Breakfast at the property, then we check out and drive into Yellapur. Sathodi Falls comes first, a broad drop into a forest pool reached by a short walk from the road, and then the Shivapura hanging bridge, which sways just enough to make the crossing memorable. Both are at their best right after the monsoon. Lunch is on the way and is self-sponsored, and we begin the drive back to Bangalore in the early afternoon, reaching the same drop points late in the evening. - 8:00 AM Breakfast at the property: The last included meal of the trip before we pack up and move on. - 9:00 AM Check out & drive to Yellapur: Bags on the bus and a short forest drive across into Yellapur taluk. - 10:30 AM Sathodi Falls: A broad waterfall dropping into a forest pool, reached by a short walk from the road. Loudest right after the monsoon. - 12:30 PM Shivapura hanging bridge: A suspension bridge over the river with forest on both banks. Everyone stops halfway across for photos. - 2:00 PM Lunch before the drive back: A last meal on the road out of Yellapur. Self-sponsored. - 3:00 PM Return journey to Bangalore: We start back in the early afternoon and reach the same drop points late in the evening. ## What's included - Separate washrooms, dining area and indoor and outdoor games at the property - Entire travel as per the itinerary by AC Tempo Traveller or Mini Bus - Short river rafting, kayaking and boating at Kali River Adventures - Yellapur exploration as per the itinerary - Experience of group travel and a lifetime of memories - Accommodation on a sharing basis in tents or dorms - Breakfast on Day 1 and Day 2, and dinner on Day 1 - Trip captain throughout the trip - Water activities are subject to the water level in the Kali River ## Not included - Costs arising from bad weather, landslides or public protests - Travel, accidental and medical insurance - GST @ 5% - Lunch on both days and any meals not listed under inclusions - Extra activities not mentioned under inclusions - Entry charges at any of the places in the itinerary - Anything not mentioned under inclusions ## FAQs ### What should I carry? A government-issued ID (Aadhaar), a change of clothes for the water activities, a quick-dry towel, footwear you do not mind getting wet, sunscreen, a cap, a water bottle, a personal medical kit, a power bank, polybags for wet clothes and cash or UPI for lunch. ### Do I need to know swimming for the rafting? No. Life jackets and helmets are provided and a certified crew runs the raft. The rafting stretch is short and beginner-friendly. All water activities depend on the water level in the Kali on the day, so they can be shortened or dropped. ### How strictly is the timeline followed? We leave Bangalore at 8:30 PM on Friday and reach Dandeli early the next morning. Timings on the ground are indicative: river conditions, the size of the group and traffic on the way back can move things by an hour or two. ### What is the stay like? Tents or dorms on a sharing basis at a property in the forest, with separate washrooms for men and women, a dining area, indoor and outdoor games and a chill area. Rooms are allotted by the group ratio. ### Terms & conditions The itinerary may be rearranged to suit availability without changing the total number of days or cutting any service. All guests must carry a government-issued ID. Confirmation of physical and mental fitness is required before the trip. No refund is provided for disruptions caused by government orders, harsh weather, protests, landslides or other unforeseen circumstances. ## Read before you go - [Bandaje Falls Trek 2026: Route, Rules, Cost from Bangalore](https://www.goweekender.in/blogs/bandaje-falls-trek) - [Karnataka Trek Online Booking 2026: Permits and Rules](https://www.goweekender.in/blogs/karnataka-trek-online-booking) - [Travel Buddies in Bangalore: Find Your Weekend Crew (2026)](https://www.goweekender.in/blogs/find-travel-buddies-bangalore)