Well-known for its exceptional beauty, Agasthyakoodam is the second highest peak and is a part of the Sahyadri mountain range. Situated at 1890mtrs above sea level, this region is known for the presence of wildlife, rare medicinal plants and birds. In 2016, UNESCO added Agashtyamala to its World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Bonacaud and Neyyar are part of Agasthyakoodam and are known for its tranquility. Trekking is one of the major attractions of Agasthyakoodam. Prior booking is required to trek to this charming destination. It takes 48 hours to complete the trekking and Agasthyakoodam trekking is one of the most demanded tour activities in Thiruvananthapuram.
If you plan to visit Agasthyakoodam, make sure that you have taken your physical fitness routines prior to these rigorous trekking sessions, In one session, they permit only 100 men to enter (who are physically fit as per their tests) and women and children are not allowed in this forest entry, If you plan a visit to the place, you can also plan a visit to Ayurveda Panchakarma Centre, Bona Falls, Sellayani Lake, Kovalam Beach, and Karamana River which is nearby to this forest.
For those who love the deep silence that the deep forests offer you, this is a place to go. Ince the biosphere is protected by UNESCO, a visit to this forest will showcase the rawness of a gadget-free life in its totality. The place is about 35 kilometers from Trivandrum- the capital of Kerala. You can reach the place by a hired taxi or your car, board the government buses or even hire traveler buses in Kerala for these joyful trips. The visiting time is between 7 am to 5 pm daily and the entry fee is Rs.500/-. But you need to buy food from the Forest Department which will be billed separately. It is perfect to plan a trip to Agasthyakoodam between the months of December and March, as the climate is fine, sunny with slight winds wrapping you in the forest areas.
