Reach the peak and after spending about an hour here, start the descent latest by 11:30 am towards the base camp. You will also encounter forest guards walking in both directions for random surveillance along the trekking trail. Trek Duration: 1 Day. The peak is the second highest peak in Kerala, South India. And even today a small shrine stands dedicated to him at the peak turning Agasthyakoodam into a significant Hindu pilgrimage destination, attracting devotees from across the Southern states of Kerala and Tamilnadu. The falls looks dramatically beautifully if watched from a distance. Given its close proximity to Thiruvananthapuram, its a better option to find a stay in the city and leave early to Bonacaud on the day of your trek. Agasthyakoodam is located about 60 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram. First glass bridge built in Rajgir, Bihar, which will feel like walking on clouds: see picture on May 14, 2021 Blogger IFTTT. In the first stage, you will need to find an available date and then a application form will be issued to you with the date of trek entered. official website of Kerala forest department, Kerala Forest Department Official Website, ❑ A lightweight hat for sun protection, ❑ One blanket and one lightweight bed sheet, ❑ ID proof that you used for booking your entry pass, ❑ Spare set of footwear (rubber slippers). But in any case, you want to keep your load today to a bare minimum. Apart from being a popular pilgrimage site, Agasthyakoodam is a paradise for ardent trekkers. The wind on the top at times is very strong and be careful when you walk around. This two/three-day trek begins from the Bonacaud forest office, located about 60km from Thiruvananthapuram. All the more reasons to take a bath! The next stretch is for about 5 kms from here up until the Attayar River through semi-evergreen forests. Another rocky area perfect for some rest! (around 7 pm) In no case should you attempt the trek back to Bonacaud post 2 pm as it is simply not worth the risk involved. Usually entry passes run out on the first day of the booking. Best defence against blood seeking leeches. They are also often covered with lichens, mosses and ferns. Found insideStatistical aspects of sampling and analysis were discussed and applied to the objectives of point counts. The final chapter presents these standards and their applications to point count methodology. The base camp at Athirumala is located about 15 km from here. Agasthyakoodam Trekking Distance: 20-28km (one side) Difficulty Level: Moderate Address: Wildlife Warden, Forest Department, PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala The forests surrounding the peak are home to the Kani tribe, who have been ancient worshippers of Agastya Muni (after whom the peak is named. Since 2014, the Kerala Tourism Board has started issuing passes online, and like the ones available offline at Bonacaud, they're sold on a first-come-first-serve basis. However, only leave behind those things that you can afford to lose as there is no guarantee they will be here on your return. Binoculars are heavy and carry it only if your group can share the load! Explore the world in Stupendous Travel! With more than 100 stickers, kids will love learning about different places across the globe through mazes, dot to dots, spot the differences, and more. This trek will take you through moist deciduous forests, semi evergreen forests, grasslands and evergreen forests. While returning you will reach here late and hence the place may seem scary. There is a forest rest house near the falls.The upper slopes of the Neyyar reservoir house these two very beautiful waterfalls. Usually there is a decent water stream here. Usually this means that the trek will be available for about 60 days. To do this, you need to take the first bus out of Trivandrum or start latest by 5 am, if you plan on driving. You can have your breakfast from the canteen and can also buy the packed lunch for the trek from here. The smaller among these sheds is now reserved for women making the male dorms that much more crowded. The nearby teagardens are a soothing experience. According to Hindu mythology, Sage Agastya, one of the Saptarshis (Seven Sages) offered penance in this place and hence the place got the name Agasthyakoodam. You then take a quick trek covering 5KM to the top. Taking it slow on day one also ensures your body is properly warmed up for the more challenging treks coming up in the following days. Trekking Routes. When you reach Athirumala covering a total distance of around 14km, you will be rewarded with a majestic view of the Agasthyakoodam mountain! Agasthyakoodam-Trivandrum ( A Trekkers Paradise) Some Facts about Agasthyakoodam: Agasthyarkoodam , the tallest peak in the south at 1868 meters, is famous for its abundant ayurvedic herbs and medicinal plants. However, up until now, women were not allowed to go on this trek, for no other reason than that they were women! Ramakkalmedu in Idukki: It is a hill station and a rural community in Idukki district of Kerala. (Same for both two-day and three-day plans), Trekking Distance: 15 Kms (17 kms if you’re starting from Bonacaud Post Office). Ensure that you return before 2pm from Athirumala to Bonacaud. This stretch of around 4km consists of moist deciduous and semi evergreen forests and you will come across the Karamana river at the end of it. The forest beat officer (BFO) in charge will give a quick introduction of the trek and would remind you that you are going through a forest full of wildlife. The officials informed that the booking for the trekking … Make it a point to pack light and pack smart. This is indicated separately (G) in the following checklist. There is a diversion you can take at this stretch for a beautiful view. This program aims to create biosphere reserves to protect biological and cultural diversity of a region while promoting sustainable economic development. The temperature drops as you climb and and you will cross thick evergreen forests along this route. Pwolichee…. It is also known as Agasthyamala in Malayalam (അഗസ്ത്യമല) and Pothigai Malai in Tamil. By air : The nearest airport is the Trivandrum International Airport which is at a distance of 69 kilometers. These two waterfalls are found on the upper reaches of the Neyyar Reservoir in the capital district of the state. The booking process involved 2 stages. Thenmala is a tourist place in Kollam district. There is a large sculpture of Sage Agastya that you should not miss on your Tour to Agasthyakoodam. Give your tired legs a good rest, grab a cup of hot tea at the canteen here and maybe even take a refreshing dip in the bone-chilling waters of a nearby stream, located behind the camp. YOu are required to report here at 7 am. The climb leads to a ridge which separates Tamilnadu from Kerala. The forest here is thick and there is plenty of medicinal plants along the way. Walk across this rocky plains and head to west to start your final climb to the peak (approximately 2km from here). We always halt here for photos. Always be alert and lookout for animals. It has a decent waterfall and we always halt here for a bath. Another male bastion in Kerala has fallen! The initial stretch from the forest check post is for 4 kms through thick deciduous and semi-evergreen forests up until the Karamana river along with a forest camp beside it. Remember, change always starts with you. As you spend time here, you realize that you should have attempted this trek much earlier! Once you’re cleared, you begin your trek towards the base camp at Athirumala, located around 15 kms away. Once done, settle in for a long and cold night. In 1992, an area covering around 23 sq kms was established as Agasthya Vanam Biological Park. The remaining final distance to the tip is considered very difficult. Confused about what to pack for your Agasthyakoodam Trek? Agasthyakoodam is located 50kms north east of Trivandrum and in-between Trivandrum and Ponmudi. You will cross another small water stream here. The pilgrimage season starts by Jan mid for 3 months. Anamudi Peak (Near Munnar) Machaa.. Keep rocking.. Get updates via email about new posts, travel guides and more! Thenmala. The final part of this climb is through a relatively flat forest trail with hovering trees on either side that is truly a sight to behold. The hike can be divided into two parts and usually people camp after 20km from the base camp. The 2000-year-old Vaishnavaite temple is located close to papanasam beach. I use Garmin etrex 10. Revised and updated edition Dhoni Hills is one of the popular spots for trekking in Kerala for locals and tourists alike. Similarly when you have your breakfast book your lunch. Agasthyakoodam is famous for it’s rare medicinal plans and herbs. There are steel ropes and plastic ropes here for support. I strongly suggest you  to avoid this section if you like surprises during your trek. Agasthya Mountain is also referred to as Agasthyakoodam and is located about 70 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram. Agasthyarkoodam Trekking Booking (Imp. In this book, Kerala's many art and ritual forms are introduced by eminent scholars. Its remoteness from any kind of human settlements and lack of accessibility other than by foot even to the base camp make the surrounding forest regions almost untouched and pristine but at the same time leaving the trail prone to wildlife encounters and preventing any sort of immediate help or rescue in the case of an emergency or wildlife attack. However, there is another theory as well. Women and children are not allowed on the trek. The green mountains of Kerala are home to rainforests, green tea plantations and many more. June 26, 2011 by tamilrasigan. Walk for 2 kms via the above-mentioned route beside the abandoned tea factory unless you can manage to get a lift till the Forest Check Post. A guide will also be provided. A quick stretch can also go along way in loosening up your limbs after a hard days trek. To know all about getting permits to Agasthyakoodam Trek, read my post on the same. Since Kerala has a tropical climate, you don't really need to be carrying warm or heavy clothing. This article is a comprehensive guide to Agasthyakoodam trek including trekking tips, online booking information and what you can expect on the trek. #Road. KSRTC operates regular bus services from Trivandrum and Neyyatinkara to Bonacaud, from where the trek starts.The minimum duration for Agasthyakoodam Trek is 3 days, which needs to be completed in two phases.The first phase of Agasthyakoodam Trek is the trek … Usually a couple days before the start of the trekking program, forest department would publish the date for getting entry passes. Trekking is permitted only in the months of December, January, February and March.Trekking in small small groups is allowed only for one month starting from January to February for a nominal entry free. The fourth forest camp is located here. One could say this is from where the actual climb starts as the rocky plains now merge yet again into a narrow forest trail with almost 2 kms left towards the peak. If you’re lucky (or unlucky) you might even spot an elephant or two here. And just when you think it can’t get any more challenging, the trail now climbs over an almost vertical rock surface, one after the other. From this year (2014), you can book Agasthyakoodam trekking entry passes online! You cannot trek barefoot unless you are used to it. You should be on the top by around 10AM and need return by 11AM. Thus during Dec it is a package tour for trek from forest office. … Dhoni Hills. One or two forest guards (from local tribal population) will accompany you along. On the 3rd day you can return back to Bonacaud just the same way you went to Athirumala. There is a large white tree close to trek path. Most of the so called “trekking shoes” get damaged when you trek on rough terrain. Today your goal should be to leave the campsite by 6:30 – 7 am towards the Agasthyakoodam Peak the reason for which will be explained later on. There are around 43 species of mammals including tiger, leopard, sloth bear, elephant, sambar, barking deer, Nilgiri langur and Nilgiri tahr. 1) Elephant Kraal. The mountain is said to be a storehouse of medicinal plants needed in Ayurveda. Kodachadri Trek Distance: 14 kms approx (via Hidlumane Falls) Trail Type: Dense Tropical Rainforests, waterfalls, meadows and cliffs. Keep in mind the fact that passes have to be obtained from the Wild Life Warden, Forest Department, PTP Nagar, Tiruvananthapuram for trekking. Alternatively you can also trek to Agasthyakoodam during the offseason, but you need to pay more (Rs.4000+ for a team of 5). to keep you warm. This is visited by thousands of devotees each year. This is important since without prior booking you may not get food from canteen! You can also walk to the southern side of the camp which leads to another grassland. The forest officer in charge will greet you and will ask for your entry pass. The air you breathe in the mountain is also therapeutic, curing diseases and ailments. Peppara wildlife sanctuary in Thiruvananthapuram is a popular attraction and draws thousands of wildlife enthusiasts. During our last visit, we found that almost all the cars had some sort of damage after covering this rough road. It is one of the rich biodiversity hotspots and soon will be declared as a heritage site. This waterfall is in way of Agastyakoodam. The trekking route starts from Bonacaud. The distance from Bonacaud starting point to Athirumala is around 15km and the distance from Athirumala to the mountain peak is around 5km. Batches from the previous days will already be here and hence it is important to reserve your places at the earliest especially if you happen to be a large group and want to stay together for the night. Some of the tribals work with eco-development committees organized by forest department. Konni. The link for booking trek tickets will be available on the official website of Kerala forest department on the opening day of booking. From here you can see the vast forest ranges of Mundanthurai tiger reserve. The sanctuary spreads in an area of 53 square kilometer on Western Ghats. Exceptionally hued orchids along with rare medicinal herbs and plants, Agasthyakoodam is a repository in its every sense. Forests around Agasthyakoodam has a rich wildlife ecosystem. Justice Anu Sivaraman ruled that restrictions cannot be imposed on the basis of gender of a participant while granting permission to visitors to trek the peak. After around 1.5 kms, the forest cover thins out into a rocky bamboo trail. You must return to the base camp on the same day. The trekking route passes through steep mountains and streams covering a distance of around six kilometers (one way). You can also see grasslands far away! Teaming with wildlife Agasthyakoodam, a part of Sahyadri range, the second highest peak in Kerala lies at the border of Kerala and Tamilnadu. I was told that children under 14 and women are not allowed entry into the forest reserve, but I did not understand why. There is also a small shrine of mountain god (Maladevan) under a huge tree. You are now in the grasslands and the early climb has some excellent spots for bird watching. No trekking would be allowed during this period,” said J R Ani, wildlife warden, Thiruvananthapuram. If you start early and return early, and are in good spirits to trek back to … Besides, the simple of joy of taking a bath in a natural stream can be compared to none. Now you are the Agasthyakoodam peak! Agasthyakoodam (near Trivandrum) January to Mid-March is when Agasthyakoodam opens for trekking. You may halt here for a quick dip. Trekking permits are issued by the Wildlife Warden, Forest Department, PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram. There are several water sources along this trail apart from the Vazapaithiyar river that offers a perfect waterfall for an energising bath. You will also be greeted with majestic views of the Agasthyakoodam peak that until now lay hidden above the shroud of forest cover, along with mesmerising views of the valley down below. Note that this road is in bad condition and unless you are an expert car driver or you have an SUV, I suggest you take the bike. I accept the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy of Tripoto. Once here take a right through the broken down road going beside the abandoned tea factory for 2 kms to reach the Forest Check Post from where the trek begins. Agasthya Mountain is also referred as Agasthyakoodam and is located about 70 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram, capital city of Kerala State in India. You will be able to reach the forest station anywhere between 12 – 1 pm. Take rest, have a cup of hot tea and then take a bath in the stream located nearby on the eastern side! Pristine, breathtaking and full of life, this trek has something for everyone. There are small forest stretches you need to cross even when you are in grasslands. Till 2013, booking for Agasthyarkoodam pilgrimage trek was a tedious process. You will find the idol Agsthyamuni surrounded by short trees which protects it. And finally. Cross over the stream and climb up the other side across a ridge to reach another wide open area called ‘Pongalappara’ as devotees often cook rice offerings here. This initial stretch is through dense evergreen forests and you will be crossing a number of water streams. It was an Adventure trip … KODACHADRI TREK AT A GLANCE. In the case of a three-day plan, take your time at the peak. Agasthyakoodam is the eastern boundary of Agasthyavanam biological park. ... Agasthiya peak view from distance during trek If you are there to experience the forest or looking to explore the flora and fauna of the Agasthyakoodam, you need 3 days. Agasthyakoodam (Agasthyarkoodam), the second highest point of the Western Ghats is a must visit place for a traveler who seeks adventure, and nature at its most pure form. Once you book the ticket and pay the money you get an option to print the entry pass. Kerala Forest Department. Never walk too close to the cliff as the wind may throw you over it! Hence plan your needs accordingly. Mobile phone signals are available here. Trekking is one of the main activities carried out here by the tourists. Find a place for your sleeping mat in one of the huts. This gives you plenty of time to experience the forest, the mountain peak and the water streams along the way. Agasthyakoodam is one of the highest peaks in Kerala and is famous for it’s rare medicinal plans and herbs. Agasthyakoodam is a part of Sahyadri range of mountains. First Woman In History Starts Trek To Male-Only Agasthyakoodam Peak In Kerala. Then turn right and walk over the ridge to reach a huge open space. for you. Describes the gods and goddesses and the religious practices of the early Egyptians. Once at the Athirumala Camp, always book your meals in advance to avoid not getting them in case of a shortage. This is very important since animals such as bear may attack when you walk alone. A small shrine of Agasthyamuni and forest guard tent (second camp since Bonacaud picket station) are located here. Usually trekkers will have their lunch at Attayar river. When you are at Athirumala camp, book your dinner during tea time and then book your breakfast during dinner. Highlights : • All taxes, fuel surcharges and service fees included • Hotel pickup and drop-off included from the city hotels • Informative, friendly and professional guide for you. Find a place for yourself from among the three dormitories here that are basically sheds made of metal corrugated sheets with a cement floor. After the check-in formalities at the Bonacaud forest station, you will be leaving for the Athirumala base station at around 8:30am. Based in between the Western Ghats mountain range and the Arabian Sea, Kerala has the best natural beauty. Agasthyakoodam area belongs to Neyyar wildlife sanctuary and Peppara wildlife sanctuary. 14.5(normal) + 6 km (rigourous) trek. There is a small shop and a canteen at Bonacaud picket station. Specialty of Agasthyakoodam . However conserve your water during the last stretch of your climb and keep the bottle filled up whenever you get a chance. Pandipathu Situated on the Kerala-Tamilnadu border a t a distance of 68 Kms from Trivandrum ... 2014-November 8 to 10 th Agasthyakoodam Trekking organized by Tree Club for 3 days. Thiruvananthapuram: The annual trekking to Agasthyarkoodam peak here will be held from January 14 to 18. It is relatively easy to trek this distance. Speaking of pilgrimage, apart from being renowned to be the father of ‘Siddha’; a form of Ayurveda prevalent in South India, Sage Agasthya is also considered to be the father of Tamil literature. This is the first forest crossing. Largely part of the protected forests outside of Idukki, trekking this trail demands issued passes from Kerala Forest & Wildlife Department. We have been doing this trek for three years consecutively and hence has fine tuned our trek. Make sure to get your food coupons well in advance as chances are you might not get any food from the canteen here if you fail to do so, especially in the case of a shortage. In 2014, this facility was rolled out through Kerala eService Delivery Portal and you can register an account for the portal anytime. Although lesser known compared to several of its sisters along the Western Ghats owing to the restrictions imposed by the Kerala Forest Department on trekking, it nevertheless has turned into a trekkers paradise in recent years attracting people for a variety of reasons including the thrill of attempting the physically demanding trek, the urge to explore its exquisite flora and fauna and even for the purpose of pilgrimage.
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