Agasthyakoodam Trekking: Agasthyakoodam Online Booking 2020 – Complete Details

Highlights

Agasthyakoodam Trek, one of the prominent trekking destination in Kerala is about to open for the next season. And In a recent press release, the Kerala Forest Department has officially declared the “online booking facility for Agasthyarkoodam Trekking 2020”.

Here are some important tips about Agasthyakoodam trekking 2020:

Though Kerala Forest Department is yet to officially announce the “online booking facility for Agasthyarkoodam Trekking 2020”, the travel community is waiting for it over a year and here are some important tips for getting a confirmed ticket this time.

Though Kerala Forest Department is yet to officially announce the “online booking facility for Agasthyarkoodam Trekking 2020”, the travel community is waiting for it over a year and here are some important tips for getting a confirmed ticket this time.

About Agasthyakoodam Peak

Agastyakoodam peak is situated in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala. It is an integral part of the Western Ghats towards the southern end of India and is the second-highest peak in Kerala after Anamudi.

Agasthyakoodam is otherwise called as Agastyar Malai or Agastyarkoodam. The peak is named after the sage Agasthya and is a popular pilgrim site in South India. A shrine dedicated to sage Agastya is also located on the peak.

The Bonacaud hill is towards the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. You will see the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries on the Kerala side and Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve on the Tamil Nadu side of the Agastyamalai Biosphere Reserve.

Located about 61 km west of Thiruvananthapuram, this reserve forest is known for rich biodiversity and endemic medicinal plants. Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve is also included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves

About Agasthyakoodam Trekking

Agasthyaramkoodam trek is one of the toughest trek routes after Meesapulimala trekking in Kerala and South India. The trek is about 20-28 km towards one side and a total of 40-56km. The minimum duration for Agastyakoodam Trek is two days and you can extend it to one more day based upon your interest and stamina.

In 2019, Dhanya Sanal becomes the first woman to reach the summit of Agastyakoodam.

About Agastyakoodam Trek Itinerary:

The starting point of the Agasthyakoodam trek is at Bonacaud, which is the endpoint of the motorable road to Agasyakoodam. After document verification and a short study-class by the Forest Department officers, the trek to Agasyakoodam begins from Bonacaud Forest Check Post.

More details and a day-wise itinerary can be found in the Itinerary tab below;

Agasthyakoodam Online Booking Statistics – Case Study

Here we analyze the statistical data of the online booking for the previous years starting from 2016 to 2019 2020. We hope this information will help you while preparing for booking this trek in 2020.

In 2016:

• Agasthyakoodam Trekking Online Booking Start Date: 11th January 2016
• Time: 11.00 AM
• The ticket-charge per head was Rs. 500
• Trekking is limited to 100 persons per day
• Ladies and children’s below 14 years are not allowed for the trekking
• Booking was closed in a few hours
• Dates of Trekking: 15th January 2016 to 07th March 2016

In 2017:

• Agastyakoodam Trekking Online booking Start Date: 05th January 2017
• Time: 11.00 AM
• The ticket-charge per head was Rs. 500
• Trekking was limited to 100 persons per day
• Ladies and children’s below 14 years were not allowed for the trekking
• Booking was closed by 12.45 pm the same day.
• Dates of Trekking: 14th January 2017 to 25th February 2017

In 2018:

• Agasthyakoodam Trekking Online Booking Start Date: 5th January 2018
• Time: 11 AM
• The ticket-charge per head was unknown
• Only 100 persons were allowed per day for trekking
• Ladies and children’s below 14 years were not allowed for the trekking
• Trekking pass was sold out and booking was closed in a few hours
• Dates of Trekking:

In 2019:

• Agastyakoodam Trekking Online Booking Start Date: 05th January 2019
• Time: 11.00 AM
• The online booking charge was Rs. 1000 per person
• Only 100 persons were allowed per day for trekking
• Trek to Agastyakoodam was open to Women starting from this year. (On 30th November 2018, the Kerala High Court had removed the unofficial ban on entry of women to the peak stating that gender-based restrictions can’t be imposed)
• Children’s below 14 years were not allowed for trekking
• Trekking pass was sold out and booking was closed in a few hours
• More details: All details for Agasthyakoodam trekking 2019 Online Booking
• Dates of Trekking: 14th January 2019 to 01st March 2019

In 2020:

• Agastyakoodam Trekking Online Booking Start Date: 08th January 2020
• Time: 11.00 AM
• The date of the trek will be from 14th January 2020 to 18th February 2020.
• The online booking charge is Rs. 1100 per person
• Only 100 persons were allowed per day for trekking
• Women are allowed for the trek.
• Children’s below 14 years were not allowed for trekking
• Almost all trekking pass were sold out before 11.30am on the booking date.
• More details: All Details for Agasthyakoodam Trekking 2020 Online Booking
• Dates of Trekking: 14th January 2020 to 18th February 2020

If you wish to receive a personalized reminder about the booking before 08th January 2020 11:00 am, please check Agasthyakoodam Trekking Pass 2020: Get Instant Updates.

Agasthyakoodam Trekking Pass 2020 Online Booking

By checking the statistics from the year 2016 till 2019, we can see that the booking got started during the first two weeks of January (between 05 Jan & 11 Jan). And on seeing that trend, we may conclude that Agasthyakoodam booking 2020 will also happen in between the first weeks of January.

Please check All Details for Agasthyakoodam Trekking 2020 Online Booking Dates & Important Details for the complete details including the booking cost, procedure, things to know before booking, the verification process, and important rules for the year 2020.

Below were the available options for online booking last year. We hope this pattern will continue in the year 2020 also:

• Government Service Online Website – (Online Booking)
• Forest Depart of Kerala Website – (Online Booking))
• Akshaya e-Centre – (Offline Booking)

Agasthyakoodam Trek Online Booking Charges:

The Agastyakoodam entry pass was charged at Rs.1000 per person last year. Though the forest department is yet to announce the rate for the year 2020, we assume the rates will be similar

Additional Info

• There are no restrictions for women for trekking in Agashtyar Malai starting from the year 2019.
• Women forest guides will accompany if there are women trekkers.
• No special considerations will be given to women during the trek.
• Children below 14 are not allowed for this trek.
• Govt ID (Driving License, Voters ID or any other Govt ID) number is mandatory for booking the tickets online.
• For group bookings, Govt ID details for every member has to be provided
• Only 100 persons will be allowed per day for the trek.
• Documents verification will be done at Bonacaud Forest Station, on the date of the trek.
• Printouts of both ticket and registered Govt ID (original) must be submitted during the verification.
• Agastyakoodam trek is open only during Jan-Feb/March/April months of every year.
• Considering the ecological importance of the reserve, it remains closed for the rest of the months.
• This is the toughest trek route in Kerala.
• People with good physical strength are advised for the trek.
• Also, do proper warm-ups & exercises for a few weeks before coming to the trek, this will help you in completing the trek without much strain.
• Register for an account, at the online booking website(Service Online) early so as to book the tickets without any delay.
• KSRTC buses are available from Thiruvananthapuram to Bonacaud.
• Please do not forget to check the bus timings in advance if you choose to opt for Kerala State Transport Buses.

If you wish to receive a personalized reminder about the booking before 08th January 2020 11:00 am, please check Agasthyakoodam Trekking Pass 2020: Get Instant Updates.

Agastyakoodam Travelogue:

Also here we proudly present the travelogue by the team ‘Agastya Ne Kaanam’ (Let’s go see Agasthya) sharing the experiences of women in Agasthyamala trekking 2019.

•  Part I: Trivandrum – Bonacaud – Athirumala Base Camp
• Part II: Athiruamala – Agasthyakoodam

PS: We would love to hear from you about your trek experience and we would be more than happy to publish your story on our website. Please feel free to Contact us.

[Image courtesy: Black and White images by Sahil Jagasia All rights reserved by the photographer]

Agasthyakoodam Trek Contact Details:

Agastyakoodam Travel Guide:

Getting There:

• By Rail: Thiruvananthapuram Central, about 61 km
• By Road: Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), about 61 km.
• By Air:Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 67 km.

Agastya Malai Reviews & Rating:

Itinerary
Day 01: Trek to Athirumala Base camp
The first day of Agasthyakoodam Trek is the trek to Athirumala, which is called the base camp of Agastyakoodam Trek. Bonacaud to Athirumala is about 15km in distance.

At the end of the day 01 trek, you can stay overnight at Athirumala base camp. A small canteen and well-maintained bathroom facilities are also arranged here.

When you are at Athirumala camp, don't forget to book your dinner during tea time, breakfast during dinner time and lunch during dinner time. This is important since prior booking is required to get food from the canteen.

Day 02: Trek to the top of Agastyakodam peak and return to Bonacaud
The second day involves a steep and tiring trek to the top of Agasthyakoodam. You will experience a very steep and hard climb during the 5-6 km trek towards the peak.

After reaching the top of Agastyakoodam peak, you can either trek back to Bonacaud on the second itself or can opt to stay at Athirumala for another day and then trek back to Bonaud on the 3rd day.

NB: If you are wishing to continue on Athirumala on the second day, please don't forget to book food in advance, as informed before

FAQ Quick Info
How to reach Agasthyakoodam from Trivandrum?
How to book Agasthyakoodam trekking?
Agasthyakoodam which district in Kerala?
Where is Agasthyakoodam biological park?

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