Agasthyakoodam Trek
Agasthyakoodam Trek is a detailed travelogue based on my trekking experience to Agasthyakoodam. Agasthyakoodam is one of the highest peaks in Kerala and is famous for it’s rare medicinal plans and herbs. This peak is part of the Western Ghats and towers to a height of 1868 meters above sea level. Agasthyakoodam (commonly known as Agastya Mala / Agasthyamalai / Agathiyar Malai and Agastyarkoodam) is also a famous pilgrimage center know after the sage Agasthya. The pilgrimage involves a trek of 56km (28km one side) from Bonacaud/Bonaccord making it a trekker’s paradise.
The main attractions of Agasthyakoodam are it’s evergreen forests, grasslands,rare herbs, biodiversity, mind blowing scenic beauty and the chance of seeing wild animals. Other places of tourist importance include Bonacaud Estate, Meenmutty Falls and Ponmudi .
Getting there and around

Agasthya Malai Routemap
Agasthyakoodam is located 50kms north east of Trivandrum and in-between Trivandrum and Ponmudi. It is accessible via road. KSRTC operates regular bus services from Trivandrum and Neyyatinkara to Bonacaud, from where the trek starts.The minimum duration for Agasthyakoodam Trek is two days, which needs to be completed in two phases.The first phase of Agasthyakoodam Trek is the trek to the base camp which is around 20 kilometres from the Forest checkpoint at Bonacaud, there is a small shelter (dormitory like arrangement which stands dreaming and gasping for some maintenance) where you can stay overnight, and a canteen where you would be served dinner and breakfast.Bathroom facilities exist and are well maintained. The second phase involves a steep and tiring trek of 10km to the peak of Agasthyakoodam and if time permits, the trek back to the Forest checkpoint.
Agasthyakoodam is open to public only from January to April.You need to take prior permissions from the wild life warden’s office in PTP Nagar, Trivandrum for the trek to Agasthyakoodam, by submitting an application form along with photostat copies of two valid ID cards and an amount of INR350/person. They have a limit to the number of passes they issue an year for Agasthyakoodam Trek, so make sure that you contact the wildlife warden’s office in advance.Females are not allowed for this trek /pilgrimage. For more information call up assistant wildlife warden’s office at +91-471-2360762.
Agasthyakoodam Trek – Distance Chart
Trivandrum-78km | Bonacaud-28km | Vithura-198km | Quilon-123km | Palode-56km | Nedumangad-33.6km | (This includes the trek distance of 28kms).
Things to do
The main activities you can indulge in are adventure, photography and trekking. You can also spend time in the small streams at the base camp.
Things to carry
- Food /Snacks / Chocolates (Take care not to litter the place with food stuffs and plastics. Alcohol is banned and you can get into trouble if you are carrying it)
- Water
- Salt (To fight leaches, though I dint have any issues)
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Thick socks and shoes
- Bed sheets and towels for your stay in the base camp
- Cap/Sunscreen lotion
Agasthyakoodam Trek - My Experience
Though I had heard and read about Agasthyakoodam and the trekking options to this place, I never got a chance to be part of this lifetime journey until when, one of my friends pitched in the idea of trekking to Agasthyakoodam as a gang of six. We had to get the passes (permission letter) from the wild life warden’s office in PTP Nagar, Trivandrum which we secured well in advance. I was the last one to enroll for the trek. The rush out there at the office was beyond my imagination. (You won’t believe, people had flocked in and taken their positions in the queue from as early as 5:00AM, so guys plan in advance!!!).We got the passes/permissions for the second weekend of January and were all set for the trip.
On the day of the trek, we started our journey from Trivandrum by 5:00AM in my car and reached Bonacaud by 6:00AM. Bonakkad is a small village situated right below the Agasthya mountain ranges and consists of forest, tea estates, water falls and ruins of old buildings that the British left behind. These old buildings and the messed up tea estates stand as silent monuments to the past glory of the place and the senseless policies of the government.


From there we moved on to the forest check point. We parked our car at the check point and headed towards a small counter where the forest personnel stamped our passes, made entries in the logbook,checked our luggage (for alcohol I guess) and briefed us on the importance of the place and the code of conduct that needs to be followed during the trek. We bought lunch from the canteen at the check post after which we were grouped into teams of 10 and assigned under a guide who lead us to entrance of the trek path.


The initial tract of the trek was green, with large trees and shrubs, and as we moved on, it changed to semi-green, with trees looking bare without leaves, followed by grasslands, dense forests, waterfalls, fallen trees, streams and steep climbs. By noon we halted by a stream to have lunch and to take some rest. We moved on and reached the base camp by around 4:30PM . Though the trek was arduous we never felt tired which I believe is due to the freshness of the air. From the base camp we could see the peak of Agasthya malai at a distance.










We went straight to the shelter at the base camp to take some rest.Finding a comfortable spot out there was the hardest part, as the building was almost in ruins with it’s roof seeming to fall down any time. ( the building is good enough to spend a night ). By 5:00PM we headed to explore the places around. The base camp was surrounded by thick forest, we din’t dare to go too deep into the forest as it was almost dark, after taking bath in one of the streams we returned back to the shelter. We had our dinner (rice porridge, payaru thoran and pickle) from the canteen and it was one of the tastiest food I has ever had in my life, possibly due to the intense urge to quench the hunger, after a tiring day’s trek. We slept early that day. Though I had a good sleep, I was woken up in between by the howling wind and the banging of windows. The hall really had a haunted look, but what more can be expected in the middle of the forest.





I woke up early the next day, hurriedly finished off the morning ablutions, had breakfast from the canteen and got ready for the second phase of the trek to the peak of Agathyakoodam. We started off early in the morning by 6:30AM, but this time, the narrow path, low light, dense forest and steep climbs made the trek even more harder. Very often we ran out of breath and had to halt at regular intervals. On the way to the peak we were lucky to witness the most beautiful views of the forest, sunrise and the sky forming a backdrop to the crest of the mountains. The breathtaking beauty of the place that we witnessed there is beyond any description, you need to see it for yourself.

Scenic View of Agasthyakoodam at dawn

Sky forming a backdrop to crest of the mountain

Mindblowing view of the valley
Puffing and gasping we moved on. Many a times we had to crawl through the bushes and slide past the rocks to make our way ahead. After two and a half hours of walk we reached a point where the trek path was no more visible, there were arrow marks drawn on rocks indicating the way ahead. That was the beginning of an adventurous rock climb. We had to climb the rocks at an inclination of 80 degrees with the help of ropes that dropped down from the peak.






We reached the peak of Agasthyakoodam by 9:30AM. There stood a statue of sage Agasthya besides which the devotees offered prayers and performed rituals.We could get a bird’s eye view of the valley from the peak. It was breathtaking. We rested there for sometime and by 10:30AM started the trek back to the Forest Checkpost.






The trek back to the Forest Checkpoint was a bit more easier, but the previous day’s trek and the one in the moring had left our legs aching.We were totally exhausted. We reached back at the Forest Checkpost by 6:00PM. We drove back home,tired but with sweet memories of the lifetime trek. We stopped at Palode, had dinner, (infact we ate like pigs) and reached our homes by 8:00PM.







Agasthyakoodam – A short Film
Summary
Agasthyakoodam though a pilgrimage center, is famous for it’s trekking possibilities and as a place where nature is at its best.If you are a person who is looking at getting back to nature, testing your body’s endurance, experiencing the wilderness and calmness of the forest……. pack your bags and be there for the next trek. Agasthyakoodam Trek is a lifetime trek and you would really enjoy every bit of it. Happy trekking!!!!!
Interesting and Exciting
I am going to make this in the current season.
Got the passes for March 8 :::)
Congrats!!! Happy trekking!!!!
Hello Sir Please Send Online Reservation How to Trkking in Agasthyarkoodam
You can book the tickets online at http://www.forest.kerala.gov.in/
I want to go This precious place..please let me know if anybody know about the trip….thanks in advance
9633869687
How to get the tickets for trecking? From where?
You can get the tickets from the Wildlife Warden’s office in Trivandrum, PTP Nagar. Just call them up at +91-471-2360762 and be there early in the morning (6:00am) to get the tickets. You would need an ID Proof and approximately Rs500/person for the pass. Now is the season and they have started issuing the pass. So if you have plans for this season start trying for the pass as soon as possible as it is limited and the passes normally finish in 4-5 days.
Is foreigners allowed to enter Agasthyakoodam,please give me reply.
sanjay
Yes foreigners are allowed !!!!! They can also choose to trek during off seasons!!!
Is it possible to carry my HD camcorder? will the forest authorities allow these things?
As of the information I have, there is no issue in carrying one. All the pictures on this blog has been taken from the DSLR that I carried during my trek.
Information For people planning to take the trek this season (2013)
Forest Department has started issuing the tickets. Its been one day and the counter would be open till 11th of January. You need to get the tickets from the Wildlife Warden’s office in Trivandrum, PTP Nagar. Advice you to go early and take you place in the queue. The tickets would be issued only by 10.00AM. The process is time consuming as it is a single window token based counter. The ticket cost is Rs 500/head. Do carry copies of your ID proof too. So guys all the best and happy trekking!!!!!.
got tickets for Feb 12 th..really excited as agasthyaarkoodam was one of my dream destinations from childhood for reasons unknown…
can u please clear some of my doubts
is there any additional charges to carry a DSLR?
are we allowed to take rest whenever we need or are there any pre scheduled places to rest ? i asked this because as per the officials,we 6 friends will be moving with another 9 unknown people forming a group of 15
what do you suggest to carry as eatables??
thanks and regards,
Arun
Hiii Arun, it is great to know that you have secured the tickets for the trek. Happy trekking!!! And now coming to your queries.
On carrying the DSLR, yes you need to pay an additional change of Rs 25 (not sure if they have increased it this time) at the entry point. As for taking rest, yes you can at your discretion, there are a couple of streams and falls and normally these are the preferred resting points. Talking about eatables, advice you to carry chocolates and fruits (gives you the instant burst of energy). Also take lunch along with you(veg/nonveg allowed). You would also get to buy it at the entry point. Avoid taking too much, as you would have to carry it along and any additional luggage would turn out to be a burden during the trek.
Hi
Thanks for the beautiful Information and how can i contact via phone.I am from Malaysia want to know more .
Regards
RK.Khally
Call +91-471-2360762
Very good narration about the trip. You could have added some information regarding ‘Pongalappara’, Seetha Kulicha Kulam’ Muttidippara ( where your nose will hit your knees when climbing) and ‘A.C.kadu’. I have visited 3 times including 2013 and eagerly waiting for the announcement of the issuing of the pass for the next year’s trip, even though it will happen in 2014 January…..
@Ajith. Will surely update the details, maybe after the trip of 2014. I too plan to retake it this year….:)
Is there any jeep or trekking vehicles available for this 28km trekking? Or we have to walk the whole 28 km from Bonacaud?
@Ghees. You don’t get any vehicles. There are no roads as such. You need to walk the whole stretch. But tell you, you wont regret the walk, if you are with a bunch of friends.
Is it a right time to go?
@Ramakrishnan The ideal time to go is in between January and March. This is the time when the forest department opens up route for pilgrimage. You can obtain special permission from wildlife warden’s office and and opt for an arranged trek, where the guide accompanies you. I am not sure of the rates but it would be high. Anyways now that it is raining, this is not the right time to visit the place.
Hi,
I am intrested in taking up this pilgrimage. please let me know if i can join you in your next trip.
if so please keep me posted about the plans
Please let me know if i can join with you in your next trip. If so please keep me posted of the plans
Sure!!! Are you looking specifically at Agasthyakoodam or for any other trips?
Heyy, amazed to hear.. Is it enough if one person be there to collect tickets, or should all who trek be there for collecting tickets..?? I may need about 6 tickets for next season.!
Where can I know about the start of the availability of tickets.? will u let us know for the next season too..?? I’m in Bangalore.!
Hi Sudhangathan…….you would have to personally appear at their office to collect the passses. Well that is the style their office works!!!!. You could just give them a call at +91-471-2360762 to check if they allow any relaxation to the rule since you are from bangalore. The pilgrimage season is in between January and March and they normally issue the tickets by mid January.
The information is normally communicated as ads in newspapers. I will be posting on the dates as updates to this post. You can check up this blog too.
The passes can buy directly or online booking and if directly means, shall we go to tiruvanananthapurum?
Please any one clear my doubt.
You need to personally go there are book the tickets. There is no online booking system. A person from the group has to go to the Wildlife Warden’s office in Trivandrum, PTP Nagar and book the tickets. He can also book for 3 more persons. Just need to carry the ID proof for yourself and the 3 guys who would accompany you. Last time is was Rs500/person. This is if you are planning for the trip during the pilgrimage season (Jan-March). Else you have the option of a customized trek……Call up the Wildlife Warden’s office (o471-2360762) and check with them on the possible dates (any time round the year). Once the dates are confirmed, you just need to be there at the office/Bonnacaud for the trek. You only need to make the payment/ present the ID cards then. Such trips costs RS 4000 for a batch of 5.
For the year 2014 you can book the tickets online at http://www.forest.kerala.gov.in/
Pls, update the details abt d tickets issuing dates.
It normally starts by 2nd week of January (mostly around 10th). Call up the Wildlife Warden’s office (0471-2360702) for the exact dates.
The contact number (0471-2360702) posted in some comments is wrong number, the correct number is 0471-2360762
very interesting editing !
why not us :/ ?
[...] – See more at: http://www.trekkr.in/agasthyakoodam-trek/#sthash.wZE0LAtm.dpuf [...]
Any one planning for trek in Jan/feb 2014 ? we couple of friends would from Bangalore would like to join..
Hi,
I am interested in joining with you. I am single. Let me know are you ok. Pls reply back.
Hi Vijaya, we’re a team of 5 from bangalore planning to get to this place end of this month or next month. Below are the my contact details.
Name: Balasubramani K
Cell: 9740067910
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/balak.1988
Hi Vijaya.. I am alone from Erode and interested in joining with you by month of February..Let me know is it ok for you..
Hi Vinodh, we’re a team of 5 from bangalore planning to get to this place end of this month or next month. Below are the my contact details.
Name: Balasubramani K
Cell: 9740067910
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/balak.1988
- See more at: http://www.trekkr.in/agasthyakoodam-trek/#comment-696
INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR 2014
Agasthyavanam Biological Park Site Contact: http://117.239.77.10/~forusr/forestabp/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=97&Itemid=56
Forest Head Quarters| Vazhuthacaud |Phone no: 0471- 2325385
The passes for visiting Agasthyakoodam for the year 2014 will be issued by the Forest Department from January 9 on-wards on all working days.Those who secure the passes can visit Agasthyakoodam from January 14 to March 10. You can get the passes from Wildlife Warden’s office located at PTP Nagar, Trivandrum. Only 100 passes will be issued per day, each costing 500 per person.
Hi all,
I am vienodh from Erode, Planning for a trip in month of February. I am alone .If i can join some one pls let me know. Pls reply.
i just returned visiting Agasthyavanam yesterday…and that too off season…we were a group of ten men…didnt took pass from any officials..just did it with the help of a local staying near the place..its a journey of a life time…stayed two days in forest..any one who is planning to travel..during march feb etc….those guys are missing the real adventure
Sounds interesting!!!!! Kiran, would request your to share an abstract of your trip (off season) so that it would be helpful to others who are looking for a similar experience.
we were a group of 10 men..we started..our journey not from Bonacaud but we started our journey from kotoor..early morning..this route is not the usual route..for a person who takes a govt pass and travel..we had a arranged a local man who lived there who was our guide and cook..he carried the necessary..items like rise bowl..plates etc.for cooking .we also carried food for our three days journey..now coming to the travel, the thing we didn’t had to worry was about water..it was in plenty..the water we got was pure than mineral water. The climate was awesome it was always cold.During the first day..we stayed in a den..luckily there was no rain..But it was so cold..actually we are not allowed to take a matchbox to reserve forest.but we had to take..while we were resting..our guide made food for us..during night time..the second day by after noon only we reached the base of agasthyamala..afternoon we climbed the hill..it was my first experience..there was heavy fog..we were not able to see properly. wind also was there..then the rocks were slippery..we begin to climb hill on 12:30 afternoon..and reached top only by 3:00pm.there was both wind and fog in the top station..we spent there almost 30 min by 3:30 we begin to climb down..and reached the base of the hill by 5:30..in off season..everywhere u could see waterfalls. then we had to travel in night..from 6:00pm..to 9:00pm..we traveled ..luckily some of us had carried torchlight . During this time all of us got problems with leech .As it was night we were not able to see..then we rested in another den ..we kept our self warm..by making a camp fire.and the third day we started our journey a little earlier..around by 6:00 am..and reached our starting place around afternoon..this is only a brief description of our journey..we consider our self as very lucky..not to face wild animals..we saw only a snake and an elephant.we travelled only a very few distance through the government route.we were also lucky not to get caught by forest guards..as we were travelling during this off season..The experience thril..the adventure fear we experienced..i cannot explain.in words..all i can only say is this journey i will never forget..even if in future i get a chance to visit disney land
Sounds really thrilling Kiran!!!! I am noting this down in my list of probable trekks that I should plan. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Hi Kiran,
We are 10 members gang from chennai planning to go to Trivandrum on April 29, 2014. But we ask the Forest dept, they told the tickets are sold out. But we are very interested to go to agasthyavanam but we dont know how to go. Please help us and give me the information.
hai vasanth
the best time what i would suggest would be during december
because during that time the climate would be perfect..during the summer we would have to suffer the heat.and there would be scarcity for water also..i didnt take any pass from the forest officials..beacuse we travelled during off season..and remember u its danger also..anything can happen..we were really lucky..we had to face only an elephant..there are many photos we took u can check my facebook profile https://www.facebook.com/kiran.pk.12
Its very nice work, really i enjoy; now i am ready to trek with agasthiyar blessing
Hello Greetings,
I’m looking for a group/company for Agasthyar Koodam trekking on 28 or 29 of January 2014. Please let me know if any one is interested in Joining. moorthymaha@gmail.com is my email id.
Thanks,
Moorthy
halo admin.
how to book our tickets in online?
You can book the tickets online at http://www.forest.kerala.gov.in/
Guys!!!! You can book the tickets online at http://www.forest.kerala.gov.in/
Hurry up, check the vacancy and book your tickets!!!! Happy Trekking!!!
Hi admin
I really liked your site…Its a source of great information for other travelers… I have a question. I’m planning to go to Agasthyakoodam next month, on a weekend. Can I make it in 2 days(sat/sun)? I am planning to reach Trivandrum on sat morning and come back on sun evening bus after trek. At what time trek starts? By reading other’s post, I guess 3 days required. Please help
Hi Anoop…..definitely yes!!!!…if you can reach the the starting point by around 6:30AM on Saturday……..Normally the trek starts by around 7:30AM…..You can trek at your own pace……there would be lot of regular trekkrs……..maintain a steady pace of walk with rest at regular intervals……..You should be able to reach the base camp by 5:00PM…..Have good rest. Wake up early in the morning. The natives out there would give you the hint of the weather up the peak, and if its favorable, take up the trek to peak early morning itself,,,,,get ready to start by 6:00AM…….You should reach the peak in 2.5 hours of time. Start your descend as early as you can..Carry very minimal luggage and if possible join a group of regular trekkers……….You should definitely be able to make it……………This is from my experience……..Happy trekking!!!!
Hi all..
I have got the pass for Jan 18, saturday
I am from trivandrum and trekking alone
looking forward to people trekking for the same day…
if any one interested,pls let me know
mob 9496027928
Hi All..
You can download your AGASTYARKOODAM ENTRY PASS from the site
http://www.serviceonline.gov.in
Unfortunately I got this message while checking in the website for vacancy position
“Trekking slot for the year 2014 has been booked completely. See you next year”
Is there any way to get tickets if we got to the office??
Regards,
Shyam
I’m planning to visit this beautiful heaven.Please let me know if any application for visit..
thanks in Advance
9633869687
The booking for Agasthyakoodam / Agasthyarkoodam Trek has started for the year 2015. You can secure the slot by directly going to the Wildlife Warden’s office in Trivandrum, PTP Nagar or by booking online via the link http://www.forest.kerala.gov.in/