Gavi tour packages by KFDC and Forest department
Gavi is one of the most exciting eco tourism destinations in Kerala, gaining attention of local as well as foreign tourists. Read about the tour packages in Gavi eco tourist destination, organized by the forest department.
Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) is organizing day tours in Gavi, which includes sight seeing and various activities. Since Gavi is a restricted forest area, a day tour by the forest guides would be the best option for you to access all attractions at this beautiful hill station.Day tour schedule in Gavi
The tour starts at 8 am every day. You need to take the tour pass before you reach Gavi. Tour covers the following attractions:
Ticket price: Day tour ticket price is Rs 1,250/- per person. Breakfast, lunch and evening tea/snacks is included in the package.
Schedule:
8:00 - 8:30 am: Registration and breakfast at KFDC office in Gavi
8:45 to 12 pm: Plantation visit
12:30 pm: Lunch (South Indian vegetarian meals)
2:00 pm: Row boat ride in the lake
3:00 pm: Visit cardamom plantation and curing house
3:30 pm: Sabarimala viewpoint visit. You can watch the Sabarimala temple from here.
4:00 pm: Visit the animal museum where skeletons of various animals are preserved.
4:30 pm: Return and dispersal at KFDC office.Where to get the pass to Gavi day tour
The only inconvenience of Gavi tour package is, you have to buy the ticket at a different place before you reach Gavi. The tickets are issued at the KFDC office in Vandiperiyar (Peerumedu). The office at Vandiperiyar opens at 7:30 am and closes at 6 pm.
Reach Vandiperiyar as early as 7 am to make sure you will get the ticket. Only 100 passes are issued per day. If these passes are over, you won't be able to use the day tour program.Plan your trip
Best option for the tourists is to reach on the previous day and stay overnight in Thekkady or Vandiperiyar. The tickets are issued on the previous day itself. You can buy the ticket on the previous day and then go straight to Gavi in the morning before the tour starts at 8 am.
After you buy the tickets from Vandiperiyar, you have to pass the Vallakadavu check post and then drive through the tiger reserve for about 20km. You can drive your own vehicle or rent an open jeep. Most people prefer to stay in Thekkady, park the car in the hotel and then hire an open jeep to go to Gavi. The open jeep will help you enjoy the nature it its best. Also, the jeep drivers are familiar with the spots where wild animals can be seen and they will be your tour guides through the tiger reserve and help you enjoy your wild safari.
Try to start from Thekkady/Kumali at 5:30 in the morning and try to pass through the checkpost as soon as it is opened. Best time to find wild animals is early morning.
NOTE: The Vallakadavu checkpost opens at 6 am and closes at 6 pm.
KFDC Office contact number: If you need help with tour programs, you can contact KFDC Gavi at Mob: +91 99474 92399.How to reach Gavi
If you are coming by road, then set your GPS to "Vandiperiyar", a small town before you enter the tiger reserve. Kumali and Thekkady are near by towns. Most tourists come to Thekkady and then go to Gavi from there.
Distance:
28 Kms from Vandiperiyar (via NH- 212)
51 Kms from Thekkady
If you are coming by train, then Kottayam (128 Kms), Ernakulam (168 Kms), and Madurai (180 Kms) are the nearest railway stations.
Nearest airports are Kochi International Airport (160 Kms) and Madurai Airport (200 km)
KSRTC bus to Gavi: There is a KSRTC bus operates from Pathanamthitta to Kumali via Gavi. You can go to Gavi in this bus at very low cost. By the time you finish sight seeing in Gavi, the bus will come back and you can return by the same bus. Visiting Gavi in KSRTC bus is a safe and cheap way to explore the place, while enjoying the nature to its best.
Vallakadavu forest range office contact phone number: 04869 252515
