Coast to Coast Bike Tour

kerala bike tour 22

Overview

From coastal South to east of South India, starting from Kochi and ending in Chennai, this tour takes you through two contrasting; backwaters and hills of Kerala to the rural & coastal sides of Tamil Nadu.

Journey into the heart of Tamil Nadu gives you a chance to peek into the 2500 years old Dravidian civilization. The state is particularly known for centuries-old temples and brilliant architecture. This cycling tour will certainly transport you into civilizations before. Along with a slice of history, expect to cycle down pristine coastlines, forested mountains, and bucolic small villages where children run to greet you with a big smile. Gorge fresh seafood at local haunts picked out by our experts and soak in some of India’s beautifully detailed rock carvings in laid-back Mahabalipuram. You also have a short rendezvous with the French colony, Pondicherry with perfect spots for yoga sessions. Add to this, a chance to tap your adventurous side and try surfing and scuba diving. The trip is planned as a mélange of food, culture, classical music, temples, history, and a great cycling topography.

Start

Kochi | 13:00hrs

Finish

Chennai

Lodging

casual

Level

moderate

Avg. dist. cycled

70km or 42mi

Suitable for

Age: 16+

Highlights

Highlight Image

Gods own country

Get to see the very best of Kerala – sandy beaches, meandering backwater canals, the lush green hills and thick wilderness

Itinerary

Brief Itinerary

DayPlacecasual Inns or similarMealsDistanceActivity
DAY 1KochiThe KilliansD
DAY 2AlleppeyEmerald IsleB,L,D50km / 31micycling
DAY 3VagamonFoggy Knols ResortB,L,D63km/39micycling
DAY 4ThekkadyGreen WoodsB,L,D60km/37micycling
DAY 5MaduraiJC ResidencyB,L,D65km/40micycling
DAY 6ChettinadChettinad MansionB,L,D75km / 47micycling
DAY 7ChettinadChettinad MansionB,L,D
DAY 8ThanjavurIdeal river view hotelB,L,D90km / 56micycling
DAY 9KumbakonamIndeco SwamimalaiB,L,D72km / 45micycling
DAY 10PondicherryAnantha HeritageB,L,D85km / 53micycling
DAY 11PondicherryAnantha HeritageB25km / 15mi (optional)cycling
DAY 12MahabalipuramIdeal beach resortB,L,D85km / 53micycling
DAY 13ChennaiGrand ChennaiB,L
DAY 14DepartureB

Detailed Itinerary

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Day 1: Kochi

Meet your trip leader at the hotel, post-lunch at 13:00hrs, and head out to see Fort Kochi by bike.

One of the foremost trading hubs on the western coast of India, Fort Kochi drew colonial interest with its aromatic spices. Along with traders from China, Portugal, Arabs, and Holland came a cocktail of religions, cultural practices, and diverse food. Kerala owes its cosmopolitan vibe to the traders who braved the seas to come to this land.

In the evening, we convene over dinner tonight at a seaside restaurant known for seafood and Indian delicacies.

Meals: D
Accommodation: The Killians
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Day 2: Alleppey

A classic coastal ride along a beautiful stretch of white sandy beach on one side and unevenly spread serene backwaters on the other. See the birdlife in action with egrets, cormorants, herons, kites, kingfishers, ducks, and many more. A short stop to see the art of making traditional boats, locally called “Kettuvallom”. They make wooden boats both for backwaters and sea.

We may also see coconuts, cut into halves being dried under the sun. The dried coconuts will be further pressed in the oil mills nearby to make the coconut oil. From curries to Ayurvedic oils, coconut and its oil is an essential part of daily life here.

Other common sights that you may see – People collecting clams by diving in and out of the backwaters, small village fish markets and auction centers, ladies walking door to door for selling fish, fishermen returning from sea, and Christian churches almost every few kilometers.

We keep biking through small fishermen villages, lush coconut trees, and plentiful fish farms.

The ride finishes at your hotel in Alleppey. Kochi-Allepey.PNG

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 50km / 31mi
Accommodation: Emerald Isle
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Day 3: Vagamon

From below sea level village in Alleppey to the hill station of Vagamon, the lands transforms from rice fields & lakes to rubber plantations & valleys.

We take an hour vehicle transfer to cycling start point. A hilly ride, with both dips and steep climbs, but the shades of plantations help you grapple with this challenging ride better. The last 15 km of cycling is an uphill ride all the way to the hotel.

Vagamon is an enchanting hill station where you can either relax or indulge in outdoor activities like easy hikes or explore nature trails. Allepey-Vagamon(63km).png

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 63km/39mi
Accommodation: Foggy Knols Resort
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Day 4: Thekkady

This is going to be a beautiful ride – from the tea gardens of Vagamon to Cardamom Hills of Thekkady, with few coffee plantations in between. It’s the last day for hills and is yet another challenge.

The birdlife is plenty with mynas, parakeets, drongos making calls, and flying from one tree to another.

Thekkady and surroundings are known for forests and spice plantations. The queen of spices, “Cardamom”, is native to these hills of Thekkady. Vagamon-Thekkady.PNG

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 60km/37mi
Accommodation: Green Woods
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Day 5: Madurai

We take in the spectacular views of the western ghat mountains before descending to the neighboring state Tamil Nadu.

Cycling through many villages with banana plantations, vegetable farms, vineyards, and windmills we reach the town of Theni. Post cycling we have around 2 hours of vehicle transfer to Madurai.

Madurai one of South India’s oldest cities and has been a center of learning and pilgrimage for centuries. This is where Mahatma Gandhi took the decision, in 1921, to wear nothing but khadi (homespun cloth). Khadi textiles and tailors’ shops are everywhere in town. Thekkady-Madurai.PNG

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 65km/40mi
Accommodation: JC Residency
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Day 6: Chettinad

It’s best to visit the main temple early in the morning when it’s relatively less busy. Meenakshi Amman (Sri Meenakshi) temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort, Goddess Parvati. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2500-year-old city of Madurai. The temple complex houses 14 magnificent Gopurams or towers including two golden Gopurams for the main deities.

We ride to Chettinad, famous for its cuisine, architecture, and temples. Today look forward to your stay at Chettinad Mansion, more than 100 years old the palatial home of Kanadukathan village. Madurai-Chettinadu.PNG

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 75km / 47mi
Accommodation: Chettinad Mansion
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Day 7: Chettinad

Today the day is at leisure and you can plan your own day. Chettinad is home to the Chettiar community, a wealthy merchant class family from Tamil Nadu. With palatial houses that used to host life celebrations, festivities, and rituals, the village has a story to tell of its glorious past. Most of the palatial 18th century mansions that one will get to see here were built using materials imported from east Asian countries and Europe about 100 years ago.

The celebrated Chettinad cuisine is one of the spiciest and the most aromatic in India. The fresh ground masalas give it the distinctive integrity in taste. The cuisine that is pre dominantly non-vegetarian stretches out into interesting snacks and delectable vegetarian dishes too. At Mansion, one can learn to cook Chettinad cuisine with the Aachi(elderly lady) from the village.

Aathangudy, a village situated about 10 Kms from Visalam is a place famous for its hand made tiles. There are over one hundred small scale tile factories in this village where the entire tile making process is carried out by human hands.

The famed Chettinad's Cotton sarees and textiles are woven on in small handloom home units across Chettinad. A couple minutes walk away from Mansion is one such handloom unit making the most vibrant Indian textile.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Chettinad Mansion
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Day 8: Thanjavur

After breakfast, we ride into the adjoining temple village, Thanjavur. The World Heritage–listed Brihadishwara Temple is the main highlight here with its large Maratha Palace complex. Thanjavur is dotted with beautiful living temples in the entire region.

The village is also known for Thanjavur dolls, Thanjavur paintings which can be bought as souvenirs. Chettinadu-Thanjavur.PNG

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 90km / 56mi
Accommodation: Ideal river view hotel
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Day 9: Kumbakonam

Today is a classic ride where we pass through small villages and see plenty of rice fields on one side and the river Kaveri flowing on the other.

Kumbakonam dates back to a historically significant period and was ruled by many distinguished dynasties of India – the Early Cholas, Pallavas, Medieval Cholas, Later Cholas, Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Empire, Madurai Nayaks, Thanjavur Nayaks, and the Thanjavur Marathas. It rose to be a prominent city between the 7th and 9th centuries AD when it served as a capital of the Medieval Cholas. The town reached the zenith of its prosperity during the British Raj when it was a prominent centre of European education and Hindu culture; an apt moniker, “Cambridge of South India” was attributed to the city. Kumbakonam is known for its temples and religious groups, called ‘maths’. There are around 188 Hindu temples within the municipal limits of Kumbakonam. Apart from these, there are several thousand temples around the town thereby giving it another apt sobriquet, the ‘City of temples’. Thanjavur-Kumbakonam.PNG

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 72km / 45mi
Accommodation: Indeco Swamimalai
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Day 10: Pondicherry

The ride to Pondicherry is slightly long but not difficult. It’s easy to pace up given that there are no major climbs. You will find fishing villages and salt plains, as you ride along the breezy sea. A former French colony, Pondicherry is a quaint seaside town with cobble-stoned boulevards, bright cafes, buildings remnant of French architecture, and the famous Aurobindo Ashram. The town was distinctly divided into the Black (local) and White (for Europeans) town and has a vast amount of history and architectural interest.

Head out in the evening to explore the Pondicherry town. You can walk along the main Goubert Avenue where the whole town congregates in the evenings for walks as the breeze from the sea makes the weather ever pleasant. Kumbakonam-Pondicherry.PNG

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 85km / 53mi
Accommodation: Anantha Heritage
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Day 11: Pondicherry

Today's ride is optional. You can plan your own day today or ride with us to Auroville. A unique township, Auroville was constructed to include communities from all over the world, based on the vision of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. It wants to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony above all creeds, all politics, and all nationalities. It has ballooned to encompass more than 80 rural settlements spread over 20km and about 1800 residents. If you’re really interested in the philosophy it’s worth the ride out to the visitors center to find out how it all works and eat some great food at the café.

You can also try your hand at surfing in the mild waves of the Tamil Nadu coast or take a quick dip with scuba experts on this day.

Meals: B
Cycling Distance: 25km / 15mi (optional)
Accommodation: Anantha Heritage
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Day 12: Mahabalipuram

After breakfast enjoy a gorgeous ride to Mahabalipuram through the coastal route; the East Canal Road (highway) stretches along the coast and you can detour anytime into the untouched beaches for a quick dip. Cycling is easy as there are no ascents – you will only have to hydrate yourself a lot due to the clammy weather. Famous for its ancient rock carvings, especially the Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram was once the second capital and seaport of the Pallava kings of Kanchipuram. Mahabalipuram is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and has various historic monuments built largely between the 7th and the 9th centuries and remains a renowned center for stone carving. As you enter the village, you’ll see and hear the constant tapping of hammer and chisel as artisans chip away at exquisite sculptures. Pondicherry-Mahabalipuram.PNG

Meals: B,L,D
Cycling Distance: 85km / 53mi
Accommodation: Ideal beach resort
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Day 13: Chennai

Mahabalipuram is a very small town, most of which you can cover on foot. It wakes up to the sound of sculptors’ chisels on granite, creating impressive sculptors, which make for great souvenirs. You can browse hassle-free and buy from the fixed-price Poompuhar Handicrafts Emporium or from the craft shops that line the main roads. Explore the lighthouse and take a guided trip to the temples of Mahabalipuram.

After the morning exploration of Mahabalipuram’s age-old temples, we take a transfer to Chennai. Explore a bit of Chennai if you have the time. The hot sultry seaside city represents a wonderful cusp of traditions and contemporary lifestyle. Visit the busy Mylapore temple area to see pilgrims buzzing in and out of the famous temple and the streets drenched in a splash of color.

Meals: B,L
Accommodation: Grand Chennai

Day 14: Departure

Please make arrangements as per your onward travel.

Meals: B
Accommodation:

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Map

Dates and Prices

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Essential Info

Inclusions

LODGING

All hotels as mentioned in the tour details or similar (subject to availability).

trip leader

Expert Trip Leader(s) who look after your every need and add meaning to your vacation.

bike

Immaculately maintained bike with helmet, suited to a terrain.

shuttle

A Van support follows the group of riders and carries all belongings.

meals

Meals as per itinerary. Guests are given the opportunity to dine on their own so that they discover a location independently.

refreshments

Refreshments and mineral water while cycling.

entrance

Entrance fees to most of the monuments and temples.

E-bikes

E-bikes are available (subject to availability) on this trip at a surcharge.

Exclusions

Airport pickup and drop

We recommend to book direclty from airport or hotel.

meals

Some meals may not be included. Please check your itinerary.

Beverages

Beverages such as alcohol, tea, coffee, juice at a hotel or restaurant.

Bikes

When you have a road and the thrill of a journey ahead of you, it’s imperative to have a good bike to enjoy it. Our fleet majorly consist of the below bikes as a part of this tour. However, sometimes due to height or availability constraints, we may provide a different but similar quality bike.

Bike Image

Scott Sportster or similar

hybrid

Included in your trip price

Bike Image

Specialized Diverge or similar

gravel

Available at a surcharge

Bike Image

Scott E-Bike or similar

ebike

Available at a surcharge

Weather

With varied terrain, starting from below sea level in coastal plains to 1900m in the mountains, Kerala has a diverse climate. A typical tropical climate remains cooler in the highlands and hot and humid in the coastal plain throughout the year.

Mid-November to the end of February is the winter time in Kerala, which is best experienced in the highlands with a pleasant climate in the mornings and temperature falling below 10°C at the night. A fleece jacket or warm sweater and long pants may be needed for the cooler evenings and mornings in hill stations. The temperature in plains averages between 25°C to 31°C during this time.

From the beginning of March till the end of May, it is summer. The temperatures go above 40°C during some days in coastal pains and generally remain very hot and humid. The highlands still offer some relief during this time with comparatively cooler climates.

The start of June is the beginning of the Monsoon season in Kerala. Kerala receives two cycles of Monsoon. From June till September, it’s the southwest monsoon, which brings heavy rainfalls till mid of August and it slowly weakens towards the end of September. The second cycle, the Northeast monsoon, starts from the beginning of October till mid-November with light to heavy showers mainly during the evening hours.

Visa

All foreign nationals entering India are required to possess a valid international travel document in the form of a national passport with a valid visa obtained from an Indian Mission or Post abroad. E-Visa has been made available by the Government of India to citizens of certain countries, including the United States of America. Details of the scheme are available on the dedicated website created for this purpose: e-Visa
e-Visa has 5 sub-categories viz. e-Tourist Visa (for 30 days/01 year/ 05 years), For e-Tourist and e-Business visa, Applicants may apply online minimum 4 days in advance of the date of arrival. Recent front-facing photographs with white backgrounds and photo pages of passports containing personal details like name, date of birth, nationality, expiry date etc, are to be uploaded mandatorily by the applicant. Additionally, one more document depending upon the e-Visa type would also be required to be uploaded. The application is liable to be rejected if the uploaded documents and photograph are not clear / as per specification.

Reviews from our friends

Bruce from CA

5.0

Great tour, all round

Great tour, all round. Very good mix of cycling and sightseeing/activities. Excellent driver. Guide – Very good knowledge + explanation. Leader – Great all round.

Mary Kelly from US

5.0

A great tour

We loved getting food in the villages on the road (both when the driver/guide stopped to get it and when we stopped and ate at the place) - idly, dosa, etc. - as well as the fresh fruit and lime juice the guides provided. The schedule was good. We appreciated Dibin adding extra kilometers to the planned routes based on our wish to ride further. He found excellent routes. Overall a great tour.

Shelley Swen from CA

5.0

We loved our bicycle tour

We loved our bicycle tour, was an amazing way to see India's culture, people, and landscape. We had fun and learned so much, this was the highlight of our India trip. Thanks to our guide and driver for an exceptional experience!