Gavi

GAVI

Gavi is an eco-tourist spot in Kerala which has widely become popular after 'Alistair International' the world acclaimed tourism major listed it among the leading eco-tourism centres and one of the must-see places in India. A must visit place for all nature lovers as Gavi is preserved in its natural scenic beauty untainted by the mighty hands of modernity.

Gavi is mainly known for its wildlife. Endangered species including the Nilgiri Tahr and Lion-tailed macaque are often sighted at the outskirts of Gavi. Kerala’s very own treasure elephants can be sighted abundantly. If you are the bird watcher, Gavi is the place for you. With more than 260 species of birds including the great pied hornbill, woodpecker, and kingfishers, Gavi is a heaven for birdwatchers.

 Day Trip at Gavi

Morning

8.00- 8.30 AM: Register yourself and your family or friends at KFDC for a day trip. Get recharged with good breakfast. The day starts with plantation visit under trained guide to fully enjoy the natural beauty of Gavi.

Noon

12.30: Return from plantation visit for a sumptuous south Indian vegetarian lunch. The first half of the day is balanced with a relaxing row boat ride after lunch. Then proceed for a visit to the cardamom plantation and inhale aromatic whiffs of cardamom and then to the curing house. Sabarimala viewpoint is the next spot in the itinerary, the scenic beauty spot to capture the panoramic view of the Sabarimala hills and the pilgrim spot. Later proceed to the Museum where the skeletons of the animals are preserved.

Evening

Return to the registration spot after a day full of enjoyable sightseeing. Indulge yourself for to a refreshing tea break before dispersing at 4.30 pm.

Green Mansion Lodge Stay – Overnight stay at Gavi in rooms.  This is quite near to the Gavi lake.

Swiss Cottage Tent Stay – Overnight stay in tents which are protected by electrified fence. More privacy and a relaxed forest stay is offered here. This place is located before Gavi dam.

Jungle Camping – Up to 4 persons can stay in deep jungle after trekking to the location.

Album of Gavi

 

 Facilities

Green Mansion, aptly named is a mansion in the lap of nature bounteously blessed with greenery has 11 rooms ranging from 2 bed to 6 beds. From the 'Green Mansion', one can savor the spectacular view of the Gavi Lake and the adjoining forests.

KFDC at Gavi has developed a unique concept of swiss cottage by pitching tents under proper shaded roofing. It is a safe haven with more privacy among the woods with facilities of a rented room like a cot, side table, chair and even attached bathroom facility to make your stay kingly. 

Camping at the jungle is a real life adventure. KDFC has two camping sites where you can pitch your tent. As the night falls gather around a bonfire and warm yourself on the chilly night with some songs or chit chats. Nestle in the thick forest listening to the nightlife of the jungle and the chirps of the birds welcoming the dawn. A memory to be treasured!Check Availability

Restaurant located near the Gavi reservoir is only to be used by the day programme or guests who choose a stay over programme with Gavi. The restaurant serves only limited menu and serves all meals for the day. Savour the exotic cuisine of the local flavour, a taste that is sure to linger on.

Who on earth would not love to be in a garden. A beautiful garden is created near the pristine Gavi reservoir artistically decorated with plants and flowers. The gazebo at the garden gives the guest to sit and enjoy the evening. The idyllic surrounding is a refreshing haven to forget all stress in life.

Online booking :

http://gavi.kfdcecotourism.com/Reservation/Gavi_check_Availablity.aspx

Activities

Jeap Safari

Gavi natural environment untouched by modernity is the home to wildlife and birds. Tourist visiting Gavi can enjoy the sight of this wildlife in their natural habitat through Vehicle safaris to take a glimpse of the endangered species like Nilgiri Tahr and Lion-tailed macaque if you are lucky, Kerala’s favourite elephants among others. Gavi is a home to over 260 species of birds including the great pied hornbill, woodpecker, and kingfishers. Gavi is a birdwatcher’s delight.

Boat Ride

Go boating on the crystal clear Gavi reservoir and Kochupamba to take home memory of a lifetime that remains as clear as the Gavi lake. Row boating facility is available at Gavi. Tourist wearing lifejackets is a must. Rowing along the emerald hued natural backdrop is a welcome change from everyday monotony. Get adventurous spirit at Gavi.

Plantation visit

Gavi is a fertile land and the local’s mastery over the land has blessed the land with vegetation. A leisure visit to the nearby cardamom plantationis, coffee plantation and cardamom curing centre a sight to behold.

Sabharimala view point

Gavi gives an amazing view of the Sabarimala amongst the lush green surrounding. Sarbarimala, the Hindu pilgrimage centre visited by millions of devotees from all over India and across the world is located in the Western Ghat mountain ranges. It is the largest annual pilgrimage in world with an estimated 45–50 million devotees visiting every year.

KFDC organized programs consists of a number of activities. Usual activities include,

Gavi Lake Boating – This is paddle boat trip to a nearby waterfall in the Gavi lake. life jackets are mandatory and the guide will take you in the boat.

Trekking Around Gavi – There are around 25km of trekking path in and around Gavi. Usual trek path goes around the jungle on the other side of the lake returning back to the main road and then crossing over to the Sabarimala view point. 

Jeep Safari Along the Jungle Road  – The early morning jeep safari is usually from 6AM to 8:30AM and covers Gavi village, Kochupamba etc. towards Angamoozhy. They usually cover about 15 to 20KM along this stretch. 

Visit to Sabarimala View Point  – This is very close to the Gavi reception area and is a 15 minute uphill walk to a meadow. You can see Sabarimala usually partially hidden among the mist. Ponnambalamedu mountain can be seen  on the left and pullumedu mountain can be seen on the right.  You can also see the road to Vandiperiyar from here. Take a binocular if you have one.

Visit to Animal Museum – There is an animal museum nearby. We never got time to visit it!

In addition to the above there are activities available near Gavi such as boating in Kochu Pamba lake and jungle stay. Ask at reception for details of these. It appears that the addition of Gavi into the Tiger reserve has put a brake on the expansion of eco-tourism activities.

The following map will give you an idea about Gavi geography and where activities are organized.

How to reach

By Road

28 Kms from Vandiperiyar ( a town on NH- 212)
51 Kms from Thekkady

By Rail

128 Kms from Kottayam Railway Staion 
168 Kms from Eranakulam Railway Staion
180 Kms from Madurai, Tamilnadu Railway Staion

By Air

160 Kms from Nedumbassery Airport Ernakulam 
199 Kms from Madurai Airport

Best season to visit gavi:

The best time to visit Gavi is from September to February. You will be getting a chilling experience during this period at Gavi. If you want to enjoy the heavy monsoon at Gavi, plan your trip from June to September. The summer period (from March to May) is usually not preferable. But if you want to visit, there are no restrictions. You can also explore places nearby Gavi like Mundakayam, Kuttikanam, Peerumedu and Vandiperiyar.

A splendid spot to be visited at least once for all those who love nature.

Gavi is a heaven for birdwatchers. Active involvement of tribals in Gavi makes it a unique venture of its kind in the country. Traditional knowledge of the forest and its way of life helps Gavi to sustain its surroundings in its original state.

A highlight of the Gavi eco project is the involvement of the local populace in its activities as guides, gardeners and cooks. This will provide livelihood for the locals and also will help to create awareness on conservation of nature. Gavi offers its visitors activities like trekking, wildlife watching, outdoor camping in specially built tents, and night safaris.

The road leading to the picturesque Gavi is blanketed by tea plantations, which itself is a refreshing experience. En route to Gavi are places of interest like Mundakayyam, Kuttikanam, Peermedu and Vandiperiyar from where the road deviates to Gavi.

Once you reach Gavi the serene eco-lodge ‘Green Mansion’ awaits you like a fairy to embrace you in its protective fold. From the ‘Green Mansion‘, one can savour the spectacular view of the Gavi Lake and the adjoining forests.

Album of Gavi

 

Besides the accommodation provided in ‘Green Mansion’ visitors can also try out the tree houses and also even pitch tents amidst the wilderness. Here one can have outstanding trekking experiences, which are overseen by trained local people. Those who would love to be left alone can do so in the tranquil environs of Gavi or may even go canoeing in the placid waters of the lake or enjoy a breathtaking sunset. Visitors are usually provided vegetarian food and snacks, which further adds to the eco-friendly ambiance of the place.

Some of the breathtaking viewpoints at Gavi like the Valley View offer spectacular view of a deep ravine and the forest below. From Kochu Pampa, a point near Green Mansion eco-lodge one can track the grazing Nilgiri Tahrs.

The famous pilgrim destination, Sabarimala is a short trek from Gavi. For those interested in observing the nocturnal wildlife, night safaris to Kullur, Gavi Pullumedu, Kochu Pampa, Pachakanam provide ample opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Another unique feature of Gavi is camping in the forests. One can pitch a tent in the camping site, which is a rarity in many Indian forests. As the dusk stretches into the silence of the night, one can feel the presence of wildlife in the middle of nowhere, an experience that cannot be explained in words. There are also tree top houses where one can enjoy the avian life to the fullest.

Gavi is bound to cast its magical spell on every visitor and is surely a place that should not be missed in one’s lifetime. Gavi is pristine, and it belongs to the wild, which is a reminder that visitors are responsible for their intentions and actions, which will have a bearing on the upkeep of Gavi for a long time to come.