Vallakadavu Forest Check Post - Government office in Mlappara - Idukki, India

Main gate way to travel via Periyar tiger reserve forrst to Gavi and other tourist spots. I traveled by ksrtc Parthinamthitaa bus and am not sure about the entry formalities for other vehicles

Entrance to Gavi, the beautiful location... Friendly staff there. There's Jeep Safari and Government arranged bus safari... But choose the best time to enter otherwise, seeing animals is slim. But the forest ride is refreshing

We had a bad experience with the official... They used bad words like literally harassing me... Not even deserve a single star. Those Forest officials need proper training.. People who are travelling across this check post especially girls be aware of those officers...

Informative and helpful forest staffs. This is the entry point from Vandiperiyar side to Gavi forest road. I think only limited no. of vehicles will be allowed per day but if you have resort booked already they would leave you inside.

Staff wanted us to buy tour package costing about 8500 rupees for 5 people to visit Gavi in our own EV ( electric vehicle). The reason given was that she wanted to reduce tailgate and noise pollution by tourists. EV doesn't have either. This tour fee is in addition to the regular vehicle entry fee and the passenger entry fees. I don't think this is the right way to promote tourism on which the Government spends many crores of rupees in advertisement and building infrastructure.

Its a Forest Check Post at Vallakadavu on the road to Gavi.. Please note they won't allow any Private vehicles /Taxi etc to Gavi through this route. But if you pre booked any Ecotourism programs at Gavi, then you can go through this route & you need to show the booking details at checkpost. Also the Forest Department operate a Forest Safari to Gavi from here.. Timings are 6.30AM, 10.30AM and 2.30PM.. Rate is Rs. 300/- per Head. The rule is that Min. 6 People/ 6 Ticket is required to be sold for starting Forest Safari. * Keep the Forest Clean * Save Forest & Wildlife *

There are various packages for visiting Gavi Village. Without package ticket, private vehicles will not be allowed in this path. We took Forest stay in tent package. It will be Rs.3000 per head. It includes Food 3 times, Boating in Gavi, treking to forest, stay in the mid of the forest in a tent & safari. Girls are not allowed to stay in tent due to safety factors. So if girls are coming with you, you can go for Home stay package Rs.2500 per head. It includes all the above except stay in tent. They will provide you room near the boating place.

It's the entry to Periyar Tiger Reserve from the Vandiperiyar side.. entry not allowed for private vehicles. Entrance either by means of a package, forest department's safari bus (fee 275 + 33 = 308 per person) or by the KSRTC buses (only two services in a day) plying through this way. Gavi is around 25km from here.