| Tour | Bike |
|---|---|
| Type | Guided |
| Skill | Easy–Moderate |
| Length | 8 days |
| From | $1040 Rates |
| Client Reviews |
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Tour Dates
2017:
September 23, October 7, November 11, and December 9, 2017
2018:
January 20, February 3, February 17, September 22, October 20, November 17, and December 1, 2018
*Tour dates can be confirmed with minimum of 2 people.
Day-To-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Kochi, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 2: Beach and Backwater ride, 28 mi. (45 kms)
Day 3: Ride along the Periyar River Rapids, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 4: The Lowland Forests of Thattekkad, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 5: Thodupuzha, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 6: Riceboat cruise, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 7: Backwater Village, 25 mi. (45 km)
Day 8: Departure
Day 1: Kochi, 31 mi. (50 km)
Your first day of this exciting cycling holiday in Kerala will be spent at Fort Kochi. A transfer will wait for you at the Kochi International Airport. Set on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas, Kochi is a city of cultural diversity. After you check in and are fitted with your bikes, you can spend the rest of the day exploring Fort Kochi, visiting the synagogue and the Dutch palace, buying a few knick-knacks at Jew street and spending the evening gazing out at the Chinese fishing nets at the harbor mouth. Your evening will end with the performance of a myriad of classical dancers from various parts of Kerala.
Day 2: Beach and Backwater ride, 28 mi. (45 kms)
Starting the day early, you will first be transferred the short distance on the island ferry to Vypin. From here 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 till 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 & 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)
Day 3: Ride along the Periyar River Rapids, 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)
Day 4: The Lowland Forests of 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)
Day 5: 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 the resort located on the river bank. This is a beautiful resort on the banks of Kannadipuzha, in the lower ranges of the Western Ghats. 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)
Day 6: Riceboat cruise, 28 mi. (45 km)
You will be starting the day’s cycling from Thodupuzha and cycle through the countryside and 'bunds' of the vast waterways of the backwaters. From here you will cycle through the village roads along the paddy fields till we reach Alleppey where you will finish our ride and embark on to the luxurious Rice boat for a unique overnight experience of cruising down the backwaters. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Backwater Village, 25 mi. (45 km)
Waking up to a spectacular sunrise on the backwaters, you can watch as the villagers begin their day – school children on their way to schools, fisherman embarking on their day’s toils, duck rearing, coconut climbers busy with harvesting coconuts and toddy tappers at work bringing down the coconut sap to be sold as toddy for the masses. As soon as you disembark, 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. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Departure
This marks the end of this exciting rural cycling holiday along the spice trails.
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