Gangadikal, Karnataka
Gangadikal Peak Weekend Trek from Bangalore
- Duration
- 2D / 1N2 days · 1 night
- Starts from
- Bangalore
- Trip type
- Trekking
A 12 km trek through shola forest and rolling grassland to Gangadikal peak, with a homestay night, Samse tea estate and Kodige Falls.
- Trekking
- Heights
- Nature
- Adventure
Dates
- 29–30 Oct 20262 days₹4,599
See 12 more datesShow fewer dates
- 30–31 Oct 20262 days₹4,599
- 5–6 Nov 20262 days₹4,599
- 6–7 Nov 20262 days₹4,599
- 13–14 Nov 20262 days₹4,599
- 19–20 Nov 20262 days₹4,599
- 20–21 Nov 20262 days₹4,599
- 26–27 Nov 20262 days₹4,599
- 27–28 Nov 20262 days₹4,599
- 4–5 Dec 20262 days₹4,599
- 11–12 Dec 20262 days₹4,599
- 18–19 Dec 20262 days₹4,599
- 25–26 Dec 20262 days₹4,599
Prices are per person.
The trip
Gangadikal sits in a quiet, less-visited corner of Kudremukh National Park, far from the crowds of the better-known peaks. It is the trek to pick when you want to switch off completely: forest canopy, endless grassland and the sound of nothing but wind, birds and insects.
We leave Bangalore in the evening and drive overnight to a homestay near the trailhead. After breakfast, a jeep takes the group to the trek base, where the forest permits are checked. About 200 metres in, the trail disappears under a canopy of trees, wet and silent, before opening onto a long stretch of rolling grassland that seems to go on forever. Lunch is at the top, with views over the Lakya Dam backwaters and the distant Kudremukh peak.
The trek is about 12 km there and back and is moderately demanding, with slippery patches and leeches in the monsoon. After the descent, and if time allows, there is a stop at the Kudremukh hanging bridge before heading back to the homestay for high tea, a hot vegetarian dinner and a bonfire when the sky is clear.
Day two is gentler: the Samse tea estate, the offbeat Kodige Falls deep in the forest, and, time permitting, the 12th-century Hoysala Chennakesava Temple at Belur on the way home. We reach Bangalore around 10 PM.
Trek and waterfall permits, forest entry fees, the jeep to the trek base, a trained trek leader and a local guide, the homestay night and the listed meals are all included.
Highlights
Day 1 · 8:30 AMStart the Gangadikal trek
Day 1 · 12:30 PMGangadikal summit & packed lunch (included)
Day 2 · 9:00 AMSamse Tea Estate
Day 2 · 10:30 AMKodige Falls
Day by day
Overnight Drive, Gangadikal Peak Trek & Hanging Bridge
Pickups start at 7:30 PM the evening before (HSR Layout, Domlur, Cubbon Park, Mekhri Circle, Yeshwanthpur by 9:30 PM); please have dinner before boarding. We drive about 280 km overnight in a non-AC push-back seat vehicle and reach the homestay early in the morning. After breakfast, a jeep takes us to the trek base for the climb to Gangadikal peak, with the Kudremukh hanging bridge on the way back if time allows.
- 6:00 AMArrive at the homestay & freshen upReach the homestay after the overnight drive and freshen up. Stays are on shared basis, with separate zones for men and women.
- 6:15 AMBreakfast (included)A hot vegetarian breakfast at the homestay, finished by 6:45 AM. Packed lunch for the trek is handed out here.
- 7:30 AMJeep ride to the trek baseJeep ride to the trek base, where forest permits are checked and the trek leader briefs the group on the trail and safety.
- 8:30 AMStart the Gangadikal trek (a highlight)About 200 m in you are under a wet, silent forest canopy, then out onto a long stretch of rolling grassland. Expect slippery patches and leeches in the monsoon.
- 12:30 PMGangadikal summit & packed lunch (included) (a highlight)Lunch at the top with views over the Lakya Dam backwaters and the distant Kudremukh peak.
- 1:30 PMDescend to the baseWalk back down through the grassland and forest, reaching the base by about 5 PM.
- 5:15 PMKudremukh hanging bridge (if time permits)A short stop at the hanging bridge for photos, depending on the time left after the trek, then back to the homestay.
- 7:00 PMHigh tea, dinner & bonfire (included)High tea after the trek, then a hot vegetarian dinner at the homestay and a bonfire if the weather allows.
Samse Tea Estate, Kodige Falls & Return
A gentler day. Breakfast and check-out at the homestay, a walk through the Samse tea estate, then the offbeat Kodige Falls in the forest. Lunch on the way is self-sponsored, and if time permits we stop at the Chennakesava Temple in Belur before reaching Bangalore around 10 PM.
- 7:30 AMBreakfast & check-out (included)Vegetarian breakfast at the homestay, then pack up and check out.
- 9:00 AMSamse Tea Estate (a highlight)A short walk through the misty tea plantations of Samse, a good spot to unwind and take photos.
- 10:30 AMKodige Falls (a highlight)An offbeat waterfall in dense forest, best in and just after the monsoon. The waterfall permit is included; the jeep ride to the falls is paid separately.
- 1:30 PMLunch en route (self-sponsored)Lunch at a local stop on the way. Options are basic and limited. Not included in the price.
- 3:30 PMChennakesava Temple, Belur (if time permits)The 12th-century Hoysala temple, known for its intricate stone carvings and star-shaped plan.
- 5:00 PMDrive back to BangaloreHead home through the ghat roads, reaching Bangalore around 10 PM along the pickup route, depending on traffic.
What’s included
7 items · extras
Gear & extras, 7 items
- 2 breakfasts, 1 packed lunch, high tea and 1 dinner (vegetarian)
- Round-trip jeep ride to the trek base
- Trained trek leader and a local guide
- Shared homestay stay, with separate zones for men and women
- Round trip from Bangalore by non-AC tempo traveller or mini bus (by group size) with push-back seats
- Karnataka Forest Department entry fees and trek permit
- Waterfall permit for Kodige Falls
Not included, 6 items
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions
- Insurance of any kind (health, medical, life and accidental)
- Personal expenses of any kind
- Jeep ride to Kodige Falls
- Meals not listed in the inclusions, including Day 2 lunch
- GST @ 5%
Questions about this trip
What should I carry?
A soft copy of your Aadhaar or Voter ID (mandatory for the permit); a small backpack for the trek; trekking shoes with good grip; a compact raincoat or backpack cover; 2 one-litre water bottles; a lunch box and reusable cutlery for the packed lunch; extra clothes, warm layers and poly bags for wet clothes; flip-flops; a torch or headlamp; a power bank; and some cash for meals and the Kodige Falls jeep, which are not included.
How hard is the Gangadikal trek?
It is about 12 km there and back and is rated moderate: a forest section, then long, open grassland climbs, usually 6 to 8 hours including the summit break. First-timers with basic fitness can do it. In the monsoon the trail gets slippery and leeches are common, so good shoes and a little salt or a Dettol spray help.
Are trek permits included? When should I book?
Yes. Gangadikal is inside Kudremukh National Park and needs a Karnataka Forest Department permit, which is included and arranged for you along with the Kodige Falls waterfall permit. Permits are limited and sell out, so book at least two weeks ahead where you can. The trek runs only when permits are issued for your date, and the ID you carry must match the one you booked with.
What are the stay and food like?
One night at a homestay near the trailhead, on shared basis with separate zones for men and women. Facilities are comfortable but basic. All meals are vegetarian. Please have dinner before boarding on the first evening. Alcohol, intoxicants and smoking are not allowed at any point during the trip.
Is it safe to join solo or with strangers?
Yes. Most people on this trek come solo or in small groups. The group is led by a trained trek leader together with a local guide, a female trek leader accompanies every group, and sleeping areas are separate for men and women.
Read before you go
- Bandaje Falls Trek 2026: Route, Rules, Cost from BangaloreTravel Guide · 13 min read
- Karnataka Trek Online Booking 2026: Permits and RulesTravel Guide · 10 min read
- Travel Buddies in Bangalore: Find Your Weekend Crew (2026)City Guide · 13 min read
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