Bandaje Falls Trek via Ballarayana Durga Fort
Starts From
₹ 2999/-
About The Trip
Trekking in the Chikmagalur district is a great feeling. But the Bandaje Falls trek? It is a whole other universe!
Rather than walking on concrete roads, you get to traverse rugged paths, dip your feet in refreshing waters, and then walk barefoot in grass. Just like nature (and your wellness coach) intended.
Instead of looking at the wallpaper of your laptop, gaze at the sunset colours that nature paints for you and only you!
From the heart of Bangalore city, Plan The Unplanned will transport you to a wonderland that will get your vibe back. Whether you are on a solo trip of self-discovery or want to reconnect with your band of friends, this trek is a bold first step.
You will get to see everything from carpets of green to twinkling starry skies; from cascading waterfalls to forts that tell tales of a time gone by. This trek will allow you to explore a relatively less-explored part of Karnataka. As you spend two days taking in the sights and sounds, we hope to offer you a chance to rejuvenate your mind and refresh your body. We guarantee that you will return to your old life, a whole new person!
Trek highlights
Life in Bangalore can become quite hectic, quite easily. But believe us when we say, getting a chance to unwind is easier than you think. For instance, the Bandaje Arbi trek is a great way to spend a weekend, away from the chaos of the city, while reconnecting with nature and yourself.
- Start by trekking up to the Bandaje Falls, where you can dip your toes and savour your lunch
- Walk up to the once glorious Ballarayanadurga Fort and rediscover a forgotten past
- Take in the sights, the deafening silence, and let the calm wash over you
- Kick back at a cosy homestay with delicious food, bonfire and endless conversations
- Begin day 2 with a scrumptious breakfast and a trek to Ermayi Falls to relax and rejuvenate
- A hearty lunch awaits you at the local homestay, before you head back
Treks like the ones at Plan The Unplanned are curated to not only give you a chance to escape the monotony of daily life, but also reconnect with yourself. So, take a breather, give yourself that break!
Chasing Waterfalls: Exploring Bandaje's Beauty
Price
Tickets
₹ 4199/-
₹ 2999/-
Starting From : INR 3199/-
INR 2999/-
per person
22
Tickets
₹ 4199/-
₹ 2999/-
Download PDF
Brief Itinerary
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
Exclusions
Pickup Points
Detail Itinerary
Meals Not Included | (Self-sponsored Dinner)
Private Vehicle | (Tempo Traveller/Mini-bus with pushback seats)
Stay Not Applicable
Details
Your journey to Sunkasale begins at Bengaluru when you are lost in the star-studded sky, with the city lights fading in the background. With excitement in the air, we begin with a few ice-breaking sessions - the best way to get to know your fellow trekkers and unwind from the long weekday stress. As the night lingers on, it’s best to settle down and fall into a short slumber - allowing your bodies and minds to get that much needed rest. Enjoy the calm and relax as we arrive at our start point for an exhilarating adventure ahead.
Breakfast | (1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner, High Tea and Snacks)
Private Vehicle
Homestay | (Multiple sharing basis separate for men and women Doms / Rooms / Tents)
Details
The magnificent Ballarayanadurga Fort is situated at the altitude of 1509 meters and snuggled in the verdant folds of Western Ghats. When you hike up, it is not that you are walking down a trail but you are literally running after a little history that overlooks the little snoozing town of Sunkasale. And when you eventually get to the top, the feeling is like the panoramic view is a well deserved prize. It is calm, windy and drenched in golden sunlight, the sunsets are almost movie-like.
After we have had our fill of the silence and the landscape we descend to the mystical Bandaje Falls or Bandaje Arbi, as it is called locally. This 200 feet plunge is a surprising one hidden in the middle of Charmadi Ghat. The waterfall flows down the slopes and winds along the untouched nature till it is met by the Netravati river. Clean, raw and incredibly serene is one of those places in which nature likes to display itself.
We go back to the base after some cool bath and moments at the falls. As the sun sets behind the hills, we arrive at our homestay and wait to feel good and have a good dinner. Music, laughter, and a cracking bonfire will follow throughout the night and complete a day full of stories, trails and magic of nature.
Bandaje Homestay
Breakfast, Lunch
Details
The day starts with a very healthy breakfast at 8:30am. Now that we are fueled up it is time to put on our shoes and head towards our last adventure Ermayi falls.
The 4 km hike to the falls is filled with the lush green nature, the chirping birds and the expectation of something mystic at the end of the hike. And sure enough, Ermayi does not fail but instead it is a grand five-tiered waterfall flowing down into a peaceful pool of water. Depending on the safety of the situation and whether the trek leader permits, you may also get an opportunity to take a dip.
We will then come back to the local homestay where we can enjoy a generous local lunch after having relaxed at the falls. It is one of those meals that you enjoy after a day outside in the wilderness.
It is not easy to say goodbye, and the best thing is? That is not all. It is only the start of plenty of more routes we will discover together. Watch out for our future treks, we would love to see you again.
Things To Carry
✅ Soft copy of your Aadhaar or Voter ID (mandatory for permits)
✅ Lunch box and reusable cutlery to carry your packed lunch
✅ Small backpack to carry your essentials during the trek
✅ Extra cash for any meals not covered in your itinerary
✅ A comfortable pair of trekking shoes with good grip
✅ Compact raincoat or backpack cover to stay dry
✅ Power bank and charging cable for your phone
✅ Portable chargers for other electronics
✅ Flip-flops for lazing around the campsite
✅ Torch or headlamp for visibility at night
✅ Extra pairs of clothes to change into
✅ Poly bags to pack your wet clothes
✅ Warm layers and jackets
✅ 2x one litre water bottle
Policy and Terms
In the event that YOU cancel your trek, this is the cancellation policy we follow:
| Intimation Period | Cancellation Fee |
| 7 Days or more | 10% of the total invoice value |
| 3-6 days before the trek date | 50% of the total invoice value |
| 0-2 days before the trek date | 100% of the total invoice value |
- *Intimation Period means the number of days before the tour is scheduled to start
- **Cancellation Fee is the amount of money that will be deducted from the total billing amount before offering the refund.
- Refund/Cancellation requests are accepted only by email at [email protected] and not via call or Whatsapp.
NOTE:
- There will be no consideration given to cancellations on the day of departure or the day before due to work/family emergencies, health issues, etc., and no refund or transfer to alternative dates will be permitted for the same.
- You would be required to pay an additional fee of RS 1500 if you wanted to postpone your trek and cancel on the day of departure. This is only available for 3 months after the departure date of the actual trip.
- If you cancel the trek at any time (in addition to the scenario stated above), additional fees will be collected (depending on where you made your booking) as payment gateway/event listing fees.
The following is our cancellation policy in the unlikely event that we have to postpone your trek:
During and After the Trek: In the event of severe weather, taking the trekkers' safety into consideration, a day may be shortened or the trek may be abandoned entirely. There will never be a refund of any kind.
Prior to the trek: Make a plan in the event that a trek is canceled due to a natural disaster (such as a rainstorm, flood, landslide, earthquake, or unanticipated political disturbance, curfews, local riots, government orders, or directives from the forest department). A VOUCHER for the full value of your ticket will be issued by The Unplanned.
If we have to cancel your trek because there aren't enough reservations for that particular batch or we don't have enough participants, PLAN THE UNPLANNED will refund you 96% of the trek money ( Payment Gateway charges shall be deducted )
FAQ's
Additional Information
In order to make this a smooth and enjoyable process for all involved we ask that you read and follow the below guidelines:
- Prohibited items: For the safety and comfort of all, the use of alcohol, intoxicants, or smoking is not allowed at any point during the journey and trek.
- Meals before departure: If you have opted for the “With Travel” option, we request you to complete your dinner before boarding the bus, as no dinner will be provided en route.
- Travel arrangements: Transport is arranged based on the group size but both options have push-back seats for your comfort. Non-AC tempo traveller for groups of up to 12 trekkers. And a non-AC minibus for groups of 13 and more.
- Pre-departure meals: In case you have chosen the “With Travel” option, we ask you to please complete your dinner before getting on the bus as no dinner will be served during the bus journey.
- Independent travel: If you prefer to arrange your own private transportation to the destination, be sure to choose the "Without Travel" option in the booking page. Important: In this case, please ensure you have access to a private car for the entire duration of the trip. Public transport is limited and unreliable given the remote locations. While your scheduled activities start at the homestay, you will need to have your own mode of private transport to move around and participate in the activities on day two.
- Accommodation standards: Our trips are nature-focused and often in remote locations. The accommodations provided are basic, clean and comfortable. We do not promise or organise luxury amenities.
- Meals provided: We offer simple vegetarian meals throughout the trip. Non-vegetarian food will not be provided.
- Environmental responsibility: We follow a strict Leave No Trace policy in accordance with the rules of the Forest Department. While plastic is not allowed, everyone is expected to carry any and all waste back to the base and carefully dispose of it. Together, let’s leave the hills better than we found them.
- Your personal belongings: You are solely responsible for your personal belongings, valuables, and jewelry. Plan The Unplanned is not liable for any lost or damaged items.
- Delays and unforeseen events: While we aim to be on schedule, delays may occur due to traffic or vehicular issues beyond our control. We request your cooperation in case of slight delays in reaching our destination.
Starting From : INR 3199/-
INR 2999/-
per person
22
( From 20th Dec 2025 to 2nd Jan 2026)
Tickets
₹ 4199/-
₹ 2999/-
Download PDF
Reviews
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Bandaje Falls Trek via Ballarayana Durga Fort
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