Cycle the Coast of Kerala
8 Days Starting in Cochin and ending in Varkala
Visiting: India
Tour operator:
Tour code:
MIA
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 14
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Kerala is an excellent place to discover by bike; a true tropical paradise with an idyllic coastline, lush tranquil backwaters, colourful temples and old stone churches. It's not surprising that Kerala is often referred to as 'God's own country'. Offering a gentler experience than the often frenetic north, Kerala is great for a first time bike trip or your first visit to India. From the old spice port of Cochin to the laid-back beach town of Varkala, we gently cycle through beautiful landscapes, fascinating towns and colourful fishing villages, sampling superb south Indian cuisine along the way. A night in a village homestay provides a unique insight into the warm Keralan hospitality, and the backwaters of Kerala are cruised on a traditional houseboat before relaxing on the sweeping beaches of Varkala.
Highlights
Itinerary
Group flights usually depart London in the evening.
Day 2
Start Cochin. Those on the group flight usually arrive at our hotel in the
afternoon. We'll then have our bike fitting and test our bikes.
*Comfortable Hotel*
Day 3
Today is a good opportunity to get used to the bikes, exploring the
historical town of Cochin (Kochi) by bike and foot. The Portuguese
established a base here, followed by the Dutch, who were forced to hand it
over to the British in 1841. With a multicultural heritage, it is now the
bustling commercial capital of Kerala. Merchants began trading spices such as
pepper and cardamom with the Chinese, Arabs and Portuguese more than 600
years ago. Warehouses are still filled with the smell of tea and spices are
lime-washed bright green, yellow and blue; rickety old bikes and hand-painted
trucks piled high with goods fill the narrow streets and food stalls stand on
every corner. Most of the major sights are found in Fort Kochi and
Mattencharry. We'll visit St Francis Church, which is close to the hotel.
Built by the Portuguese in 1503, it is the burial place of Vasco de Gama and
his tomb can be found inside the church. We then make our way to the Dutch
Palace in Mattancherry. Constructed by the Portuguese in 1568, it was gifted
to the Maharaja of Kochi before the Dutch took it over. Close to the palace
is Jew Town and the Paradesi Synagogue. Built in 1568 for the Jewish members
of Kochi’s trading communities, it is adorned with hand-painted tiles from
China and elegant Belgian chandeliers, all donations from wealthy merchants.
The area around the synagogue, called Jew Street, is a heritage zone with
many antique and handicraft shops and is excellent for shopping. The fish
market near the Chinese fishing nets is also worth a visit. Cochin is also
the centre for Keralan arts, so this evening we'll enjoy a Kathakali dance
performance, a form of religious dance and play unique to Kerala.
*Comfortable Hotel*
Day 4
Riding out of Fort Cochin, we pass 500 year old Portuguese villas, a striking
contrast to the tiny fishermen's huts dotted along the beach road, with their
wooden boats pulled up under the palm trees and nets hung out to dry. Many of
these fishing villages are Christian. At Arthungal we can rest under the
shade of the coconut trees, sip tea and admire the view of the old stone
church. Continuing along the coastal road, we make our way towards the
backwaters of Muhamma. Kerala is renowned for its backwaters; a network of
canals and lakes which we cruise on a traditional rice barge later on in the
trip. Tonight we stay in a backwater resort overlooking Vambanad Lake. The
veranda and the gardens are excellent spots for relaxing whilst backwater
life unfurls before you. Treatments such as Ayurvedic massages are offered
here.
*Comfortable Hotel*
Day 5
We continue along the coastal road towards Alleppey, another start point for
the backwaters trips. Our ride takes us through Kainakary Village, eventually
reaching Chennamkary, a traditional village in the Kuttanad backwater region
of Alleppey. We'll spend the evening here in a homestay, arriving in time for
lunch. The homestay is spread across a number of houses owned by different
families. Rooms are air-conditioned and come with their own bathroom. It's a
fantastic opportunity to experience warm Keralan hospitality. We'll enjoy a
cooking demonstration in the evening, followed by dinner.
*Homestay*
Day 6
A laid-back morning today. You can either relax at the homestay or go on an
optional short bike ride to explore the village. At midday, we board our
houseboat for a backwater cruise to Trikunnapuzha. These converted rice
barges consist of 2-berth cabins with en suite bathrooms, and are equipped
with their own cook. We stack our bikes on the side of the boat (we'll be
saddle free for the next 19 hours) whilst we watch the world slowly go by.
Vessels of all sizes use the network of canals and lakes, with smaller boats
ferrying passengers and goods between tiny hamlets perched on narrow spits of
land. On one side of the canal we can see vast paddy fields, and on the other
side are fishing nets and coconut trees. As the sun begins to set, the boats
are moored together and we gather on the deck for sundowners and dinner.
*Houseboat*
Day 7
Breakfast is taken on the houseboat before we disembark. We then enjoy a
cliff-top ride to the laid-back beach town of Varkala. We set off along a
quiet coastal road to the Valaazhikal ferry crossing, loading the bikes onto
a local fishing boat to cross the river estuary to Karunagapally, where we
meet our support vehicle and transfer to the beautiful beach town of Varkala.
We'll stop for lunch en route. We spend the next two nights at Varkala,
staying close to what is considered one of India's best beaches. With coffee
bars, shops and yoga schools perched along the red sandstone cliff-top, this
town is an excellent place to chill out.
*Standard Hotel*
Day 8
After breakfast, we enjoy a small morning ride to explore the surrounding
coastal areas. Returning to the hotel by lunch time, there is time to enjoy
the beachside location and perhaps try one of the beach shack restaurants,
which serve excellent seafood. We recommend trying some of the Tandoori
dishes - the clay ovens give a more authentic taste to the breads and
curries. Tonight there is the option to enjoy a final group dinner at the
hotel's restaurant, which serves a variety of Keralan dishes.
*Standard Hotel*
Day 9
Those on the group flight will be transferred to Trivandrum airport for their
flight back to London. For Land Only travellers, the trip ends after
check-out.
What's Included
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Meals
7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners.
* All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 2 dinners included
* All accommodation
* Transfer for group flights
* Local bike hire
What's Not Included
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Single supplement
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Visas and vaccinations
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Travel insurance
Accommodation
We spend five nights in hotels, one night on a houseboat and one night in a homestay (all en suite).
We use tourist-class hotels throughout the trip, all of which have swimming pools, while the village homestay brings a different flavour to the itinerary. The homestay is spread across several houses owned by different families. Here we experience warm Keralan hospitality, alongside a cooking demonstration and dinner with the hosts. Rooms are air conditioned and have a private bathroom. Please note, single rooms can be limited at the homestay.
Hotels in India usually do not have heating as there are really only a couple of months in the year when the weather can be cooler. You can, however, request more blankets or the hotel may be able to provide a standing heater for your room. Please talk to your tour leader if you need help in this matter.
Houseboats are converted rice barges consisting of two to five twin-bedded cabins with private bathrooms. The houseboat has a communal deck and dining area, although the style/layout can vary from boat to boat. There is a cook, driver and assistants for each boat and the food is traditional Keralan fare using local produce. Larger groups may be split over several boats; however, the group will come together for riverside stops and the overnight anchor point where your leader will be available.
Food
All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 2 dinners included.
Lunches on riding days are usually taken in local roadside cafes, allowing us
to sample typical south Indian dishes such as poori (deep fried bread served
with curry) and dosa (thin pancake made with fermented rice and lentil
batter). South Indian food is very much influenced by its tropical landscape;
creamy coconut dishes enlivened with delicate spices, served on a banana
leaf. It's also an ideal destination if you are a vegetarian. Tea and soft
drinks are very cheap, and there'll be plenty of tea stops so that you can
enjoy a cold can, a cup of chai or refreshing coconut water. A (large!)
bottle of beer is approximately £3 (approx. US$5) but please note that
alcohol is difficult to get hold of in Kerala as it is a dry state.
Generally you can eat out very cheaply in India. Where food is not included,
you should allow approx. £3-£4 (approx. US$4.80 - US$6.40) for lunch, and
£5-£6 (approx. US$8 - US$9.60) for dinner without drinks. This amount may
vary according to how much you drink.
Please note that service in restaurants can be quite slow. Drinking water is
provided in the support vehicle, where you can fill your bottle from the
containers.
Check out our Q&As
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Cancellation Policy
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