SEASON
 :

JANUARY  --  MAY 

 
 
HIKING ROUTE  
 :
Bonacaud – Athirumala – Ponkalappara  - Hill top and back
 
 
DISTANCE 
:
Bonacaud – Athirumala  :  16 km Athirumala – Hill top  : 10 km
  
 
MAXIMUM ALTITUDE
:
1700 meter above sea level
 
 
GROUP SIZE
:
Minimum 6 number
 
 
GRADE
 :
Strenuous .
 
 

Day 01 - TRIVANDRUM

  
  Arrive at Trivandrum airport / railway station and meet our tour guide .Then drive to Hotel for an overnight stay  
  Day 02 – ATHIRUMALA  
 

Early morning after breakfast , drive out to Bonacaud tea estate . After forest officials verification trekking starts. At elevation between 100 and 800 meter , moist deciduous & semi evergreen  forests dominate. First two hours journey through the moist deciduous forests  and semi evergreen areas. After that trekking through grass lands.From 800- 1000 meters the forest is wet and evergreen type . Many rivers and streams flow through this area . This forest area is wet , humid and many rare species of plants are seen here . Around five o’ clock we will reach to Athirumala forest rest house .

  
     
 

On the way , we will provide fruits, nuts and light refreshments.On reaching Athirumala vegetarian kerala style meals will be served for dinner.Athirumala rest house is a concrete building and it secured by trenches to protect from wild animals.

 

  
  Day 03  - HILL TOP to ATHIRUMALA  
 

Morning after a light breakfast, journey starts  towards Hill top.The journey begins through an extremely thick and wet montane evergreen forest.After few hours journey through the reed forest the terrain is rocky and steep mountain will appear

  
     
 

After three hours journey , we reach Ponkalappara.This is a plain rocky area and the forest is Montane grassy land.This vast rocky mountain contains many species of grasses and shrubs. Here we will provide light refreshments and few minutes rest and then journey continues towards hill top. After 1300 meter climb we reach the wet temperate or shoal forest.In this area you can see different species of bees, wasps and orchids.After two hours journey from Ponkalappara we reach the hill top. Hill top is a round shaped

Rock , three sides are dangerous cliffs . From the hill top you can see the Agastyamuni’s statue , Neyyar dam, Peppara dam, Manimuthar dam and Thirunelveli district inTamil nadu state
  
     
 

Spend few hours here resting by inhaling the pure oxygen from this herbally rich forest.Three hours journey is required from hill top to Athirumala base camp.On reaching Athirumala we will provide vegetarian meals.The sight of the sun setting reflecting its beautiful reddish rayson the rock of the Agastyamala highlights the artistic beauty of nature.Special vegetarian dinner will be served at night in the dark wild animal roaring forest t .

  
 

Day 04 – TRIVANDRUM

 
 
Morning after breakfast, journey starts towards Bonacaud .After six hours journey we will reach Bonacaud forest check post . On the way we will provide fruits and nuts .
 
     
 

After forest officials luggage inspection, leave to Trivandrum resort for an overnight stay .

  
 

Day 05 – DEPARTURE

 
 

Morning after breakfast, drive out to Trivandrum airport / railway station for your onward journey .

 
     
  DO’S  
  1,Hikers must bring jungle boots for safety walking  
  2,Before hiking trekkers should produce medical certificate of fitness for the strenuous walking through the forest .  
     
 

DON’T’S

 
  1,Alcohol , cigerattes , non vegetarian foods and plastic carry bags are not allowed inside the sanctuary  
  2,Night stay is allowed only in forest rest house .  
  3,Collection of plants , soil , insects and other materials are not permitted  
 

4,Don’t disturb or tease animals .

 
  5,Hikers are permitted to use the pathway only and obey the instructions of guides     
  RISK FACTORS  
 
1,Forest departments permission is necessary
 
  2,Climatic factors may force to cancel the journey  
 

3,Sanctuary is the home of many dangerous reptiles , wild elephants and many other animals.