The Agasthyarkoodam trek starts at the Bonacaud forest picket station, about 61 km from Thiruvananthapuram city. Thiruvananthapuram is the base for almost every trekker, and it is well connected by air and rail to the rest of India.
Quick route summary
| From | To | How |
|---|---|---|
| Thiruvananthapuram city | Bonacaud | About 61 km by road via Nedumangad, Chullimanoor and Vithura |
| Thiruvananthapuram Central bus depot | Bonacaud side | Regular buses run towards Vithura and Bonacaud |
| Airport or railway station | Thiruvananthapuram city | Taxi, app cab or local bus |
By air
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is the nearest airport. Fly in the day before your reporting date, not the same morning, because the road to Bonacaud is slow and the Forest Department’s reporting time is fixed.
By train
Thiruvananthapuram Central is the nearest major railway station and is connected to most metros. From the station you can take a taxi or a bus towards Vithura and Bonacaud. If you arrive by overnight train, plan a rest buffer before the trek.
By road from Thiruvananthapuram
The road runs through Nedumangad and Chullimanoor to Vithura, and then on to Bonacaud. The last stretch is slower than the main road, so allow extra time. If you trek with a guided group, the reporting point and any group transport will be shared with you before the trek.
By bus
Regular buses run from the Thiruvananthapuram Central bus depot towards the Bonacaud route. Schedules change, so check the timetable and keep a backup option, because missing the reporting time can mean losing your slot.
Where to stay before the trek
Most trekkers stay the night before in Thiruvananthapuram city or in a place on the way to Vithura so they can reach Bonacaud early. Book a room with early checkout and, if you can, one that serves or packs an early breakfast.
Travelling from other states
Many of our trekkers come from outside Kerala, from Bengaluru, Chennai and other cities. Plan to land or arrive in Thiruvananthapuram the day before your batch starts and keep a day after the trek as a buffer for the return journey. Tell us where you are travelling from and we will help you plan sensible timings.
Arrival checklist
- Original government photo ID for every trekker.
- Fitness certificate and ticket printouts or screenshots.
- Cash in small notes, since mobile networks can be unreliable near the forest.
- Phone fully charged, plus a power bank.
Next: difficulty and fitness.