Houseboat, Alleppey

Kerala Biking Tour

Tour Duration: 9 Nights / 10 Days
Group Tour
Kerala lies at the southern tip of India and offers some very spectacular mountain rides and stunning landscapes. Unlike the mass tourism of Goa, Kerala offers empty roads, glorious scenery and a friendly welcome everywhere. Witness captivating tea plantations, Visit the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, enjoy riding along mountain switchbacks, enjoy boat ride on lake Periyar, Enjoy an overnight on a house boat and explore the backwaters.
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Tour Highlights

Kerala is one of India’s smaller states, to the south west of the sub-continent, bordered by the Arabian Sea and the hills of the Western Ghats. Known as ‘God’s own country’, it is extremely fertile and people are very friendly. There is a huge range of crops and much birdlife, in addition to the occasional elephant, monkeys, deer and elusive tigers.

We start the tour from Cochin, the commercial capital of Kerala, and is sometimes referred to as the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea'. Cochin proudly boasts a rich cultural heritage. It is a blend of Portugese, Dutch, British and Chinese influences. From here we make our way to Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, then climb to Munnar in the highlands, known for its tea plantations. We descend to Kumily and Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary with three nights’ stay giving time for a side trip into neighbouring Tamil Nadu and a trek in the park. We then head back to the coast via the backroads of Vagamon to the backwaters of Kumarakom, with an overnight on a house boat. From here it is a flat final day’s ride back to Cochin and the end of a fabulous trip.

 

This tour is fully supported – cycle as little or as much as you wish each day.  On most days a reasonably fit cyclist will be able to cycle the entire distance each day.

 

Please bring this information with you to the tour start.

Distances are given in kilometres. 1 km = 0.62 miles.

Tour Itinerary at Glance

Day 1: Arrive Cochin
  • Dinner
Day 2: Cochin to Thattekad. Cycling distance: 47 km
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Day 3: Thattekad to Munnar
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Day 4: Munnar to Thekkady. 106 km
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Day 5: Thekkady – Theni return: 73 km of biking on back roads, return by mini bus
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Day 6: Thekkady
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Day 7: Kumily to Kumarakom: Cycling distance 83 km
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Day 8: Kumarakom/Alleppey: Distance: 32 Km
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Day 9: Alleppey /Cochin: Total distance: 80 Km; Cycling Distance: 55 Km
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Day 10: Cochin –Home
  • Breakfast
  • - Breakfast
  • - Lunch
  • - Dinner

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance

  1. Whats included in this tour
    • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
    • Dinners x 08: On Day 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 07, 08 and 09
    • Lunches x 07: On Day 02, 03, 04, 05, 07, 08 and 09
    •   Tips & Gratitude’s for Support Staff, Tour Guide, Drivers, Bell Boys at Hotels and at Restaurants.  
    • Jersey, drink bottles and maps
    • Bike Rental (TREK 7.4 Hybrid Bike)
    • Services of cycle tour Guide
    • Mineral water during Cycling, City Tours, Inter City Transfers and meals i.e. lunches & Dinners
    • Hotels as mentioned or similar
    • All sightseeing and transfers by Air-conditioned transportation
    • Kathakali Dance performance -Cochin
    • Refreshments, Fresh Fruits, Dry Fruits, Chocolates during cycling only.
    • All currently applicable taxes, including GST @ 5%
    • Boat Ride at Lake Periyar –Thekkady
  1. Whats not included in this tour
    • Any other meals than those mentioned in the itinerary.
    • Liability for change in itinerary due to reasons beyond our control like change in schedule / cancellation of flights / trains / political disturbances, natural phenomenon etc.
    • International airfare & departure taxes
    • Insurance & visa fees
    • Soft Drinks and any kind of alcoholic and non-alcoholic Beverage during lunches and Dinners.
    • Personal Travel insurance including lost baggage, medical insurance in case of any emergency evacuation and hospitalization
    • Any other item not specifically mentioned above as 'INCLUDED'
The tour package booking terms and conditions

Before you book a trip with “Bestway2india.com”- An online trading entity of Bestway Tours and Safaris Pvt Ltd , please take the time to read and understand the booking terms and conditions & additional special conditions which apply to certain trips ,themes and promotional offers. These booking conditions form the basis of your contract with “Bestway Tours & Safaris Pvt. Ltd, Suite 403, Suncity Trade Tower, Sector 21, Gurgaon (National Capital Region), Haryana – 122016, (India) , A company incorporated under Indian companies ACT 1956 vide registration number 55-51646

By asking us to confirm your booking, you confirm that you have had the opportunity to read and have read these booking conditions, Essential trip information, Inclusions & Exclusions and cancellation & refund policy and agree to be bound by them.

These booking conditions only apply to holiday arrangements which you book with us on https://www.bestway2india.com (An online trading entity of Bestway Tours & Safaris Pvt Ltd) and which we agree to make , provide, or perform (as applicable) as part of our contract with you. All references in these booking conditions, to “holiday”, “booking”, “contract”, “package”, “tour” or “arrangements” mean such holiday arrangements unless otherwise stated.

Essential Trip Information

  • The prices are Per Person on twin sharing basis.

  • The price is only valid for the mentioned departure date.

  • Please note that smoking is prohibited in public and all parts of the hotels except in designated areas and bedrooms, where smoking is permitted.  Should you desire a smoking bedroom, please let us know.  The fulfillment of this request is subject to availability of smoking rooms and is not guaranteed. 

  • Unless specified, check-in at hotels in India is at 14:00 Hrs and check out is at 12:00 Hrs

  • Our liability does not arise in case of Force Majeure (political disturbances, natural phenomenon etc.)

  • All adventure activities include an element of risk. Please see our Terms and Conditions and Cancellation Policy

  • To complete this trip it is important that you are both confident and competent in riding a bicycle

  • This trip covers anywhere between 25 to 90 km of cycling each day, so a reasonable level of fitness is required, although you’ll have plenty of rest breaks. A support vehicle will also be with you at all times, so if you get tired you can jump in. This trip is suitable for those seeking an active adventure and is a wonderful way to see the sights of Rajasthan from a different perspective

  • We visit a number of temples on this trip, which requires a certain level of modesty. Please bring clothes that cover the arms and shoulders, with pants/skirts that go past the knee. A light-scarf is also ideal for covering shoulders and arms when it’s hot

  • While riding the bikes you’ll be exposed to the elements, so please ensure you’re well prepared with waterproof clothing suitable for both warm and cold weather conditions

  • Bicycle hire is included in your trip price. Please advise your height at time of booking so as we can organise a suitable sized bike

  • On this trip we have a single leader that rides with the group, and another that drives the support vehicle

Booking Deposit, Cancellation and Refund Policy

The following booking deposit and cancellation policy applies. 

For Departure Dates 

12-Dec-2020 , 25-Jan-2020 , 31-Mar-2021 ,

Booking Deposit : 15 % of the Tour amount. 

If you cancle the tour the following cancellation policy will apply

Cancellation received 

45 days or more - 15 % including deposit

44 days - 33 Days - 25 % including deposit.  

For Departure Dates 

12-Dec-2020 , 25-Jan-2020 , 31-Mar-2021 ,

Booking Deposit : 15 % of the Tour amount. 

If you cancle the tour the following cancellation policy will apply

Cancellation received 

45 days or more - 15 % including deposit

44 days - 33 Days - 25 % including deposit.  

For Departure Dates 

12-Dec-2020 , 25-Jan-2020 , 31-Mar-2021 ,

Booking Deposit : 15 % of the Tour amount. 

If you cancle the tour the following cancellation policy will apply

Cancellation received 

45 days or more - 15 % including deposit

44 days - 33 Days - 25 % including deposit.  

For Departure Dates 

12-Dec-2020 , 25-Jan-2020 , 31-Mar-2021 ,

Booking Deposit : 15 % of the Tour amount. 

If you cancle the tour the following cancellation policy will apply

Cancellation received 

45 days or more - 15 % including deposit

44 days - 33 Days - 25 % including deposit.  

Expand All
  1. Day 1 - Arrive Cochin
    Namaste! You will be welcomed in the traditional Indian way with hands clapped together and then transferred to your Hotel.
    Meals Included
    • Dinner
  2. Day 2 - Cochin to Thattekad. Cycling distance: 47 km
    We drive out of town for about two hours (with no Freeways, driving even on a highway is slow) then cycle on a very minor road to the bird Sanctuary of Thattekad.  We will pass rubber, banana, coconut and pineapple plantations and have time for a visit to the bird sanctuary.
    Meals Included
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  3. Day 3 - Thattekad to Munnar
    tea-garden-munnar We continue on the minor road until we reach the main highway to Munnar. After just 600 m we turn off the hwy and swoop down through a forest to the Periyar River and the Kallerkutty dam.  From here we start the challenging climb to Munnar and its world-famous tea plantations.  We will also see jacaranda trees and cardamom plantations.  With the gain in altitude the temperature will decrease from c.32/ 90 F at the coast to c.25/77 at Munnar, with night time temperatures dropping to 10 C / 50F.
    Meals Included
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  4. Day 4 - Munnar to Thekkady. 106 km
    periyar-national-park-thekkady Today we make our way to Kumily, known for its spices and proximity to Periyar Tiger Reserve.  The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary covers 777 sq km of which 360 sq km is thick evergreen forest.  The greatest attraction of Periyar is the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake.  The day is quite hilly but there is an overall loss in altitude as we descend to 800m / 2,640 ft . The day starts with a spectacular descent through forest and tea plantations, later passing rice fields, coffee and cardamom.   There will be excellent views of the Western Ghats.
    Meals Included
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  5. Day 5 - Thekkady – Theni return: 73 km of biking on back roads, return by mini bus
    We take an excursion into neighboring Tamil Nadu where you will see many bullock carts and perhaps a working elephant or two. We start with a fabulous descent into a wide fertile valley and continue gently descending till the town of Theni. Here we have lunch then return on the highway in the mini bus.   Time to relax in the afternoon by the pool or do a little shopping                                  
    Meals Included
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  6. Day 6 - Thekkady
    periyar-national-park-thekkady Options include an early morning three-hour gentle hike in the Park accompanied by a guide, who will identify plants, birds and other wildlife.  There will be a late breakfast on return.  Then a late afternoon boat trip on Lake Periyar where you are likely to see wildlife, most likely deer, buffalo and elephants, by the lake side. Take binoculars.
    Meals Included
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  7. Day 7 - Kumily to Kumarakom: Cycling distance 83 km
    bird-sanctuary-kumarakom We start the day with a climb as we make our way to the grasslands of Vagamon.  We finish with a fabulous 24 km descent.  On reaching the highway we board the mini bus to drive (1 ¾ hrs) to Kumarakom.  A spectacular day’s biking.  Kumarakom is a paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies.  The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal.
    Meals Included
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  8. Day 8 - Kumarakom/Alleppey: Distance: 32 Km
    houseboat-alleppey After breakfast we bike 32 km. It takes approximately 2 to 2.30 hrs ride from Kumarakom to Alleppey.  It is flat village/minor town roads.  We will reach to the Houseboat at Jetty around 12:00 Noon.  We board our traditional houseboat and begin our journey through the picturesque backwaters and small lakes relaxing in the tranquility of Kerala's beautiful scenery. On our journey we come across many boats, canoes and other crafts, as we observe the traditional way of life and activities of the local people. 
    Meals Included
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  9. Day 9 - Alleppey /Cochin: Total distance: 80 Km; Cycling Distance: 55 Km
    kathakali-performer-cochin After breakfast we drive to Alleppey and we bike from Alleppey to Cochin around 55 km on a flat road, parallel with the coast, back to Cochin.  On arrival we check in our hotel. In the evening we enjoy Kathakali Dance Performance. This dramatized presentation of a play usually based on the Hindu epics of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas, is a unique combination of literature, music, painting, acting and dance.
    Meals Included
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  10. Day 10 - Cochin –Home
    We wish you ‘bon voyage’ and hope to see you again.  An airport transfer is included
    Meals Included
    • Breakfast
  • - Breakfast
  • - Lunch
  • - Dinner

* DENOTES UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES INCLUDED

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Overall Rating 5/5
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