Athirumala base camp is where an Agasthyarkoodam trek really happens. You spend two nights here, and the summit day starts and ends at its door. This is what to expect, based on the KeralaTrekking itinerary and a first-hand account from a trekker who wrote for us.
The dormitory
The camp is run by the Kerala Forest Department. Stay is dormitory style, with beds laid on the floor. Separate dorms are provided for men and women. The itinerary recommends a lightweight bed sheet or blanket. Our guest writer described long dormitory-style shelters where trekkers spread out their sleeping mats, with a trench on all four sides to protect the camp from wild animals.
Food and tea
On a KeralaTrekking batch, meals run from day one through day three lunch, with morning and evening tea at base camp. Our guest writer remembered a simple dinner of kanji (rice porridge) and curry, with unlimited kanji, which tasted better in the cold than any restaurant meal.
Power, light and the night sky
Electricity at camp is solar. Our guest writer reported that lights go off by about 9:00 PM, after which it is completely dark, and that the stars were remarkable. Bring a headlamp with spare batteries and keep your phone charged before you leave Trivandrum.
The stream
There is a stream near the camp. Our guest writer stepped into the cold water after arriving and called it one of the best moments of the trek. Water levels change by season, so follow your trek leader’s instructions about where and when to go in.
Packing for camp
- A lightweight sheet or blanket (the itinerary stresses lightweight)
- A dry layer kept only for the evening
- A small 10 to 20 litre day pack for summit day, so the big bag can stay at camp
- A headlamp, personal medicines and basic toiletries
Read the trekker’s own account: Agasthyarkoodam: So Close, Yet So Far, which also shows how the weather can change plans on the summit day.
Related: packing list and day-by-day schedule.
