A guided walk through evergreen forest and grassland bordering Periyar Tiger Reserve, run entirely by the forest department. Elephant, gaur and a wide range of birds are commonly seen. Book well ahead — this is one of the most tightly managed eco-tourism programmes in Kerala.
On the trail now and the next 7 days
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Forecast for the trek's map point. It is usually colder and windier at the top.
Gavi forest trek, planned for you
Day-by-day timings, the route, what each part costs, where to sleep and eat, and a checklist. One PDF that works offline: print it, or send it to everyone going.
- Day 1 Gavi forest trek: the trek
- TravelBase: Vandiperiyar, near Thekkady
- PermitPermits and entry
- On the trailModerate trek to 1,100 m₹1,500
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The route
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On the map
Gavi forest · Open in Google Maps ↗
The climb
How to reach the start
Book through the Kerala Forest Development Corporation's Gavi eco-tourism office, usually reached via Vandiperiyar near Thekkady. Independent travel inside is not permitted.
Step 3 of 6Next: Permits↓Permits and rules
Rules change. Check the park office or official booking system before you travel.
Step 4 of 6Next: Gear↓What to carry
What it costs
Ballpark ranges, not live quotes. Prices last updated 6 October 2026. Prices move with season and demand, so check live fares before you book. Spot a wrong price? Tell us and we fix it.
Covers local transport, permits or entry, a guide where needed and food on the trail. Getting to Vandiperiyar is extra.
Photos
Questions people ask
How hard is the Gavi forest trek?
Moderate grade. It takes 1 day and climbs to about 1,100 m. A guided walk through evergreen forest and grassland bordering Periyar Tiger Reserve, run entirely by the forest department. Elephant, gaur and a wide range of birds are commonly seen. Book well ahead — this is one of the most tightly managed eco-tourism programmes in Kerala.
Do I need a permit for Gavi forest?
Gavi is entirely forest-department managed. Book a package in advance — walk-ins are generally turned away, and vehicle numbers into the reserve are capped.
How do I reach the Gavi forest trek?
Book through the Kerala Forest Development Corporation's Gavi eco-tourism office, usually reached via Vandiperiyar near Thekkady. Independent travel inside is not permitted. Base: Vandiperiyar, near Thekkady.
What is the best season for Gavi forest?
Oct–Apr.
How much does the Gavi forest trek cost?
From about ₹1,500 per person from the base, covering local transport, permits or entry, a guide where required and food. The journey to the base is extra.
What should I carry?
Trekking shoes, layers (it's noticeably cooler than Thekkady town), binoculars if you have them.
Guides for Gavi forest
Longer reads from our blog that cover this trip.
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Kurangani – Top StationModerate · 1–2 days · up to 1,880 mFrom ₹2,500Places to stay near by
Thekkady & PeriyarA flooded forest reserve you enter on a bamboo raft at dawn, with spice plantations at the gate…From ₹1,100/day
MeghamalaiThe 'cloud mountain': a tea estate, a string of reservoirs and a tiger reserve at the end of a…From ₹1,000/dayVagamonRolling meadows, pine forest and tea estates at 1,100 m, with none of Munnar's queues and a…From ₹1,000/daySacred places near by
Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we don't sell packages or bookings, we take no commission, and we link to maps and official sites, never to booking sites. Every guide is free; our only paid products are optional downloadable trip plans and itineraries. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.
By Gokul · Updated 6 October 2026 · Photo: Samson Joseph · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Sarada C · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Jaseem Hamza · CC BY 3.0 · source
