The Agasthyakoodam trek is among the most challenging yet thrilling treks in Kerala. Set within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, a trek to Agasthyakoodam takes you to one of the highest mountain peaks in Kerala through lush forests and rocky terrain!
But where exactly is Agasthyakoodam? How does one get there? How long is the trek? And what’s the Agasthyakoodam trekking booking amount?
In this blog, we have attempted to answer all the questions you have about one of the most exciting avenues for trekking in Kerala so you can plan your trip with ease.
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Where is Agasthyakoodam located?
Standing at a height of 1,868 meters above sea level, Agasthyakoodam, or Agasthyarkoodam, is among the highest mountain peaks in Kerala.
It is located inside the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary in the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-recognised protected forest reserve in the Western Ghats sandwiched between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
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Why trek to Agasthyakoodam?- History & significance
Agasthyakoodam is a famous locale for trekking and birdwatching.
This picturesque biodiversity hotspot is home to lush forests, grasslands, small waterfalls, and over 2,000 species of medicinal herbs and plants like lichens, orchids, mosses, and ferns. Even its air is said to have medicinal value!
Most importantly, Agasthyakoodam is a popular pilgrimage site.
This mountain peak is named after the famous Hindu sage Agasthya who is not only mentioned in Ramayana and Mahabharata but also figures prominently in the ancient scriptures of several Hindu temples across Asia!
Believed to have been sage Agasthya’s sanctuary for meditation, Agasthyakoodam is an important pilgrimage site for Hindu devotees.
Every year, thousands of Hindu pilgrims climb this mountain to visit his holy shrine and pay their respects to the ancient sage!
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Best time to trek to Agasthyakoodam
Before we tell you the best time to visit Agasthyakoodam for trekking, you must know that the Agasthyarkoodam trek is only open for two months each year.
The trail is only open from the second week of January till March (about 45 days), making this the only time you can indulge in this exclusive trek.
The trekking season of January-March (winter) is the best time to visit Kerala for the Agasthyakoodam trek when the weather is cool and pleasant and the temperature is between 12°C to 20°C with clear skies.
It’s the most comfortable season for trekking when it’s not too hot, the flora is in full bloom, and tons of migratory birds can be spotted!
Note: The region may be open for trekking in other seasons too, but the cost would be substantially high and the weather uncomfortable.
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Agasthyakoodam trekking booking
How do I get my Agasthyakoodam trekking pass? How much does the permit cost? Can I buy the pass online?
It’s important to remember that
- The Kerala Forest Dept (KFDC) only issues 100 Agasthyakoodam trekking passes daily during the trekking season.
- Only a limited number of people are allowed to trek to Agasthyakoodam in a day, which further makes it difficult to acquire a pass.
You can book the passes online on the Kerala Forest Dept official website. Booking opens about a week before the trekking season begins.
Agasthyakoodam trekking booking cost: INR 1,800/-
Inclusions: Forest permit; stay
Exclusions: Meals
Note: One pass admits 10 people.
Agasthyarkoodam trek booking tips
- Agasthyakoodam passes sell like hotcakes the minute they go live. If you wait to book them, you may not get them.
- Keep details and documents like name, age, contact number, address, and ID proof number handy.
- Keep your payment mode (credit card, debit card, UPI) handy.
- Keep a couple of backup dates in mind in case your preferred date isn’t available.
- Log onto the website from different devices at the same time to increase your chances of getting the passes.
- Print your pass and affidavit once the booking process is complete. A hard copy could prove useful at the forest entrance.
How to reach Agasthyakoodam trek starting point?
The trek begins from a small town called Bonacaud located 51 km away from Trivandrum. It is the last motorable spot before the Agasthyakoodam peak.
Let us tell you how you can reach Trivandrum and then Bonacaud.
How to reach Trivandrum
By air: Trivandrum International Airport is well-connected to all major cities in India and abroad.
By train: Trivandrum Central Railway Station is well-connected to all major cities across India, including Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Delhi, and more.
By road: Owing to a well-maintained road network that connects Trivandrum to many cities and towns in South India, the city can be driven to from almost anywhere in the country.
There are several car rental services, private bus operators, and state transport buses that can get you to Trivandrum from Bangalore, Kochi, Madurai, Coimbatore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mysore, and a lot more places.
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How to reach Bonacaud
Distance from Trivandrum to Bonacaud: 51 km
Travel time: 2 hours
You can book a cab to Bonacaud from Trivandrum. You can easily book a taxi from the airport or train station itself.
You can also travel by a KSRTC bus from Trivandrum to Bonacaud at nominal rates.
Since your trek starts at 7 AM, you’ll need to book the bus that departs from KSRTC Bus Stand in Thampanoor at 5 AM and drops you at the Bonacaud Post Office.
Agasthyakoodam trek route map
After you reach Bonacaud, you are expected to assemble near the abandoned Bonacaud Tea Factory. Your journey begins here!
Agasthyakoodam trek route map:
Agasthyakoodam trek itinerary
From the Bonacaud Tea Factory, you’ll need to get to the Bonacaud Forest Checkpoint, also called the Bonacaud Picket Station, located 2 km away.
This is the starting point of your Agasthyakoodam trek.
Day 1: Athirumala Base Camp
- Report at the Bonacaud Forest Checkpoint at 7 AM.
- Get your trekking pass, affidavit, and photo ID verified at the Forest Checkpoint.
- After lunch, briefing, and luggage checking, proceed to the Base Camp at 9 AM.
- Your guide will lead you to the Base Camp 16 km away and the whole journey will take 7-8 hours depending on your pace.
- Upon reaching the campsite, show your trekking pass to the forest officer and rest after a filling dinner.
The trek takes you through a thick forest, open grasslands, small hillocks, views of rocky mountains, and several freshwater streams where you can refill your bottles with cold mountain water!
Don’t forget to visit the Agasthya Muni shrine at the top!
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Day 2: Agasthyakoodam Peak
- After tea and snacks, start your 6-km long trek uphill by 7 AM.
- Trek 4 km uphill and have breakfast before starting the steep climb.
- For the next 2 km trek, carefully climb uphill using a rope and reach the peak by 10 AM / 11 AM.
- After an hour, begin your climb downhill and reach the Base Camp before sundown.
You’ll again be accompanied by dense forests, streams, and sights of animal herds grazing or moving about.
However, this final leg of the trek is quite challenging where you have to climb a 2-km rocky terrain and then a small 90° steep climb to the peak’s top.
Tips & guidelines for trekking to Agasthyakoodam
- Make sure you are in perfect health with good stamina for this challenging trek.
- Do not sign up for this trek if you have vertigo as the last leg of the trek is a straight-up vertical climb!
- There is no place to stay in Bonacaud. Book a stay in Trivandrum itself and get to Bonacaud early morning on the day of the trek.
- Carry a hard copy of your trekking pass and affidavit. Also, carry the original photo ID used at the time of booking the pass.
- Take a packed lunch from Bonacaud itself as the trek to the Base Camp is a long one and no meal is provided en route.
- Follow the guidelines and rules set down by the forest officer and your trekking guide at all times.
- You have to pay INR 100/- for each plastic item you carry past the Bonacaud Checkpoint. So, do not carry plastic bottles and/or food in plastic wrappers.
- Respect the local culture and norms of the native tribal community of the forest.
- Take regular breaks during the trek to rest and admire your beautiful surroundings. But do not fall behind or wander off alone.
- Don’t forget to collect your sleeping mats and meal tokens upon reaching the campsite.
- Instead of bathing at the camp’s bathroom, take a dip in the natural stream nearby!
- Only carry essentials and valuable items to the peak on the trek’s second day as a heavy backpack can inconvenience you during the steep climb.
- Head back to the base camp by 11 AM so you can reach it before dark.
- Descend the steep vertical rocks slowly. Hastening here can be dangerous.
- Do not disturb the wildlife and flora of the park.
- Wear light cotton or linen clothes, sturdy trekking shoes with socks, trekking pants or cargo, a hat or cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen during the trek.
- Carry a flashlight with extra batteries, a light waterproof jacket, a quick dry towel, a light collapsible backpack, 2 bottles of water, a power bank, plastic-free snacks, spare cash for buying food, and mosquito repellent.
- Do not litter. Agasthyakoodam is a tranquil and untampered forest. Leave it that way.
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We hope this helps you plan your Agasthyakoodam trek well and lets you have an exciting experience of one of the most challenging yet adventurous treks in Kerala! Happy tripping!
