Distance
850
Accomodation
Handpicked hotels for maximum comfort
Arrival on
Kochi International airport
Departure from
Kochi International airport
Meals
All meals as indicated per itinerary
Minimum Age
16
Destinations
India
Trip Type
Cultural Trip

Overview

Embark on an immersive 5-day cycling holiday through the genuine heartland of Kerala, a vibrant Indian state celebrated for its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural tapestry. This rural cycling tour offers a unique opportunity to venture off the usual tourist trails, allowing you to connect deeply with the people, places, and culinary delights that define this enchanting region.

Your adventure begins with your arrival at Kochi International Airport, followed by a transfer to the scenic Cherai beach, where your resort is nestled against the backdrop of the backwaters. After a cycle fitting, you’ll embark on an exploratory ride to the ancient port city of Muziris, a site steeped in history.

The journey continues inland towards the foothills of the Western Ghats, cycling through authentic rural Kerala with its charming spice farms and rubber plantations. You’ll ride along narrow canal roads to the lowland forests of Urulanthanni, before ascending into the mountains to visit indigenous tribal villages at Mamalakandam, home to forest dwellers for centuries. Here, you’ll explore megalithic sites before continuing your ride through the heart of Kerala, passing countless small villages and spice-growing homes on quiet roads.

The tour culminates in the historic Fort Kochi, a city renowned for its cultural diversity and rich colonial past, having been influenced by Portuguese, Dutch, and British occupations. You’ll enjoy a guided city tour, immersing yourself in its unique architecture, diverse food, and vibrant atmosphere. This cycling holiday promises unique experiences, blending coastal rides, backwater scenery, forest exploration, and authentic village encounters, all while savoring amazing local cuisine and staying in boutique resorts.

Highlights

Explore this culturally diverse city, a former European colonial settlement with varied architecture and influences.
Enjoy scenic routes peppered with backwaters and beaches.
Cycle through these forests and potentially explore deeper into tribal villages.
Experience interactions with indigenous tribal artisans who have resided in deep forests for hundreds of years.

Day 01 :

Cherai

Description: Arrive at Kochi International Airport. Transfer to Cherai beach and check into the resort, set against the backdrop of the backwaters. Check out your cycles and go on an exploratory ride to the site of the ancient trading port of Muziris (Muchiripatanam).

Activities: Briefing, fitting out cycles & ride to the Muziris area in the afternoon.

Meals: Dinner (D).

Accommodation: Les 3 elephants or similar

Day 02 :

Paniyeli

Description: Start the day early and ride towards the foothills of the Western Ghats. The ride passes through rural Kerala countryside, transitioning to spice farms and rubber plantations. Your destination is a resort near the Periyar River, close to the elephant kraal at Kodanad, where abandoned and injured elephants are cared for.

Activities: Cycling 45 kms, mostly flat with some small climbs. Optional visit to the elephant kraal.

Meals: Breakfast at Cherai (B), lunch and dinner at Paniyeli (L, D).

Accommodation: Whispering Waters

Day 03 :

Palamattom

Description: Cycle to the lowland forests at Urulanthanni and up the mountains to the tribal villages at Mamalakandam, deep forests where forest dwellers have resided for hundreds of years. After visiting the muniyaras (megalithic sites) and having lunch, continue cycling to the village of Palamattom.

Activities: Cycling 70 kms, mostly flat & some with major climbs. Visit muniyaras (megalithic sites).

Meals: Breakfast at Paniyeli (B), lunch en route, and dinner at Palamattom (L, D).

Accommodation: Tapovan

Day 04 :

Fort Kochi

Description: Continue cycling through the canal road and numerous villages in Kerala's heartland, experiencing the true Kerala with its small villages, spice-growing homes, quiet roads, and welcoming attitude. Ride towards the historic Kochi, a city of cultural diversity set on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas. Kochi was the first European colonial settlement in India, occupied by the Portuguese in 1503, and later by the Dutch and British, resulting in a variety of architectural, culinary, and other influences.

Activities: Cycling 50 kms, flat. City tour with guide. Optional Classical dance show.

Meals: Breakfast at Palamattom (B).

Accommodation: Killians

Day 05 :

Depart

Description: Your cycling holiday concludes.

Activities: Departure.

Accommodation: No accommodation.

Rural Kerala Cycling Tour Wander

Trip Info

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

Map

Overview

Highlights

Itinerary

Includes/Exclides

Costs Includes

Costs Excluddes

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Featured Trips

Spiritual Pilgrimage Japan Wander

Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Japan Wander

Sri Lankan 7 Day Highlights Cycling Wander

Get in Touch

Support