Bandaje Falls — Attraction in Karnataka

This is for may 8th 2025 bandaje falls trek via volambra, a detailed review of this beautiful n worth visiting hard trek (20km)

We started with booking d tickets online 2 days prior to the trek and yes no slots were filled coz very less trek during this time of summer and most of them prefer the Chikmagalur way, we thought of going by valambra from dakshina Kannada as it was nearer for us being from Mangalore and left our house at 5.45 am in d morning.

We reached the destination at 8 having breakfast in belthangady. The place is easy to navigate using map which was gowder mane home which is a private property. The forest office called us when we reached there and asked us to wait for him. The owner of the gowder mane will tell u about the guide who will take 1.5k or he can give us a map for 500 by downloading the app- gpx viewer. We thought of going by the map as it was cheaper and seemed to be accurate with the satellite view and a guide did not show up there. So yes that's how it will be, either you take another route and not come here becoz jus he would charge u for the app which is simply charge for nothing, but helpful as it tracks u on gps, so stick to this route.

If you take another route possibly you can take ur vehicles to the starting point. The forest officer met us on d way to start, it starts with a small village of few houses and the forest office dropped us on his bike there and asked us not to take much stop as it is 8km one way n chances or missing, this was more than expected, after all this we started at 8.30 am. Both the gowder mane owner and forest office said this is d actual trek from south canara district and trekkers r supposed to take this n not from Chikmagalur which was not open as well in this month of May which was relieving, as many don't prefer this as the trek is real hard.

It is a dense forest. Don't worry about d sun even during the peak of summer in May as you will hardly get any spots where you see actual sunlight hitting you. The initial path will allow you to hike through the forest n few dry streams untill you reach a bigger stream where you can rest a bit n fill up ur bottles. Next is when you will be greeted with the actual monster of the trek, yes I am referring to the leaches! yes guys do not underestimate even if it is summer there are tons of blood sucking leaches which keeps running towards your legs. cover your legs if you don't want to die of leach bites, they are throughout the forest till you reach the grasslands. we were actually not ready for this n got bitten by nearly 30-50 leaches till we reached the top.

This trek mostly has a steep mountain so u need to trek upside most of the time allowing few plain areas. Wear comfortable shoes n yes cover up nicely to protect against the monsters coz yes even though it was tough we could not stop due to monster attacks throughout. Guys if this your first trek do not go for this, I repeat do not. it is harder than you expect. Not for the beginners at all.

We reached the grasslands at 11.50 and were happy coz we crossed it soon n took break we had got but next was even tougher . Its quite sunny in d grasslands. Since this was also constant upward and filled with stone way it will test your energy and stamina at this time. You could see the waterfalls from here. But u need to trek for 2 hrs more to reach the waterfalls. we had our lunch on d way. There is a steep downward patch jus before the waterfalls. So be very cautious.

Reaching the waterfalls is a real pleasure as you are welcomed by cold water which refreshes you. So spend some time here the edge is scary n beautiful at the same time n worth seeing.

This trek had jus started for d year, so we found no other trekkers here, no animals seen but it seems to have elephants as we found traces and forest officer asked us not to go forward if we encounter any animal.

U r tired when you start your downward journey. At the top you could see gadai kall and almost all other peaks, it's peaceful.

We reach bottom at 6 the starting point, the map is real help,...

Dont go to trek by seeing Instagram posts or YouTube videos the expectation will not match each other. According to the season uh need to go.It's a wonderful place only when their is water up their and if it's covered from mist it is good to trek other wise it is not worth it . There are two ways to go to the top one is the toughest one which is around 8kms which start from valambara homestay and the other one from ballalarayana fort this one is around 6kms is the moderate one. the one which we have trekked is the toughest one and it was a sunny day there is no entry after 10 am. Uh need to go before 10am to start the trek per person cost is 500rs offline tickets are available at the place. We started the trek at 12 30pm which was our first mistake and we choose to start it from valambara homestay which is the toughest one. we had to request to the forest officers to let us trek at that time usually it is not allowed to start the trek at 12 30 but we requested and started it. The second mistake which we made was to carry less amount of water. We were 4 people and we only carried 2 litres of water. The minimum amount of water uh need to take is 2litres/person if uh are climbing from this way. If uh have enough budget then it's better to take a guide but if ur students like us then uh can go by ur own😂. We reached the top at 4 30pm it took us 4hrs to climb because we had less water. And we reached the peak at 4 30pm we stayed there till 5 15pm and started to descend as soon as we entered into the forest it started raining. And as people say there are many elephants up it is true if u will not reach the base by 6pm then it will be issue for ur safety. We were lucky enough to come back safely we reached back at 8 30pm it was quite late but as I mentioned we were lucky and we saw a group elephants while coming down as it was raining heavily. It looked like the elephants didn't see us. If you are trekking for the first time then it's better that uh guys start the trek before 10am and please carry minimum of 2litres/person of water and also some chocolates and eatble to eat uh will be hungry once uh reach the top. If uh are late than uh can start the trek from ballalrayan fort which will usually be open 4pm. It was a lifetime adventures trek for us as we had prior experience we took the risk uh guys don't take it. Around 30 to 40 leaches bit each one of us we didn't plan so we didn't take salt and Dettol it's better if uh guys carry it if uh are...

My recent trek to Bandaje Falls was an unforgettable adventure, blending the thrill of trekking with the serenity of nature. Nestled in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, Bandaje Falls offers a perfect escape for nature lovers and trekking enthusiasts.

The trek begins in the lush forests, where the trail winds through dense vegetation, offering a rich variety of flora and fauna. The journey is challenging, with steep ascents and rocky paths, but the stunning views and the crisp, fresh air make every step worthwhile. As you trek, the sounds of nature surround you, creating a peaceful and immersive experience.

The highlight of the trek is, of course, the majestic Bandaje Falls. As you approach, the roar of the cascading water grows louder, building anticipation. The sight of the waterfall is nothing short of spectacular, with water plunging down from a great height, creating a misty veil that glistens in the sunlight. The pool at the base of the falls is inviting, offering a refreshing dip for weary trekkers.

One of the most memorable aspects of the trek is the panoramic view from the top of the falls. The vast expanse of the valley below, combined with the unspoiled beauty of the surrounding hills, provides a breathtaking backdrop that is perfect for photography or simply soaking in the natural beauty.

The Bandaje Falls trek is moderately challenging, requiring good physical fitness and stamina. However, the rewards far outweigh the effort. The combination of dense forests, rocky trails, and the stunning waterfall makes this trek a must-do for anyone seeking adventure and a deep connection with nature.

Overall, the Bandaje Falls trek is an exhilarating and enriching experience. It's an adventure that tests your limits and rewards you with unforgettable memories. I highly recommend this trek to anyone looking for a challenging yet incredibly rewarding...