Gavi, Thekkady - An Eco-Tourism Experience in Periyar Tiger Reserve

Thekkady, KeralaNATURE

An eco-tourism village in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, offering guided jeep safaris, forest treks, boating, and wildlife sightings in a protected environment.

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Full day (6-8 hours)

Accessibility

Not Wheelchair Friendly

Parking

No Parking

Photography

No Photography

About the Destination

Overview

Gavi is an eco-tourism project managed by the Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) located within the Ranni Reserve Forest, which is part of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. A visit here is not about a single viewpoint but about the entire journey and experience through a dense, protected forest ecosystem. The trip, usually done in a designated jeep, takes you through winding roads, past tea plantations, and into thick evergreen forests. The main area includes the Gavi Dam and its reservoir, where visitors can go boating. The environment is remarkably quiet, punctuated only by bird calls and the rustling of leaves.

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Location & Address

Gavi, Ranni Reserve Forest, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala. Entry check-post is at Vallakkadavu, near Vandiperiyar., Periyar Tiger Reserve, Thekkady, Kerala, India

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Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to visit Gavi is from September to February. During these months, the weather is cool and pleasant, and the forest is vibrant and green after the monsoon rains. This period is excellent for trekking and birdwatching. While the summer months from March to May can be warm, they often increase the chances of spotting wildlife near the lake and other water sources. Avoid the peak monsoon season from June to August, as heavy rainfall can cause landslides and the trails become slippery and infested with leeches.
Peak Crowd: December-January, weekends, and national holidays, coinciding with peak tourist season in Kerala.
Moderate Crowd: September-November and February-March, on weekdays.
Low Crowd: June-August, due to heavy monsoons which can make travel difficult.

How to Reach

Air

Madurai Airport (IXM) in Tamil Nadu is the nearest airport, located about 140 km away (4-5 hour drive). Cochin International Airport (COK) in Kerala is about 190 km away (5-6 hour drive). Taxis can be hired from either airport to reach Kumily (Thekkady).

Train

The nearest major railway station is Kottayam (KTYM), located about 114 km from Kumily. It takes about 3-4 hours to reach Kumily by taxi or bus from the station.

Road

Kumily (Thekkady) is well-connected by a network of roads to major cities like Kochi, Kottayam, and Madurai. From Kumily, you must take the KFDC-arranged jeep safari to enter Gavi. The entry check-post is near Vandiperiyar on the Kottayam-Kumily road.

Local Transport

Within Kumily town, auto-rickshaws and taxis are readily available. However, to enter the Gavi forest area, you must use the official jeep service provided as part of the KFDC eco-tourism package. No other local transport is permitted inside.