13 Day Cycling Tour in Kerala, India

Cycling Tour in India

There is no better way to get an up-close glimpse into the heart of God’s Own Country, Kerala, than on a bicycle. The exclusive Kerala Cycling Tour has been smartly designed to provide you an unvarnished viewof the natural beauty of this land. Along the way, you will experience the unique culture, local arts, and different cuisines of Kerala. You will cycle through lush paddy fields, green meadows, pine forests and spice-rich villages. If you happen to be a birding enthusiast, a stopover at the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, which is home to more than 200 different varieties of birds, will be more than welcome.

Key information

Trip type: Guided
Lodging: Point to Point
Terrain: Mostly flat, hilly with some climbs in Munnar and Thekkady
Starts in: Cochin
Ends in: Cochin
Total Distance: Approximately 510 kms / 317.5 miles
Type of bike: Trek bike
Private tour is available, minimum 2 participants

Highlights

Expert cycle mechanic throughout the tour
Back up AC vehicle for the complete tour
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary visit at Thattekad
Canoe ride in Kumarakom, and Periyar boat ride
Bikes for complete tour (cycling part only - Trek bikes)
All meals (breakfast and dinner at the hotel)
Lunch in restaurants midway or packed lunch
12 nights accommodation

Skill level

Intermediate

13 days with instruction

Group size: 2-8 participants

Accommodation

Accommodation is offered at all locations. Most of the hotels are culture resorts, eco-resorts, and family-run hotels, all with a common line of quality in service. The costs are based on a 'twin-sharing' foundation.

For those who want a single room, the tour can offer a single room at an extra cost.

Program

About the Experience

The itinerary has been planned to give you ample opportunity to do off-road cycling and high-altitude cycling through the undulating landscape that is dotted with tea estates, waterfalls and lakes. You will witness a whole range of flora and fauna. The tour includes a pit-stop at a tiger reserve and a guided walk into the forest. You will get to canoe and also enjoy a relaxing ride in a luxury rice barge through the famous backwaters of Kerala.

Their professional cycling guide will accompany you throughout the tour. Whenever you don’t feel like cycling, for whatever reason, you can hop into their backup vehicle. No issues. The aim is to make your cycling tour a memorable one.

Trip highlights:

Walk in Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Thattekad
Tea plantations in Munnar and Vagamon
Forest walk at Periyar National Park
Boat ride in Periyar Tiger Reserve
Cycling along the Cardamom Hills Reserve in Kerala
Exquisite healthy and local Kerala food all along
Professional cycling guide and local experts
Boat ride in Kumarakom narrow backwater lane in really small boat
Premium houseboat cruise at Alleppey

Itinerary:

Day 1: Kochi

On your arrival at Kochi Airport or train station the driver and guide will meet you and assist you to transported to the colonial and heritage town of Fort Kochi which is more lively and fun than the commercial city. You will stay at boutique hotel for Overnight.

Some of the best spots in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry (the more historical hub) include the Dutch palace, the Jew Synagogue, St Francis' Church, Dutch Cemetery, Chinese Fishing nets, Santa Cruz Cathedral and so on. The old world charm infused with the numerous spice markets, antique shops and art galleries will amaze you.

Hotel: Hotel Arches / or Similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast

Day 2: Thattekkad

Distance: 60 kms / 37.3 miles (4 - 6 hours depend on riders)

Leaving Fort Kochi early after breakfast at hotel. You will be doing approx. 60 kms of cycling with guide and backup vehicle. You will be carrying picnic lunch or you will stop on the midway restaurant and you are free to ask and stop whenver you want to stop for water, snacks or lunch or you can stop cycling too if you dont feel like or feel tired or anything. They are flexibe about everything so there is no fix rules, all depends on you. On the way to Thekkady you pass a beautiful hamlet called ‘Cherukunnam’. This little village is interspersed with canals in all directions. You bike along one of these canal bund roads amid lush green paddy fields filled with coconut trees and lonely villages.

Thattekad is famous for the bird sanctuary, The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Thattekkad in Kerala is a nature’s masterpiece to see and expeirence. The place is a goldmine of eco-adventure enthusiasts looking for unique adventure travel experiences. Get closer with This is Kerala’s first in camping with a touch of luxury. You can’t get any place better than this to go birding, kayaking on the Periyar river or cycling through the spice rich villages of Kerala.

The Edamalayar forests and Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is the abode many exitincing and beautiful bird species. The birds, the air and the calm breeze boost and rejuvenate your body & mind. The senctuary, a 25 sq km wide are has more than 200 varieties of birds including the large falcon, grey jungle fowl, white breasted water hen, hornbill etc.

The attraction doesn’t end here. Next place to throng in detail is the Bhoothathankettu, a scenic dam site known for natural fortification of forests and hills. The place was built by Bhoothams (spirit/ghosts) overnight, hence the name Bhoothathankettu (fort of the spirits). Through this mesmerizing visual galore you will enjoy exquisite resorts/camps basking in the natural and effortless splendor of Kerala.

If time allows you will visit Thattekad Bird Sanctuary or you will visit next day morning before cycling.

Hotel: Birds Lagoon / Similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Dinner at hotel, Lunch in Midway or Picnic Lunch

Day 3: Munnar

Distance: 70 - 80 kms / 43.5 - 50 miles

The seemingly gentle ride takes the riders through Munnar known for its pristine tea estates, cool breeze and breath-taking views. Muunar has been the primary and core atrtraction for the people traveling Kerala. Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams – Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, is perched about 1600 m above sea level and used to be the summer resort of the erstwhile British administration in South India.

For cyclists, Munnar can offer some of the finest and thrilling biking trails in South India. Munnar wands its way through the shola forests, cardamom estates and tea gardens, some routes that truly fascinates amateur as well as the enthusiastic cyclists. If off road cycling excites you, Thattekad – Munnar cycling track is perfect for you. The itinerary has been catered to give riders a ringside view of the beautiful countryside, the indigenous tribals and the tea estate workers who work these tea gardens.

Note: You will have back up vehicle all the time so you can stop cycling whenever you will like tired or done cycling and drive.

Hotel: The Leaf / Similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Dinner at hotel, Lunch in Midway or Picnic Lunch

Day 4: Munnar

Distance: 50 kms / 31.1 miles

After breakfast you can for sightseeing of tea plantation by car or you can easily do cycling to Munnar town and tea garden, total cycling will be approx. 50 kms or you can rest at hotel n morning.

You gear up for an exciting and thrilling high altitude mountain cycling to Munnar. The ride will give you an amazing experience of cruising quiet yet exhilarating back roads through a astonoishing high edgte slopy mountain and lush jungle scenery, Munnar is the abode of some of the best roads that offer cycling facilities in and around South India.

Make sure that you’re enough relaxed enough before the ride as it requires a serious amount of energy and grit for you to go enjoy the exciting adventure journey. Splurge on cycle around magnificent landscape that is Munnar and let the thrill take over you completely.

Hotel: The Leaf / Similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Dinner at hotel, Lunch from local restaurant or Picnic Lunch

Day 5: Periyar

Distance: 100 kms / 62 miles

Today after breakfast, you will proceed towards Periyar, Munnar-Periyar is one of Thekkady’s most unexplored, vast and varied cycling tails that exist in Kerala. What’s the kind of cyclist you’re, the Munnar-Periyar route will ignites your instinct by offering the most fascinating and challenging cycling trails. Take a ride on one of these trails and enjoy the raw, unspoiled beauty of the wilderness and local sights and sounds.

The cycling Begin with a wonderful downhill followed by undulating terrain along the Cardamom Hills Reserve and spice plantations throughout and on either side of the road. Periyar Tiger Reserve is home for rare - endemic and endangered flora and fauna. This is the home range of the rare and endangered Lion Tailed Macaque, and also an excellent spot for birds and rare butterflies, as well as large herds of elephants and gaurs. Next morning, you will go for the Nature Walk or the Green Walk which is a guided walk into the jungle.

Note: You will have back up vehicle all the time so you can stop cycling whenever you will like tired or done cycling and drive.

Hotel: Mountain Court YARD / Wild Corridor / Similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Dinner at hotel, Lunch in Midway or Picnic Lunch

Day 6: Periyar National Park

After breakfast you will go for walk around national park or if you want can go for boat ride. Periyar Tiger Reserve keeps the magnificence of flora and fauna lively. Periyar National park uncloaks nature’s bounty, with great scenic charm and rich bio diversity.

Span through a sprawling 925 sq .km area, Periyar is one of the 27 tiger reserves in India visited by tourists and wild life enthusiasts. The place is fervently guarded and efficiently managed reserve where you can meet rare, endemic and endangered flora and fauna and forms the major watershed of two Periyar and Pamba rivers.

Terrain is undulating with substantial mountains of over 1700 metres surrounding the north and eastern. Towards the western it combines into a comprehensive tableland Install Level of average level 1200 metres. Rom the edge of this plateau the land drops significantly to the heavily wooded areas of Sabarimala Mountains in the Pamba Stream basin

Hotel: Mountain Court YARD / Wild Corridor / Similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Dinner at hotel, Lunch in Midway or Picnic Lunch

Day 7: Vagamon

Distance: 50 kms / 31.1 miles

Today after breakfast, you will proceed towards Vagamon, Still untouched by commercialisation; the sleepy town with its scenic valleys, beautiful green meadows, enchanting pine forests, mists, fogs, tea estates, waterfalls with the overall greenery is really striking.

Vagamon is at the fringe of the Western Ghats and the foot hills on its lower side reach up to Teekoy with a gradual descent. This narrow strip of descending land gives a vital connectivity to the plains as both sides of vagamon up to kuttikkanam on the south west and moolamattom on the north east, are marked by steep and inaccessible hill slopes.

Travelling by the hill highway in this section is an exhilarating experience with deep valleys and views all around. Reaching Vagamon itself involves traversing a meandering road that is cut in solid rock and lined with pine forests.

National Geographic Traveler has listed Vagamon on their directory of the "50 most attractive places to visit in India". It has a cool climate, situated 1,100 metres above sea level.

Hotel: Summer Sand / Vagamon Heights
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at hotel

Day 8: Kumarakom

Distance: 100 kms / 62 miles

Today after breakfast, you will proceed towards Kumarakom, Kumarakom is a village on Vembanad Lake in the backwaters of Kerala, famous for its backwater tourism It is set in the backdrop of the Vembanad Lake, the largest lake in the state of Kerala.

The town of Kumarakom is a group of little isles on the Vembanad Pond, and is aspect of the Kuttanad area. The fowl haven here, which is distributed across 14 miles, is popular bother of migratory crazy birds and an ornithologist's heaven. Egrets, Darters, Herons, Teals, Waterfowls, Cuckoo, Wild Goose and migratory crazy birds like the Siberian Stork check out here in flocks and captivate all guests.

Waterscapes, the backwater hotel of the Kerala Travel and leisure Growth Organization has separate bungalows built on stilts, set among grape groves providing a spectacular view of the backwaters. Vacation offers including houseboats and conventional Kettuvalloms (rice barges) offer great experiences. Kumarakom has been declared a Special Tourism Zone by the Kerala state Government Today you will pass thru places like Pala , Erattupetta etc,. overnight stay.

Note: After 50 kms of cycling, you will load the bike on their backup vehicle and you will drive towards Kumarakom.

Hotel: Lake Song / Similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Dinner at hotel, Lunch in Midway or Picnic Lunch

Day 9: Kumarakom

Today after breakfast, you will go for canoeing in the narrow backwater lane and see the life of rural people of Kerala. A two-hour rowing canoe trip is quite cheap, and is best undertaken in the evening or early morning to avoid the afternoon sun.

Situated in the Kottayam region of Kerala, which is already known for its lavish plants, this unique backwater town contributes more than a glimmer to it. The scenery basically comprises of a group of island towns in and around the huge "Vembanad Kayal" backwater body (which is also, furthermore the biggest in Kerala), with many extended bodies all covered by beautiful, dense, lavish and relaxing plants.

Will be back to hotel for lunch and have whole afternoon and evening to relax, overnight will be at hotel.

Hotel: Lake Song / Similar
Meal Plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner at hotel

Day 10: Alleppey

Distance: 40 kms / 25 miles

Today you will proceed to Alleppey, you will cycle only 40 kms today, rest will be a transfer in vehicle. The bike ride through rubber estatse is an attraction. After a quick break they transfer you out of town to Alleppey for the epitome of your bi-cycle holiday.

A luxury rice-barge moored on the backwaters awaits your arrival. Festive lunch on boat, music in the background, you’re next in charge steering the boat through vast stretches of blue waters. Coconut palms, temples and villages in the horizon, you have a book out to sketch or write a poem. Amidst a million stars in the night sky, the breeze silently steers you into God’s own waters.

Alleppey is one of the most significant vacationer facilities in the condition, with a huge system of national pathways making it the sobriquet "Venice of the east". These huge system of pathways offer Alleppey its life line. Alleppey was one of the most popular facilities of business in previous times with one of the best known slots along the malabar shore.

Even now it maintains its appeal as the center for Coir carpet sectors and prawn farming. Alleppey the best head office for backwater travel and leisure as well as for trips to the charming cathedral loaded city of Kottayam, and the city of Aranmula, popular for its ancient Aranmula Reptile Vessel Competition which is an yearly occasion.

Hotel: AC Premium Houseboat
Meal Plan: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner at Houseboat

Day 11: Marari Beach (Last Day of Cycling)

Distance : Approximately 30 kms / 19 miles

Morning at 09:00 after breakfast you’re out onto beautiful stretches of acreage. Goodbyes to your captain and crew, you’re set to learn some Coir (coconut fiber) making from a local outfit, the traditional way! Biking on narrow routes through numerous villages and temples you head to Mararikulam, a fishing village by the beach.

In fact it is rated as one of the world’s top five Hammock Beaches by National Geography. This part of Kerala has the largest number of bi-cycle users and you’d be surprised to find others join them to your destination. Right in time for lunch and tired after a sweaty ride we’re almost beginning to feel the end of cycling.

Marari beach in Mararikulam is a honor to the fisherfolk of this area who fill its soul in apparent and simple methods. The visitor bungalows replicate their residences in design and personality while their delicacies shows the cooking intricacies of these people whose sensibilities and lifestyle have been influenced by the charms and challenges of the oceans.

Hotel: Abad Turtle Beach Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast

Day 12: Marari Beach (No Cycling)

Today also you will be at Marari, but they do not have any activities on the last day. For nature fans of every colour, know that Marari is a rare show-case of variety.

Marari is a relaxing place to chill out and rest. If you want to visit Marari, you must experience and have fun with the comfort on the abandoned exotic seashores. To make your trip exciting, you may wander around the seaside as there are plenty of touring places where you can spends some time with the ones you love. Day is free for leisure at beach or hotel, Overnight at hotel.

Hotel: Abad Turtle Beach Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast

Day 13: Marari Beach

Pack your bags, your tour leaders will transfer you to the Cochin International Airport on time. only to depart with a bag full of happy and fun filled memories. Tour and your services end here.

Meal Plan: Only Breakfast

Climate

Mostly dry depends on which month of the year you are travelling.

Transportation / Support Vehicles

All transport is involved in the cost. They provide backup vehicle at all times during cycling trip. The vehicle can be used to boat your baggage and yourself as required.

Food

The package includes meals as outlined in the itinerary. Fruits and drinking water are provided on cycling days.

Food is a very essential part of these trips. Cycling in India will make sure that the meals they offer are delicious unless you ask for dull meals. You are also permitted the choice of veggie or non-vegetarian meals. Cycling in India suggests that you consume only the canned standard water. Please make sure that the container is enclosed.

The following meals are included:

Breakfast
Dinner
Snacks
Drinks

The following drinks are included:

Water

The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:

Regular (typically includes meat and fish)

If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation

What's included

Expert cycle mechanic throughout the tour
Back up AC vehicle for the complete tour
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary visit at Thattekad
Canoe ride in Kumarakom
Periyar boat ride
All road and transport taxes
Driver allowance
Toll and parking charges
Bikes for complete tour (cycling part only - Trek bikes)
5% government taxes
Unlimited water during cycling (only cycling part)
Fresh fruits / snacks (only cycling part)
All meals (breakfast and dinner at the hotel)
Lunch in restaurants midway or packed lunch
12 nights accommodation (hotel based on twin sharing, including overnight houseboat stay)

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