The short answer
Agasthyarkoodam Trek: what visitors should know first
Go only if you are fit, book the day passes open online, and hold a doctor's fitness certificate. The season is short, usually from mid-January to February, and passes sell out quickly. Women have been allowed since 2019. Not suitable for older travellers with any heart, lung or joint problems.
History and context
The story behind Agasthyarkoodam Trek
Agasthyarkoodam (Agastya Mala) is a 1,868 m peak in the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve, linked to the sage Agastya and long climbed by pilgrims. Women were barred by custom until a Kerala High Court ruling in November 2018; the first woman to reach the summit did so in 2019.
Useful facts
Agasthyarkoodam Trek facts at a glance
- Location
- Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve, from Bonacaud
- Altitude
- About 1,868 m (6,128 ft)
- Experience type
- Summit trek
- Known for
- Sacred summit, Athirumala camp and rare forest
- Time or schedule
- 2–3 days; season mid-January to February
Why it matters
Why Agasthyarkoodam Trek is worth your time
Agasthyarkoodam is the best-known peak of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve, which joined UNESCO's network in 2016. The Thamirabarani river rises on its eastern side, and the summit crosses into Tamil Nadu.
The peak is sacred to the sage Agastya and has been a pilgrimage for generations, and the local Kani community has long been tied to the forest. The strict season, daily cap and plastic ban are there to protect a very rich forest; treat the climb as a privilege rather than a race.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Athirumala camp
The Forest Department's camp shed, a full day's walk in, where trekkers spend the night.
- 02
Summit rocks
The final climb crosses steep rock with fixed ropes to the statue of Agastya.
- 03
Biosphere forest
The route passes through some of the richest forest in the southern Western Ghats.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
The trek starts at the Bonacaud picket station, about 61 km from Thiruvananthapuram; buses run via Nedumangad and Vithura, the same junction used for Ponmudi. Day one is a walk of about 17 km through forest and grassland to the Forest Department camp shed at Athirumala, where trekkers sleep in basic shelter.
The next morning the trail climbs about 10 km (return) past Pongalappara and over rocky slabs to the summit at about 1,868 m (6,128 ft). Ropes are fixed on the steepest rock near the top, where a statue of Agastya stands. Most people walk back to Athirumala and out to Bonacaud, finishing on the second or third day.
Packing matters: carry enough water, food for the trail, salt or a leech repellent, good shoes and a light sleeping sheet. Register as soon as the booking window opens, because each date fills within hours. The season dates and booking times are announced by the Forest Department only a few weeks ahead.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Watch for the season announcement in December or January
- Book online the moment the window opens
- Get a doctor's fitness certificate before the trek
- Carry ID and printed passes
- Take no plastic, alcohol or puja materials
- Pack food, water and leech protection
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Starts at Bonacaud picket station, about 61 km from Thiruvananthapuram via Vithura
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 days, with a night at the Athirumala camp
- Best time
- Only during the official season, usually mid-January to February (in 2026 it ran from 15 January to 11 February)
- Walking level
- Demanding
- Senior comfort
- This is a long, steep forest trek with rock sections and fixed ropes near the top, and a basic night at camp. Older travellers should not attempt it. Older parents can still enjoy the forest by staying near Ponmudi or Kallar while younger family members trek, and the drive through Vithura towards Bonacaud is pleasant in its own right.
- Tickets and access
- Passes are issued only during the season, through the Kerala Forest Department's online booking, with a small daily quota. In 2026 the cap was 70 trekkers a day and the season fee was announced at Rs 3,000. A fitness certificate from a doctor and identity documents are checked at Bonacaud. Women have been allowed since the 2018 court ruling. Plastic, puja materials and alcohol are banned. Confirm current fees, quotas and dates when the Forest Department announces each season.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Agasthyarkoodam Trek
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
This is a long, steep forest trek with rock sections and fixed ropes near the top, and a basic night at camp. Older travellers should not attempt it. Older parents can still enjoy the forest by staying near Ponmudi or Kallar while younger family members trek, and the drive through Vithura towards Bonacaud is pleasant in its own right.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Can women do the Agasthyarkoodam trek?
Yes. Women were allowed after a Kerala High Court ruling in November 2018, and have trekked since the 2019 season.
When is Agasthyarkoodam open?
Only during the yearly season, usually from mid-January into February. In 2026 it ran from 15 January to 11 February.
How do you book?
Through the Kerala Forest Department's online booking when the season opens. Each day has a small cap, and dates fill quickly.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Agastya Mala
- Onmanorama: Agasthyarkoodam 2026 trek dates and route
- Kerala Forest Department
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
