Brief Description
The Kumara Parvatha Trek is considered as one of the toughest treks in the Coorg region of Karnataka. Also known as Pushparigi trek, this trek is quite famous amongst trekking enthusiasts and usually includes an overnight stay in the hills. Located in the western ghats, the Kumara Parvatha Trek (KP) at a height of 1712M is the second highest peak in Coorg. As a part of the gorgeous Pushpagiri range of the Western Ghats, the Kumara Parvatha is abundant in beauty, rich flora and luxuriant jungles. A perfect weekend trek for anyone looking to enter the world of trekking and experience the beauty of western ghats. Kumara Parvatha total trekking distance is 28 km. This trek is ideal for those who wish to enter the world of trekking and learn campsite basics and enjoy the wilderness. It will also help you prepare for your future Himalayan treks while presenting the unique diversity of the alluring Western Ghats. When it comes to treks in South India, the Kumara Parvatha Trek is of a moderate level difficulty meaning it needs a good fitness level and endurance to successfully undertake this trek. Stay on the page for more information - Kumara Parvatha trek itinerary, photos, and videos. Scroll to the end to read some amazing Kumara Parvatha Trek blogs.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Show complete Itinerary
Drive from Bangalore to Kukke Subramanya- 280 Kms
We start by 9 PM from common pick up points - Malleshwaram (near KC General Hospital), Rajajinagar (Metro Station - Tata Motors Showroom), Yeshwanthpur (Govardhan Theater) and Jalahalli (Bureau of Indian Standards) in Bangalore and reach Kukke Subramanya by early hours of Saturday.
Trek starts from Kukke Subramanya temple- 16 Kms.
After having breakfast, start the trek by 10 am. The first quarter of the trek is through thick forest. You need to be fit to cover this trek comfortably due to the fact that the trail is a continuous ascent. After trekking through the woods for around 6 km, the trail opens into a grassland ascending slightly for another kilometre until it reaches Bhattara Mane (Bhatt’s House). You can stop here for food and water, and make use of restrooms. There are no public toilets after this point. A short distance from the cottage is the forest office where you need to take permission at a cost of INR 250 per person for trekking and camping. The flat grassland is perfect for setting up tents. Trekkers usually camp nearby for the night, as camping beyond this point is prohibited. Another option for lodging is Bhatt’s House – you can seek shelter for the night in his front yard as well.
Trek from Battru mane to Kukke Subramanya- 10 Kms.
Start trekking to peak by 5.00-6.00 am as it’s a long day today. You can leave your equipment at the forest office and collect it while returning. You slowly gain altitude as you start trekking. After walking for about an hour through the plains, the trail reaches Kallu Mandapa, a pavilion of sorts, next to a stream on the right side. This is the last source of water until the peak so fill water here. Then the trail descends to a few hundred metres, before ascending once again, scaling the Shesh Parvatha. The hike uphill is steep, and the toughest part of the entire journey. The trail is clear and visible, and cuts across boulders, gaining altitude steadily for around 5 km. There is dense forest to the left, and a sheer drop to the right. Reaching Shesha Parvatha from the forest office takes 5-6 hours. On reaching Shesha Parvatha, the trail begins to descend again., for about 200-300 meters, towards the final summit. Now begins the territory of high-altitude forests, silent and misty in the morning. Keep an eye out for cobras on this part of the trail. The descent ends in a smallish clearing, which used to be a popular camping point earlier, and is a good spot to take a short break. The next, and final, part of the journey is all uphill, coursing past huge boulders along the way. Eventually, you will arrive in front of a tall, completely vertical rock face. The trail picks up from the left of this wall, and leads to the top of it, winding through rocky terrain again. This is followed by a short walk through a meadow which leads to the summit. This is a good place to have lunch and sit for a while, before beginning the walk back down along the same route. Plan to start your descent latest by 1.30 pm. It takes 3-4 hours to return to the forest office, and 2.5 hours more to get to the base. Take an overnight journey to Bangalore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pick your question
Eligibility: Experience required
Since it is a beginner’s trek, you need no special prior experience. Although one is required to have mental preparedness and stamina before he begins the trek. Running exercise is recommended.
Eligibility: Fitness benchmark
1. Jog/Run for 3 Kms in 30 mins and
2. Hold your breath for 20 seconds
If you are not meeting these benchmarks, please use the preparation schedule to improve your fitness till you achieve the above benchmarks.
Eligibility: Requisite Skills
1. How to choose a right rucksack: It is essential that you choose a right rucksack for the trek since you are going to carry it all the time while trekking. Make sure you don’t make these common mistakes while buying a rucksack.
2. How to pack a rucksack: Trekking in mountains become more fun when your rucksack is well-organized. It also makes it easier for you to carry without being much load on your shoulders. Follow the guidelines on how to pack a rucksack.
Eligibility: Requisite Skills
1. How to choose a right rucksack: It is essential that you choose a right rucksack for the trek since you are going to carry it all the time while trekking. Make sure you don’t make these common mistakes while buying a rucksack.
2. How to pack a rucksack: Trekking in mountains become more fun when your rucksack is well-organized. It also makes it easier for you to carry without being much load on your shoulders. Follow the guidelines on how to pack a rucksack.
Eligibility: Requisite Skills
1. How to choose a right rucksack: It is essential that you choose a right rucksack for the trek since you are going to carry it all the time while trekking. Make sure you don’t make these common mistakes while buying a rucksack.
2. How to pack a rucksack: Trekking in mountains become more fun when your rucksack is well-organized. It also makes it easier for you to carry without being much load on your shoulders. Follow the guidelines on how to pack a rucksack.
Packing List: What to pack
Click here for packing list.
Packing List: How should I pack my rucksack?
Packing List: How should I select my trekking shoe?
About the activity: Why should I go for this trek?
Kumara Parvatha Trek
The Kumara Parvatha trek is a must do a trek of the western ghats. The beautiful lush green trail along with a few waterfalls on the way make this trek heavenly. The trek takes 2 days to complete. The Kumara Parvatha trek peak is one of the highest peaks in the Coorg region and gives the trekker's a birds-eye view of the towns and the villages below. The trek is a great way to start exploring the world of trekking as it provides a perfect start to your adventure journey.Best Season: What are the best months to visit this trek?
Kumara Parvatha trek best time is in the post-monsoon season i.e is September to February.
Connectivity: How to Reach the base of the trek & how to go back from the end point?
Pick-ups and drop-offs will be organized from Bangalore to Kukke Subramanya.
Connectivity: What is the cellular network connectivity for this trek?
Intermittent to lack of cellular network during the trek.
Nearby attraction: What are the nearby attractions that I can explore?
With the beautiful temple of Kukke Subramanya, the rich Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary and the breathtaking hill station of Coorg known as the Scotland of India, the Kumara Parvatha Trek gives you the chance to enjoy these splendid locations.
Accommodation: What will be the accommodation type in this trek?
Accommodation on trek days is in tents on a twin sharing basis.
Age limit: What is the minimum & maximum age limit?
The minimum age limit is 9 years. However, minors aged between 9 to 17 should be accompanied with their parents or guardians. If you are above the age of 60, kindly carry a medical certificate from your doctor that deem you fit for adventure activities like trekking.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of tents and sleeping bags will be provided to us?
We use four-season Gipfel tents and sleeping bags. If you carry your own sleeping bag, you will get a cashback reward, provided that you inform us as soon as you have booked your trek.
Equipment and facilities: Are there any washroom/toilet facilities on the trek?
Toilet tents will be provided to you on the trek.These are portable toilets tents where a deep pit will be dug. A shovel will be provided inside the tent to cover the waste after you have made your business. You can take a toilet roll inside. Make sure you dig used toilet paper along with the waste. Though water is recommended in place of toilet paper. Please refrain from using wet wipes as they are non-biodegradable. There will be no facility for bathing on the trek. Go through our blog section for tips on how to maintain personal hygiene on treks.
Equipment and facilities: If we trek in snow, what equipment will you provide?
There will be no snow on this trek.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of food will be provided for the trek?
Vegetarian food will be served throughout the trek. The only non-vegetarian item served on our treks are eggs. Our kitchen staff follows a proper menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner which has been designed in order to fulfil the nutritional requirements of the participants. There will be milk, poha, eggs, muesli/corn flakes, bread and butter served for breakfast. Rice or simple roti sabzi will be packed for lunch. In dinner, you will have dal, egg curry or any other vegetarian dish along with rice, roti, and a dessert item. Packed lunch will be provided to you on the days you are trekking. You are requested to carry your own tiffin box and a mug to consume food. The meals consumed on journey and arrival day are not included in our cost.
Equipment and facilities: What equipment can I rent from you?
You can rent following items from us- Trekking Pole, Trekking Shoes, Fleece Jacket, Rucksack
Weather conditions: When will there be snow on this trek?
There will be no snow on the trek.
Weather conditions: What will the temperatures be like during this trek?
Summers will be hot with temperatures ranging between 30 deg celsius during the day to 15 deg celsius at night. The post-monsoon season is the best time when the days will be pleasant and nighty will be cooler with 10 deg celsius.
Miscellaneous : Is there an option to offload my backpack?
No, there is no option to offload your backpack.
Miscellaneous : Is the trekking pole necessary?
No, trekking pole is not necessary.
Miscellaneous : Who will lead us on the trek?
A team of participant will be led by a course certified trek leader and a local guide. All participants are requested to abide by what their leader says. There will also be a team of kitchen staff and porters on the trek. We maintain 1:8 ratio of trek leader and participants. All our trek leaders and staff have a certified training in first-aid and rescue operation.
Miscellaneous : Are there any local stores/shops from where I can shop trekking necessities?
It is recommended that you come prepared with all the stuff. Please do not leave anything for last minute buying.
Miscellaneous : Is it safe for a solo woman traveller to trek in Fixed departures?
Yes, it is absolutely safe for solo woman to travel in fix departures. Women on the trek will be sharing tent with each other. In case you are the only woman on the trek, you will be given a separate tent.
Miscellaneous : Will you give certificates on completion of trek?
Yes, e-certificates will be given at the end of each trek provided that you completed it. It will bear your name, the trek, and the maximum altitude you achieved on the trek.
Mandatory documents: What are the mandatory documents required for the trek?
Signed declaration form and address proof( Aadhar card, passport for foreign national) are the mandatory documents required for the Kumara Parvatha trek.
Transport: In case we opt for the transport with you, where will you pick us from and where will you drop?
Pick-up will be from the common pick-up points in Bangalore. The drop-off location remains the same. The common pick-up points in Bangalore are as follows - Malleshwaram (near KC General Hospital), Rajajinagar (Metro Station - Tata Motors Showroom), Yeshwanthpur (Govardhan Theater) and Jalahalli (Bureau of Indian Standards)
Why Bikat
Why Bikat
Learning Experience
- We are an Adventure Learning Organisation first.
- We want you to not just complete a trek safely but also pick up some basic trekking knowledge and skills along the way.
- To achieve this we have integrated learning modules into our itineraries.
- These modules will help you build the necessary skills to progress from trekking to mountaineering over time.
Loyality Programs
Our community is an integral part of us and we take pride in our trekkers and climbers. When you complete at least three days on any trek or expedition with us, you become eligible for our membership and referral programs.
- Currently we have three levels:
- Basic Membership
- Summiteer Membership
- Leader Membership
Personalized Attention
- Our group sizes on treks don’t exceed 15 members in order to maintain a healthy Participants : Leader Ratio of 8:1.
- Over time we have found this number to be optimum when it comes to ensuring personalised attention to every member of our group.
- On mountaineering expeditions this number is even smaller. Our group sizes are capped at 12 members ensuring a Participants : HAP Ratio of 2:1.
Best Expedition Leaders
- Our Expedition leaders are advanced mountaineering course qualified, specially trained in rescue procedures from NIM and certified first-aid responders.
- Even our local guides are certified first-aid responders.
Eco-friendly Practices
- Group sizes are capped at 15 people.
- Batch sizes are capped at 250 people per trail per season.
- We follow a rolling campsite model.
- We are constantly exploring and introducing new trails to reduce the burden on existing ones.
Safety
For us, a successful summit is not about reaching the highest point of a mountain but about making it safely back to base.
- To ensure this:
- Every region of ours is mapped with an emergency evacuation plan.
- The equipment we use is UIAA certified.
- Our trek leaders are AMC certified with specialisation in rescue procedures.
- Our support staffs are trained in first aid as well.
Reviews
What's Included
Whats Included
- Food as per menu on the trek ( Starting Breakfast on Day 1)
- Forest Permits/Camping Charges , if any (Upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
- Trek Guide, Cook, Helpers
- Services of a Trek Leader
- Safety Equipment
- Transportation from Bangalore to Bangalore.
- Tents and sleeping bags
Whats Not Included?
- Meals during road journeys
- Cost of any kind of travel insurance.
- Any expense of personal nature
- Any expense not specified in the inclusion list
- Portage of personal rucksacks
Cancellation Policy
Cash Refund
Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date
5% Deduction
Between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure
50%
deduction
Less than 15 days of departure
No Cash Refund
Voucher Refund
Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date
No Deduction
Cancellations less than 5 days prior to departure
No Refund
Please note
- Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers.
- This is only a brief of cancellation terms. For finer details please refer Detailed Cancellation Policy.
Blog Posts
10 Mountain features that must be a part of any trekker’s vocab!
Ritvij Kumar 25 March 2017
MOUNTAIN FEATURES THAT MUST BE A PART OF ANY TREKKER’S VOCAB!
While the terminology used in mountaineering is decently complex but the features that I am going to talk about are mostly the common ones. When we go t
Read More
