Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Kovalam
You'll arrive in Kovalam, a coastal town where palm trees line the beaches and fishing boats work the harbour. There's a welcome meeting at 2pm at your hotel if you make it in time. Spend the rest of your day however you like, wandering down to the harbour to watch the boats, climbing up to the lighthouse, or grabbing a drink at one of the beachside cafes. Dinner is on your own tonight if you want it.
Optional Activities
- Wander to the harbour and watch fishing boats
- Walk to the lighthouse
- Relax at Kovalam beaches
- Enjoy drinks at beachside cafes
- Dinner at a local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Kovalam Beach Kovalam Lighthouse Kovalam Fishing Harbour - Day 2
Kovalam Cycling Introduction
After breakfast, you'll test out your bike and make any tweaks you need. The day starts with a short, easy ride through the fisherman's villages around Kovalam to get you comfortable on two wheels. Later in the afternoon, head to the beaches at your own pace, maybe catch some waves or just relax. By evening, settle into a beachside cafe and watch the fishing boats head out as the sun sets. If you're interested, book an Ayurvedic massage, which is a traditional Kerala herbal treatment that works wonders.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bike adjustment and trial ride
- Guided cycling ride through fisherman's villages (approximately 10 kilometres, total ascent 205 metres and descent 175 metres)
Optional Activities
- Extended cycling route up to 32 kms through fishing villages and coastal road
- Walking along sandy beaches
- Swimming in the Arabian Sea
- Beachside cafe experience at sunset
- Ayurvedic massage treatment
Landmarks/POIs Kovalam Beach Arabian Sea - Day 3
Kovalam to Varkala
After breakfast, you'll take a bus to Veli, then cycle about 20 km to the estuary and lagoon. Along the way, you'll stop at Anjengo Fort, a 17th-century trading post from the British East India Company. From there, continue cycling to Varkala, a temple town where pilgrims come to pray. Spend time relaxing on the clifftop beaches, walking around through the palm groves, and watching the sunset. Dinner at a local restaurant wraps up the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bus transfer to Veli
- Guided cycling ride through lagoon area to Anjuthengu (approximately 20 kilometres)
- Visit to Anjengo Fort (17th-century British East India Company trading post)
- Guided cycling ride to Varkala (approximately 37 kilometres total cycling, total ascent 318 metres and descent 295 metres)
Optional Activities
- Relax on Varkala beaches
- Explore Varkala clifftop setting
- Visit to Janardhana Swamy Temple
- Dinner at local restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Anjengo Fort Janardhana Swamy Temple Varkala Beach - Day 4
Varkala to Kollam
Today's ride takes you along shores lined with palms and beautiful blue lagoons. You'll stop at Kollam beach to spend some time there, and pass through a fisherman's village that was affected by the Tsunami. By afternoon, you'll reach Kollam, the centre of the cashew industry, surrounded by coconut palms and cashew plantations. The old wooden houses in the Keralan style give the town its character.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided cycling ride alongside palm-fringed shores and lagoons (approximately 36 kilometres, total ascent 300 metres and descent 325 metres)
- Stop at Kollam beach
Optional Activities
- Explore Kollam town and old wooden houses
- Visit local markets
Landmarks/POIs Kollam Beach Ashtamundi Lake - Day 5
Kollam to Alleppey
After a short drive on the highway, you'll cycle about 37 km on back roads shaded by palm trees. The route crosses a river by local ferry, then continues to Manarasala Snake Temple near Thottapally. You'll pass through villages where traditional coir-making happens, so there's lots to see. Lunch is in Thottapally, and afterward you'll explore the backwaters by motor launch for around 3 hours to reach your hotel in Alleppey. The evening is yours to wander this ancient trading town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Bus transfer on highway
- Guided cycling on coastal roads shaded by palm trees (approximately 15 kms)
- Ferry crossing with local water taxi
- Guided cycling to Manarasala Snake Temple (approximately 22 kms)
- Visit to Manarasala Snake Temple
- Observation of traditional coir-making skills
- Motor launch exploration of backwaters (approximately 3 hours to Alleppey)
Optional Activities
- Explore Alleppey (Alappuzha) trading town in the evening
Landmarks/POIs Manarasala Snake Temple Thottapally Alleppey Backwaters - Day 6
Alleppey Backwaters Cycling and Canoe
You'll drive about 30 minutes to the Mancombu area, then cycle through the backwater villages. Chat with locals, check out churches and temples along the way. Later, head out on a canoe cruise at sunset or under the moon while locals sing traditional songs as they row. You'll see how people live on narrow strips of land with livestock and vegetable gardens. The cruise brings you back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bus transfer to Mancombu area
- Guided cycling through backwater villages (approximately 35 kilometres, total ascent 226 metres and descent 235 metres)
- Visit to local churches and temples
- Sunset or moonlit canoe cruise through backwaters with traditional songs
Optional Activities
- Interact with local villagers during cycling
Landmarks/POIs Mancombu Area Alleppey Backwaters - Day 7
Alleppey to Erattupetta
You'll leave the backwaters and use a mix of cycling and motorized transport to reach Erattupetta. This region is famous for its 19th-century rubber plantations. As you cycle through rolling hills under the shade of rubber trees, the air gets cooler. You'll stay at a local family homestay where you can watch your host prepare traditional curry, walk through the gardens, or take a swim in natural rock pools.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bus transfer and guided cycling to Erattupetta (approximately 33 kilometres, total ascent 657 metres and descent 648 metres)
- Cycling through rubber plantations
Optional Activities
- Watch host cook traditional curry
- Walk through gardens
- Swim in natural rock pools
Landmarks/POIs Erattupetta Rubber Plantations - Day 8
Erattupetta
Take a walk through a rubber plantation where you'll learn about the different fruits and medicinal plants growing there. Depending on when you visit, you might swim in rock pools. There's an optional stop at Poonjar Palace, a 900-year-old royal residence (viewable from outside). If you want to explore the local town, that's also an option. For cycling, choose between a short 9 km route or a challenging 32 km option.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walk through local plantation
- Learning about fruits and medicinal plants
Optional Activities
- Bathing in rock pools (seasonal)
- Visit to Poonjar Palace (external viewing only)
- Explore local town
- Extended cycling route of 32 km for more experienced cyclists
Landmarks/POIs Poonjar Palace - Day 9
Erattupetta to Thekkady
You'll travel on winding roads through high ranges, taking the bus on the steeper parts before cycling through Wagamon with its cooler climate and endless tea plantations. You'll pass rubber plantations and spice gardens, and might meet local tea pickers. Stop at Connemara Tea Factory to learn how tea is processed. Later you'll reach Thekkady, Kerala's spice hub where cardamom grows and spice shops line the streets. The last 10 km involves cycling on a busy road, so stay alert.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bus transfer on steep mountain roads
- Guided cycling through Wagamon region with tea plantations and spice gardens (approximately 36 kilometres, total ascent 1176 metres and descent 1506 metres)
- Visit to Connemara Tea Factory
Optional Activities
- Meet local tea pickers in plantations
- Browse spice shops in Thekkady
Landmarks/POIs Wagamon Tea Plantations Connemara Tea Factory Thekkady Spice Market - Day 10
Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary
You're visiting Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of India's 16 Project Tiger Reserves. About 40 tigers live in the 777 square km park, but seeing one is very rare since they're solitary creatures. Walk through different habitats including grasslands and deciduous, semi-evergreen, and tropical forests. You might spot star tortoises, porcupines, elephants, Indian Bison, flying squirrels, and lots of birds. The tropical evergreen jungle has 40-meter tall trees with dense canopy, ferns, orchids, and airplants covering the ground.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided forest walk in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary searching for wildlife
Landmarks/POIs Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary - Day 11
Thekkady to Kochi
You'll have a beautiful downhill ride cycling about 20 km through the winding roads of Kuttikanam, mostly freewheeling. Then you'll transfer by bus for 3 hours to Kochi, a busy port town called the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea' with a natural harbour. Explore the oldest European settlement in India, with English, Dutch, and Portuguese architecture mixed together. Learn about Kathakali dancers, traditional performers whose art comes from temple rituals, with elaborate three-hour face-painting and eye movements that tell stories from Indian epics.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided cycling down winding roads of Kuttikanam (approximately 30 kilometres total, total ascent 540 metres and descent 1524 metres)
- Bus transfer to Kochi (approximately 3 hours)
Optional Activities
- Visit Kathakali performers and watch traditional dance
- Explore Kochi's European heritage sites
Landmarks/POIs Kochi Harbour - Day 12
Kochi Fort Cochin Cycling and Sunset Cruise
You'll cycle through Fort Cochin's old town, which has an interesting mix of architectural styles from centuries of trade. Look for the oldest European church and oldest synagogue in India, then check out the Chinese fishing nets, Portuguese houses, and Dutch palaces. After exploring the town, catch a sunset cruise around the islands nearby.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided cycling through Fort Cochin (approximately 10 kilometres)
- Tour of old town architecture and heritage sites
- Sunset cruise around surrounding islands
Landmarks/POIs Fort Cochin Chinese Fishing Nets - Day 13
Departure from Kochi
The trip ends after breakfast at your hotel in Kochi. You can leave whenever you want. If your flight is later in the day, the hotel has luggage storage so you don't have to carry your bags around.
- Meals
- Breakfast
