Tropical Kerala on Bike

DAY 1 - Kochi

Arrive Kochi and transfer to the hotel; afternoon and evening free

Arrive at the International Airport of Kochi, after a traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) our KVT’s representative would assist you at the airport and Later board the vehicle and transfer to Kochi hotel for check-in (20-30mins drive). Kochi is also known as Cochin - the “Queen of Arabian Sea”, it is one of the finest natural and major harbor city of Kerala and it has a cosmopolitan culture highly influenced by historical trading partners. Afternoon and evening free for us to explore the town or relax at the hotel.

Overnight Hotel

DAY 2 - Kochi

Sightseeing tour of Kochi

In the morning after breakfast, we will try out our bikes with the help of mechanic and make any necessary adjustments if requires, then we proceed for the sightseeing tour of Kochi, we will take a short transfer by boat to Mattencherry and start our visit with Mattancherry Palace also known as the Dutch Palace; it was built by the Portuguese and presented to Veera Kerala Varma (1537–65), Raja of Kochi, in 1555 AD. Visit Jewish Synagogue, it is the oldest synagogue in all the Commonwealth of Nations and was built by Malabar Yehudan People, or Cochin Jewish community. Then we visit St. Francis Church, it is the oldest European church in India and was built in the beginning of 16th century. Later visit The Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi, it is a very popular tourist attraction. These nets are fixed land installations, which are used for a very unique and unusual method of fishing. After that we return back to hotel and relax.

Overnight Hotel

DAY 3 - Thattekkad

Drive to Kollencherry and then cycle to Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary (45km cycling).

After breakfast, leaving the city behind we take a short transfer to Kollencherry where our days ride begins towards Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary. You will begin cycling towards the foothills of the Western Ghats and the lowland forests of Thattekkad. You will cycle approximately 45 kms, through a countryside that evolves from towns to rubber plantations, paddy fields and spice gardens. You will be cycling till the lowland forests at Thattekkad, on the banks of the Periyar River, the longest river in Kerala. Thattekkad is located on the banks of the River Periyar and is one of the best birding destinations in India. It boasts of a large number of endemic species. This place is an ideal and quiet retreat into nature. Reach there and check-in to the hotel and relax.

Overnight Hotel

DAY 4 - Munnar

Cycle across the hills and tea plantations to Munnar (45km cycling).

After breakfast start cycle ride towards Munnar. Today is a day of climbing to the heights at over 1600m, with its sprawling lush green hills and tea plantations, We will pass through cocoa, cashew, teakwood, Mango, pepper & coconut plantations. It is a beautiful hill station situated in the Western Ghats range of mountains at an altitude of 1600m above sea level. Munnar was once the summer resort of British Government in South India and it is popular for its vast tea plantations. Reach there and check-in to the hotel and relax at the hotel and enjoy the beauty of the Munnar.

Overnight Hotel

DAY 5 - Munnar

Explore Munnar town and surrounding tea plantation areas by bike (30-40km cycling).

Munnar is a great place to cycle in. Today we explore Munnar and the surrounding areas. Home to some of the world's highest tea plantations, coupled with craggy peaks and tall red wood tree forests the scenery offers a stunning backdrop to our cycling route. We cycle through some of the tea plantations on route to Annamudi Village, located at the base of Annamudi Peak, at 2695m this is the highest peak in South India and dominates the skyline. After this ride, you would have certainly earned yourself a hot crisp cup of tea. After that we return back to our hotel and relax.

Overnight Hotel

DAY 6 - Nedumkandam

Cycle up some steep hills to Devikulam, then a level ride to Nedumkandam (50-60km cycling).

Today morning, we begin a long descent, with a few sharper ascents to cross passes, until we reach Devikulam, a small village & hill station - the place with the lotus pond of Goddess. One of such sparkle is Devikulam Lake. It is a place where the green carpet welcomes you with the freshness of flora and fauna. Some people mention’s it also as Sita Devi lake because they believe that in the historical epic Ramayana Sita, the goddess bathed in this lake. From here it’s a fairly gentle, flat ride to Nedumkandam. A fairly new town, established some forty years ago, Nedumkandam produces a significant portion of India's cardamom and pepper and the town is thought to be the fastest growing in the region. Today’s ride passes through beautiful landscapes with mountain views, tea estates and through small villages. Reach & check-in at hotel and relax.

Overnight Hotel

DAY 7 - Kulamavu

Cycle to Cheruthoni by bike, with a short transfer to Kulamavu (50km cycling).

Today morning we cycle to Kulamavu, a scenic location set in the hills of the Idukki district of Kerala. The route takes us past the busy junction of Cheruthoni but for the most part is very quiet. After that there is a short transfer from Cheruthoni to your hotel in Kulamavu. Reach & check-in at hotel. Give our bikes a break and explore the gardens on foot.

Overnight Hotel

DAY 8 - Erattupetta

Cycle to the banks of Thodupuzha River and Erattupetta (40km cycling).

Today we cycle towards the banks of the Thodupuzha River. The town has been established for many centuries and the Buddhist and Jain influences are clear to be seen with intricately carved temples and relics dotted around the area. The terrain is undulating but we start with a long descent of around 18kms which gives our legs a well-earned treat. This part offers a steady ascent for almost 15kms until we reach Erattupetta, a large town with a mix of Christian, Muslim and Hindu communities and surrounded by rubber plantations. Reach & check-in at hotel.

Overnight Hotel

DAY 9 - Kottayam

Cycle to Kottayam (45km cycling).

Morning after breakfast, we make our way to the backwaters, descending from the hill country and the tea plantations. We pass through agricultural land and more rubber plantations as well as small villages before we reach Kottayam, the district headquarters. The town has a majority Christian community and there are several large, ornate churches which we can visit in the afternoon once we reach there. Reach & check-in at hotel.

Overnight Hotel

DAY 10 - Alleppey

Cycle to Alleppey via Kumarakom (46km cycling).

After breakfast, cycle to Alleppey via Kumarakom. Kumarakom - the gateway to the backwaters is unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways. Afterwards following country roads and passing small villages we break our journey to see coconut husks being processed and turned in to coir ropes and mats, the traditional building material of the backwaters. As we reach the backwaters we follow the banks until we reach Alleppey, a backwater heaven interlocked with lakes and canals. The network of canals is used for inland navigation. A vast stretch of paddy fields make this place as the rice bowl of Kerala. Apart from rice production the coir making and boat building is a thriving industry in this area. Houseboat or a Backwater Cruise along the palm fringed waterways of Alleppey is the most exciting holiday experience. Reach Alleppey and we spend this night in a traditional keralan homestay where we enjoy the surroundings.

Overnight Hotel

DAY 11 - Alleppey

Short bike ride to boat jetty in Alleppey, board houseboat and cruise around the backwaters (Cycle approx. 20km)

After breakfast, enjoy your final day to cycle around Alappuzha and explore the surrounding villages, rice fields and the famous backwaters and ride ends at to reach the boat jetty to board the houseboat and say goodbye to the bikes. Later we board the traditional houseboat and ride along the famous backwaters of Kerala and observe the everyday village life of villagers, watch birds and enjoy the night at the houseboat.

Overnight Houseboat

DAY 12 - Kovalam

Drive to Kovalam and relax on the beach

Morning after breakfast we drive to Kovalam (Distance: 165km), Kovalam is the beach resort of Kerala and is very popular tourist destination. Kovalam beaches are very popular due to shallow waters and low tidal waves. Kovalam has three beaches which together form the famous crescent of the Kovalam beach these are Lighthouse Beach, Hawah Beach and Samudra Beach. The beaches are covered by fertile coconut palms; especially the southernmost part of light house beach is most beautiful. We reach there and check-in to the hotel and we relax on the beach.

Overnight Hotel

DAY 13 - Kovalam

Day free in Kovalam

We have a day free to enjoy the idyllic soft sandy beaches, warm clear waters and wide views of the ocean horizon that Kovalam has to offer.

Overnight Hotel

DAY 14 - Trivandrum

Departure transfer to the International Airport of Trivandrum

Now today you will be assisted by our KVT’s representative while checking out at the hotel then you will be transferred to International Airport of Trivandrum to board the flight for back home.