Step-by-Step Guide: Skandagiri Trek Permit Booking on Aranya Vihara Portal

If you're an adventure enthusiast living in Bangalore, the **Skandagiri Sunrise Trek** is almost certainly on your weekend bucket list. Located around 62 km from the city near Chikkaballapur, this 4,757 ft hill offers a spectacular "above the clouds" sunrise experience that is unmatched in South India.

However, because Skandagiri falls within a protected forest zone, the **Karnataka Forest Department** strictly regulates entry. You cannot simply walk in; you **must book an official trekking permit online** prior to your journey.

Recently, the booking system transitioned to the new official forest portal — **Aranya Vihara**. In this guide, we walk you through the entire step-by-step process of booking your Skandagiri permit securely online.

How to Book Skandagiri Permits on Aranya Vihara Portal

Follow these exact steps to reserve your trekking permit:

1. Visit the Official Portal: Open your browser and navigate to the official Karnataka Eco-Tourism portal: aranyavihaara.karnataka.gov.in.
2. Create an Account: Register your account using your active mobile number. Enter the OTP sent to your phone to complete your login.
3. Navigate to Trekking: On the home dashboard, select the "Trekking" category. Search or filter the ranges for Chikkaballapur or enter "Skandagiri" (also referred to as Kalavara Durga) in the search bar.
4. Select Date & Slot: Choose your desired date. You will be presented with two main slots:
   • Sunrise Slot (Night Trek): Starts around 03:30 AM (Highly recommended to catch the cloud bed at dawn).
   • Day Slot (Morning Trek): Starts around 07:30 AM.
5. Input Trekker Details: Enter the names, ages, and genders of all participants. You will need to upload a soft copy of a government-approved photo ID (like Aadhar Card, Driving License, or Voter ID) for each trekker.
6. Make Payment: Complete the transaction securely online via UPI, Net Banking, or Credit/Debit Card. The standard permit entry fee is **₹250 per person** (plus gateway taxes).
7. Download Permit: Once the payment is verified, download and take a physical printout of the generated PDF permit.

Essential Rules & Things to Carry

The forest checkpoint staff are extremely strict about conservation. Keep these rules in mind to avoid being turned back:

• Original ID Proof: You must carry the same original physical ID card that you uploaded during online booking. Copies on phones are often rejected.
• Plastic and Eco-Rules: Single-use plastic bottles, snack wrappers, and polythene are strictly banned. Bags are thoroughly inspected at the entry gates.
• Prohibited Items: Alcohol, smoking, and Bluetooth speakers are completely prohibited inside the forest reserve.
• Footwear: Ensure you wear high-grip trekking shoes. The initial trail consists of steep granite boulders that can be extremely slippery in the dark.