What to Expect
We put customer expectations at the centre of the way we work, building them into our products and service, and giving customers confidence in Art of Bicycle Trips.
1. Thoughtfully Crafted
Each day is crafted with utmost care so that you are well-rested; get a drift of local culture and cuisine and enjoy the splendid trails at your own pace. Extensive research, backed by first-hand experience of all elements by us, makes an itinerary from ordinary to extraordinary. And yes like you all, we do prefer to ride inn-to-inn with a minimal shuttle.
2. All-inclusive
Art of Bicycle Trips allows guests to focus 100% on the cycling experience. We provide all gear, meals, transportation, professional guides, permits, fees, and more!
3. Expert Guides
Our most visible and perhaps most important role is played by a Trip Leader, the folks who make a trip memorable, comfortable, knowledgeable, and who are able to steer you towards a unique and enriching experience!
Sharing information on local cultural landscape, flora, and fauna, and providing genuine care and support during the trip is key to that and our tour leaders are expected to deliver on the same. On most of the trips, we have two leaders riding with you. One is leading the group of riders and the other is closing at the back.
4. Small Groups
Our average tour group size consists of about 8 people with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 14 people. Having a small group size helps us ensure operational safety, deliver impeccable service at a more intimate and personal level, and, provide room for genuine interactions and cross-cultural learning. Join a personalized cycling vacation that prioritizes the quality of experience above all else.
5. Beautiful Hotels
You can choose your accommodation as Premiere or Casual Inns for our trips. All options are personally reviewed and ensure that you are comfortable after a hard day on the wheels. They are chosen carefully so that you are well rested, and get a drift of the local character or an enthralling view from your verandah.
Premiere Inns
Premiere accommodations include some of the most prestigious hotels. These are hotels, which have won accolades, and awards or have been acclaimed as ‘the best' by credible publications such as Condé Nast Traveler and Travel+Leisure. Heritage properties, art décor contemporary places or chic boutique stays that are a notch above the rest are a part of this list. Restored palaces, resorts on the edge of the backwaters, or a plush Swiss tent in the middle of the jungle; these inns provide an unforgettable experience. Here, you can expect a spa experience, swimming pools, and excellent service.
Casual Inns
True to their heritage and character, small luxury and boutique hotels that reflect local ethos are listed as Casual Inns. They hold within them, an unassuming charm and regional character that is an extension of the destination itself. Most of them fall under the 3-star category with a possible mix of homestay and 4-star.
6. Quality 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 consists of Scott, Trek, Giant, Fuji, Marin: these are some of the best in the cycling tour industry and perfect to maneuver through any terrain that you may encounter in Asia. Now we have new-age Giant and Scott e-bikes available in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Sri Lanka. More ways to rejoice and ride together!
7. Curated Routes
Our routes are immaculately planned and mainly through the countryside. To include a route as a part of the tour, it needs to pass through strict filters: culturally relevant, scenic landscapes, and safety being the three most important ones.
8. Amazing Travel Pals
Connect with outdoor adventurers, who enjoy the camaraderie of exploring the world with like-minded people. The majority of our guests are from the United Kingdom, North America, Australia, Europe, New Zealand, and India, and like to immerse themselves in the life of a region by bike. They appreciate the more subtle nuances of the daily life of a region and take back unique and enriching experiences. The average age across all our trips is about 50 years.
9. Outstanding Food
We truly acknowledge the importance of food in sharing an authentic experience of a new destination and understanding of local culture and people. Local food is an integral part of our trips and you will get plenty of this.
10. Local Activities
Our tour designers give as much focus on non-cycling activities as on cycling. Our travel philosophy is to get immersed in the life of a region and take back a unique and enriching experience. Creating the right balance of activities and excursions is key to that, and we strive towards the same.
11. Comfortable Support Van
A Van follows the group of riders throughout the trip and carries all belongings. If at any point riding seems a little hard, the van takes you for as long or as little as you wish it to. It also provides you refreshments along the way and sometimes a chilled beer.
Jacky and I would like to thank you and all your staff, in particular Rakesh and Dipu, for a terrific cycle ride in Kerala. As experienced organisers of cycle tours in South Africa ourselves and participants in many other tours in Asia, Australia and Europe, we really can appreciate the superb attention to detail that you brought to this remarkable tour and cannot fault it in any way. It ranks amongst the very best we have experienced over many years. The cycling was challenging in parts for us over seventy year olds but always enjoyable. The other activities were also great. We saw many birds, giant squirrels and an elephant on our walk in the Tiger Reserve. Kayaking on the Periyar in the evening at Hornbill Camp was a birding highlight too and who would not enjoy the overnight stay on the backwaters in a luxury houseboat. Each place we stayed at was well chosen and different, giving us a real feel for this beautiful region with its rubber, tea and cardamom plantations. Rakesh and Dipu took exceptional care of us and pampered us throughout shielding us from traffic and making sure we had everything possible to add to our enjoyment as well as being knowledgeable about each area. They were superb. What you promised on your website was more than delivered and we feel that we have made new friends as well. The local food everywhere was very good and the cooking lessons that you arranged for us super fun as well as being delicious.