How to reach Agastyamala Biosphere Reserve?

If you plan to take the trek, your journey starts at Thiruvananthapuram Central Bus Station (KSRTC, Thampanoor Bus Terminal). The first direct State bus to Bonacaud starts at 5 a.m. The next best option is to take a bus to Vithura, a small town a few kilometers away from Bonacaud, and get to Bonacaud in a private vehicle. A 15 minute walk from Bonacaud bus stop will take you to the Forest Office, which is the entry point to Agasthyarkoodam Biosphere Reserve. After registering your details and checking the permit passes, you will be frisked for hidden bottles of liquor as alcohol is banned in the forest. You can buy food from the office.
 
How to obtain Pass?

The passes for visiting Agasthya Mountain will be issued by the Forest Department from January 9 onwards on all working days. Trivandrum Wildlife Warden informed that the people can visit the mountain during the period from January 14 to March 10. You can get your passes from the office of the Wildlife Warden located at PTP Nagar, Trivandrum. Only passes for 100 persons will be issued a day.
The passes will cost Rs 500 per person, excluding food.

Each group can get only 3 passes and the group leader will have to submit any identity cards of the other two members. You can use voters ID, Pan Card, Passport, Driving licence or any other identity cards issued by any government departments.

Only people who are physically fit are issued passes since the trekking path is very dangerous and exhausting. Women and children will not be issued passes. A forest guide appointed by the Eco-Development Committee will provide service for the 15 member team.

The wild life Warden, Forest Department, PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala, India.

http://117.239.77.10/~forusr/forestabp/ 

E-mail ID: ww-trivandrum@forest.kerala.gov.in

Address: Office of the Wildlife Warden,
Wild life Division,
Vattiyoorkkavu .P.O,
PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram
Tel: 0091 471 2360762

Trekking.

Trekking is permitted only in the months of December, January, February and March. Trekking Path is surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Meadows and streams, reed groves, ‘bonsai’ type trees clinging to the hillsides, the lonely walkway in the woods; the only sound you hear during the trek are the swish of the trees, gurgle of water in the unison and the sweet warbling of birds. The lower elevations of this peak are also known for their abundance of rare herbs and Medicinal plants. Covering an area of 23sq. Km, the park was established in the year1992 with the objective of restoring plant life. At distance of 28km need to be covered to reach the top and that takes about two days. Though the climb is steep and arduous, this trail is ideal for even a first time trekker.

Around 2,000 medicinal plants used in ‘Ayurvedic’ treatments are found here. So a visit to the Agastya ‘Vanam’ (Malayalam word which means Forest) Biological park will be very interesting. You will get to see a large number of rare trees. Before reaching the sole shelter in the jungle built for trekkers at Athirumala, one has to cross three rivers- Karamana, Vaazhapindiyar and Attyar.

Bonafalls

	But only a few know that down stream the Attayar, there is a big waterfall known as ‘Bona’ Falls. The tourists can also visit the water falls at Bonacaud. It will be totally different experience.