National park · India
Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
Visit Pushpagiri: pay the entry fee (check), hike the 8 km (5 mi) Somwarpet route to Kumaraparvata peak in under 4 h, or the tougher 14 km (8.7 mi) Kukke side in 6–7 h; go in the dry months (Nov–Feb) to avoid rain and leeches.Visit Pushpagiri: pay the entry fee (check), hike the 5 mi (8 km) Somwarpet route to Kumaraparvata peak in under 4 h, or the tougher 8.7 mi (14 km) Kukke side in 6–7 h; go in the dry months (Nov–Feb) to avoid rain and leeches.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
250 km² (97 sq mi)97 sq mi (250 km²)
approximate
Established
1990
Best months
Nov–Feb
UNESCO
None
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.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 250 km² (97 sq mi)97 sq mi (250 km²)
- Area reported as ~250 km²; boundaries vary between sources.
- Established
- 1990
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka protects Western Ghats forest, the state's highest peak Kumaraparvata, and a range of wildlife, offering remote trekking with limited facilities.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1990.
Size and age
250 km² (97 sq mi)97 sq mi (250 km²) · national park since 1990
Area reported as ~250 km²; boundaries vary between sources.
Why go
- Reach the highest peak of the sanctuary, Kumaraparvata, for panoramic forest views.
- Trek through dense Western Ghats forest with waterfalls and diverse wildlife.
- Experience remote trekking with limited crowds.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, cooler
- FebDry, cooler
- MarStart of pre‑monsoon
- AprIncreasing showers
- MayRain likely
- JunMonsoon, leeches
- JulHeavy rain
- AugHeavy rain
- SepRain tapering
- OctLess rain
- NovDry, pleasant
- DecDry, cool
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant signs and occasional sightingsOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Leeches (especially after rains)Jun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Birds of the Western GhatsOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Mangalore Airport (VOML)
Taxi or bus to Kukke Subramanya (≈120 km (75 mi))Taxi or bus to Kukke Subramanya (≈75 mi (120 km))
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Bengaluru
KSRTC bus or private taxi to Kukke Subramanya (≈260 km (162 mi))KSRTC bus or private taxi to Kukke Subramanya (≈162 mi (260 km))
6–7 h
Open the page →
From Subramanya Road railway station (SBHR)
Local bus or auto‑rickshaw to sanctuary gate
15 min
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Kukke Subramanya gate | Entry point, parking, information desk, start of 14 km (8.7 mi) trek.Entry point, parking, information desk, start of 8.7 mi (14 km) trek. | Open with permit. |
| Somwarpet gate | Alternative start, 8 km (5 mi) trek to peak.Alternative start, 5 mi (8 km) trek to peak. | Open with permit. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate centre of the sanctuary; exact trailheads differ.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanctuary entry | Free | person | official fee not published (check) |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Entry permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Fires
- Not allowed in the forest.
- Camping
- Only in designated areas; otherwise stay in nearby villages.
- Guides
- Recommended for the Kukke side trek; not mandatory but advised.
Where to stay
Near the park
Kukke Subramanya lodges
Basic rooms and guesthouses; book ahead.
Near the park
Somwarpet homestays
Family‑run houses with meals.
Safety
Leeches medium
Rain‑induced landslides high
Elephant encounters medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate areas reachable by car; trails are steep and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all waste; avoid firewood collection.
- Support local homestays for community benefit.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary?
The entry fee is not published online; obtain the current amount at the sanctuary office (check).
What are the best hikes in Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary?
Two main treks lead to Kumaraparvata peak: an 8 km route from Somwarpet (moderate) and a tougher 14 km route from Kukke Subramanya (hard). Both offer forest scenery and a waterfall on the Somwarpet side.
When is the best time to visit Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary?
The dry months November to February are best; avoid the monsoon June‑August when trails become slippery and leeches are common.
Do I need a guide for the trek?
A guide is strongly recommended for the Kukke side trek due to its difficulty and elephant trails; the Somwarpet route can be done independently but stay in a group.
Are there accommodation options inside the sanctuary?
No formal campsites; nearby villages (Kukke, Somwarpet) offer lodges and homestays. Carry a tent only if you have permission for designated camping areas.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
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