New Year Nethravathi Peak Trek
About The Trip
Let’s Hike to a Place Where Nethravathi River Takes Birth and peaks Play Hide and Seek.
Ask ten experienced trekkers about their best hiking experience in the steamy Western Ghats, and they will nominate a trek in the Kudremukha National Park. Such is the elegance of this region. Hidden for many years in the shadow of other trails – like Bandaje Falls trek, Kurinjal Peak trek and Kudremukha trek – Nethravathi trek recently got into the limelight. And there has been no stopping ever since.
Combine sanctity, adventure, playfulness, scenery, purity, mythology and bliss – you will probably get 1% of what the Nethravathi trek is about. Here, mountains play hide and seek, voices of birds preclude you from moving, water streams gurgle anecdotes, the Nethravathi river boasts of its capabilities, and clouds rise only to fall back into the valley. These abstract truths are waiting to unfold, but ssh… you ought to remain subdued and observe – mountains will communicate with you!
On an approximately 12 km trail, you will come across two water streams, many waterfalls (depending on the season), dense forest sections, open grasslands, and armpits of the Western Ghats existing in dankness on lustrous grasslands' surface. The last stream you will encounter while ascending is the Nethravathi River.
According to locals, the river was first discovered by sages living in Dharmasthala, who came on this trek to collect the holy water. This river flows through the famous pilgrimage place Dharmasthala and is considered one of the sacred rivers in India. In another tale, it is believed that Lord Almighty, in His embodiment as Varaha protected the land immersed in floods by raising it. Relieved, the land in the state of bliss shed happy tears and the same is considered as Nethravathi’s birth. The renowned Bandaje Falls, on Bandaje and Ballalarayana Durga trek, is formed by a tributary of the Nethravathi River.
Once in a while, you should go to a place where land meets the sky, life sparkles, and your learnings are accentuated. In our dictionary, the Nethravathi trek fulfils all these criteria, giving you all the reasons to go on this joyous trek. On a two-day adventure, you will visit Hanging Bridge and witness the architectural marvel at Chennakeshava temple in the Belur. With all enthusiasm, we invite you on the Nethravathi trek. Check out the itinerary and join us on our next adventure.
Trip Highlights
- Trek 12 km to reach the Nethravathi Peak.
- Absorb the natural scenery where clouds rise from the valley like souls rising to heaven.
- Click awesome photos on Kalasa Hanging Bridge.
- Walk on the trail where the Nethravathi river takes birth and sweeps the land.
- Canopy walk in the Western Ghats.
- Come across two water streams, waterfalls, dense forest sections and open grasslands.
- Visit the famous Chennakeshava Temple in Belur in Hassan district.
- Have an adventurous jeep ride from the homestay to the trek base.
Price
Brief Itinerary
Day 0
- Depart from Bangalore starting at 9:00 PM (approx)
Day 1
- Freshen up and finish breakfast by 6:45 AM (approx)
- Take a jeep ride to the trek base from homestay (30-40 minutes)
- Start the trek by around 7:30 AM (approx)
- Lunch at the peak
- Descend and reach back to the base by 5:30 PM (tentative)
- Dinner. Light up sky lanterns.
- Retire for the night
Day 2
- Freshen up and breakfast
- Visit Kalasa Hanging Bridge
- Visit Belur Temple
- En-route stop for lunch (self-sponsored)
- Reach Bangalore by 10:00 PM (approx)
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
Exclusions
Pickup Points
Detail Itinerary
Meals Not Applicable | (No Dinner break)
Private Vehicle | (Non-AC ( Push Back Seats ))
Stay Not Applicable | (Multiple sharing basis separate for men and women Doms / Rooms / Tents)
Details
We will start our journey to Samse from Bangalore. It is at a distance of 320 km from Bangalore and can take a maximum of 7 hours. All of us will board the bus late in the evening and spend our night on the journey. As you will meet strangers and have a few doubts about mingling, we will make a balanced entry to make your night young and exciting. Our experienced trek leaders will briefly summarise the trip and indulge you in games head-on. We encourage you to leave your comfort zone and make the best of this opportunity to interact with your fellow mates.
After finishing the introduction session, we will retire for the night and rest warmly.
All Meals
Trek | (Non-AC ( Push Back Seats ))
Homestay
Details
We will reach Samse early at around 5:30 am. After refreshing and having breakfast, our trek leads will again brief you about various segments on the trail and indulge you in a warm-up session.
Later, we will head towards the trek base in a jeep. The trek base is 14 km from the homestay. Be aware that this jeep ride is not very comfortable – nevertheless fun – as you will be standing in a carrier while the vehicle manoeuvres rugged terrain and muddy roads while crossing tea, banana and areca plantations along with forests and ponds.
After 20 minutes, we will reach the forest department. Here we will wait for some time for formalities. The forest guards might check our belongings for plastic. Hence, it is advised to carry no plastic on the trail. Even if you are having it, be responsible and bring everything back.
Note: Camera and Drones will be charged extra (self-sponsored). PTU will handle other expenses like local guides' and permit fees.
Segment 1: Base to crossing the two-tiered waterfalls and dense forest section.
The Nethravathi Trek is located in Kudremukh National Park and stands at a humbled elevation of 1520 m. The trek will start with a steep elevation but soon flatten out after 1 km of ascent through a rocky section. Fortunately, You will soon come across the first waterfall after 1.5 km of ascent from the base. Crossing the initial dense forest section, we will quickly start seeing the grasslands opening up on the left. Keep walking; you will see an open area to relax.
Segment 2: Nethravathi River to Grasslands
Search for the right, which is slightly obscured. As you walk, you will start hearing the sound of a stream. This is the Nethravathi River. Although the stream's visibility depends on the season, you will listen to the sound of it.
The best part of the Netravathi trek is that you will never get bored. The terrains keep switching, the mountains keep playing hide and seek, and the waterfalls refresh your soul.
You have almost covered 4 km until now. Come out of the forest section, and land into the magical world of grasslands. From here, the steep section begins.
Segment 3: Crossing False Peaks and steep sections to reach the peak.
You will see the peak, but contrary to our fortune, this is just a false peak. The mountains from here will start playing with your mind. As you cross one jumbo peak, the other two will open up. But again, these are just false peaks. Keep climbing on the ridge.
Soon, this game will end, and you, as a player, will win. On your left, check out the valley of clouds. You will find the clouds here playing the climbing and falling game. In a second, they will rise; in another second, they will precipitate.
The entire panorama is a treat to your soul, with majestic peaks on all sides, covered with shiny grass and pits of trees highlighting the surface. It feels like heaven.
On a clear day, the Kudremukh Peak is visible from Nethravathi Peak and vice-versa. It is 15 km away from Nethravathi Peak.
Spend some time, have lunch, and then retrace on the same track. You will be able to descend in much less time. Just pray it doesn't rain. It takes approximately 1.5 hours to descend to the base. After you return, the jeep will be assigned to you for your journey back to the homestay. We will reach the homestay by 5 pm.
At the homestay, relax and take a good bath. We will serve you snacks, play games around the bonfire, and have conversations; after dinner, we will cherish the new year that lies ahead of us by lighting sky lanterns and later retire for the night.
Breakfast
Trek
Stay Not Applicable
Details
The next day will begin with a healthy and tasty breakfast, after which we will start our journey to Kalasa Hanging Bridge. The bridge is on our way to Bengaluru; hence we will pack our stuff, keep that on the bus and not come back.
On the way, we will stop for lunch.
Afterwards, we will visit Chennakesava Temple in Belur, in Hassan District. The temple was constructed in the 12th century and took almost 103 years. Over the years, it has undergone destruction, reconstruction, damage and correction. But then, tourists also find surprises in its architecture, sculptures, reliefs, friezes, and iconography.
After a short while, we will start our journey back. On the way, you will still be reminiscing about the moments. You can sit and watch the passing scenery or play games.
Later in the evening, we will take a pit stop. At around 10 pm, we will reach our destination and part away.
We know it's difficult to cut the chatters just when we start to open up. But that's why we have other appealing treks lined up. We also organise backpacking tours, international trips and trekking in the Himalayas and other parts of India. We bid each other goodbyes with heavy hearts, only to meet again. Until next time, care to check other itineraries, stay connected and ring us soon.
Check out the complete guide for Netravati Trek here.
Things To Carry
- Soft Copy of your Aadhar/Voter ID (Mandatorily required for permits)
- Small backpack to carry your essentials during the trek
- Power Bank
- Warm Layer
- Water bottles – 2 (1 litre each)
- Lunch Box & Spoon to carry your packed lunch
- Raincoat/Bag covers in case of rains
- A comfortable pair of shoes with good grip for trekking
- Flip-flops for lazing around the campsite
- Torch/Headlamp to be used at night
- Portable chargers for your electronics
- Extra pair of clothes to change into once wet
- Polybags to pack your wet clothes
- Extra cash for meals not included in the itinerary
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.
The payment gateway fees will be deducted from any refunds that are granted.
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 )
Additional Information
- Consumption of alcohol, intoxicants and smoking would not be tolerated during the entire course of the journey and the trek. Kindly co-operate with us to make the experience more fun.
- Depending on the group size, the group would travel in a tempo traveller/mini bus.
If the group size is 12 or less, it will be a tempo traveller; if the group size is 13 or more, it will be a mini bus.
Push back seats would be available on the Tempo Traveller/Mini Bus.
If you are not at ease, please select Without Travel and travel to your destination by private car.
We ask for your cooperation and understanding regarding the travel arrangements. - Do not expect any luxuries on the trip. The locations that we host are at remote places and we do our best to arrange the basic facilities. The goal is to be outdoors.
- The Food that shall be provided will be Basic Veg Food. We do not serve Non-Veg Food.
- Put Litter in its place, do not trash your travel.
- Plan The Unplanned shall not be responsible for any of your belongings, valuables, jewellery etc. Kindly do take care.
- In the case of traffic delays or breakdowns, expect a little delay in reaching the destination.
From : INR 5500/-
INR 4899/-
per person
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New Year Nethravathi Peak Trek
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