Kerala Bicycle Tour

We will pick up from the airport or your hotel to take you to Thattekad. This will be about 50km drive to avoid the highway and ensuing traffic. We will begin the cycling tour, the moment we hit the village road. This trip will be for about 50km alongside a narrow canal. You’ll reach Thattekad around 3 PM. However, before that, we will halt for lunch. We would like the point out once we depart Kochi until we reach Thattekad, a backup vehicle will accompany the group. So, if anyone doesn’t want to ride, they can continue the trip in this vehicle. Your actual Kerala cycling tour begins as you arrive at Thattekkad, a scenic forest area set along the banks of the Periyar River. After checking into the eco-friendly Hornbill Camp, get acquainted with your bicycles and embark on a short acclimatization ride into the surrounding forests. You’ll cycle along mountain trails, getting a first glimpse of Kerala's wildlife-rich landscapes.
Note :If you've just landed at Kochi airport and would prefer to rest first, we can skip the cycle ride and drive directly to Thattekad from the airport. Since this is your private tour, we will plan everything according to your preferences.

Hotel: Birds Murmur Camp / Amritara Luxury Camp or similar

Riding Along the Periyar to the Western Ghats
Get ready for a thrilling day as we ascend from 300 feet to over 3,600 feet. As we follow the Periyar River, you’ll pass through serene spice and pineapple plantations, picturesque villages, and forests. The road narrows as we climb higher, offering stunning views of lakes, rivers, and Kerala’s wilderness. The day ends in a beautifully restored Cardamom Estate Bungalow, where you’ll experience the charm of Kerala’s traditional architecture. The following day, after breakfast, we will continue our ascent towards Munnar, one of Kerala’s most famous hill stations. Known for its rolling hills, tea estates, and misty weather, Munnar’s charm is hard to resist. We’ll explore the town’s scenic beauty, cycle through the winding tea plantations, visit local estates, and interact with the indigenous Muduvan tribes. For cyclists, Munnar can offer some of the finest and thrilling biking trails in South India. Munnar winds its way through the Shola forests, cardamom estates and tea gardens, some routes that truly fascinates amateur as well as the enthusiastic cyclists. If off road cycling excites you, the Thattekad – Munnar cycling track is perfect for you. The itinerary has been designed to give riders a ringside view of the beautiful countryside, the indigenous tribals and the tea estate workers who work these tea gardens.

Hotel: The Leaf, Munnar or similar

Discovering Munnar - The Hill Country
The seemingly gentle ride takes the riders through Munnar known for its pristine tea estates, cool breeze and breath-taking views. Munnar is the main attraction for the people traveling Kerala. It is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams – Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, is perched about 1600 m above sea level and used to be the summer resort of the erstwhile British administration in South India. After breakfast, we will cycle through Munnar town and the tea gardens. The total distance will be approximately 50 km. Get ready for an exciting, high-altitude mountain cycling adventure around Munnar. This ride will offer a remarkable experience as you cruise along quiet back roads through astonishing mountain slopes and lush jungle scenery. Enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of Munnar as you cycle through the area and let the thrill of the ride take over.

Hotel: The Leaf or similar

Cycle through Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
An early start takes us through Chinnar’s dry deciduous forests, home to India’s only sandalwood forest. As you pedal through this protected area, you may spot some of the sanctuary’s free-roaming wildlife like elephants, deer, and even leopards. Crossing into Tamil Nadu, we cycle through quaint temple towns and farmlands before arriving at a farm bungalow nestled among coconut and vanilla plantations. We will be spending the night in Pollachi. This quaint town is nestled between the plains of Coimbatore and the Annamali Hills. The town is home to the Subramanyar Temple. It is also known to have one of the biggest jaggery markets in Asia. The following day, we will spend exploring nearby villages and cycling around the periphery of the Indira Gandhi National Park.

Hotel: Great Mount Coco Lagoon or similar

Conquering the Hairpin Bends
As we leave behind Pollachi, we begin a new challenge in our Kerala cycling tour. We will be taking on 24-hairpin bends that lead to Valparai. The winding roads offer not only adrenaline-pumping excitement but also sweeping views of tea plantations and forests. Valparai is known for its biodiversity, including the endangered Lion-tailed Macaque, which you may spot in the surrounding rainforests. Relax at a luxury tea estate bungalow and enjoy the tranquility of this unique location.

Hotel: Briar Tea Bungalows or similar

Athirappally - The Land of Waterfalls
We descend from the highlands of Valparai through the Sholayar Forest, cycling past pristine lakes and rivers, until we reach Kerala’s most famous waterfall - Athirappally. Known as the “Niagara of India,” Athirappally’s cascading waters create a truly breathtaking sight. We will conclude our cycling here and will transfer to Kochi in a vehicle to avoid the highway and traffic. Once we arrive in Kochi, if we have time in the evening, we will visit the local fish market and check out the amazing Chinese fishing nets used by the local fisherfolks. We will be staying overnight at Fort Kochi, in a heritage bungalow.

Hotel: Abad Dutch Bungalow / Hotel Arches or similar

A Historic Finale to the Kerala Cycling Tour
On the final day of your Kerala cycling holiday, in case you were unable to explore Kochi the previous evening, we will take you around before dropping you off to the airport, hotel, or railway station. The trip concludes with a visit to the historic Fort Kochi, where you’ll explore the colonial architecture, vibrant local markets, and heritage hotels. This marks the end of your memorable cycling journey across Kerala.