Itinerary
- Day 1
Kochi
You'll arrive at Kochi airport or train station where your driver and guide will be waiting. From there, you're headed to Fort Kochi, a colonial heritage town that's got real character and history. Once you reach your boutique hotel, you can settle in for the night.
- Start point
- Cochin International Airport (COK), Nedumbassery, Alwaye, Kerala, India (Kochi ( Cochin) Airport)
Optional Activities
- Visit Dutch Palace
- Visit Jew Synagogue
- Visit St Francis' Church
- Visit Dutch Cemetery
- View Chinese Fishing Nets
- Visit Santa Cruz Cathedral
- Explore spice markets
- Browse antique shops
- Visit art galleries
Landmarks Dutch Palace Jew Synagogue St Francis' Church Dutch Cemetery Chinese Fishing Nets Santa Cruz Cathedral - Day 2
Fort Kochi to Thekkady
After breakfast, you'll start cycling about 60km with a guide and a backup vehicle following along. Stop whenever you need water, snacks, lunch, or just to rest. You'll cycle through Cherukunnam village with its canal-lined paddy fields and coconut trees, then check out Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. If time permits, the Bhoothathankettu dam is also on the route with its forested hills.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel)
Included Activities
- Guided cycling tour (approximately 60km)
- Visit Thattekad Bird Sanctuary (if time allows)
Optional Activities
- Stop for picnic lunch
- Stop at midway restaurant for lunch
- Early morning visit to Thattekad Bird Sanctuary (next day)
Landmarks Cherukunnam Thattekad Bird Sanctuary (Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary) Edamalayar Forests Bhoothathankettu Dam - Day 3
Thekkady to Munnar
Today's ride covers roughly 80km through Munnar's tea estates and shola forests. You'll cycle past cardamom plantations and tea gardens while passing mountain streams and seeing local workers in the fields. A backup vehicle stays with you the whole time, so rest whenever you feel tired or want a break.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided cycling tour through tea estates (approximately 80km)
Landmarks Munnar Tea Estates Muthirapuzha River Nallathanni River Kundala River - Day 4
Munnar
After breakfast, you get to choose how to spend your day. Option one is a car tour of the tea plantations. Option two is cycling about 50km to Munnar town and tea gardens through high-altitude mountain roads with quiet back routes. Or simply stay at the hotel and relax. The mountain biking route offers views of sloping hillsides and jungle scenery.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Car sightseeing of tea plantation
- Guided cycling tour through Munnar town and tea gardens (approximately 50km)
- Rest at hotel
Landmarks Munnar - Day 5
Munnar to Periyar
You'll cycle roughly 100km today on one of Thekkady's less traveled trails, moving through rolling terrain along the Cardamom Hills Reserve and spice plantations. The route includes downhill sections and challenging trails through wilderness. By evening you'll reach Periyar Tiger Reserve, home to lion tailed macaques, elephants, gaurs, and rare birds. A guided walk is coming up tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided cycling tour (approximately 100km)
Landmarks Cardamom Hills Reserve Periyar Tiger Reserve - Day 6
Periyar
After breakfast, pick between a guided walk around the national park or a boat ride through Periyar Tiger Reserve. Either way you'll explore the 925 square km reserve with its diverse plant and animal life. The terrain is undulating with mountains reaching over 1700 metres, and the biodiversity here is really something to see.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Guided walk around national park
- Boat ride in Periyar Tiger Reserve
Landmarks Periyar Tiger Reserve Periyar River Pamba River Sabarimala Mountains - Day 7
Periyar to Vagamon
You'll cycle about 50km to Vagamon, a quiet town that hasn't been heavily commercialized yet. The route takes you through scenic valleys, green meadows, and pine forests along the hill highway in the Western Ghats. There are waterfalls to see and the road itself is carved into solid rock, lined with those pine trees, offering great valley views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided cycling tour (approximately 50km)
Landmarks Vagamon Western Ghats - Day 8
Vagamon to Kumarakom
After breakfast, you'll cycle roughly 50km before switching to a vehicle for the remaining 50km to Kumarakom. This village sits on Vembanad Lake in Kerala's backwater region. You'll pass through towns like Pala and Erattupetta along the way to reach this group of small isles in the Kuttanad area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided cycling tour (approximately 50km)
Landmarks Kumarakom Vembanad Lake Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary - Day 9
Kumarakom
In the morning or early evening (better to avoid afternoon heat), you'll take a two-hour canoe trip on the narrow backwater lanes. This gives you a real sense of how local people live and their traditions here in Kerala. After returning to the hotel for lunch, the rest of your afternoon and evening is free to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided canoe trip (two hours)
Landmarks Vembanad Kayal (Vembanad Lake) - Day 10
Kumarakom to Alleppey
You'll cycle 40km through rubber estates before transferring by vehicle to Alleppey, known as the Venice of the East. A luxury rice-barge is waiting at the backwaters for a festive lunch with music and where you'll help steer through the waters. Later you'll drift under the stars past coconut palms, temples, and villages as the boat moves through Kerala's backwaters.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Festive lunch on rice-barge with music)
Included Activities
- Guided cycling tour through rubber estates (approximately 40km)
- Festive lunch on rice-barge with music
Landmarks Alleppey Vembanad Lake - Day 11
Alleppey to Mararikulam
After breakfast at 9am, cycle about 30km through village routes and past temples to reach Mararikulam, a fishing village right on the beach. You'll learn how locals make coir (coconut fiber) using traditional methods. This beach ranks among the world's top five hammock beaches according to National Geographic, and it's got the highest number of cyclists in Kerala.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided cycling tour (approximately 30km)
- Learn traditional Coir making from local outfit
Landmarks Mararikulam Marari Beach - Day 13
Mararikulam
Your final day at Mararikulam has no scheduled activities on the calendar. You can relax and take in the quiet shoreline at your own pace. Walk around the seaside, explore local areas, or just spend time at the beach or your hotel. It's your chance to enjoy those last moments of Kerala's coastal experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Leisure time at beach
- Wander around seaside
- Explore local touring places
Landmarks Marari Beach - Days 1 - 13
Departure
Pack your bags and get ready to head out. The tour leaders will drive you to Cochin International Airport on time for your flight. You'll leave with memories from your cycling and backwater adventure through Kerala.
- End point
- Cochin International Airport (COK), Nedumbassery, Alwaye, Kerala, India (Kochi ( Cochin) Airport)
Landmarks Cochin International Airport
