- From Bangalore
- 62 km · ~1.5 h
- Difficulty
- Easy–Moderate
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Altitude
- 1,450 m
- Distance
- ~8 km round trip
- Time on trail
- 3–4 hrs round trip
A ruined hill fort with a steady 1.5–2 hr climb. Sunrise slots became a quota-controlled online booking; night trekking is not allowed, so the plan is to start before dawn (slots at ~4 am and ~8 am have been reported) and be at the top by sunrise.
- Sea of clouds at sunrise
- Ruined fort and Papagni Mutt
- Combine with Nandi Hills
Permit & rules
Best time to visit
Go
Nov–Feb (mist + sea-of-clouds season)
Avoid
Mar–May (heat), peak monsoon
Wildlife
- Monkeys at the top (guard your food)
- Birds
- Snakes in undergrowth – stick to the trail
What to wear
- Warm jacket (cold and windy at 5–6 am)
- Trek shoes with grip
- Gloves/beanie in Dec–Jan
What to carry
- Headlamp for the pre-dawn start
- 1.5 L water
- Snacks (hide from monkeys)
Typical itinerary
- 2–3 am: leave Bangalore.
- 4 am: start the climb, reach by sunrise.
- 8 am: descend, breakfast near Kanivenarayanapura, optionally Nandi Hills.
Operators compared
Listed starting prices per person from Bangalore. They change by batch – confirm inclusions with the operator.
Do it yourself
Fuel + permit + breakfast. The cheapest serious trek near Bangalore.
~₹450
Indiahikes
Planning guide · Guides & planning reference (read before you book anyone)
Check price
- Included
- Free guide
- Trip experience
- Complete route guide – read this before you go.
Thrillophilia
Sunrise day trek · Marketplace – operator varies by batch, tent/homestay options
₹1,199
- Included
- Varies by operator
- Trip experience
- Marketplace – listed near Rs 1,199 (other snapshots show Rs 999 to Rs 1,186); compare inclusions.
Namma TripLowest listed
Sunrise day trek · Day and weekend batches, transport optional on some treks, forest permit sometimes excluded
₹699
- Included
- Non-AC transport from Bangalore (about Rs 210 without transport); forest pre-booking required
- Trip experience
- Cheapest listing with transport; the page asks you to pre-book the forest slot, no on-spot registration.
Backpackers United
Day trek · Friday-night bus/tempo-traveller, homestay or dorm, guide + permits usually bundled
₹1,499
- Included
- Per listing; check inclusions
- Trip experience
- Listed at Rs 1,499, shown as a discount from Rs 1,799.
BMC Adventures
One-day trek · Multiple departure days, published cancellation tiers
₹1,175
- Included
- Transport, meals, Rs 500 forest permission fee
- Trip experience
- A separate sunrise batch is listed at Rs 1,530.
Treks & Trails
Day trek · Homestay stays, per-person pricing
Check price
- Included
- See listing
- Trip experience
- Price not captured; open the page for current batches.
Local tips
- Weekday slots are much easier; book exactly when the window opens for weekends.
- The last section is scrambly – grip matters.
- Pack out every wrapper; the trail is heavily used.
Skandagiri FAQ
Do I need a permit for Skandagiri?+
Yes. Online slot booking via the Aranya Vihaara portal; slots are capped (about 150 per slot has been reported) and fill up on weekends. Small online per-person fee; see the portal.
What is the best time to trek Skandagiri?+
Nov–Feb (mist + sea-of-clouds season). Avoid: Mar–May (heat), peak monsoon.
How far is Skandagiri from Bangalore?+
About 62 km by road, roughly 1.5 hours' drive. Round-trip fuel is about ₹710 at current prices for a car-level mileage estimate.
How difficult is Skandagiri?+
Easy–Moderate, about 8 km round trip. 3–4 hrs round trip (sunrise slots).
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Information compiled from public operator listings and forest department guidance, last reviewed 2026-11-01. Fees, quotas and closures change – verify on the official portal and with the operator before you travel. Operator links are provided for comparison; we do not sell treks.