Agasthyarkoodam tickets sell out fast, sometimes within hours of opening. The people who get seats are usually the ones who were ready before booking opened. Use this checklist to be one of them.
1. Confirm you are eligible
- Every trekker meets the age rule. In recent seasons the minimum age has been 14.
- Nobody in the group is a foreign national, as foreigners are not permitted on this trek.
- Everyone is physically ready for 50+ km over three days (about 20 km on day one).
2. Collect documents
- Valid government photo ID for each person, with a scan or photo on your phone.
- A fitness certificate for each trekker. Trekkers must present it on entry, so sort it before the season.
- Phone numbers and emergency contact details for every participant.
3. Prepare to book
- Register on the Forest Department portal ahead of time if it lets you.
- Know your preferred dates and a backup window.
- Keep payment ready: UPI, cards or net banking, and a stable internet connection.
- Be online a few minutes before the announced booking time.
4. Plan the logistics
- Travel to Thiruvananthapuram the day before reporting. See how to reach Bonacaud.
- Plan a night’s stay and an early morning transfer.
- Keep a buffer day after the trek for the return journey.
5. Get your gear ready
- Trekking shoes broken in, a 40 to 50 litre pack and warm layers for the night at camp.
- Steel or reusable water bottles, because plastic is banned.
- Everything on the packing list.
6. Decide how you will go
You can book with the Forest Department directly and organise your own group, or join a guided batch that coordinates participants and tells you what each person needs. If you prefer a guided batch, enquire early so the right dates are not gone.
Keep reading: permits, booking and cost.
