Main Info
Agasthyakoodam, Trivandrum Overview
Agastya Mala Peak is also known as Agastyarkoodam. It is located at 1,868 meters (a high altitude, indeed) in Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary. You may reach the peak by means of trekking and are likely to find the experience quite exhilarating. At the peak, you may see Lord Agastya’s life sized statue. Devotees bow before the Hindu Sage with a great reverence.
More on Agasthyakoodam
Water availability
It is advisable to carry the sufficient quantities of water with you because of safety reasons.
Accommodation
You may find a suitable accommodation either at Nedumangad or Trivandrum. Besides, after trekking for a day, you may find a place to rest at Athirumala that has some tents for the purpose of accommodation.
Food availability
Though it is advisable to carry the meals with you, you may procure food at Trivandrum on your way to the Wildlife warden for the sake of getting the entry pass. However, the night trekkers may get food at Athirumala.
Trek Routes
Trekking for Agastyarkoodam begins at Bonacaud, 65 km away from Trivandrum. However, the trekkers may find it enjoyable to camp for the night at Bonacaud. There is a bus in the morning from the Nedumangaud Bus Station.
Walking down for 30 minutes from the Bonacaud Tea Estate, you will reach the Forest Office and the Check Post, the main entry point to the peak of Agastyarkoodam. If you want to avoid any of the security issues, it is advisable not to carry any liquor or a sharp instrument, not even a knife! Your luggage would be checked as it is a security norm up the peak.
Athirmala would be the destination for the day.It also serves as the night base camp. Thus, the trekkers are required to move across Attayar on their way to Athirumala. The pristine beauty of the nature is highly scenic here. You would feel like clicking your camera very often!
The next day begins quite early in the morning so much so that you will find the Sun rays following you! Waking up as early as 6 in the morning would leave you with sufficient time to trek up the main peak, be a part of the Puja and Darshan, say your prayers to the Sage and get back to Athirumala before 11 am. Now, you may go trekking back to Bonacaud.
Best Time to Visit Agasthyakoodam
It is in between December to April.
Flora & Fauna
Flora– There are 2,000 varying varieties of the medicinal plants. Besides, there are 50 of the rare and the endangered species. Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve is a greatly expanded geographical area that comprises the Indian Ecoregions at the South Western Ghats’ moist deciduous forests. There are also Shola and the rain forests of the South Western Ghats. Besides, the flora here includes approximately 400 red listed species of the plants. There more than 125 orchid species. There are also various threatened plant species that are endemic. Arogyapacha, a highly famous and rare therapeutical plant is also found here. Approximately, 1/4th of the Indian plant species are available here.
Fauna– The Biosphere Reserve is home to 79 mammal species, including 20 that are endemic. There are 88 reptile species including 45 endemic species. There are also 45 amphibian species including 30 endemic ones. Besides, there are 46 fish species (10 are endemic). There is also a large number of the species of birds. The 337 bird species include 20 endemic ones. Tigers, Ancient Elephant and Nilgiri Tahr are also found here.
How to Reach Agasthyakoodam?
- Air: Trivandrum International Airport, 68 km from Bonacaud
- Rail: Thampanur Railway Station, Thiruvananthapuram, 61 km from Bonacaud
- Road: The road to Agastyarkoodam is connected to the Thiruvananthapuram city by means of various bus services. The last motorable point is the Bonacaud village.
