Gavi, the heaven of Misty Paradise with forests, lakes, waterfalls, etc,  in the Western Ghats, is in Kerala State, India. Gavi re-opened its doors to tourists in December 2018 after the floods damaged the infrastructure facilities, including roads and electricity lines.

Gavi – The Gateway to the World of Wilderness

Alistair International‘ has listed Gavi as the leading Eco-Tourism center in India and a must-see place in India.

Gavi offers an unparalleled experience for a tourist. Unadulterated Nature at its  best!”

Tigers, leopards, bears, elephants, and many other inhabitants of the beast can be seen on your jungle safari drive to Gavi. There are three dams and a check dam on your way to this place from Pathanamthitta town.

Facilities for Trekking, Bird watching, Wildlife watching, etc, are there. Treetop accommodation and Boating inside Gavi Lake on small Coracles (bowl-shaped boats) are available. You may visit the cardamom factories in the area.  There is a spot where one can view the world-famous Sabarimala temple. Local people are involved as guides, cooks, gardeners, etc. That way, they earn their livelihood from nature and become more involved in protecting nature.

The scenic route passes over five dams: Moozhiyar, Kakki, Anathode, Pampa, and Gavi Dams. The Gavi Kerala Tour package is one of the Best Kerala tourism packages available.

Mega Hit Malayalam Movie Ordinary – Shooting Location

The mega-hit Malayalam movie Ordinary (an Indian regional language film) was shot here, which was released in 2012.

How Do I Go to Gavi?

If you are coming from Pathanamthitta, You have to book a Gavi entry pass. The entry fee is Rupees 60 per person for Indians. Those below 13 years of age do not need an entry pass. Foreigners are charged Rupees 120 per person.  (revised fare as of last quarter of 2018.) Only 100 people are allowed per day.

Two-wheeler entry is prohibited. Those who are coming by two-wheeler need to park their vehicles near the Angamuzhy Forest Range Office and go by bus.

50 vehicle passes have been issued daily since November 2018. 75 % of vehicle passes are reserved for those holding online bookings. The remaining 25 % of vehicle passes are for those who come straight to the Goodrical Forest Range Office with vehicles.

Entry for private vehicles is allowed from 8.30 am to 11 am only. The entry point is the Ticket Counter at the office of the Goodrical Forest Range Officer at Angamuzhy (around 45 kilometers from Pathanamthitta). You must pay the entry fee and get the actual pass after producing the online booking acceptance details (applicable to those with an online entry pass).

Private Vehicles must cross the Anathode Forest Check post before 2:30 p.m. on the same day and should leave through the Vallakkadavu Check post before 6 p.m. the same day.

It is best to go from Pathanamthitta by Jeep. Car journey, especially small cars, is not advisable as the ghat roads are often damaged.

If you are coming from Vandiperiyar, the entry pass can be collected from the Kerala Forest Department office at Vandiperiyar.

KSRTC Buses to Gavi and from there to Kumali and Vice Versa

Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses are also available to those who prefer to go by public transport. The bus journey does not require entry passes.

KSRTC bus timings are given below. It is as of 11t March 2019, as published on the FB page of KSRTC Pathanamthitta. Travel time to Gavis is 3 hours and to Kumali, 4 hours and 30 minutes.

KSRTC Bus route, along with the expected time at significant stops for the first bus to Kumali from Pathanamthitta via Gavi, is as follows. Pathanamthitta 6:30 a.m. (starting point), Mailapra, Vadasserikara, Perunad, Chittar, Seethathodu, Angamuzhy 8:30 a.m. (check post), Moozhiyar dam, Penstock pipe viewpoint, Kakki dam, Anathode dam, Gavi (11 a.m.), Pullumuedu, Vallikadavu, Vandiperiyar, Chelimada and then Kumali 12:30 p.m. (Ending point).   The second bus from Pathanamthitta to Kumali is at 12.30 p.m. It reaches Gavi by 5 p.m. and Kumali at 6:30 p.m.

K.S.R.T.C. Buses from Kumaly to Pathanamthitta (via Gavi) are at 5.30 am and 1.10 pm. The first bus reaches Gavi at 6:45 a.m. and Pathanamthitta at 11:30 a.m.  The second bus reaches Gavi at 2:20 p.m. and Pathanamthitta at 7:00 p.m.

KSRTC bus charges were 77 rupees per ticket in 2018 (This is subject to change, and please check the charges at your end).

Please check the bus timings and fares with the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation bus stations a day before your planned travel. Timings may change seasonally and on many other conditions.

Contact numbers of KSRTC bus stations are as follows;

KUMILY – 04869-224242 (office)

PATHANAMTHITTA – 0468-2229213 (office), 0468-2222366 (station master).

Is Accommodation Available at Gavi?

Gavi Forests are part of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Kerala government undertaking, Kerala Forest Development Corporation, provides accommodation in Eco tents as part of Kerala Tourism packages. KFDC Gavi Ecotourism website gives all the required details on this.

You may stay at hotels in nearby towns like Kumali, Pathanamthitta, Ranni, Konni, Punalur, Tiruvalla, Chenganoor, Kottayam, etc.

It is advisable to carry food for those on day trips, as there are very few options available. K.T.D.C. runs a small restaurant at Kochu Pampa, ten kilometers ahead of Gavi. Some other small eateries/food stalls are also there at different places en route. However, availability is limited to those who come first.

Conclusion

Are you interested in going to Gavi and enjoying the beauty of nature? It is advisable to combine your Gavi trip with a night’s stay at Thekkady and explore Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary there on the next day. Please leave your comments.