Vakavanam trail : Trekking in Vagamon

This time I am writing about a trekking trail which is worth considering if you are around Vagamon and have some time with you. A better option to experience the beauty of the landscapes of Vagamon. The grass-covered mountains and the cool wind which blows all the time is what Vagamon is unique for. We wish to be too far away from the usual crowded tourist places sometimes, to have some good time with nature. In that case, the Vakavanam trekking trail can be an option.

Vakavanam trail is a beautiful hike through the grasslands and shola forests of Vagamon hills. It is also called Vagamon windy walk trekking. The trail is serene and offers you spectacular views. We can see the catchment area of Idukki reservoir and the vast stretches of mountains going in all directions. The lucky you might encounter some wildlife also, elephants are most common. 

The Vakavanam trail is not at all a difficult one, it is mostly through the grasslands. 

The western ghats get a special charm during monsoon, the Vagamon hills are not different, that is the perfect time to explore the trail.

Summers will be dry and you will miss the greenery in the mountains.

Vakavanam trekking

The Vakavanam trail is organised and operated by Eco – development committee, an organisation in this region.

The Vakavanam trekking program is an initiative by the forest department and local government bodies as a sustainable development project in the areas adjacent to Idukki national park. Creating awareness about protecting the Western ghats through equal participation of the people and government is the main intention behind starting such a program. This also provides employment to people living near to the forest. 

The normal trekking time is 3 hours. The ticket cost for the trek is about 155 INR. A forest guard will accompany you for the entire trek,  gives you all the information about the place, its flora and fauna.

Trekking for a longer time is also possible. For that, you need to inform the authorities well in advance and the group must have a good number of people. 

We had a day-long trek and covered about 18 km inside the reserved forest.

The Chokramudi peak trek is also another beautiful trek in Idukki. Read more about it here

How to reach Vakavanam trail

From Vagamon, the starting point of Vakavanam trek is about 12 km. It’s on the route between Vagamon and Kattappana. Valakod and Pulinkata are the nearest places. From Valakod, you can ask someone the way. It is about 1 km from there.

There are buses plying on this route. You can enquire in Vagamon for the bus timings. Else catch an auto-rickshaw from Vagamon and head straight to the Vakavanam trek entry point.

Things to know about Vakavanam trekking

The difficulty level of the trek is moderate. The trail is mostly through the grasslands. There are steep slopes on the trail. It is better to come prepared for a proper trek.

Morning time is the best time to trek.

Everyone is expected to follow the instructions of the guide during the trek.

Inside the reserved area, we should be careful to respect nature and animals. Littering and loud noise are the worst things you can do.

Carry enough water and keep hydrated.

How to reach Vagamon

Vagamon is easily accessible by road. There are buses available from Kochi, Kottayam, Munnar and Kumily. If you are coming from Bangalore or Chennai, there are buses available to Munnar. From Munnar, it is a 3-hour journey.

Vagamon is a popular destination in Kerala. Plenty of facilities are available for food and accommodation.

The Vakavanam trek can be done in a weekend. You get more time to explore other parts of Vagamon also.

That’s all about Vakavanam trekking.

You can also find all the trails I explored in the Western ghats. Do check it out.

Do let me know if you need any information regarding the trek.

Put your feedback and queries in the comment box below.

Keep travelling…..