OUTDOOR FUN IN KERALA BICYCLING ADVENTURE TOUR

9 Nights / 10 Days - CYCLING

A Great Tour for cyclists of every level- with a starting altitude of 1,650m, the longest leg is 55 km and it's mostly downhill through spice and tea plantations with breathtaking scenery all along the way - scenic overlooks, valleys, waterfalls - set your own pace, enjoy a picnic lunch, relax in the fragrance of the Cardamom Hills. A thoroughly enjoyable way to experience the wonderful world of outdoors Kerala. End it all relaxing on a houseboat and at the Arabian Seacoast.

Cochin – Munnar – Suryanelli – Vadanmedu – Periyar – Alleppey – Mararikulam – Cochin

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: Cochin Arrival

You will be met in Cochin by a Tour Packages India Representative who will then escort you to your hotel where you'll spend the next two nights. In the evening enjoy a Kathakali dance show on the harborfront overlooking the Chinese Fishing Nets.

Day 2: Cochin

Spend the day seeing the sights which may include a visit to the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica or a boat tour of the harbor islands.

Day 3: Cochin to Munnar (5 Hour Drive)

After breakfast, you'll be driven through the Cardamom Hills to Munnar - famous for rolling hillsides of tea plantations. Dinner and overnight in Munnar.

Day 4: Munnar to Suryanelli -  35 km / alt. 1,650 m

The first leg of the bike tour begins - traveling 27 km downhill along winding estate roads through tea gardens and forests, along the Lockhart Gap overlooking the spectacular Bison Valley. Enjoy a picnic lunch en-route and reach the Suryanelli by late afternoon. Accommodations include very comfortably furnished cottage tents. In the evening, relax around a campfire after a sumptuous barbeque dinner.

Day 5: Suryanelli to Vandanmedu - 55 km / alt. 1,050 m

With an early morning start, the bike tour continues around the beautiful Anaerangal Lake through the tea estates to Nedungadom. The route passes through thick forests, cardamom estates and spice gardens - hence the given name, Cardamom Hills. In the late afternoon, arrive at the magnificent Carmelia Resort in Vandanmedu nestled in spice plantations and tea gardens.

Day 6: Vandenmedu to Periyar - 25 km / alt. 900 m

This last leg of the bike tour is just a short ride away through forests, tea gardens and spice plantations. Reaching Periyar by lunch time, relax or venture into the jungles of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Home to more than 300 species of birds, including the majestic Great Hornbill, the Sanctuary is a bird watching paradise. Visit local tribes on the way back to town. Spend the night at the Wildernest Eco Lodge.

Day 7: Periyar to Alleppey Houseboat (4 Hour Drive)

Spend the morning exploring Periyar/Thekkady and the neighboring spice town of Kumily. Later, enjoy the downhill drive the backwaters of Alleppey where you'll board your private houseboat for the night. Visit "houseboats" for more details about the "houseboat experience".

Day 8: Alleppey to Mararikulam

Leave the backwaters behind and arrive at one of the most isolated and pristine beaches of Kerala - Marari.

Day 9: Mararikulam

Golden sand, swaying palms, sounds of the surf, a wonderful resort to cater to your every need, fresh seafood...pure relaxation on the shores of the Malabar Coast.

Day 10: Mararikulam to Cochin for Departure Transfer

Transfer to Cochin to your point of departure.

Extend or Customize Your Tour: We would be happy to assist with additional travel and hotel arrangements. Changes to this tour can be added as an inclusive part of the package.

Tour Price Includes

Accommodations with breakfast are provided on twin sharing
Day 4 to Day 6 includes ALL meals
Bikes, Guides, Mechanic, First Aid
Support vehicle, permits, passes
Emergency medical evacuation during biking legs
Houseboat - 1 night - all meals
Applicable taxes

Tour Price Excludes

Laundry, telephone, personal nature expenses
Inland/International flight charges