Major city · India
Mekedatuಮೇಕೆದಾಟು
A half-day trip from Bangalore: go in monsoon for the river, skip in summer. Walk the 3 km (1.9 mi) riverbank from Sangama to Mekedatu gorge.A half-day trip from Bangalore: go in monsoon for the river, skip in summer. Walk the 1.9 mi (3 km) riverbank from Sangama to Mekedatu gorge.
Mekedatu (Sangama) is the confluence of the Arkavathi and Kaveri rivers, a 2-hour drive from Bangalore. The main draw is the walk along the river to the narrow Mekedatu gorge, best seen when the Kaveri is full. Facilities are minimal — bring your own food and water.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (monsoon)
- avoid Mar–May (dry, little water)
- Airport
- BLR
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Mekedatu112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mekedatu, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyLow crime, but the river can rise fast in monsoon.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 112 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBLR Kempegowda International Airport (About 2.5–3 h drive via Kanakapura Road).
- Getting aroundWalk the 3 km (1.9 mi) riverbank trail between Sangama and Mekedatu (about 45 min each way).Walk the 1.9 mi (3 km) riverbank trail between Sangama and Mekedatu (about 45 min each way).
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BLR Kempegowda International Airport (About 2.5–3 h drive via Kanakapura Road)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
May
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jun
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Mar–May. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mekedatu: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Apr
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4 rd
May
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the 3 km riverbank trail between Sangama and Mekedatu (about 45 min each way). A shuttle bus also runs between the two points.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Chunchi Falls
goDoor to door: Add 30–45 min
Take left turn about 5 km (3.1 mi) before Sangama; signpostedTake left turn about 3.1 mi (5 km) before Sangama; signposted
Seasonal waterfall on Arkavathi; best in monsoon.
Door to door: About 3 h
Drive via Bangalore, about 2.5 h
Too far for a combined day-trip; do separately.
Door to door: About 2 h
Drive via Kanakapura Road, about 1.5 h
Rock climbing and Sholay hills; combine only if you have a full day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Bangalore
No accommodation at Mekedatu; stay in Bangalore and day-trip.
Kanakapura
Basic lodges, about 35 km (22 mi) from Mekedatu; check availability.Basic lodges, about 22 mi (35 km) from Mekedatu; check availability.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹500–1,000 (≈ US$6–12) (fuel + snacks)
- Mid
- ₹1,500–3,000 (≈ US$18–35) (includes private car)
- High
- ₹4,000 (≈ US$50)+ (guided tour from Bangalore)
Trip budget
| No overnight stay at Mekedatu2 × 1 night × ₹0 | ₹0 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹2,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Fuel (car, round trip from Bangalore)1 × ₹1,500 · check | ₹1,500 |
| Snacks and water2 × ₹300 | ₹600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹710 |
| Trip total≈ ₹3,910 per person per day, bed included | ₹7,810≈ US$90 |
Return to Bangalore same day
2026 estimate in INR; day-trip from Bangalore. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bus Bangalore → Kanakapuracheck | ₹50–100 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Bus Kanakapura → Mekedatucheck | ₹30–50 (≈ under US$1) |
| Shuttle bus Sangama ↔ Mekedatucheck | ₹10–20 (≈ under US$1) |
| Snacks at small shops near Sangama | ₹20–50 (≈ under US$1) |
| Parking (car)check | ₹50–100 (≈ US$1–2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No food or drink stalls at Mekedatu itself; bring supplies from Bangalore.
- River can swell suddenly during heavy monsoon rain — check local weather before walking.
- Last 5 km (3.1 mi) of road is steep and unpaved in parts; drive slowly.Last 3.1 mi (5 km) of road is steep and unpaved in parts; drive slowly.
- No mobile network in some stretches of the trail.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Mekedatuಮೇಕೆದಾಟು
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ಮೇಕೆದಾಟಿಗೆ ದಯವಿಟ್ಟುTo Mekedatu, please
Emergency
- Police / Ambulance / Fire112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Bangalore → Kanakapura: about ₹50–100 (≈ US$1–2), 100 min (check)
- Bus Kanakapura → Mekedatu: about ₹30–50 (≈ under US$1), 35 km (22 mi) (check)about ₹30–50 (≈ under US$1), 22 mi (35 km) (check)
- Taxi Bangalore → Mekedatu (one way): ₹1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) (check)
Say or show
- ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ — Hello (namaskāra)
- ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು — Thank you (dhanyavādagaḷu)
- ಎಷ್ಟು? — How much? (eṣṭu?)
- ದಾರಿ ಎಲ್ಲಿದೆ? — Where is the trail? (dāri ellide?)
- ನದಿ ಸುರಕ್ಷಿತವೇ? — Is the river safe? (nadi surakṣitavē?)
Kannada is the local language; English works at the bus stand and with drivers.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mekedatu. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep (monsoon) · avoid Mar–May (dry, little water) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place page with verified seasonal water levels and road condition.
- Eat page for the single hotel near Sangama (hours, menu).
- Walking trail map with waypoints and mobile coverage gaps.
Sources
Ask about Mekedatu
Loading…
Was this useful?