Built in exile
Dodda Vira Rajendra built the Nalknad Palace in 1792–94, after losing Mercara to Tipu Sultan. His second wedding was held there in 1796.
After the trail · the almanac
The trek in four numbers
A day hike in the Western Ghats of Kodagu, booked through the Karnataka forest department.
1,748m
Tadiandamol, highest in Kodagu
14km
There and back
150a day
Booked online
1792
Nalknad Palace begun
💪 Easy to moderate🍂 Sep–Feb🎫 Aranya Vihaara permit🚫 No camping
Day by day
A weekend, step by step
The Bikat Adventures plan, Bangalore to Bangalore. The climb itself is one day.
How high you are on each kilometre
- Day 1Bangalore → KakkabeLeave Friday evening, breakfast near Mysore~270 km by road🚌 Overnight drive
- Day 2Nalknad Palace → Tadiandamol → backForest gate, steep forest, lunch on top14 km · about 10 h🛏️ Homestay
- Day 3Kakkabe → BangaloreLeave about 9 am~270 km by road🏠 Bangalore by night
Stories and nature
A hill and a palace
A last refuge
When war with the British began around 1832, Chikka Vira Rajendra fell back to Nalknad. The British forced his surrender and sent him to Benares.
The broad hill
In Kodava, thadi means broad, anda is possessive and mol means hill. It is the third-highest peak in Karnataka.
No more camping
Night camping was stopped in December 2016 because of litter and the harm to wild animals moving at night.
When to go
After the rains
Bikat calls September to February the best time.
Sep–Feb
Cooler and clear. Days stay under about 28 °C.
Mar–early May
Open on the booking portal; in 2026 it took bookings until 11 May.
Mid-May–Aug
The portal blocked bookings from 12 May to 31 August 2026. The forest path near the top gets slippery in rain.
Plan your trip
Start in Bangalore
Operators drive overnight from Bangalore to Kakkabe, about 270 km, and on to the palace.
- Bangalore🚌 ~270 km via Mysore, overnight
- Kakkabe🚙 To the Nalknad Palace
- Nalknad Palace🥾 7 km to the top
- Tadiandamol
Madikeri, the nearest town for shopping, is 36 km from Kakkabe. BSNL works in Kakkabe.
Book the permit
Book on Karnataka's Aranya Vihaara portal 1 to 30 days ahead, up to 3 people per booking. Report at the start 10 minutes before your slot.
Refunds
Cancel up to 8 days before for a 50% refund. Within 7 days there is no refund.
Cost
Bikat charges ₹3,700 + 5% GST, Bangalore to Bangalore. Treks and Trails charges ₹3,100.
No nights on the hill
Camping has been banned since December 2016. Stay in a homestay below.
Good to know
The small things
Cash, signal, water, permits and help on the way. Checked October 2026; confirm with your operator.
ID for the permit
Keep a soft copy of your Aadhaar or Voter ID. It is needed for the forest permit. Plan The Unplanned
Carry water
Carry at least 2 litres. You can fill bottles at the homestay. BMC Adventures
Packed lunch
Operators pack a vegetarian lunch to eat on top. Treks and Trails
Homestay below
Bikat's group sleeps in a homestay at the base, two or three to a room, with an attached bathroom. Bikat Adventures
Pickups in Bangalore
Bikat picks up on Friday evening at Malleshwaram, Rajajinagar, Yeshwanthpur and Jalahalli. Bikat Adventures
No porters
You carry your own bag. Bikat does not include portage of personal rucksacks. Bikat Adventures
Age limits
Bikat takes trekkers from age 9. Under-18s need a parent or guardian. Over-60s need a doctor's certificate. Bikat Adventures
Permit helpline
For booking problems, call the forest department's helpline, 1926, or email book-a-trek@aranya.gov.in. Aranya Vihaara
What to pack
Your checklist
Tick items as you pack. Your ticks stay saved on this device.
Clothing
Shoes
Gear
Papers and money
Health
List from Treks and Trails: Tadiandamol things to carry.
Rent or buy
Where to get gear
Many operators lend tents, sleeping bags and spikes. Ask yours before you rent.
Bangalore before you leave
Decathlon Brigade RoadBuy · sports and outdoor gearEva Mall, 60 Brigade Road, Ashok Nagar · Website
Shop details are from each shop's own page. Phone to confirm prices and stock.
Who runs it
Choose an operator
We found 6 operators with a Tadiandamol page in October 2026. Plan The Unplanned takes payment 30 days ahead to reserve the forest permit.
Prices are base prices from each operator's own page (October 2026); most add 5% GST. Ratings are what each operator shows, not an independent audit. Names marked † show last season's price or one seen only in a search snippet.