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Cycling holiday in Kerala
Plains, Hills and Backwaters Cycling
Cycling holiday in Kerala (KC - 02)
Region : South India
14
Days

Activity

Comfort

Cost per Person

US$  1850

Based on a minimum of 2 people travelling

Tour Overview

More than just a cycling journey, our cycling holiday in Kerala offers a profound immersion into the rich culture, cuisine, and traditions of this vibrant state. Pedalling along tranquil back roads, you'll venture off the beaten path to discover Kerala's diverse landscapes: from the rugged mountains of Munnar to the wildlife-abundant rainforests of Periyar, the serene backwaters near historic Alleppey, the fragrant spice gardens of the lowlands, and the captivating city of Fort Kochi. Central to this cycling adventure is Kerala's culinary tapestry. Prepare to be delighted by a variety of cuisines, each infused with local spices and herbs unique to the micro-regions you'll traverse. Taste specialties like the Kuttanadan duck from the backwaters, the aromatic Mappas curry of the lowlands, and traditional rice appams along the route. And of course, savour the fragrant tea of Munnar, adding to the sensory journey through Kerala. Accommodations throughout this remarkable trip range from comfortable heritage hotels and luxury camps to organic spice farm villas, homestays, and rice boats, ensuring a blend of authenticity and comfort amidst Kerala's verdant magic.



Cycling holiday in Kerala

Day1: Kochi
On arrival, check into a heritage hotel at Fort Kochi. After lunch, the rest of the afternoon and evening can be used to discover this amazing city of Kochi. Kochi (Cochin as it was known in colonial times) is a major port on the west coast of India, set on a cluster of islands surrounded by sparkling blue lagoons and backwaters. Its historic links can be seen in the Colonial bungalows, an old Synagogue, Chinese fishing nets, the oldest European church in India and a Portuguese palace.
Day2: Thattekkad
After breakfast you will start off on your cycles making the most of the pleasant temperature early in the morning, heading towards the foothills of the Western Ghats towards the lowland forests of Thattekkad. You will start a little off the city limits to avoid the morning city traffic and reach a quiet countryside where the roads are mostly level. You will pass through a scenic countryside of temples, spice gardens, paddy fields and rubber plantations. After checking in to the resort on the banks of the River Periyar, you can paddle to the forests on the opposite bank, walk through the village or go bird watching.   
Day3: Munnar Muthuvaankudi
Today, after breakfast, you will set off again, along the Periyar riverbank, through the dense low altitude forests of Neriyamanagalam. These are the forests where reed is extracted for manufacture of traditional household items like baskets and mats. The view is filled with forests, redwood trees and mountain peaks, making it an ideal holiday destination. Towards the end, it’s the time to challenge yourself as the roads get steeper. Cycle through different settlement to reach your stay at Muthuvaankudi, in a well appointed resort, and it will bring you some well deserved rest after the day’s uphill cycling. Explore more; this village has many stories to unfold. Go for a guided walk in the village to know about the culture, tradition and the spices they are cultivating. You can spot many varieties of birds and fruit trees. Use your opportunity to learn tips from the local people while they prepare food in their traditional methods. Today's journey starts after breakfast along the Periyar riverbank, through the dense forests of Neriyamanagalam. These forests are known for reed extraction used in traditional household items. Enjoy stunning views of forests, redwood trees, and mountain peaks. Challenge yourself with steep roads leading to Muthuvankudi, where you'll stay at a well-appointed eco-boutique resort amidst a village rich in culture and traditions. Take a guided village walk to learn about local spices, culture, and spot various birds and fruit trees.
Day4: Munnar Pothamedu
Pedal towards your next destination after breakfast. Start your journey through the small village roads, then the scenery slowly changes to small farms of spices like pepper and cardamom, tea estates and finally towards the main road heading towards Munnar. “Welcome to the land of Neelakurinji ‘the flower which showers the hills once in twelve years’ and the Endangered Nilgiri Thar, where you will be welcomed by hills carpeted in lush green tea plantations.” Pedal all the way up to an altitude of 4500’ above sea level. In the after afternoon, go on a leisurely walk through the tea estaes to learn some interesting facts about tea plantations and tea production in Munnar. Return back to hotel to retire to your bed on the lap of nature.   After breakfast, pedal through village roads transitioning into small spice farms of pepper and cardamom, and then into the main road towards Munnar. Experience the allure of Neelakurinji, a flower that carpets the hills once every twelve years, and encounter the endangered Neelagiri Thar. Visit the Tea Museum in the afternoon to delve into the history and production of tea in Munnar. Retire for the night amidst nature's embrace.  
Day5: Suryanelli
Today, you will cycle through the Grahams land Tea Estate and the daunting mountain pass at the “Lockhart Gap”, a testimony to the perseverance of the early planters. You will arrive at Suryanelli, where you will be staying at the resort overlooking a high altitude rain forest and the Anaerangal lake with panoramic view of the Western Ghats mountains.   Embark on a scenic ride through Graham's Land Tea Estate and conquer the challenging Lockhart Gap mountain pass, a testament to early planters' resilience. Arrive at Anaerangal Camp, Suryanelli, where you'll stay in cottage tents.  
Day6: Vandanmedu
Start your mountain biking after an early breakfast. You will circle around the picturesque Anaerangal Lake, through the tea estates, to Vandanmedu. On this route, you will be able to set your sights on the cardamom estates that gave these hills their name. The thick aroma of the spice gardens and the beautiful forests will be the highlight of today's ride through the Cardamom Hills. You will spend your night in a magnificent resort at Vandanmedu, set amidst cardamom and tea estates. Start your mountain biking journey after an early breakfast, circling Anaerangal Lake and passing through tea estates en route to Vandanmedu. Experience the aromatic cardamom estates that define the Cardamom Hills. Relax in a splendid resort surrounded by cardamom and tea estates.   
Day7: Periyar Tiger Reserve
Your next destination is the Periyar Tiger Reserve. It is a famed protected area that is home to large herds of Asiatic Elephants, the Indian Bison, and the Tigers that India is renowned for. Periyar cycling involves roads surrounded by spice gardens and tea plantations. The ride is quite comfortably short and you will reach the reserve in time for lunch. If you are a wildlife enthusiast, you can take a walk with the local guides into the rain forest. The reserve is a treat for wildlife enthusiasts and ornithologists, with its rich fauna, which apart from the elephants, tigers and bison’s, also includes has over 300 species of birds like the Malabar Grey Hornbill, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Blue-winged Parakeet, and the Crimson-backed Sunbird. Head to the renowned Periyar Tiger Reserve, home to Asiatic Elephants, Indian Bison, Tigers, and diverse bird species. Enjoy a short and comfortable ride through spice gardens and tea plantations, arriving in time for lunch. Wildlife enthusiasts can explore the rainforest on a guided walk with local experts.
Day8: Periyar Tiger Reserve
  The Mannans are among the oldest indigenous group of people to inhabit the Periyar Tiger Reserve. As late as the 1940s, they lived in the remotest areas of the Tiger Reserve. Their lifestyles were simple, and they made their living by fishing and cultivating a few crops. Today, they are the main conservators of the forest. You will get to walk and talk with them, as they will help you discover the tropical rain forests and wildlife. You will also gain some insight into their interesting way of life.  
Day9: Kulamavu
Today is the day for a long cycling down to the foothills at Vagamon. The ride is spectacular and the cycling route passes through tea gardens interspersed with pristine forests that have made this place so beautiful. Vagamon town is set against the rolling grasslands of the Western Ghats. This interesting mountain town is said to be ‘curious blend of religious mysticism and European legacies’ and the cycling trip through this area will let you immerse yourself in its tranquillity. You will be staying at resort overlooking the three hills - Thangal hill, Murugan hill and Kurisumala.  
Day10: Kumarakom
You will be taking a downhill ride through the mountain passes to the plains and from there through the rubber country of Palai to Kumarakom, the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala. Here, you will settle into a beautiful resort on the banks of the Kumarakom lagoon.  
Day11: Alleppey - Houseboat
You will cycle through the roads towards the small villages set against the water world that makes up the backwaters. Here, you will clamber on to one of Kerala’s most luxurious forms of accommodation and transport, the houseboat. Reclining on cushions and drifting through quiet canals, you will pass through paddy fields grazed by ducks, floating markets, local toddy shops, temples and churches.  
Day12: Alleppey
At Alleppey, disembark and make your way to a heritage villa along the backwaters. Cycling through this route gives you a close look at the life of the people living along the backwaters. Upon arrival, you would know that this is the perfect spot to unwind. Whether it is reading in a hammock, dangling your toes in the water, getting an ayurvedic massage or trying out the local tea shop, you can shake off the exhaustion of your journey with great options presented to you in this villa. You can also visit the fruit and vegetable market, the ancient temple or the local pottery factory. A more adventurous choice would be to go cycling through the necklace of the villages of Kuttanadu, walking through the countryside or learning to cook in the family kitchens.
Day13: Marari
 Pedal towards our next destination after breakfast. The route passes through country roads and small villages where we will see coconut husk being processed and made into coir ropes and mats. We will hit the beach road that will take us to our destination for the day, a beautiful beach villa. Today's ride will take us along the fishing villages and coconut plantations on one side and the sea on the other. Wind down by spending the afternoon on the beach.
Day14: Depart
Your cycling holiday in Kerala concludes today. Transfer to the airport with cherished memories of your exhilarating adventure in India.    

Departure Details

Start Date End Date Price Trip Code Departure Type
20-01-2025 02-02-2025 GBP 1440 KC - 02 Guaranteed

Inclusions

  • Accommodation
  • Most Meals
  • Transportation for transfers  and as cycle carrier
  • Multi-geared bicycles
  • Accompanying  guide
  • Bottled water & Refreshments during cycling
  • All applicable taxes

Holiday Feedback

 "I like to thank you once more for our fantastic trip. Everyone was impressed of the beauty of the South, the fantastic guiding and the mostly fantastic resorts/hotels." Henk Klein Teeselink  2014-12-23

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday? We think of the entire tour as being Swallows and Amazons, in India, by bicycle. The sheer diversity and the immediacy of exposure to the people and landscape, and (for us), the exotic birdlife, made this a complete adventure. One can't experience all of that through a car window. 2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday? Throw yourself into the whole thing but don't over-exhaust yourself in the early days of cycling. 3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation? Kalypso Adventures has the interests of Kerala, and its people, at heart and seeing it all by bicycle minimised our environmental impact. We cycled, we looked, we walked and we bought a few things that re grown or made by local people. 4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall? The best holiday we have ever been on. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall? 5 *****  Keith Lough 2017-10-02

We just wanted to say what a fantastic time we had over the last two weeks on your cycle tour of Kerala. We saw some wonderful things, ate some amazing food and stayed in some lovely accommodation. But best of all, we were looked after superbly by our guide, Francis and driver, Das, they were so kind and helpful, nothing was too much trouble for them to make our time more enjoyable. Thank you. Kate and Dave Newton 2019-04-28

I wanted to thank you again for the magnificent 45-day cycling tour that you have organised for us in South India. This has been definitively our best cycling trip so far. We have been cycling in many nice countries over the years (France, Italy, Ireland, Spain, United States, Canada, etc.), but this cycling trip surpasses them all. The roads and the landscape were beautiful. The homestays, resorts and hotels were authentic and typical of India (among the best places that we have ever done). The food was tasty. And the places and cities that we visited were most interesting and instructive (temples, palaces, public markets, tiger reserves, tea, coffee and spice plantations, Auroville, etc.). But what we will probably remember the most are the smile, the joy and the happiness of the Indian people themselves who were waving bye-bye to us along the way, the nice and colourful dresses of the women and, obviously, the kindness, the amiability, the generosity and the wide knowledge (trees, birds, plantations, villages, history, everything...) of Francis and Das. As we had the occasion to tell you, we came to India as a guest, but we left the country as a friend. We feel privileged to have had the opportunity to see such a nice country and to meet such wonderful people. We are definitively looking forward to cycle again with you in India, most probably in the Northern part of the country. Please give our best regards to your wifes and children.         A year ago (last December and January), my spouse and I made a 45-day cycling tour of Southern India with Kalypso Adventures. We are used to cycle in Canada, in the United States and in Europe, but this cycling tour was probably our best cycling tour ever. Not only was the trip interesting because of the beauty of the landscape, the amability of the Indian people and the professionalism of our guide and our chauffeur, but the trip was also interesting because of the respect that Kalypso Adventures had for the people and the nature. The places we slept - usually historic bungalows in tea, coffee and spice plantations, huts in tiger reserves and traditional farms - were respecting all the criteria for a trip in symbiose with nature. We always cycled on small and quiet country roads, in order to cycle through small villages, avoiding heavy traffic roads, noise and pollution. Our guide was quite knowledgeable about everything we saw during our trip: birds, trees, plants, farming, handicraft, industries, etc. Our guide and chauffeur encouraged us to meet people whenever possible: visit a farm, visit a sugar cane plantation, visit a Hindu Temple, interact with local people, etc. During the day, at lunch time, we always ate at small and local restaurants, always avoiding fast-food or big chain restaurants. Our guide and chauffeur were quite conscious of the need to protect the environment; they were recuperating any waste. For all these reasons, I believe that Kalypso Adventures most certainly figures among the best Responsible Tourism Organization in India.   Thanks again and have a great time. You have a great country, Kalypso Adventures is a great organisation and you are great people.  Jacques Carriere &Therese Masson 2019-01-20

We had an amazing time in Kerala. I wanted to let you know that we loved our trip with Jeffin and Matthew. Jeffin is an absolute credit to Kalypso Adventures and really made our trip! We learnt so much and he was so passionate about everything Kerala (and India). The variety was great and we loved the cycling as well. Both Jeffin and Matthew looked after us very, very well.Thanks very much for organising it for us. We are hoping to be back in the next few years. Katy Colman 2024-11-17

It has been a little over a week since we returned from our holiday and we just wanted to say what a wonderful time we had. The itinerary was just right, the hotels were lovely and we saw so much.We would also like to thank our fantastic guide Roger. He was very kind and patient with us. He made sure we saw everything and took real pride in Kerala. We really felt that he was sensitive to our needs but also of the communities we were visiting. He was really friendly and respectful, and even helped when we lost a pair of spectacles! Our driver Nishand was also wonderful, a complete gentleman, and he was calm even when the traffic was bad. Thank you for a wonderful holiday. We will certainly recommend you to our friends, and look forward to using Kalypso Adventures again.Thank you, please pass our thanks to Roger and Nishand. I would also like to thank Anna, for the help with the booking process. Kelvin Owen 2024-10-18

Route Maps

Gallery

FAQs

 Q. Are cycles provided for this tour?
Cycles are provided for the tour

Q. What type of cycles are provided?
We provide CANONDALE / TREK / GIANT cycles.

Q. Will I get choice of my size?
We can provide frame sizes from 13” to 21”.

Q. Can I get my own cycle?
Yes, you can, but do let us know in advance.

Q. What other equipment are provided?
Standard items provided with the cycles are Pedals, Bar ends, water bottles and Helmets. We however recommend you bring your own helmets and camelbaks.

Q. What about transfers?
All transportation is included in the cost including airport pick up & drop at the nearest airport. The vehicle is also used to ferry your luggage , cycle & yourself as required.

Q. What kind of terrain can I expect?
The terrain consists of both level roads and mountainous terrain.

Q. What are the distances cycled each day?
We will send you this with the detailed itinerary.

Q. Are meals included in the package?
Most meals are included. The itinerary will have the details.

Q. What do I do if I’m too tired to cycle?
There is a vehicle that accompanies you throughout the trip. You can load the cycle on to carriers and take a ride it till you are ready to cycle again.

Q. Are panniers provided?
No but can do on specific request.

Q. Do we have a guide who cycles with us?
Yes, our guide will cycle with you throughout the trip.

Q. Do we get to shop along the way.
Yes, you will get opportunities en-route to do a bit of shopping. However, unless specifically asked for, our guides will not recommend any particular shop. We or our guides do not take commissions on shopping.

Q. Do we get to interact with local people?
You will get lot of opportunities to interact with local people and the itinerary specifically designed for such interactions.

Q. Does our visit help the local community in any way?
Yes, Most of the places you would be staying at are in small homestays, family owned resorts or camps and eco lodges managed by local community members . Your guides are selected from amongst the locals.

Q. Are entries into national parks, treks, elephant rides etc. included in the package?
No, all entries and activities will be charged extra but at actuals.

Q. Is the water available en-route safe to drink?
We recommend that you drink only the bottled water provided by us or if you are buying water, ensure that the bottle is sealed and has an ISI mark (India Standards Institute).

Q. How spicy is the food?
Typically Kerala food is spicy. We ensure that the food we provide is medium spicy unless you ask for bland food. Any special food requirements can be met if sufficient advance notice is given.

Q. Do we get an option of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food?
Yes

Q. What is the type of accommodation?
Accommodation provided is a combination of heritage villas, Eco Lodges & luxury Tents - all with a common thread of excellence in service. Most are family owned and run with great care and love. Food is a very important part of these journeys and we have ensured that Keralan cuisine is a part of this adventure. Our prices are based on 'twin-sharing' basis. For those interested, we provide single rooms, but at additional cost. While staying at the camp we provide all essentials including sleeping bags. A open-air barbeque around camp fire is another highlight of this adventure.

Q. What are the Exclusions ?
• Insurance - Please take your own insurance
• Tips to the guide and driver
• Personal expenses like beverages, laundry, telephone bills etc..
• Airport departure taxes (if any)

Q. Do we need a VISA ?

Yes, visitors to India must obtain a Visa before departure.

 

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