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Overview
A bike and boat tour in India? Here at Tripsite, we love to find new biking and boating experiences, and this amazing Kerala Bike and Boat tour provides a unique opportunity to experience the natural wonders of India by combining cycling with accommodations on one of Kerala’s authentic rice boats.
This is what a bike and boat tour is all about: cycling during the day, relaxing on the water at night. You will meander the backwaters of Kerala, bike the coconut palm-fringed country roads of the surrounding Kuttanad region, and discover and immerse in a lifestyle and culture that prides itself on its simplicity and dignity.
We can personally attest that Kerala should be on everyone's radar! Its unique geographical features have made it one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Asia, and it was selected by National Geographic Traveler as one of the thirteen paradises on the earth.
Highlights
- Unique species of aquatic life
- Flora and fauna of the backwaters
- Serene Kochi
- Local life and culture of the backwaters
- Unique accommodations
- Alleppey
Not interested in biking and boating? We also offer bike tours in India!
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kochi
Day 2: Kochi - Marari, 37 mi. (60 km)
Day 3: Marari - Alleppey, 19 mi. (30 km)
Day 4: Pallathuruthy - Kuriyalacherry, 19 mi. (31 km)
Day 5: Thakazhy - Viapuram, 19 mi. (31 km)
Day 6: Karuvatta - Thottapilly, 17 mi. (28 mi.)
Day 7: Thottapilly - Kochi*All distances are approximate and subject to change due to changing weather conditions, lock repairs, or other unforeseen circumstances. The captain and crew reserve the right to make changes at any time with safety as the top priority.
Day 1: Arrival in Kochi
On arrival, you will check into your hotel at Fort Kochi. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy at your leisure the afternoon and evening. Kochi (also known as Cochin) is a city in southwest India's coastal Kerala state. It has been a port since 1341 when a flood carved out its harbor and opened it to Arab, Chinese and European merchants. Sites reflecting those influences include Fort Kochi, a settlement with tiled colonial bungalows and diverse houses of worship. Cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, typical of Kochi, have been in use for centuries.Accommodation: Dutch Bungalow
Day 2: Kochi - Marari, 37 mi. (60 km)
After an early breakfast, you will begin your cycling for the day, leaving the busy roads of Fort Cochin, you quickly access the beach road that you will follow all day. The route leads through fishing villages and coconut plantations on one side and the sea on the other. As you pedal, you will experience everyday life all around you, children going to school, men going out to sea to fish, and women and men making coir, a natural fiber derived from coconut husks. Coir rope-making is a common cottage industry in India. The Coconut fiber is attached to hooks on a wheel that is turned by hand. This twists the coir while more is added. It forms a strong rope that doesn’t unwind or break.Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Marari SandsDay 3: Marari - Alleppey, 19 mi. (30 km)
Most of today's ride is through the back roads that meander between the backwaters and the Arabian Sea. You pass through numerous fishing villages and coconut groves before stopping on the beachfront at Andhkaranazhika Beach. Continuing on, you are scheduled to arrive at the houseboat by noon in time for a sumptuous seafood lunch cooked on board with local spices as you navigate the backwaters. The cruise will end by sunset at Pallathuruthy. Tonight you will enjoy restful accommodations on board the houseboat.
Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: HouseboatDay 4: Pallathuruthy - Kuriyalacherry, 19 mi. (31 km)
The day's cycling begins after breakfast on a combination of off-road and tarmac terrain. The backwaters, an intrinsic part of life here, provides a scene of constant and varied everyday life, from washing clothes to bathing, to fishing. As you pedal along the roads that are abutted by lush green paddy fields, you will be accompanied by the constant chatter of birds. You will arrive at the houseboat again around noon to relax for the rest of the day. Sunsets are always a highlight on the water.Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: HouseboatDay 5: Thakazhy - Viapuram, 19 mi. (31 km)
The guides will be waiting as you navigate to the next cycling point. You will be riding through some of the most beautiful countryside on lovely rural roads, past paddy fields with men and women hard at work. Dotting the roadsides are local teashops where you will hear the local gossip and latest political talk. Equally ubiquitous are the local toddy shops that serve freshly tapped toddy (alcoholic and non-alcoholic palm sap) along with spicy Kerala food. You are now in the Kuttanad region that is synonymous with below sea level paddy cultivation. By noon you will be back on board the houseboat which will take you through the tranquil backwaters of Alleppey to your next cycling point, a quiet overnight journey.
Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: HouseboatDay 6: Karuvatta - Thottapilly, 17 mi. (28 km)
On the morning of the final day of cycling, the guides will meet you with your bikes at the houseboat's docking location. An exhilarating ride through the rural roads of Alleppey awaits. The unique scenery on display all along the roadside is both breathtaking and authentic and everyday life unfolds and blends into the landscape. You can visit the Mannarasala Temple, and an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Nagaraja or the serpent god. Snake worship is unique to Kerala and is as innate to its culture as the land itself. The route will lead along coastal roads to finally arrive at a spillway of the backwaters where the cycling ends. The houseboat will be moored and waiting to transport you back to the endpoint offering yet another magical sunset cruise.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: HouseboatDay 7: Cruise back to Alleppey. End of tour
May we suggest an extension to this 7-day itinerary?
How about a beach holiday, Ayurveda holiday, or cycling, kayaking or trekking? Just ask
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Map
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Boats & Bikes
Accommodations
You will be accommodated for two nights in boutique accommodations such as the Waterfront Granary in Kochi and Turtle Beach Resort in Marari. For four nights you will enjoy the unique accommodations on board an authentic rice boat.
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House Boat in India
Premium Class Boat
Nothing brings you up close and personal with a terrain than a bike and boat tour and no trip to Kerala, India would be complete without a tour of the backwaters. As you immerse in this tropical ecosystem, your tour will include a few nights on one of Kerala, India's houseboats. Read More
Bicycles
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Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 6 nights, 2 in boutique resorts & 4 onboard a typical rice boat of the region
- Air-conditioned interiors
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Arrival & departure airport transfer (group transfer)
- 21 - 24-speed mountain bike (Cannondale Trek ) with helmet, bike bag, water bottle holder, & bike bag
- Tour guide
- Transfers as per itinerary in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Refreshments during cycling itinerary
- Drinking water
- Local tourist tax
What’s Not Included
- Beverages
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities to guide and driver
- WiFi
- Bike Protection
- Travel Insurance
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Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
2024
Premium Class
House Boat
Saturday departures
This tour is available Saturdays on request with a minimum of 2 people. The houseboats can accommodate from 2 - 8 people so you can book this as an exclusive guided tour for two or bring along family and friends.
2 people 4 people 6 people 8 people Twin/double $ 2395 £ 1220 $ 2,192 € 1470 Ft 598511 kr 218640 ₪ 5909 ¥ 240569 Mex$ 31796 NZ$ 2642 kr 17335 zł 6358 S$ 2089 kr 17041 CHF 1380 $ 1,545 $ 1877 £ 956 $ 1,718 € 1152 Ft 469124 kr 171374 ₪ 4632 ¥ 188563 Mex$ 24922 NZ$ 2071 kr 13587 zł 4983 S$ 1637 kr 13357 CHF 1082 $ 1,211 $ 1814 £ 924 $ 1,660 € 1113 Ft 453241 kr 165572 ₪ 4475 ¥ 182178 Mex$ 24078 NZ$ 2001 kr 13127 zł 4815 S$ 1582 kr 12905 CHF 1045 $ 1,170 $ 1697 £ 865 $ 1,554 € 1042 Ft 424187 kr 154959 ₪ 4188 ¥ 170500 Mex$ 22535 NZ$ 1872 kr 12286 zł 4506 S$ 1481 kr 12077 CHF 978 $ 1,095 Single supplement $ 822 £ 419 $ 752 € 504 Ft 205314 kr 75003 ₪ 2027 ¥ 82525 Mex$ 10907 NZ$ 906 kr 5947 zł 2181 S$ 717 kr 5846 CHF 473 $ 530 $ 822 £ 419 $ 752 € 504 Ft 205314 kr 75003 ₪ 2027 ¥ 82525 Mex$ 10907 NZ$ 906 kr 5947 zł 2181 S$ 717 kr 5846 CHF 473 $ 530 $ 822 £ 419 $ 752 € 504 Ft 205314 kr 75003 ₪ 2027 ¥ 82525 Mex$ 10907 NZ$ 906 kr 5947 zł 2181 S$ 717 kr 5846 CHF 473 $ 530 $ 822 £ 419 $ 752 € 504 Ft 205314 kr 75003 ₪ 2027 ¥ 82525 Mex$ 10907 NZ$ 906 kr 5947 zł 2181 S$ 717 kr 5846 CHF 473 $ 530 There will be a 15% peak season surcharge from Dec. 15, 2023 to Jan. 10, 2024.
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
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Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
This unique bike and boat tour in India is considered easy as it leads through the backwaters and plains of Kerala, a relatively flat terrain.
Airport Info
The closest major airport to Kochi, India, for your tour start and end, is Cochin International Airport (COK / VOCI). This airport is in Nedumbassery, India, and is 39 km from the center of Kochi, India.
Local Travel
Airport transfers are included in your tour costs. Once you are officially confirmed, you may then, with confidence, arrange your airfare and provide us with the details including airline, flight number, and time of arrival and departure. Do not make any air travel arrangments until you are informed of official confirmation.
Climate
Kerala is blessed with a pleasing and enjoyable climate throughout the year across all the seasons and months. Peak Season in Kerala is from September to March. During these months the weather is warm and comfortable, but not hot. Summer Season is from March to May, and is quite warm, but not humid, as it is near the tropics.
Remarks
Please consider that you are going to be immersed in a unique environment and though the houseboats are considered luxury houseboats, not all have running hot water. The crew will heat water for you and be sure that you are able to comfortably bathe. If running hot water is crucial for you, we can specifically book a boat that offers this and based on availability, we hope to confirm.
Important to know
Documents
Passport/Visa information: Before you travel, please check the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have proper identification. For US citizens, the U.S. Passports & International Travel website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc. It is important to research before you travel as airlines will not permit boarding if you do not have the required valid documents.
For travel to India, make sure that your passport is still valid for at least six months from the end of the tour. An electronic visa (e-visa) is available for passport holders of 150 countries including Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA and citizens of EU countries, with the application and the fee submitted. Fees vary depending on nationality. The visa is valid up to 60 days from the date of arrival.
Visit here to apply and for the full list of eligible countries. For citizens of countries not specified, a visa must be acquired before arriving in India. Please contact your local Indian embassy to receive a standard tourist visa.
Mandatory vaccinations?
There are no compulsory vaccinations although it is strongly recommended that you are vaccinated against Typhoid and Hepatitis A. Tetanus and polio vaccinations should also be up to date at the time of travel. Please visit the CDC site for more information and remember to consult with your doctor/physician for the most recent information.
As Covid 19 is an ever-changing situation, please be sure that you are fully informed requiring entry and exit regulations, both entering India and reentering your home country.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Kalypso.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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Photos
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