Overview
Pathanamthitta is the spiritual heartland of Kerala, home to the famous Sabarimala temple, the ancient Aranmula Parthasarathy shrine, and some of the state's most pristine forests. Gavi and Adavi offer world-class eco-tourism — elephants, Nilgiri Tahr, cardamom plantations, misty lakes, coracle boating, and tree-top stays deep in the Western Ghats.
Top Attractions
Gavi - Pristine Forrests and Wildlife
Gavi is a beautiful and pristine forest situated in Pathanamthitta. The affluence of flora and fauna in Gavi makes it an extraordinary experience. Expect to see hills and valleys, tropical forests, sprawling grasslands, streams, cascading waterfalls, cardamom plantations and many wild animals.
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.
You can either book tickets online, or buy tickets at the ticket counter in Angamuzhy forrest office. You need to enter the area between 8.30AM to 11AM
Getting there
🚕 Taxi: ~95 km from Pathanamthitta KSRTC Bus Stand (~3 hr drive)
🚌 Getting to Gavi by bus is only possible through KSRTC Budget Tourism packages. No regular bus service is available to Gavi.
📦 KSRTC Budget Tourism runs frequent sightseeing trips to Gavi. Contact your nearest KSRTC depot coordinator for details and booking.
Adavi - Trekking and coracle boating
With a 5-km stretch broadened by the Kallar River, Adavi welcomes you to experience nature at its best. You can ride the bow boat or coracle boat in the river. The place is best during monsoon as the river is full.
You can camp in the jungle in tree-top bamboo huts. A night stay in the tree-top bamboo huts at Adavi gives you the memory of a lifetime.
You can visit the Konny Elephant Kraal as well. One of the major attractions at Konni is the giant wooden cages or the elephant kraals used to house the elephants.
Getting there
🚕 Taxi from Pathanamthitta KSRTC bus stand — ~20 km (35 min) to Adavi Eco Tourism Center
� Taxi from Konni KSRTC bus stand — ~13 km
�🚆 Nearest railway station: Chengannur — ~45 km by taxi/car
Perunthenaruvi Falls
The waterfall assumes an appearance during monsoon that is different from how it looks during the other months.
The place has two waterfalls; the 300-foot-high Panamkudantha and the 200-foot-high Padivathil. Both originate from the Sabarimala forest.
You can take a walk snapping pictures of the beauty that unravels around you or trek along the plantations and breathe in fresh, rejuvenating air at the waterfalls
Getting there
🚕 Taxi from Erumeli KSRTC bus stand — ~13 km
🚆 Nearest railway station: Thiruvalla — ~45 km (80–90 min drive by car)
Aranmula
You can visit the Parthasarathy temple in Aranmula, which is famous for its annual snake boat race. The temple is next to the Pamba river.
Aranmula is also famous for its traditional metal mirrors called Aranmula Kannadi. These mirrors are made using a unique alloy of metals and are known for their reflective properties. A visit to the workshops in Aranmula offers a fascinating insight into the meticulous process of making these exquisite mirrors.
Getting there
🚆 Nearest railway station: Chengannur — ~11 km
🚆 Thiruvalla railway station — ~21 km
🚌 Regular KSRTC buses from Pathanamthitta, Chengannur, and Thiruvalla — look for buses heading towards Kozhencherry or Ranni that stop at Aranmula
Suggested Itineraries
One Day in Pathanamthitta
Full day Gavi eco-tourism: wildlife spotting, lake boating, trekking through cardamom plantations, and Western Ghats viewpoints
2 Days in Pathanamthitta
Day 1: Gavi forests and wildlife · Day 2: Adavi coracle boating, Perunthenaruvi Falls, and Aranmula temple & mirror workshops
Local Flavor
Food
Pathanamthitta is known for its traditional Sadya, Appam with Stew, and wild honey from the forests. Aranmula is famous for its temple Prasadam.
Festivals
Aranmula Uthrattadhi Boat Race is Kerala's oldest snake boat race, held during the Onam festival on the Pamba River.
Crafts & Traditions
Aranmula Kannadi — handmade metal alloy mirrors that are unique to this region. Each mirror is crafted using a secret alloy formula passed down through generations.