Dense green trees clustered without an inch of space, the sounds of a million crickets chirping and occasional calls of wild animals welcome travelers into the untamed forest of Gavi in Kerala.

Gavi is known to be one of the most beautiful and famous places in India for its untouched beauty of the wild forest. It’s become a well-known place (but still less traveled) after a famous regional South Indian movie called ‘Ordinary’ was filmed there, showcasing the cold, misty weather and the ever-beautiful green of its surroundings.

This wild jungle, unspoiled by human development, is a must visit-place for nature lovers or anyone who is looking for a wild, adrenaline pumping adventure. So for anyone looking for a forest trip in Kerala can pack their bags to head to this animal-inhibited part of the country. Driving through Gavi is the true essence of a real Kerala jungle safari.

How to get to Gavi and it’s check points

Getting to the Gavi forest is an unforgettable road trip through Kerala where you get to see both towns, villages and rural areas as you pass by multiple districts. While Gavi Ecotourism focuses on their resorts and villages for more of a commercial experience, it’s the drive through their forest that shows you the untouched wild of a Kerala forest.

To get to the forest entrance, the most known route starts from Ernakkulam passing through Chittar – Seethathodu – Angamoozhy (Check Post)– Moozhiyar (Dam)– Kakki Reservoir – Anathode Dam  – Gavi.

Before you enter Gavi you need you need a special Gavi tourism pass given out at Angharmoozy check-post. But entry is restricted after 11am, so all travelers have to get there before 10.30am at the least. There is a small charge with Rs25 per person, Rs50 per vehicle and Rs.25 for any camera or video camera travelers carry.

If you want to experience Gavi’s wildlife with the animals roaming freely, pass the check-post by 7am, and every second is worth your time. Once the check-post is passed, it’s an entry into the dense forest of Gavi.

There is a second check-point where the travelers should reach at the latest by 2pm. Any later than that then you can’t go forward. The last check-post should be reached by 6pm. Once the sunsets, the forest can be very dangerous and the pitch black darkness will make it impossible to go forward.

The Drive

The roads in Gavi forest is very rough and uneven. Barely made rough roads that truly belong in a jungle are carved through the thick forests where dense canopies only let in streaks of sunlight. That’s why it’s better to traverse these roads with a sturdy vehicle like a four-wheel drive. The forest is only little ventured (since Gavi’s authorities are keen on wildlife conservation) so the road is nothing but a narrow path of rocks and rubble that is uneven. Other than a four-wheel drive, you will find it difficult to push forward through this path.

There are also no signposts to guide you but that is of little concern as there is only one way through this thick green labyrinth. But as a guideline, you’ll cross three mountains and two dams before getting to the other side.  And by the time you’re out of the woods, you’ll realize that that the journey was one-of-a-kind adventure to experience during your lifetime.

Rivers & Tribes

One or two kilometers after the first check-post, you can indulge in a Coracle boat rafting with a native. This is meant for the travelers who ventures into Gavi forest and the boatman that takes you on this short rowing journey is a forest folk that lives amongst the trees and calls Gavi their home.

The Coracle boat can take up to five people at once and will row you down the stream in slow gentle movement. With dark green trees covering both side of the banks, sunken roots into the water and white lotuses popping up in the river makes you feel like you’re taking a trip in the waters of the Amazon. The boatman will drop you off from the same area you stepped into the boat and you can be on your way into the forest again with numerous hairpin bends and sounds of wild animals awaiting you.

Though this isn’t a place for human settlement, forest tribes (adhivasis) call this jungle their home. When driving through Gavi, you’ll spot them sitting around their mud-huts or walking home from edges of rivers and streams. These people are often friendly and if you need help, they can definitely guide you.

Wildlife in Kerala

The jungle is known to be inhabited by rare and endangered species. Two of them that are often spotted here, if you are lucky, are the endangered lion-tailed macaque also known as the Old World monkey and the Nilgiri Tahr aka the ibex. Keep your eyes peeled towards the drier areas on top of the mountains to spot this four-legged creature while the Old World monkey might be seen hustling amongst the heavy leaves.

While driving through the forest, caution is necessary. The path is very narrow and it is advised to drive extremely slowly. Travelers shouldn’t also stop here and there as they feel like it or venture out into unknown areas due to curiosity, because this is the territory of wild animals and elephants. You can never predict when a panther might attack or when a herd of elephants might come rushing. And the howls of wild animals will remind you that this is their territory.

MUST REMEMBER TIPS TO FOLLOW

-Make sure to have a sturdy four-wheel vehicle. The road is rough where usual cars won’t be able to pass

-Drive SLOW and steady. Hair pin bends are a little wild where one end is a deep canyon.

-DO NOT drive close to the edge. There might be loose mud and it can be dangerous

-DO NOT venture out into unknown territories of the forest. If you get lost, there is no phone signal and no other human beings to help you navigate your way out.

-DO NOT stop and get out at random places. Gavi is filled with carnivorous and wild animals such as tigers, panthers, leopards, bears, snakes and wild elephants.

-Make sure to reach the second check-point by 2pm and the last checkpoint before 6pm.

-If you see only one elephant standing in the path, stop your car and DO NOT honk as it will trigger the elephant to go mad. Step on the car accelerator and scare it away with the noise. If it doesn’t move, quiet down and wait.

-Don’t throw food at random animals, especially monkeys. They will attack your car for more food.

-Your clothing must be completely covered from neck to toe. Make sure to not wear loose jeans or cargos. Snakes and leeches can climb their way up your leg if you do get out.

-There are tribes of forest people that occupies some areas of the forest, and you’ll see them walking around between the trees. If anyone needs help, these people often give out a helping hand.

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