(9 Nights / 10 Days)
With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats (UNESCO World Heritage Site) towering in the east and networked by 44 rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after destinations in the world.
An equable climate, a long shoreline with serene beaches, tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters, lush hill stations, sprawling plantations ...all of which offer you a unique experience. And what's more, most of these charming destinations is only a short ride away from the other.
This Kerala bike tour includes culture and art at Cochin, amazing bird and wildlife at Thattekad and Periyar, Spice mountains and plantations at Munnar and Thekkady and serene Backwaters at Kumarakom - all in a span of 10 days
- Tour Cost on Twin-share: CATEGORY-1 HOTELS: US$ 1950, CATEGORY-2 HOTELS: US$ 2500
(US$ 100 PER PERSON DISCOUNT ON MORE THAN 2 BOOKING) - Tour Type: GUIDED WITH SUPPORT VEHICLE
- Bike Hire: INCLUDED
- Cycling: 8 DAYS (APPROX 450 KM)
- Tour Start / End: COCHIN
- DATES: Daily Departures in JAN, FEB, MAR, APR, SEP, OCT, NOV, DEC
- Group Size: 2 TO 10 PEOPLE
- Given Below: ITINERARY, INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS, HOTEL DETAILS, TRIP NOTES
THE ITINERARY
COCHIN - THATTEKAD - MUNNAR - THEKKADY - PEERMADE - KUMARAKOM - COCHIN
Request Detailed Package
Day 1: Arrive Cochin
Arrive in Cochin. You will be met at the airport by our representative and taken to your hotel. Rest of the day will be free.
Day 2: Cochin
Morning try out your bicycles as we explore Cochin, a city sometimes referred to as a museum city for its rich and colourful blend of people and architecture. We visit Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace and Chinese Fishing Nets. Cycling 15-20 KM.
Day 3: Cochin - Thattekkad
Cycle to Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, also known as Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in honour of the pre-eminent birder of all times in India who described Thattekad in the 1930's as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India. Cycling 70-80 KM.
Day 4: Thattekkad - Munnar
Cycle to Munnar. At 1600m above sea level, with its sprawling lush green hills and tea plantations, Munnar is a popular hill station in South India. Cycling 60-70 KM.
Day 5: Munnar
Explore tea, cardamom and coffee plantations. Visit the Tea Museum (closed on Mondays) where you also get to taste some tea. You may also visit Eravikulam National Park (the park remains closed in February and March) which was established to protect the Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiri Ibex). Cycling 30-40 KM
Day 6: Munnar - Thekkady
Cycle to Thekkady, widely known for its spice plantations. A walk through them makes an interesting insight into the world of spices. Thekaddy is also a base for visiting Periyar National Park. Cycling 80-90 KM
Day 7: Thekkady - Peermade
Cycle to Peermade. En route visit Periyar Tiger Reserve. Sprawled over an area of 925 Sq. km., it is one of the 27 tiger reserves in India. See herds of elephants and sambars and also tiger, gaurs and lion tailed macaques. Cycling 40-50 KM.
Day 8: Peermade - Kumarakom
Cycle to Kumarakom, a serene Backwaters destination and a charming peninsula jutting into the Vembanad Lake that is dotted with plenty of traditional rice boats and canoes. Cycling 70-80 KM
Day 9: Kumarakom
Cycle in the Kumarakom region today, explore the village or visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Cycling 30-40 KM
Day 10: Kumarakom - Cochin
This morning you will be driven to Cochin airport (2 hour) for your onward flight.
We will be pleased to make additional arrangements and suggest things to see and places to stay should you wish to extend your stay in India. This could be a non-cycling tour as well. Ask us for optional add-on tours by writing to us.
INCLUSIONS:
- Accommodation on twin-share basis in the mentioned hotels or similar
- 9 Breakfast
- Arrival and departure transfers with our representative
- An accompanying support vehicle
- An accompanying cycling guide on cycling days
- Entrance fee to monuments
- Bicycle and Helmet
- Bottled water during cycling
- All currently applicable taxes
EXCLUSIONS:
- Items of personal nature like tips, laundry, telephone calls, drinks, etc
- Any other meals than those mentioned above
- International airfare
- Any insurance coverage
- Airport or VISA fee
- Camera charges at monuments
- Any extra expenses incurred for reasons beyond our control such as emergency evacuation, natural calamity, etc
- Any other item not specifically mentioned above as INCLUDED
NOTES:
- A SUPPLEMENT, AS CHARGED BY HOTELS, WILL BE APPLICABLE ON TOURS BETWEEN DEC 20 TO JAN 10
- ABOVE PRICES ARE VALID TILL APRIL 30, 2023
HOTELS :
If any of these are unavailable on your dates of travel, we will substitute them with similar quality accommodation.
Cochin: Casino Hotel
One of Cochin's landmarks, offers an authentic taste of Kerala's colourful life, diverse cultures and eclectic cuisine.
Hotel Website...
Cochin: Poovath Heritage
Relive the glorious past at this renovated colonial building from the colonial era. It stands by Arabian Sea in Fort Kochi.
Hotel Website...
Thattekkad: Soma Bird Lagoon
Soma Birds Lagoon is an eco-friendly resort built in Kerala Heritage Style with its own organic garden and farm.
Website: http://www.birdslagoon.in/
Thattekkad: Soma Bird Lagoon
Soma Birds Lagoon is an eco-friendly resort built in Kerala Heritage Style with its own organic garden and farm.
Website: http://www.birdslagoon.in/
Munnar: Copper Castle
Situated close to town, it still offers serenity of nature away from humdrum of city. Offers lovely views of surrounding area.
Hotel Website...
Munnar: Windermere Estate
Windermere Estate is where the manicured tea gardens merge with the lush green forests of Western Ghats.
Hotel Website...
Thekkady: Wildernest
Wildernest Hotel is located in the rustic wilderness crocheted with Cardamom hills on the side in the Western Ghats.
Website: http://www.wildernest-kerala.com/
Thekkady: Shalimar Spice Garden
Shalimar Spice Garden merges with the spice gardens that encompass it and is the verdant landscape bordering Periyar.
Hotel Website...
Peermade: Misty Mountain Resort
The once summer palace to the Regent Queen of Travancore, it is spread across 600 acres and is a land of immense and diverse landscape.
Website: http://www.mistyresort.com/
Peermade: Misty Mountain Resort
The once summer palace to the Regent Queen of Travancore, it is spread across 600 acres and is a land of immense and diverse landscape.
Website: http://www.mistyresort.com/
Kumarakom: Whispering Palms
Located right on the bank of the Vembanadu Lake in natural back water surroundings.
Hotel Website...
Kumarakom: Lemon Tree
The resort stands on the Western shore of Kumarakom, at the very edge of Vembanad Lake and offers view of the lake from all our rooms.
Hotel Website...
Trip Notes:
- CYCLING: Daily cycling ranges between 50 to 80 kilometres. If any group member wishes to cycle less, they may hop on to the support vehicle for a part of the journey.
- TERRAIN: In Kerala 100% of the roads are asphalt, however, the surface condition vary each year. The surface may not be 100% smooth in villages and interior country roads. The terrain here is geographically diverse - with the Arabian Sea to the West and the mountains of the Western Ghats to the East - offering a great variety of cycling. You will come across numerous small settlements with little bazaars and white-washed houses.
- WEATHER: January to mid-April and mid-September to December is the best time to cycle in Kerala. The average day temperature range between 20-30 degree Celsius. The days are generally sunny and pleasant but can sometimes be hot. Please bring a sun hat, sun cream and sunglasses. A light windproof/fleece may be necessary in the evenings when visiting hill stations or wildlife reserves. May, June, July and August are hot and humid and not suitable for cycling. For detailed travel kit recommendations, please refer to our FAQ section.
For booking or other queries, please write to us at: contact@periplustravel.com