| Tour | Bike |
|---|---|
| Type | Guided |
| Skill | Easy–Moderate |
| Length | 8 days |
| From | $1300 Rates |
| Tour Reviews |
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Tour Dates
2020
Departures every Saturday in January, February, September, October, November, and December with a minimum of 2 people
Peak season is from December 15 to January 15 (supplement applies).
Day-To-Day Itinerary
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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Travel Details
This tour is run by Kalypso Adventures.
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We are not a broker.
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Tour Reviews
Jennifer D. 1 year ago Verified Reviewer
The friendly people of Kerala, the heat, the hills, our wonderful guide and driver, the beautiful colourful saris, so many wonderful memories in a glorious part of India.
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Allison M. 1 year ago Verified Reviewer
This trip to Rural Kerala despite the recent problems with the massive flood exceeded our expectations in terms of scenery, things to see and do, the
varied accommodation, our outstanding guide and very competent driver and the way the whole trip was managed. Great memories for us was contact with the local people, families, children, men, women, all very welcoming despite some difficult circumstances for many of them. Great and varied cycling, and loved our visits to the national parks and Tea plantations.
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Allison Martin 1 year ago Verified Reviewer
We have just returned from this tour in Kerala, (September 2018) it was customised for the two of us to include 3 nights in Munnar. The tour exceeded our expectations, was extremely well organised by Kalypso Adventures, we had an outstanding guide and competent driver, learnt much about the area, culture, the people and how they live what is grown in the area and so much more. The cycling was great, amended slightly in distance and route because of the recent devastating floods but this in no way detracted from the experience. Accommodation was varied and always excellent, food delicious. We would certainly recommend this tour. We are an older couple from New Zealand.
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