Classic Kerala Cycling Holiday

Once you arrive at Cochin International Airport you’ll be met by your Authentic India Tours guide and accompanied to your hotel, approximately 90 minutes away by air-conditioned car. You’ll have the chance to unpack and unwind before you’re taken on an afternoon sightseeing tour around the charming Fort Cochin and Mattancherry.

Fort Cochin highlights include visiting the old harbour where you can see fishermen using Chinese fishing nets, a trip to the oldest European church in India, St Francis, and to the area’s bustling fish market. Mattancherry has some interesting old buildings to explore, such as the colonial-influenced Dutch Palace and the oldest synagogue in the commonwealth, the 16th Century Paradesi Synagogue. You’ll stay overnight at Cochin’s Fort House Hotel, right by the waterfront.

Accommodation: Hotel Fort House, Cochin

Travelling 90 minutes by car takes you to traffic free streets from which to start your cycling tour of South India. Cycling 60 kilometres in total, the first 10 kilometres take you on an easy, flat route beside rubber and pineapple plantations. Then a gradual climb up the Hills of Munnar affords you views of a landscape of tea-bush-clad hills.

The final 24 kilometres of the route are steep, but you have the option of being transferred back to the hotel by car before we start this section. You’ll stay in a cottage at the Ambady Estate for two nights – this private retreat is nestled amid 70 acres of cardamom plantations.

Cycling distance: 60 kms

Accommodation: Ambady Estate, Munnar

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast you’ll set off on your bikes through some of the most spectacular tea plantations in India, for a distance of 40 kilometres. Munnar’s landscape has been heavily influenced by the tea production that started here in the 1880’s, leaving a rich scenery of green undulating hills. As you cycle the ups and downs of the Kannan Devan Hills you’ll get the chance to stop at various vantage points to catch your breath, complete with remarkable views.

One of the finest viewing points is the Great Mattupetty Dam, which confines a large water reservoir that elephants use to drink and bathe. You’ll also stop at Echo Point where you can test its namesake echo, and Top Station, the highest point in Munnar, for a lookout over the mist covered hills, the lowlands of Nadu and across to the famed Indian mountains, the Western Ghats.

Cycling distance: 40 kms

Accommodation: Ambady Estate, Munnar

Meals included: Breakfast

Today your 60 kilometre cycle ride will engage all of the senses, as you’re treated to 360 degree views over the tea fields of Lockhart Gap and then the scent of cardamon in the air. The rugged Cardamom Mountains are where 70% of India’s cardamon is produced, and alongside the fragrant cardamon, coffee plants are grown and you’ll cycle past old oak trees wrapped in pepper vines.

It’s then on towards the town of Nedumkandam, winding through traditional villages as you ride your way towards the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. That evening you can learn more about the spices you’ve smelled that day on an informative trip to a spice plantation. Your base for the next two nights will be a cottage at the superior Cardamom County hilltop resort.

Cycling distance: 60 kms

Accommodation: Cardamom County, Periyar

Meals included: Breakfast

A cycle free day, you’ll start early this morning to take a nature trek through the Periyar Tiger Reserve, part of Periyar National Park. Tribal trackers will take you through Bengal Tiger habitats to spot the graceful creatures and across different forest and grassland nature trails for approximately four to five kilometres.

In the afternoon, take a boat trip across Lake Periyar where you can see wild elephants, bisons, Sambar Deers, Nilgiri Langurs and Malabar Giant Squirrels on the shores. The park is also home to over 320 species of birds, and you could catch a glimpse of the impressive black eagle or rare species like the Wynaad Laughingthrush.

Accommodation: Cardamom County, Periyar

Meals included: Breakfast

Winding 65 kilometres through spice plantations, your journey today will take you to Elappara and up to Vagamon hill station. Here you can relish in the cool mountain air as you look down on the untouched landscape of pine forests and waterfalls, giving you a real taste of the essence of India. Then it’s downhill towards another plantation area of Teekoy, where you’ll drive to the tranquil backwaters of Kumarakom. Here you’ll stay overnight in a bungalow at the Coconut Lagoon, a heritage resort, overlooking the beautiful Vembanad Lake. You’ll have the rest of the day to relax in these beautiful surroundings.

Cycling distance: 65 kms

Accommodation: Aveda Kumarakom

Meals included: Breakfast

Working your way along the coast and through fishing villages for 40 kilometres, the scenery today involves coconut plantations to one side and the sea to the other. You’ll will arrive in time for lunch, so you have the remainder of the day to spend on the beach or enjoy the lovely spa facilities.

Tonight you’ll be staying at the beautifully located Kerala beach hotel, Abad Turtle Beach Resort.

Cycling distance: 40 kms

Accommodation: ABAD Turtle Beach Resort, Mararikulam

Meals included: Breakfast

Your transfer will take you back to Cochin International Airport three hours ahead of your return flight.

Approximate travel time and distance: 2 hrs and 30 mins, 100kms

Meals included : Breakfast

Pricing and Inclusions

The price guide for this 8-day Classic Kerala Cycling Holiday is £2290

The prices do not include flights.

Authentic India Tours is a member of ABTA and ATOL. All the holidays on this website are ABTA protected. If you would like us to arrange your holiday including flights we will be happy to provide a quote and your holiday will also be ATOL protected.

This is a private tour and can be tailor-made to meet your exact requirements. Prices will vary depending on the number of people, length of tour, accommodation & season. Reductions are normally available for groups of three or more. Some hotels operate an additional peak pricing rate during busy times which is normally from mid December to mid January.

Please get in touch with your dates and we will be pleased to provide you with your personal itinerary and accurate quote.

Included with this tour are the following:

• Meet & greet assistance on arrival
• All transfers and sightseeing tours using air-conditioned vehicles
• Multi-geared bikes
• Accompanying biking guide for the entire tour
• Accommodation for 7 nights on twin sharing basis
• Standard category rooms at all hotels unless otherwise mentioned
• Meal plan: bed & breakfast
• Bottled water and refreshments during cycling
• English speaking guide for sightseeing tour of Cochin
• Spice plantation tour in Periyar
• Nature trek with tribal trackers in Periyar tiger reserve
• Tickets for boating on Lake Periyar
• Entrances at all National parks, Museums and Monuments as per the itinerary

Price does not include:

• International flight tickets
• Travel insurance and visa
• Expenses of personal nature like laundry, tips, beverages etc
• Meals other than mentioned in the above meal plan
• Camera & video fees at National parks, Museums & Monuments

Please see our Cycling Holiday FAQs for information on what to take with you.

Prices mentioned above are per person based on two people sharing a twin room. The prices which were valid at the time of publication may be subject to change, based on your date of travel and local market fluctuations. You will be informed of any price differences prior to booking.

For a quote based on your dates of travel, any alternative accommodation or changes to this itinerary, please call us on 01792 315499 or email us at info@aitholidays.com

Please remember all our private tours are designed to meet your exact requirements, and this Cycling Holiday India tour is just an example to help inspire you.

For more information please email info@aitholidays.com or call our India specialists on 01792 315499.

ABTA and ATOL Protected Tour Package

Authentic India Tours is a member of ABTA and ATOL. All the holidays on this website are ABTA protected. If you would like us to arrange your holiday including flights we will be happy to provide a quote and your holiday will also be ATOL protected.