Savandurga || Night Trek || Asia's Largest monolith Hill

I'm a carefree soul, unbounded by the norms of the society and ready to escape from the city.

Since the monsoon has departed, I planned for my first ever Night Trek near Bengaluru. I was eager to explore some new avenue to experience the thrill of night on unknown peaks and we came across - Savandurga Trek - among the largest monolith rock in Asia. Structures in world scaling 1226 m above sea level, located 50 kilometers from Bangalore, 2 hour drive from Bangalore towards Magadi road and delight to trek.

This story is of none other than my own. Instead of lecturing about the trek, I rather though to present with my own experience.

It took some research and planning to come up with a plan. There was no scope of recklessness as this was first ever Solo Night Trek for trek buddies (Sharad & Vivek). We started in the middle of the night with bags full of excitement, fearlessness and bottle of water draped on our shoulders.

We started from Bengaluru at 1:30AM as the plan was reach the trekking point before 3:30AM. It started drizzling just after few minutes of drive but we choose to move ahead relying on weather forecast. It stopped drizzling within few minutes, thanks to weather report. We were about to experience the drive in dark with surrounding woods of the state forest area with scrub and dry deciduous forest covering 27 km. That was one of the scary drive as we were the only one driving through the dark woods with passing sign boards "Don’t STOP! Be aware of wild animals".

We were known about the unknown's i.e. you plan for any trek, and you will find at least one village of huts inhabited by people at the base of the mountain. Asia's largest monolith giant looked perilous from a distance. We reached around 3:15AM, parked our car and we were all set to start the trekking by 3:45AM.

This trek starts from Sri Narasimha Swamy temple at the foot, and a lot of pilgrims can be seen as it is quite famous in the region. We started following trails (marked arrows) on giant rock which will lead us to the top. As we move along, the trail gets slippery and steep but not hard enough to stop you from reaching the top. Within very few steps of the climb we realized, this is not an easy-peasy trek, you need to have shoes with good grip. In some places slope is almost 80°, we were literally crawling to climb.

Actually you will find 2 trails taking you to the top, one of them will end-up under a big rock leaving no way forward and left with option either to climb giant rock (some man made gaps are there) Or to fall back to find another trail. Best way to reach the top is to follow the pols and wires, stay as close as you can.

We stopped in between to capture some photographs and the view of city lights was amazing. We kept moving and heard a voice chanting for a courageous fluffy boy, Agnivesh! Agnivesh! Agnivesh! You Can Do It!! We found ourselves stuck with another group of people under the giant rock and we realized, we are on the tough trails. We helped them and together climbed the rock. The journey continues till we submit around 5:20AM with a delightful view from the top.

The wait came to an end and we witnessed the mesmerizing rise from top. You won't believe but the cloud and winds hitting your face will fill your heart. The breeze cold cloudy winds whispering on top of the peak was moment of long silence between two lost friends sitting next to each other busy in the buzz of wind.

It was not over yet we have to climbing down and believe me it was easier but more risky as the chances for slipping was more. With sun moving higher and higher we started climbing down, exhausted! Finally we reached safely down with more and more of breath.

When everything is said and seen and done! What all we felt was an adrenalin pump for another Night Trek.