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There is no better way to get an up-close glimpse into the heart of God’s Own Country, Kerala, than on a bicycle. Along the way, you will experience the unique culture, local arts, and different cuisines of Kerala. You will cycle through lush paddy fields, green meadows, pine forests and spice-rich villages. The itinerary has been planned to give you ample opportunity to do off-road cycling and high-altitude cycling through the undulating landscape that is dotted with tea estates, waterfalls and lakes. You will witness a whole range of flora and fauna. The itinerary we’ve drawn up lets you do it all at a relaxed and leisurely pace.
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On arrival at the airport meet your Tour Executive who will assist with transfer and check-in at the hotel. Stay two nights in Fort Cochin.
After breakfast assembles at the lobby for a short briefing by your Tour Manager on the entire biking trip ahead. Take a short cycling ride around Fort Cochin just to check your bikes and warm-up for the next day. Enjoy sightseeing includes Cochin Harbour terminus where the Chinese fishing nets present a wonderful sight; local fish market, Mattancherry Dutch Palace; The Jewish Synagogue and St. Francis Church. Evening enjoy a cultural Dance Show at the theatre.
Leaving Fort Kochi early after breakfast, you will be doing approx. 40 kms of cycling. Once after we hit the highway, most of the ride will be through the rural road till Thattekkad. We will pass rubber, banana, coconut, pineapple plantations and tranquil countryside to reach our destination. Evening you can interact with resident naturalist and indulge in Bird watching in and around your hotel.
Early morning enjoy bird watching and witness migratory and beautiful resident birds in their elusive natural habitat. Later check out and travel to Munnar. The seemingly gentle ride takes the riders through Munnar known for its pristine tea estates, cool breeze and breathtaking views. For cyclists, Munnar offers some of the finest and thrilling biking trails as it winds its way through the shola forests, cardamom estates and tea gardens. You get to see the countryside, the indigenous tribal and the tea estate workers who work these tea gardens. Stay two nights in Munnar.
After breakfast you will be doing approx. 60 kms of cycling with a guide and backup vehicle. On the way to Thekkady, you pass a beautiful hamlet called ‘Cherukunnam’. This little village is interspersed with canals in all directions. We bike along with one of these canal bund roads amid lush green paddy fields filled with coconut trees and villages. We visit the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and the Bhoothathankettu dam in Thekkady.
Morning experience boat cruise on Lake Periyar, which showcases a kaleidoscope of activities that occur around the lake and jungle. Evergreen moist deciduous forests and savannah grass lands characterize Periyar. Later visit a spice plantation growing cardamom, pepper and coffee. It is believed that the spice trade dates back three thousand years in Kerala and many spices find their home here. The slanting slopes caress a variety of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric and curry leaves. On the way back you could stop at the local market and purchase some fragrant spices. Evening attend a cooking class and enjoy learning to cook Kerala dishes, one of the most intriguing cuisines of the world. The class will be held in a traditional home set in the grounds of a working biol-organic spice garden.
Today after breakfast, we will proceed towards Vagamon, Still untouched by commercialisation; the sleepy town with its scenic valleys, beautiful green meadows, enchanting pine forests, mists, fogs, tea estates, waterfalls with the overall greenery is striking. Travelling by the hill highway in this section is an exhilarating experience with deep valleys and views all around. Reaching Vagamon itself involves traversing a meandering road that is cut in solid rock and lined with pine forests.
What a treat is in store for you today! Your destination leads to the famed backwater town of Kumarakom. The ride through the plains passes through settlements of rubber plantations, farmlands, fruit yards, and market places. We ride for 50 km and then load our bikes onto our backup vehicle and drive towards Kumarakom. Afternoon board the houseboat, to witness life in the backwater countryside villages. Overnight onboard houseboat.
Disembark in the morning from the Houseboat, get picked up by the driver from the Jetty and travel to Kumarakom, a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, is an unbelievably beautiful 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 here, spread across 14 acres, is a favourite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise.
After breakfast the tour concludes with a direct transfer to Kochi International Airport to board your onward flight.
12 Nights boutique and heritage accommodation
Assistance and transfers
Sightseeing as specified
Trek Bikes
Expert Cycle mechanic throughout the tour
Back up AC vehicle for the complete tour
English speaking Local Guide for sightseeing
Tour Manager (minimum 07 people)
Fresh Fruits/Snacks (during comfort breaks)
Boat ride
Spice plantation
Kathakali dance show
Bottled water during cycling ride
Meals as specified
Monument entrance fees
All collectable taxes
Any International or Domestic Airfare
Airport taxes and Visa fee
Early check-in or late check-out
Meals other than specified above
Tips & Gratuities
Travel & Medical Insurance
Camera and video permits
Expenses incurred due to flight/train cancellation or delay
Any expense of a personal nature, like drinks, laundry, telephone calls, mini bar, etc
Any optional excursion or tour
Any other expense not mentioned in the prices include column
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