Kerala Cycling Adventure

Arrive in Kochi by noon and meet a KVT representative at the airport. Our representative will transfer you to the hotel and help with the check in. Rest of the day is free to explore on your own. Kochi, also known as the “Queen of Arabian Sea”, is one of the finest natural and major harbor cities and has a cosmopolitan culture highly influenced by historical trading partners. Optional sightseeing tour of Kochi can be arranged on additional payment, during which you will see the Dutch Palace (closed on Fridays), Jewish Synagogue (closed on Fridays & Saturdays) and explore the historic Fort Kochi area. In the evening we witness live Kathakali Dance Performance – a traditional dance form of Kerala. We also get an opportunity to watch the artists apply their makeup. (Meals: Nil)

After breakfast we get ready for a beautiful day of cycling. First we check our bikes for some adjustments, followed by a briefing session by the tour leader. We then start our day with a drive to Malayattoor, the point from where we will start cycling. We start our ride through the countryside, crossing small villages and hamlets, and cycling through rubber, coconut and pineapple plantations. We ride till Kuttikkanam, from where we board our accompanying vehicle and drive the final stretch to Thekkady. Upon arrival we check into the hotel. Thekkady is famous of the Periyar National Park – one of the famous national parks of South India and home to nature’s bounty filled with evergreen forest, grasslands and good variety of faunal collection. (Cycling distance: Around 30 kms / Meals: Breakfast)

Today we head for an interesting Nature Walk through the Periyar National Park. The two and half hour hike starts from the Periyar Lake, traversing through the moist deciduous forest and grass lands. Accompanied by a guide, we walk through different nature trails, traversing diverse habitats during the 4 to 5 km trek. The trails often pass through evergreen and moist deciduous forests interspersed with marshy grasslands. The walk gives us an opportunity to spot birds, butterflies and other wildlife and feel close to nature. After the walk, we return to hotel. In the afternoon we cycle around the hill town of Thekkady, riding along the forests and spice plantations.(Cycling distance: Around 20 kms / Meals: Breakfast)

It’s another beautiful day of cycling along the plush landscape and aromatic hills. We start from the Cardamom Hills of Thekkady and pedal our way through the rubber plantations and tea gardens, covering around 40 kms. Upon arrival at Kuttikkanam we board the accompanying vehicle and drive to Vagamon (1 hr drive) and check into the hotel. Vagamon is a beautiful hill station with pleasant weather and much to offer – scenic valleys, magnificent green meadows, pine forests, tea estates and waterfalls. (Cycling distance: Around 40 kms / Meals: Breakfast)

Today we leave the hills and proceed to the plains of Kerala crisscrossed with backwaters. After breakfast we start cycling, descending through the hilly roads surrounded by tea plantations. We then we enter the plains and cycle through the countryside road bypassing small villages. We cycle for around 40 kms and then board the accompanying vehicle and drive to Mancompu. Upon arrival we will check into the guest house. (Cycling distance: Around 40 kms / Meals: Breakfast & Dinner)

After breakfast we explore the surrounding villages on cycle and get chance to observe the village life, interact with villagers, and visit the village temple and church. In the afternoon we proceed for a canoe ride over the backwaters. We leave the main channel and head towards smaller waterways to explore more rural life. The villagers survive on these narrow spits of land between the channels, rearing cows, pigs and chicken and by cultivating. (Cycling distance: Around 25 kms / Meals: Breakfast & Dinner)

We start cycling after breakfast and pedal through the country roads, riding along the Vembanad Lake and passing small villages surrounded by paddy fields and coconut plantations. Soon we will hit the coastal road and ride parallel to the Arabian Sea. We get glimpses of the sea as there are homes, guesthouses, other buildings and coconut plantations along the beach. We then head more inland and start riding along the back-roads, crossing paddy fields and villages. We make a short stop at the Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple – nestled in a forest glade. It is a very ancient and internationally known centre of pilgrimage for the devotees of Nagaraja, the serpent god. The temple has over 100,000 images of snakes along the paths and among the trees, and is the largest such temple in Kerala. Couples seeking fertility come to worship here, and upon the birth of their child perform thanksgiving ceremonies. After visiting the temple we continue to ride till Kayamkulam. Here we board the accompanying vehicle and drive to Kollam. En-route we visit the Amma Ashram. Kollam – historically remembered as an important port and part of the legendary Spice Trade – is blessed with a long coastline and is one of the leaders of cashew trade and processing industry in India. (Cycling distance: Around 40 kms / Meals: Breakfast)

Today is another beautiful day of coastal cycling. This ride will take us alongside palm fringed coastal roads and beautiful blue lagoons. We come across a small fisherman’s village and get to observe their daily life and their traditional houses. We even stop by a Coir making factory and get to see how coconut husks are processed and turned in to coir ropes and mats. During the ride we come across some lovely beaches like Kappil beach and Edava beach and finally ride up the Varkala cliff overlooking the Varkala beach. Upon arrival at Varakala we check into hotel. Rest of the time is free to relax on the Varkala beach and enjoy a swim in the Arabian Sea. (Cycling distance: Around 35 kms / Meals: Breakfast)

After breakfast we get ready for our final day of coastal cycling along the Arabian Sea. We ride our cycles along the palm-fringed shores bypassing small fisherman’s villages. Our first destination is Anchuthengu, which is a coastal town. There we visit the Anjengo Fort – a square shaped fort with four bastions, built by East India Company in 1696 and served as company’s first permanent post on the Malabar Coast. We then continue to cycle till we reach the Veli Beach, a narrow sandy stretch separating the Arabian Sea and Veli Lake. The beach park has many stone sculptures and famous Conch sculptures. From here we board the vehicle and drive to Kovalam. En-route we visit Shanghumukham beach and see the sculpture of Jalakanyaka – 35m long giant mermaid statue. Upon arrival at Kovalam we check into hotel. Kovalam is the beach resort of Kerala and is very popular due to shallow waters and low tidal waves. (Cycling Trip Ends / Cycling distance: Around 35 kms / Meals: Breakfast)

The entire day is free to relax on the Kovalam beach and enjoy a swim in the Arabian Sea. You can also participate in various water sports like parasailing, motorboat sailing, scuba diving, water skiing, kayaking etc. on direct payment basis. (Meals: Breakfast)

Transfer to Trivandrum Airport for onward travel. (Meals: Breakfast)