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 exciting cycling adventure through the heartland of Kerala, a vibrant Indian state renowned for its lush landscapes and rich cultural tapestry. This immersive 13-day tour takes you off the usual tourist paths, offering a unique opportunity to explore Kerala’s “Green Magic” by bicycle.

Your journey begins near the hills of Paniyeli, where you’ll get fitted for your cycle and briefed on the adventure ahead. The initial rides will take you along narrow canal roads towards the lowland forests of Thattekkad, passing through friendly villages, small towns, and plantations of rubber and spices.

The tour gradually transitions into more challenging terrain as you ascend into the Western Ghats. You’ll cycle through spectacular routes, including deep gorges, spice-growing hamlets, and vast stretches of tea gardens as you approach Munnar, a major highlight. The journey continues through winding mountain roads towards the Lockhart Gap and Anaerangal Lake, with opportunities to spot wild elephants.

A significant part of the tour explores the world-famed ‘Cardamom Mountains,’ where you’ll cycle through thickly forested hills, observing spice cultivation and processing in hamlets. You’ll visit the Periyar Tiger Reserve area, offering chances for wildlife viewing and walks through spice plantations.

The adventure continues with a stunning ride through tea gardens and pristine forests to Vagamon, featuring challenging off-road sections and beautiful rolling grasslands. You’ll then descend the mountains to a riverside resort in Thodupuzha.

A truly memorable experience awaits as you cycle to the Alleppey jetty and embark on a traditional rice boat for an overnight cruise through Kerala’s tranquil backwaters, observing unique village life centered around these waterways. The final days involve cycling along serene beach roads, passing through fishing villages and coconut plantations, leading to the beautiful Marari Beach and culminating in the historic Fort Kochi. In Fort Kochi, you’ll have the chance to explore its culturally diverse winding streets, historic sites, and colonial architecture with a local guide.

Highlights

Experience exciting cycling through diverse landscapes, including lowland forests, spice-growing villages, and long stretches of tea gardens
Cycle through and explore the renowned tea estates of Munnar.
The tour takes you through one of 36 biodiversity 'hot spots' of the world
Visit one of India's best National Parks at Periyar, with opportunities for rainforest walks and wildlife viewing.

Day 01 :

Paniyeli

Description: Arrive at Kochi International Airport, meet your guide, and transfer to Paniyeli near the hills. The day is dedicated to cycle fitting and a briefing by the tour leader.

Activities: Fit-out cycles & short local cycling.

Meals: Dinner (D).

Accommodation: Whispering Waters.

Day 02 :

Thattekkad

Description: After an early breakfast and briefing, you will be transferred away from Kochi to avoid morning city traffic before starting your ride. Soon, you'll hit the narrow Canal Road towards the lowland forests at Thattekkad. The ride is easy, allowing you to get accustomed to Indian traffic, passing villages, small towns, and plantations of rubber and spices interspersed with paddy fields. After checking in and lunch, you'll have a free afternoon to explore Thattekkad, with options for cycling through villages, walking into the rainforest, or bird-watching at the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.

Activities: Cycling 55 kms, mainly flat. Optional village cycling, rainforest walk, or bird-watching.

Meals: Breakfast at Kochi (B), refreshments en route, and dinner at Thattekkad (D).

Accommodation: Tapovan.

Day 03 :

Muthuvankudi

Description: After an early breakfast, begin your first serious cycling challenge through village roads along the banks of the Periyar River. You'll cross the spice trading town of Neriamangalam and turn onto an old road built in the 1960s for hydroelectric dam construction. The route offers scenic views of forests, deep gorges, and small spice-growing hamlets. Your stay will be at the foothills, close to the tea town of Munnar.

Activities: Cycling 60 kms, major climbs.

Meals: Breakfast at Thattekkad (B), refreshments en route, and dinner at Muthuvankudi (D).

Accommodation: Haze & Kites.

Day 04 :

Munnar

Description: Today is a highlight, cycling through spectacular routes in Kerala, including tea estates, forests, and wilderness. The route is challenging but rewarding, with major climbs as you reach Munnar, located over 4,500'. Settle into your resort, and if time permits, take a walk around the tea bazaar to buy locally cultivated tea.

Activities: Cycling 45 kms, major climbs. Optional walk around the tea bazaar.

Meals: Breakfast at Muthuvankudi (B), refreshments en route, and dinner at Munnar (D).

Accommodation: Tea County.

Day 05 :

Bodimettu

Description: Start cycling through winding mountain roads towards Lockhart Gap, passing vast stretches of tea plantations. Continue towards the small village of Suryanelli and through the forests near Anaerangal Lake, keeping an eye out for wild elephants grazing along the banks. Your destination is the border town of Bodimettu, overlooking the plains of Tamil Nadu.

Activities: Cycling 40 kms, major climbs.

Meals: Breakfast at Munnar (B), refreshments en route, and dinner at Bodi (D).

Accommodation: Shola Crown.

Day 06 :

Vandanmedu

Description: Today's ride takes you through the world-famed 'Cardamom Mountains', which have produced some of the world's best spices for millennia. The ride passes through thickly forested hills and hamlets, offering a ringside view of spice cultivation and processing. Enjoy magnificent views as you descend from the tea gardens of Suryanelli around Anaerangal Lake (where elephants often roam) towards Vandanmedu, the capital of the world's cardamom production.

Activities: Cycling 65 kms, major climbs.

Meals: Breakfast at Bodi (B), refreshments & lunch en route, and dinner at Vandanmedu (D).

Accommodation: Carmelia.

Day 07-08 :

Periyar

Description: From Vandanmedu, it's a short distance to the vicinity of the famed Periyar Tiger Reserve, where you'll be staying. A visit to the rainforest to look for wildlife or a walk around the spice bazaar is planned. On the second day at Periyar, optional forest walks are available.

Activities: Cycling 40 kms, undulating. Spice plantation walk. Optional forest walks on Day 8.

Meals: Breakfast at Vandanmedu (B) & dinner at Periyar (D).

Accommodation: Tree Top.

Day 09 :

Vagamon

Description: Today is an absolutely stunning day and a fantastic highlight, with a cycling route that passes through spectacular sights of tea gardens and pristine forests. The ride is mostly off-road and will be tough, but the sceneries en route will be awe-inspiring. The last bit involves a tough climb along the grasslands of Vagamon until you reach the resort amidst the rolling grasslands.

Activities: Cycling 65 kms, undulating with major climbs.

Meals: Breakfast at Periyar (B), refreshments during cycling, Dinner at Vagamon (D).

Accommodation: Winter Vale Resort

Day 10 :

Thodupuzha

Description: Today is an easy day as you ride down the mountains to reach the foothills, arriving at a resort tucked away in the deep interiors of Kerala, located on the banks of a river.

Activities: Cycling 40 kms, mostly downhill.

Meals: Breakfast at Vagamon (B), refreshments, Dinner at Thodupuzha (D).

Accommodation: Riverbanks.

Day 11 :

Alleppey

Description: Continue cycling to the Alleppey jetty and embark on a rice boat for a memorable journey through the backwaters. Watch the village life unfold as villagers begin their day, with canoes, vegetable sellers, fishermen, and other household materials being transported by small wooden boats. The rice boat offers a closer view of village life centered on these backwaters.

Activities: Cycling 45 kms, flat. Rice boat cruise.

Meals: Breakfast at Thodupuzha (B), lunch & dinner on the rice boat (L, D).

Accommodation: Rice boat (overnight stay

Day 12 :

Marari Beach

Description: After an early breakfast, commence cycling towards Marari, known for its serene beaches. You will hit the beach road, passing through fishing villages and coconut plantations on one side and the sea on the other, to reach your destination.

Activities: Cycling 40 kms, flat.

Meals: Breakfast at Alleppey (B).

Accommodation: Turtle Beach or similar.

Day 13 :

Fort Kochi

Description: Your last ride is through the beach road towards the historic Fort Kochi, passing numerous fishermen's villages, lovely beaches, and backwaters. Check into a hotel in the historic Fort Kochi, a city of cultural diversity with winding streets, old Portuguese houses, mosques, and a synagogue. In the evening, you can go on a walk through the old quarter with a local guide, visiting the St Francis Church, the synagogue, and the Dutch Palace.

Activities: Cycling 60 kms. Fort Kochi tour with guide.

Meals: Breakfast at Marari (B).

Accommodation: Killians.

Kerala Cycling Holiday Wander

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