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Cycling Kerala's Backroads
Duration
14 days
Site savings
$113
From
$3,652 USD
Cycling on paved country roads, this tour starts with a visit to the Thatekkad bird sanctuary, one of three wildlife reserves you'll explore on this tour. Then the climbing begins, heading up to the highlands and to Munnar, known for its tea plantations and spice estates. After taking the amazing views from Top Station, descend to Periyar and have a rest day to explore the park where you're likely to see a herd of elephants, but unlikely to spot one of the tigers in residence. The tour then heads towards Kumarakom, to spend a relaxing afternoon plying the backwaters on a houseboat. From here, a flat ride back to Kochi with time to explore this fascinating historic town. And always your fill of delicious food, seasoned with local spices.
- CategoryMulti-Activity
- TypeFully Guided
- Duration14 days
- Culture LevelOut There
- Skill Level3 - Intermediate
- Activity Level4 - Challenging
- Elevation2 - Moderate
- TerrainMixed
- Distance333.7 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance33.6 miles
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Quick Stats
- Duration14 days
- Main DestinationIndia
- Distance333.7 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance33.6 miles
- Elevation2 - Moderate
- TerrainMixed
Route Map (click to view larger image)
Itinerary Details
- Day 1Meet in Kochi
Welcome to Kochi, Kerala’s vibrant commercial and cultural hub. This afternoon, you gather at your tour hotel near the airport for a bike fitting, trip briefing, and welcome dinner. Staying close to the airport means you can roll straight out from the hotel the next morning, skipping long transfers in and out of the city centre. Don’t worry—you’ll be back in Kochi on days 12 and 13 for a deeper exploration.
- Flora Airport Hotel
- Dinner
- Day 2Kochi - Thattekad
You roll out straight from your airport hotel to kick off the adventure. The first 5 km follow a busy main road—your lively introduction to one of India’s unofficial national languages: honking. After crossing the Periyar River by bridge, you leave the traffic behind and slip onto backcountry roads, where the ride quickly quiets as you ease into rural Kerala.
The route starts out mostly flat, tracing the Periyar River, before becoming more rolling around the 30 km mark as you reach the foothills of the Western Ghats. Along the way, you pass scenes of everyday life in paddy fields, plantations, and small towns, and encounter Kerala’s two dominant faiths—Hinduism and Christianity—marked by temples and churches along the road.
You finish the day at Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, settling in for the night at a riverside tented camp. In the afternoon, you can opt to kayak on the Periyar River, gliding through calm waters framed by dense, lush jungle.- 34.8 miles
- 118.1 ft
1,571.5 ft
1,453.4 ft - Birds Murmur Camp
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 3Thattekkad - Munnar
You’ll want to rise early if you’re a bird watcher, with the chance to spot some of the 300+ species found in the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. After breakfast, you ride east, tracing the course of the Periyar River. The first 30 km are flat, rolling along quiet roads bordered by plantations and dense forest. As you reach the undulating hills of the Western Ghats, the riding becomes more demanding, building toward a roughly 5 km climb up to the Kallarkutty Dam.
The final stretch follows a busier provincial road, where you stop for lunch in the town of Adimali. From here, you transfer about 1.5 hours to Munnar—a cool hill station set among sweeping hills and tea estates—your base for the next two nights.- 39.8 miles
- 1,706 ft
3,517.1 ft
1,811 ft - Tea County
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 4Munnar Exploration
Today, you’ll immerse yourself in Munnar’s iconic landscape, where rolling hills stretch endlessly, draped in lush tea fields against the dramatic backdrop of the Western Ghats. The first 10 km guide you to the serene Mattupetty Reservoir, which you’ll follow for a few kilometers before tackling today’s main challenge: a roughly 15 km climb. You’ll ascend steadily, winding along narrow, twisting roads that thread through tea terraces and forested slopes.
At around 35 km, you arrive at Top Station, perched at approximately 1,880 meters. Here, you can pause and drink in sweeping panoramic views of the Western Ghats and, on a clear day, the Theni Valley below. From there, you’ll retrace your path back to Munnar, enjoying a refreshing descent. The afternoon is yours to relax or explore Munnar’s vibrant markets at your own pace.- 44.1 miles
- 6.6 ft
3,900.9 ft
3,894.4 ft - Tea County
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 5Munnar - Chinnakanal
Today’s ride is short but full of scenic delights as you head further southeast through the rolling Munnar Hills. You’ll follow a well-paved provincial road that twists and turns with curves, hairpins, and viewpoints, making for a fun and visually rewarding ride. One highlight is the Powerhouse Waterfalls, tumbling dramatically down a cliff right beside the road (water levels vary with the season).
You’ll reach the village of Chinnakanal for lunch before gearing up for a special afternoon adventure: a jeep trip to the world’s highest tea plantation. Perched at 2,170 meters in the Western Ghats, Kolukkumalai Tea Estate treats you to breathtaking views and a glimpse into South India’s traditional tea-processing methods. After this unforgettable experience, you return to Chinnakanal to spend the night.- 13 miles
- -177.2 ft
1,322.2 ft
1,499.3 ft - The Sienna Village
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 6Chinnakanal - Thekkady
Get ready for a rewarding and scenic ride along Kerala’s eastern frontier, the famous “Cardamom Hills.” The high altitude and cool climate make this region ideal for spice cultivation—especially cardamom, as you might have guessed! You’ll cover nearly 90 km on paved, rolling provincial roads that wind through dense forests, spice plantations, bustling towns, and quaint villages.
The first 45 km generally trend downhill toward the Kallar River valley, though there are plenty of climbs to keep your legs engaged. Once you reach the valley floor, the route takes you over a series of wooded hills before a final descent leads to the edge of Periyar National Park, one of the Western Ghats’ largest wildlife sanctuaries. You’ll spend the next two nights at a charming resort in Thekkady, the gateway to this remarkable park.- 55.9 miles
- -1,794.6 ft
5,321.5 ft
7,116.1 ft - Wild Avenue Resort
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 7Thekkady Rest Day
Today is a well-earned rest from cycling. Based in Thekkady, you have the wilds of Periyar National Park right at your doorstep, with plenty of ways to explore. One popular option is a boat ride on the park’s expansive lake, where you may catch glimpses of elephants, tigers, leopards, and other elusive wildlife along the shores. For a closer look at the forests and tiger reserve beyond the lake, you might choose a guided jeep safari. Your guide will provide details on available activities, which can be arranged in advance. Lunch is at your leisure, and in the evening, we’ll regroup for dinner at the hotel.
- Wild Avenue Resort
- Breakfast and Dinner
- Day 8Thekkady - Vagamon
You’re back in the saddle for another stunning day of highland cycling in Kerala! Leaving Thekkady, you’ll start with 30 km along a provincial throughway before turning onto a winding, single-lane road that traces a mountain ridge. This stretch is some of the best cycling in Kerala—peaceful, with tea and spice plantations blanketing the hillsides almost within reach.
The final 20 km follow the main road into Vagamon, a charming hill station perched at 1,100 meters above sea level. From here, you can enjoy an exhilarating 18 km descent to a vintage boutique hotel tucked into the Mavady Hills. If the group is large, we’ll stay at a larger hotel near Vagamon town and save the downhill thrill for the following morning.- 42.3 miles
- -1,840.6 ft
3,182.4 ft
5,023 ft - Vanilla County/Adrak Summer Sand Hill Resort Vagamon
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 9Vagamon - Vembanad Lake
A final 5 km descent takes you out of the Western Ghats and into the verdant lowlands of Kerala’s backwater region. The rest of the ride is mostly flat, meandering along quiet country roads that weave through the fertile plains of the Meenachil River. This area is also home to a historic community of Syrian Christians, whose roots trace back to St. Thomas the Apostle, who arrived in Kerala in the 1st century AD. Along the way, you’ll pass numerous churches with striking whitewashed facades and intricate architectural details.
After lunch, you’ll visit the particularly charming St. Thomas Church before completing your ride to Vembanad Lake, Kerala’s largest body of water. You’ll spend the night at a serene lakeside resort, surrounded by the peaceful beauty of the backwaters.- 44.1 miles
- -1,033.5 ft
1,922.6 ft
2,956 ft - Abad Whispering Palms
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 10Kerala Backwater Cruise
This morning is yours to unwind at the lakeside hotel. If you feel like riding, you can join a gentle 10 km loop through the charming villages of Kumarakom. Before noon, we set off on an unforgettable Keralite adventure: a day-and-night cruise on Lake Vembanad and its intricate network of canals aboard a converted rice barge.
These vintage houseboats come equipped with bedrooms, lounging areas, and a full crew including a captain and cook. You can relax completely, sipping drinks as the tranquil waters of Kerala’s backwaters drift by. Along the way, you’ll take in coconut groves, paddy fields, village life, churches, temples, fishing boats, and flocks of birds skimming the water. All meals—lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and breakfast the next morning—are served on board.- Houseboat
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 11Vembanad Lake - Mararikulam Beach
- Day 12Mararikulam Beach - Fort Kochi
Our journey comes full circle as we ride into Kochi. The route winds through a narrow coastal strip of Kerala, with the Arabian Sea to the west and the backwater lagoons to the east. You’ll pedal along quiet country roads lined with coconut groves, farms, fishing villages, and bustling roadside markets. Though most of the ride is inland, we’ll stop at a beach or two to refresh with the sea breeze and a cool drink.
After around 40 km, the traffic increases as we near Fort Kochi, the city’s historic heart, where the ride concludes and we settle in for the final two nights of the tour.- 32.3 miles
- 9.8 ft
315 ft
305.1 ft - Abad Dutch Bungalow
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 13Fort Kochi by Bike
This morning, you’ll pedal through the backstreets of Fort Kochi on a heritage-focused biking loop. As a historic maritime port, the town reflects a rich cosmopolitan past, shaped by Chinese, Arab, Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences. With so much to see, today’s route is flexible, with potential stops at the old harbour, St. Francis Church (India’s oldest European church), the Dutch Palace, Santa Cruz Basilica, Vasco House, and the ornate Paradesi Synagogue. You’ll also visit the iconic Chinese fishing nets.
The afternoon is free to unwind at the hotel, browse antique and curio shops, or explore one of Fort Kochi’s many museums. In the evening, we’ll gather for a farewell dinner.- 6.8 miles
111.5 ft
111.5 ft- Abad Dutch Bungalow Hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 14Departure