Some treks are about views.
Some are about summits.
Agasthyarkoodam is about endurance, silence, and surrender.
Deep inside the Western Ghats of Kerala stands Agasthyarkoodam, a mountain that doesn’t invite you casually. You don’t “decide” to trek Agasthyarkoodam. You prepare, wait, and eventually earn your way in.
This is a practical guide, yes… but also a personal reflection on what it truly takes to walk this sacred forest trail.
Before the Trek: Knowing What You’re Walking Into
Agasthyarkoodam rises to 1,868 meters, making it one of the tallest peaks in South India. But height is not the challenge here… distance and terrain are.
- Total distance: ~50 km (round trip)
- Duration: 3 days, 2 nights (You can finish it in 2 days, 1 night)
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
- Trail type: Dense rainforest, gradual ascents, steep final push
There are no dramatic alpine openings every few kilometres. Instead, the forest keeps you enclosed, testing your patience long before it tests your legs.
And that’s intentional.
When the Forest Opens Its Gates
Agasthyarkoodam is accessible only between January and March, regulated by the Kerala Forest Department.
- January: Green, alive, slightly unpredictable
- February: Ideal balance of weather and trail conditions
- March: Hotter, tougher, but visually rewarding
Outside this window, if you would like to travel, you can register through tvmwildlife.com or contact: 04712360762 / 8281004537 / 8547602948.
Permissions: Your First Real Test
This trek is strictly permit-based. Only 100 people/day (70% online, 30% offline)
Secure online permits on the Kerala Forest Department portal, ensuring you get your entry pass. It includes
- Trek + forest accommodation
- food (Pay Extra)
Slots are limited and competitive. If you miss them, the forest doesn’t negotiate.
Planning Agasthyarkoodam teaches patience even before the trek begins.
Training: Preparing the Body (and Ego)
Agasthyarkoodam doesn’t require extreme fitness, but it punishes unprepared confidence.
What actually helps:
- Long walks (8–12 km consistently)
- Stair climbing or incline training
- Light strength work for legs and core
- Walking with a loaded backpack
If you can walk 15 km comfortably, you’ll survive.
If you rush or overestimate yourself, the forest will slow you down, forcefully.
Packing: Carry Less, Think More
Every unnecessary item becomes heavier after kilometres.
Essentials only:
- Trekking shoes or Sports shoes (Recommended)
- 30–40L backpack
- 1–2 litres of water capacity
- Fruits, Energy bars, dates, dry fruits
- Power bank
- Towel
- Poncho, rain jacket or umbrella
- Headlamp or torch
- Cash (~₹2000)
- Sandals
- Sun cap / Sunscreen
- Mosquito repellent
- Salt / Sanitizer
- Basic first-aid
- Trekking Poles (Optional)
- Basic personal medication
Clothing matters:
- Quick-dry pants
- Full-sleeve shirts (leeches are real)
- One warm layer for the night
Documents
- ID Proof copy (Used while booking)
- Medical certificate (Max 7 days old)
- Booking permit/pass
Plastic, alcohol, and noise have no place here. This isn’t just a rule, it’s respect.
Food, Shelter & Simplicity
The Forest Department provides simple vegetarian meals and basic shelter.
No luxury.
No phone signals.
No distractions.
You eat, rest, talk softly, and sleep early, because the mountain demands an early start.
The Walk That Changes Tone
The first few kilometres feel manageable. Conversations flow.
Then the forest deepens.
The trail stretches endlessly, views disappear, and the rhythm becomes:
step – breath – step – breath
This is where Agasthyarkoodam reveals itself.
Not dramatic.
Not loud.
Just deeply present.
The final summit push happens early morning, when fatigue is loud, and the forest is silent. Reaching the top feels less like victory and more like permission.
What Makes Agasthyarkoodam Different
- Ancient medicinal plants line the trail
- Bird calls replace playlists
- Silence becomes companionship
- You stop chasing the summit and start listening inward
This trek strips away urgency. It teaches you to move at the forest’s pace, not yours.
Mental Preparation Is the Real Gear
Agasthyarkoodam is not an Instagram trek.
- Views are rare
- Progress feels slow
- Fatigue is constant
But if you let go of expectations, the trek gives something deeper, stillness.
Walk Light, Leave Lighter
This mountain is sacred, ecologically and culturally.
- Carry back everything you bring
- Don’t touch or pluck plants
- Don’t carry a loudspeaker or any plastic cover
- Follow forest guides without argument
- Leave no trace, physically or emotionally
Agasthyarkoodam doesn’t belong to us. We are just passing through.
Getting There & Logistics (Day 1)
- Start Point: Bonacaud Forest Checkpost, about 60 km from Thiruvananthapuram.
- Transport: Bus (5 AM, KSRTC Bustand, Thiruvanathapuram) or taxi/personal vehicle
- At Bonacaud: Verify permits, and start the trekking to Athirumala (base camp) by 8 AM.
- On the way: Face different terrains, enjoy the waterfall, and have a packed lunch.
- Athirumala: Reach by afternoon/ evening (6 – 8 hours trek), have lunch, explore, and stay overnight (dinner available).
The Peak Day (Day 2)
- Early Start: Begin the tough climb to the peak by 6-7 AM (Don’t forget to have breakfast).
- Peak & Return: Reach the peak around 9 AM, spend time, then head back to Athirumala base camp by 11 AM (or earlier).
- Descent: Descend carefully; wear light clothes, sturdy shoes, and use a trekking pole or a walking stick (available at Bonacaud).
- Athirumala: Reach by afternoon, have lunch, leave immediately if you have come by your own vehicle, or explore and stay overnight. Watch the sky (Moon rising or starry sky)
Return Day (Day 3)
- Early Start: Begin the descent to Bonacaud by 6-7 AM.
- Bonacaud: Reach by afternoon, have lunch.
- Return: 1:30 PM / 2:30 PM bus will leave for Thiruvanathapuram (Check at the forest office before the trek starts, timing vary depends on the season)
Final Thoughts
Agasthyarkoodam doesn’t reward speed. It rewards presence.
You return without dramatic stories, but with quieter strength.
And long after your legs recover, something inside you stays calm.
If you’re looking for a trek that challenges the body and steadies the mind… this is it!