Last updated: October 2026 · Brigade Hospitality
Quick answer: The Nandi Hills sunrise, about 60 km from Bengaluru (Bangalore), comes between about 5.51 am (June) and 6.44 am (January). Karnataka Tourism lists a 6.00 am gate opening, so November to March is best for seeing it from the top. Signature Club Resort in Brigade Orchards, Devanahalli, is one of the resorts near Nandi Hills for the night before.
At a glance
- Sunrise time: About 5.51 am (mid June) to 6.44 am (mid January), with first light about 20 minutes earlier.
- Gate timings: Karnataka Tourism lists entry from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm. Check before you go, as timings change.
- Best season: September to February, when Karnataka Tourism says the weather is cool and pleasant.
- Route from Devanahalli: NH44 towards Chikkaballapur, then the winding road up the hill.
- Where to stay nearby: Signature Club Resort, Brigade Orchards, Devanahalli, about 20 minutes from Kempegowda International Airport (BIAL): 45 rooms and suites, 4 villas (3BHK and 4BHK), on-site dining and EV charging.
- How to enquire: The enquiry form on the resort’s contact page (“Stay Package”) or info@brigadehospitality.com.
Sunrise from the top of Nandi Hills is worth the early alarm, but only if you reach the top before the light does. That means knowing what time the sun rises in your month, when the gate opens and how long the drive takes. Staying at Signature Club Resort in Devanahalli, near Nandi Hills, means your morning starts on the right side of Bangalore.
At what time can we see sunrise in Nandi Hills?
The Nandi Hills sunrise time is between about 5.50 am and 6.45 am, depending on the month: earliest in May and June, latest in January and February. First light, when the sky starts to glow, comes about 20 minutes before the sun appears.
Nandi Hills sits at about 4,850 feet above sea level, according to Karnataka Tourism, and sunrise there moves by almost an hour across the year. These times are for the 15th of each month at the Nandi Hills coordinates.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | First light (civil twilight) |
|---|---|---|
| November | 6.17 am | 5.56 am |
| December | 6.32 am | 6.10 am |
| January | 6.44 am | 6.23 am |
| February | 6.41 am | 6.20 am |
| March | 6.25 am | 6.05 am |
| April | 6.05 am | 5.44 am |
| May | 5.52 am | 5.30 am |
| June | 5.51 am | 5.29 am |
| July | 5.58 am | 5.36 am |
| August | 6.05 am | 5.44 am |
| September | 6.07 am | 5.46 am |
| October | 6.08 am | 5.48 am |
What time to start for Nandi Hills?
Start early enough to be at the gate when it opens, which Karnataka Tourism lists as 6.00 am. From Devanahalli that is a much shorter pre-dawn drive than from the city: Karnataka Tourism puts Nandi Hills about 35 km from Kempegowda International Airport, which is also in Devanahalli, against about 60 km from Bengaluru, where it says the trip usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours.
Karnataka Tourism describes the road route as NH44 towards Chikkaballapur, and Devanahalli lies on the city side of that route. The final stretch leaves the highway and climbs the hill on a winding road, so drive slowly in the dark and in fog. Check the drive time from where you are staying in your maps app the evening before, set for your departure time.
Work back from your sunrise target:
| Step | Example for 15 December (first light 6.10 am) |
|---|---|
| Reach the viewpoint | 6.10 am |
| Clear the gate and park | Allow time for the queue, especially at weekends |
| Leave the resort | Gate time minus the drive time shown in your maps app |
| Wake up | About 30 minutes before you leave |
What time is Nandi Hills open?
Karnataka Tourism currently lists entry timings at Nandi Hills as 6.00 am to 6.00 pm. Other travel sites give different hours, and timings, entry rules and online booking have changed in recent years, so check the official page again on the day you go.
If the gate opens at 6.00 am, the month makes a big difference:
- November to March: Sunrise falls roughly 15 to 45 minutes after 6.00 am, so arriving as the gate opens gives you a real chance of seeing it from the top.
- August to October and early April: Sunrise falls only a few minutes after 6.00 am, so you need to be near the front of the queue.
- Late April to mid July: Sunrise falls before 6.00 am, so you may see the first light from the queue or the road rather than the viewpoint. Go anyway for the morning mist and cool air, but set your expectations.
- Weekends: Karnataka Tourism notes the hill can get crowded at weekends. A weekday visit is calmer.
Karnataka Tourism lists a small entry fee per person and parking charges that are higher at weekends. Fees quoted on different sites vary, so carry some cash as well as a phone wallet and check whether advance booking is needed before you set out.
Best time of year for the Nandi Hills sunrise
Karnataka Tourism recommends September to February, when the weather is cool and pleasant. Month by month:
- September to November: Greener slopes after the monsoon, and a good chance of low cloud in the valleys below the viewpoint.
- December to February: The coldest and clearest mornings. The top can be chilly before sunrise, so bring a warm layer.
- March to May: Warmer and hazier, with earlier sunrises.
- June to August: Monsoon mist, and Karnataka Tourism warns that roads can be slippery. Some mornings you will stand inside a cloud and see nothing at all, and some mornings the cloud sits below you. Nobody can promise which.
Check the forecast the evening before: heavy rain is a good reason to switch to a lazy morning instead.
Why stay near Nandi Hills the night before
Staying in Devanahalli cuts the pre-dawn drive.
- Rooms for every group: Signature Club Resort has 45 rooms and suites, including twin-bedded and interconnecting rooms, plus 4 villas (3BHK and 4BHK) for families and friends travelling together. See the rooms, suites and villas.
- An easy evening: Dinner at Tamarind or Dhaba On The Highway, then an early night. Black-out curtains help you sleep early.
- Electric cars: The resort’s Nandi Hills page says it provides EV charging stations, so you can charge overnight before the climb.
- Parking: The same page notes on-site parking for personal cars and larger group vehicles.
- Early start: Tell the team your planned departure time when you book, and ask what can be arranged for guests leaving before dawn.
After the sunrise
Staying near the hills means you return to the resort instead of facing a long drive home. Have breakfast at Tamarind, spend the rest of the morning in the temperature-controlled indoor pool, book a treatment at the Avantika Wellness Spa, or play a game of badminton or table tennis. Ask about breakfast timings and checkout time when you book, so you know how long you have after the sunrise.
If you have a free afternoon, the resort’s guide to places to visit near Devanahalli lists more stops nearby, including the Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple at the base of Nandi Hills and Skandagiri, known for its sunrise trek.
What to carry
- A warm layer: Mornings at the top are noticeably cooler than in the city, especially from December to February.
- Torch: For the walk from the parking area in the dark.
- Water and a light snack: Food stalls may not be open before sunrise.
- Rain jacket: In the monsoon and the October to November showers.
FAQs
At what time can we see sunrise in Nandi Hills?
Sunrise at Nandi Hills is between about 5.50 am and 6.45 am, depending on the month. Around the 15th, it is close to 6.44 am in January, 6.05 am in April, 5.51 am in June and 6.08 am in October. First light comes about 20 minutes earlier, and that is when the sky is most colourful.
Which is better, sunrise or sunset in Nandi Hills?
Sunrise is the bigger draw. Karnataka Tourism calls the sunrise viewpoint near the hilltop the most popular place on Nandi Hills, and mornings bring the best chance of cloud lying in the valleys below. For sunset, check closing times first: Karnataka Tourism lists entry until 6.00 pm, and other sites quote different hours.
What is the correct time to visit Nandi Hills?
Visit between September and February, which Karnataka Tourism recommends for its cool, pleasant weather, and arrive as the gate opens. From November to March, sunrise also falls well after the listed 6.00 am opening, so you have a better chance of seeing it from the top. December and January bring the coldest, often clearest mornings.
How crowded is the Nandi Hills sunrise?
Often busy, especially on weekends and holidays, when the queue at the gate before sunrise is longest. A weekday visit is calmer. Arriving as the gate opens and staying nearby the night before, for example at Signature Club Resort in Devanahalli, puts you near the front of the line instead of in traffic on the way up.
How do I get to Nandi Hills from Devanahalli?
Drive north on NH44 towards Chikkaballapur, then take the turn-off that climbs the hill on a winding road. Karnataka Tourism puts Nandi Hills about 35 km from Kempegowda International Airport in Devanahalli. If you stay at Signature Club Resort, check the drive time in your maps app the evening before.
Where can I stay near Nandi Hills for an early start?
Stay in Devanahalli, on the city side of the hills. Signature Club Resort in Brigade Orchards, Devanahalli, near Nandi Hills, has rooms, suites, 4 villas (3BHK and 4BHK), on-site dining and EV charging for electric cars. After sunrise you can come back for breakfast, a swim in the temperature-controlled indoor pool or a spa treatment.
Plan your Nandi Hills morning
To book a stay before your sunrise trip, use the enquiry form on the contact page and choose “Stay Package”, call +91 99723 05352 or email info@brigadehospitality.com. Mention your planned date and the team can help you plan an early start.