Rural Kerala, India

Day 1: Arrival Fort Kochi
Day 2: Bike fitting/ride around Fort Kochi
Day 3: Fort Kochi - Cherai Beach, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 4: Cherai - Paniyeli, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 5: Paniyeli - Thattekkad, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 6: Thattekkad - Thodupuzha, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 7: Thodupuzha -  Kanam, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 8: Pala - Alleppey, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 9: Depart

Day 1: Arrival Fort Kochi
Upon arrival at Cochin International Airport, you will be transferred to your accommodations at Fort Kochi. Overnight at Fort Kochi.

Accommodation: Dutch Bungalow

Day 2: Bike Fitting, explore Fort Kochi, optional 31 mi. (50 km)
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 medieval Portuguese palace. (B)

Activity: Optional bike ride, local sightseeing. 
Accommodation: Dutch Bungalow

Day 3: Fort Kochi - Cherai Beach, 28 mi. (45 km)
Starting the day early, you will start your cycling, first going past the coastal villages along the beach and then the long stretches of the Kochi backwaters on either side. You will be riding through paddy fields, fish farms, coconut groves and long stretches of beaches until you reach the site of the ancient port of Muziris, once all-powerful as the center of world of spices. You will be going around the restored Chendamangalam synagogue, the Cheraman mosque and the renovated palace of Palliath Achan - the erstwhile rulers class of Kochi. Thereafter, you will ride into a quiet country home surrounded by the backwaters. (B, L, D)

Activity: Cycling to Varapuzha
Accommodation: Sea Lagoon

Day 4: Cherai - Paniyeli, 25 mi. (40 km)
You will be starting the day early and ride towards the foothills of the Western Ghats. The ride will pass through the rural Kerala countryside and soon will give way to spice farms and rubber plantations. Your destination is a beautifully laid out resort within hearing distance of one of Kerala’s famous rivers, the Periyar with its rapids thundering down the mountains. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Whispering Waters

Day 5: Paniyeli  - Thattekkad, 25 mi. (40 km)
Today you will be riding towards one of the best bird-watching destinations in India,  the lowland forests of Thattekkad with over 275 species of birds, 76 species of butterflies 30 species of reptiles, besides wildlife such as elephants, Sambar deer, wild Dogs, civet Cat among others. Your stay would be at the rustic Hornbill camp set along the shores of the river Periyar opposite the sanctuary. After a traditional lunch at the common gazebo overlooking the river, you will get an opportunity to go through to the rain forests on the opposite side of the river. The lush rain forest also harbors endemic birds like the brilliantly colorful Malabar Parakeets and the Malabar Trogons. After your return, there is a walk planned through the local village to see how the farming community lives amidst their plantations of rubber, coconuts, and various spices like pepper and ginger. The villages are friendly places and you will be welcomed in their midst. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Hornbill Camp

Day 6: Thattekkad - Thodupuzha, 25 mi. (40 km)
From Thattekkad, this cycling tour of Kerala continues along the banks of the Periyar River, and up to Thodupuzha, a picturesque little town. The roads meander through spice farms and large rubber plantations. You will cycle along this scenic route to a resort located on the banks of the river. You will get to walk through spice belts located here, getting a chance to spot spices like nutmeg, cinnamon and pepper vines. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: River Banks

Day 7: Thodupuzha -  Kanam, 22 mi. (35 km)
After breakfast, you will make our way through the villages and countryside to an organic spice farm. The route is spectacular and soon you will be passing rubber plantations and paddy fields as you ride into a farmhouse built in the typical Keralan architectural style over a century ago. This is the Mundakkal Plantation homestay. The villa set amidst paddy fields & spice plantations. The homestay is where Joseph and his family reside. Their son is a naturalist and will take you around on walks through the farm and the village. There are good hills to climb, walks around the village, meet up with local residents and lots to learn about the intricacies of Syrian Christian cooking,  especially meats and pickles. The nearby Ayurvedic center is ideal for Ayurvedic massages. (B & L or B & D)

Accommodation: Heritage Homestay

Day 8: Pala - Alleppey, 28 mi. (45 km)
Waking up to a spectacular sunrise in the village, you can watch as the villagers begin their day – school children on their way to schools, farmers tilling the fields, and toddy tappers at work bringing down the coconut sap to be sold as toddy for the masses. You will once again make your way through the narrow country roads to a backwater heritage villa located along the shores of the backwaters - a great place to enjoy a Kerala Ayurvedic massage as you relax in the evening and a perfect end to your rural cycling adventure in Kerala. Transfer from Kumarakom to Alleppey. (B & L or B & D)

Accommodation: Emerald Isle

Day 9: End of tour and departure

This marks the end of this exciting tour in Rural Kerala. 

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You will be delighted by the unique accommodations on this tour. The preferred hotels are listed on each day’s details and range from a British style heritage hotel, to a pioneering birding and adventure camp, to a riverside resort complex. Final hotel list is subject to change due to availability.