Madhugiri Fort Trek
Trek at a glance
Trek highlights
If you are looking for a day trip, a trek that doesn’t take up too much of your time, then the Madhugiri trek from Bangalore would be a great choice, as this will take less than 24 hours. All you need to do is start your day a little early, but we assure you that it will be worth your while!
- Leave Bangalore early in the morning and after breakfast, reach the trek base
- Start your climb, which should take around 2 to 2.5 hours and enjoy the vistas
- Explore the bastions, gateways, water tanks and intricate architecture on your way up or down
- At the peak, you can take a breather or capture memories and pics
- By afternoon, you will have completed your descent and be back at the base
- After a lunch enroute, you can be back in town by evening
The Madhugiri trek goes beyond being a trip to the second largest monolith in Asia after Savandurga; it is a tale of our history that goes back all the way to the late 1600s.
If you are willing to take the challenge, who knows what stories you might discover!
Trek itinerary
- Enjoy a quick breakfast en-route
- Reach the base and start the trek at 9:30am
- Reach the peak and explore
- Return to the base by 2:00pm
- Head to a local restaurant for a sumptuous lunch
- Reach Bengaluru by 6:00pm
Trek detail itinerary
Madhugiri Fort trek is only a 5.99-kilometre long trek; however, it is a trip of determination, magnificence, and never-before-seen beauty, which is split into four unique stages characterised by carefully carved stone archways.
The path starts by a scale of stairs, an easy scenic walk with far reaching views. The first thing you see is stone gateways, a magnificent bastion, erected on granite pillar. Sitting next to it, a centuries old water tank used to hold water to be used by soldiers. To reach the bastion is a short and hard climb over a slippery rocky landscape, well worth the scenery, though.
Then, there are carved stairs out of the rock. The slope becomes steeper, however, there are rails to hold the climb. Look behind you the bastion in sight and the Madhugiri town waving into the distance.
This is the hardest section and the slopes are 60-70 degrees. Majority of trekkers crawl on all fours. It is intimidating particularly to the people who are afraid of heights. However, wearing proper shoes and having a level head is not too bad, and it is very rewarding.
An indication of the final stretch comes in the form of a small stone tunnel that leads to a more gradual trail towards the summit. It is an endurance test more than a test of skill. You can go to the top to see old buildings such as the Gopalakrishna Temple, stone granaries and spooky multi-chambered rooms with light coming through the ceiling. Their significance is still a mystery but their existence is strong.
Absorb the wide sights, the hills in the backdrop and Madhugiri town in the depths like a grain of scattered puzzle. Have a good rest and go down, some sections are more difficult to go down.
Take back with you the excitement of a climb teaming with history, adventure and unsurpassed beauty as you head back to Bengaluru.
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Leave no trace policy
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Things to carry
Here is all that you will carry on this trek:
Policy and terms
All refund or cancellation requests must be submitted exclusively via email to [email protected]. Requests made by call or WhatsApp will not be accepted.
If you cancel your booking
In the event that YOU cancel your trek, this is the cancellation policy:
Cancellation Fee
10% of the total invoice
Cancellation Fee
50% of the total invoice
Cancellation Fee
100% of the total invoice
30 days or more before scheduled date
Cancellation Fee
10% of the total invoice
15–29 days before scheduled date
Cancellation Fee
50% of the total invoice
0–15 days before scheduled date
Cancellation Fee
100% of the total invoice
Last-minute cancellations on the day of or the day before trek departure
Last-minute cancellations made on the day of trek departure or the day before are not eligible for a refund or rescheduling, regardless of the reason (such as work commitments, family emergencies, or health).
Reschedule your booking on the day of trek departure
Should you choose to postpone your booking to a future date, an additional fee of ₹1500 per person will be incurred. This postponement option is valid for a period of 3 months from your original trek departure date.
Aranya Vihara treks and permits
Permit fees for treks obtained under Aranya Vihara are non-refundable in the event of customer cancellation.
If plan the unplanned cancel your booking
In the event that WE postpone or cancel your trek, this is the cancellation policy:
During or after the trek
In the event of severe weather or other safety concerns, we may shorten a trek day or abandon the trek entirely. No refunds will be issued in such circumstances, as your safety is our top priority.
Prior to the trek
If we cancel a trek due to natural disasters (such as rainstorm, flood, landslide, earthquake) or unanticipated political disturbances (such as curfews, local riots, government orders, forest department directives), Plan The Unplanned will issue a voucher for the full value of your ticket. Please note that payment gateway charges will be deducted from this refund.
Insufficient reservations
If we cancel a trek due to insufficient reservations or lack of participants for a specific batch, a refund of 96% of the trek money will be issued. Please note that payment gateway charges will be deducted from this refund.
Trek guidelines
To ensure everyone has a great time and knows what to expect, please read these important points:
No alcohol or smoking
For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, please don’t consume alcohol, intoxicants, or smoke at any point during the journey or trek.
Dinner before boarding
Kindly complete your dinner before you board the bus.
Travel arrangements
We’ll arrange transportation based on our group size. If there are 12 or fewer of us, we’ll use a tempo traveler. For groups of 13 or more, it’ll be a mini-bus. Both options are non-AC and have push-back seats for your comfort. We appreciate your understanding regarding our travel logistics.
"Without Travel" option
If you prefer to arrange your own transportation to the destination (the homestay), be sure to book the “Without Travel” option when you sign up. Please note: If you select this, you’ll need a private car for your entire trip. Public transport won’t work, as our Day 2 activities begin directly from the homestay and require continuous private car access to ensure you can fully participate in all planned activities.
Embrace the outdoors
Our trips are about getting out into nature, often in remote locations. Please don’t expect luxury accommodations; we focus on providing comfortable basic facilities.
Food provided
We’ll provide basic, vegetarian meals. We do not serve non-vegetarian food.
Leave no trace policy
Please help us keep our beautiful outdoors clean by disposing of all litter properly.
Personal belongings
You are responsible for your personal belongings, valuables, and jewelry. Plan The Unplanned is not liable for any lost items.
Potential delays
While we strive to be on schedule, please be aware that traffic delays or vehicle breakdowns can sometimes occur, leading to slight delays in reaching our destination.
FAQs
You’ll get an event heads-up email by Thursday of the trip week. It includes:
- Exact pickup points with timings
- Your Outdoor Leader’s name and phone number
- A quick list of do’s & don’ts
Tickets
With Travel - Bangalore
₹ 1,399/-
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