The Agasthyakoodam trek is among the many most difficult but thrilling treks in Kerala. Set inside the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, a trek to Agasthyakoodam takes you to one of many highest mountain peaks in Kerala via lush forests and rocky terrain!
However the place precisely is Agasthyakoodam? How does one get there? How lengthy is the trek? And what’s the Agasthyakoodam trekking reserving quantity?
On this weblog, we have now tried to reply all of the questions you have got about one of the thrilling avenues for trekking in Kerala so you possibly can plan your journey with ease.
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The place is Agasthyakoodam positioned?
Standing at a top of 1,868 meters above sea stage, Agasthyakoodam, or Agasthyarkoodam, is among the many highest mountain peaks in Kerala.
It’s positioned contained in the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary within the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-recognised protected forest reserve within the Western Ghats sandwiched between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
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Why trek to Agasthyakoodam?- Historical past & significance
Agasthyakoodam is a well-known locale for trekking and birdwatching.
This picturesque biodiversity hotspot is house to lush forests, grasslands, small waterfalls, and over 2,000 species of medicinal herbs and crops like lichens, orchids, mosses, and ferns. Even its air is claimed to have medicinal worth!
Most significantly, Agasthyakoodam is a well-liked pilgrimage website.
This mountain peak is known as after the well-known Hindu sage Agasthya who will not be solely talked about in Ramayana and Mahabharata but in addition figures prominently within the historic scriptures of a number of Hindu temples throughout Asia!
Believed to have been sage Agasthya’s sanctuary for meditation, Agasthyakoodam is a vital pilgrimage website for Hindu devotees.
Yearly, hundreds of Hindu pilgrims climb this mountain to go to his holy shrine and pay their respects to the traditional sage!
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Finest time to trek to Agasthyakoodam
Earlier than we inform you the perfect time to go to Agasthyakoodam for trekking, you will need to know that the Agasthyarkoodam trek is simply open for 2 months every year.
The path is simply open from the second week of January until March (about 45 days), making this the one time you possibly can indulge on this unique trek.
The trekking season of January-March (winter) is the greatest time to go to Kerala for the Agasthyakoodam trek when the climate is cool and nice and the temperature is between 12°C to twenty°C with clear skies.
It’s essentially the most comfy season for trekking when it’s not too sizzling, the flora is in full bloom, and tons of migratory birds may be noticed!
Word: The area could also be open for trekking in different seasons too, however the associated fee could be considerably excessive and the climate uncomfortable.
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Agasthyakoodam trekking reserving
How do I get my Agasthyakoodam trekking move? How a lot does the allow value? Can I purchase the move on-line?
It’s essential to keep in mind that
- The Kerala Forest Dept (KFDC) solely points 100 Agasthyakoodam trekking passes day by day throughout the trekking season.
- Solely a restricted variety of persons are allowed to trek to Agasthyakoodam in a day, which additional makes it tough to amass a move.
You’ll be able to ebook the passes on-line on the Kerala Forest Dept official web site. Reserving opens a few week earlier than the trekking season begins.
Agasthyakoodam trekking reserving value: INR 1,800/-
Inclusions: Forest allow; keep
Exclusions: Meals
Word: One move admits 10 folks.
Agasthyarkoodam trek reserving ideas
- Agasthyakoodam passes promote like hotcakes the minute they go reside. Should you wait to ebook them, chances are you’ll not get them.
- Preserve particulars and paperwork like identify, age, contact quantity, handle, and ID proof quantity helpful.
- Preserve your fee mode (bank card, debit card, UPI) helpful.
- Preserve a few backup dates in thoughts in case your most well-liked date isn’t obtainable.
- Log onto the web site from completely different units on the identical time to extend your possibilities of getting the passes.
- Print your move and affidavit as soon as the reserving course of is full. A tough copy might show helpful on the forest entrance.
How one can attain Agasthyakoodam trek place to begin?
The trek begins from a small city known as Bonacaud positioned 51 km away from Trivandrum. It’s the final motorable spot earlier than the Agasthyakoodam peak.
Allow us to inform you how one can attain Trivandrum after which Bonacaud.
How one can attain Trivandrum
By air: Trivandrum Worldwide Airport is well-connected to all main cities in India and overseas.
By prepare: Trivandrum Central Railway Station is well-connected to all main cities throughout India, together with Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Delhi, and extra.
By street: Owing to a well-maintained street community that connects Trivandrum to many cities and cities in South India, the town may be pushed to from nearly wherever within the nation.
There are a number of automobile rental companies, non-public bus operators, and state transport buses that may get you to Trivandrum from Bangalore, Kochi, Madurai, Coimbatore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mysore, and much more locations.
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How one can attain Bonacaud
Distance from Trivandrum to Bonacaud: 51 km
Journey time: 2 hours
You’ll be able to ebook a cab to Bonacaud from Trivandrum. You’ll be able to simply ebook a taxi from the airport or prepare station itself.
You may also journey by a KSRTC bus from Trivandrum to Bonacaud at nominal charges.
Since your trek begins at 7 AM, you’ll must ebook the bus that departs from KSRTC Bus Stand in Thampanoor at 5 AM and drops you on the Bonacaud Publish Workplace.
Agasthyakoodam trek route map
After you attain Bonacaud, you might be anticipated to assemble close to the deserted Bonacaud Tea Manufacturing facility. Your journey begins right here!
Agasthyakoodam trek route map:
Agasthyakoodam trek itinerary
From the Bonacaud Tea Manufacturing facility, you’ll must get to the Bonacaud Forest Checkpoint, additionally known as the Bonacaud Picket Station, positioned 2 km away.
That is the place to begin of your Agasthyakoodam trek.
Day 1: Athirumala Base Camp
- Report on the Bonacaud Forest Checkpoint at 7 AM.
- Get your trekking move, affidavit, and picture ID verified on the Forest Checkpoint.
- After lunch, briefing, and baggage checking, proceed to the Base Camp at 9 AM.
- Your information will lead you to the Base Camp 16 km away and the entire journey will take 7-8 hours relying in your tempo.
- Upon reaching the campsite, present your trekking move to the forest officer and relaxation after a filling dinner.
The trek takes you thru a thick forest, open grasslands, small hillocks, views of rocky mountains, and several other freshwater streams the place you possibly can refill your bottles with chilly mountain water!
Don’t overlook to go to the Agasthya Muni shrine on the high!
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Day 2: Agasthyakoodam Peak
- After tea and snacks, begin your 6-km lengthy trek uphill by 7 AM.
- Trek 4 km uphill and have breakfast earlier than beginning the steep climb.
- For the following 2 km trek, rigorously climb uphill utilizing a rope and attain the height by 10 AM / 11 AM.
- After an hour, start your climb downhill and attain the Base Camp earlier than sunset.
You’ll once more be accompanied by dense forests, streams, and sights of animal herds grazing or shifting about.
Nevertheless, this last leg of the trek is kind of difficult the place it’s a must to climb a 2-km rocky terrain after which a small 90° steep climb to the height’s high.
Ideas & tips for trekking to Agasthyakoodam
- Be sure you are in good well being with good stamina for this difficult trek.
- Don’t join this trek if in case you have vertigo because the final leg of the trek is a straight-up vertical climb!
- There is no such thing as a place to remain in Bonacaud. E-book a keep in Trivandrum itself and get to Bonacaud early morning on the day of the trek.
- Carry a tough copy of your trekking move and affidavit. Additionally, carry the unique picture ID used on the time of reserving the move.
- Take a packed lunch from Bonacaud itself because the trek to the Base Camp is a protracted one and no meal is offered en route.
- Comply with the rules and guidelines set down by the forest officer and your trekking information always.
- You need to pay INR 100/- for every plastic merchandise you carry previous the Bonacaud Checkpoint. So, don’t carry plastic bottles and/or meals in plastic wrappers.
- Respect the native tradition and norms of the native tribal group of the forest.
- Take common breaks throughout the trek to relaxation and admire your lovely environment. However don’t fall behind or get lost alone.
- Don’t overlook to gather your sleeping mats and meal tokens upon reaching the campsite.
- As an alternative of bathing on the camp’s lavatory, take a dip within the pure stream close by!
- Solely carry necessities and precious objects to the height on the trek’s second day as a heavy backpack can inconvenience you throughout the steep climb.
- Head again to the bottom camp by 11 AM so you possibly can attain it earlier than darkish.
- Descend the steep vertical rocks slowly. Hastening right here may be harmful.
- Don’t disturb the wildlife and flora of the park.
- Put on gentle cotton or linen garments, sturdy trekking footwear with socks, trekking pants or cargo, a hat or cap, sun shades, and sunscreen throughout the trek.
- Carry a flashlight with further batteries, a lightweight waterproof jacket, a fast dry towel, a lightweight collapsible backpack, 2 bottles of water, an influence financial institution, plastic-free snacks, spare money for purchasing meals, and mosquito repellent.
- Don’t litter. Agasthyakoodam is a tranquil and untampered forest. Depart it that approach.
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We hope this helps you intend your Agasthyakoodam trek effectively and allows you to have an thrilling expertise of one of the difficult but adventurous treks in Kerala! Completely happy tripping!
