With 12,000 hectares of natural vegetation spread across an undulating terrain and the 1,868-m Agasthyamala Peak as its highest point, the sanctuary is interspersed with rushing brooks, flat meadows and gentle slopes, making it an ideal trekking destination. The Neyyar River, which originates from the Agasthya Peak, has an irrigation dam built across it here.
        The Agasthyamala region supports wide variety of plant species, and the variety of its flora and forest types make it an ideal gene pool reserve. Elephants, gaur, sambar, barking deer and the endangered Nilgiri tahr are found here, apart from reptiles such as the cobra, python, viper, rat snake and flying snake. The sanctuary is also a popular spot for watching birds