Exodus Cycle Kerala & Tropical India

• All breakfasts, 10 lunches and 4 dinners included
• All accommodation
• Transfer for group flights
• Local bike hire

• Cycle through striking countryside with tea plantations
• Discover Hindu temples and Christian churches
• Cruise the Keralan backwaters on a traditional houseboat

Day 1: Depart London

Flights usually depart London in the morning.

Day 2: Start Mysore

After checking into our hotel there will be a short introductory briefing and time to relax (we may have to wait until around noon if rooms are not ready). We will meet at lunchtime and after lunch will have a short walk around the local markets.

Day 3: Ride to Srirangapatnam ruins

We start with a leisurely morning ride to Srirangapatna, the ruins of Tippu Sultan’s capital which were destroyed by the British in 1799 during their final battle to secure control of southern India. The fortress stands on an island in the middle of the Cauvery River, and once over the bridge we cycle around the old ramparts, enter Tippu Sultans Mosque and the Ranganathaswamy Temple before riding back to Mysore for lunch.

Day 4: Cycle on the back roads of Mysore Plateau

We leave the hotel and cycle out of Mysore town up to Chamundi Hill to view the huge 5m rock carving of Nandi, Shiva’s celestial Bull. There are also good views over the whole of Mysore. We then cycle back down the hill and continue along the quiet backroads, along with the children riding a bike or bus to school. We then drive for an hour along a busy road leaving the plains for the forested foothills of the Western Ghats – once the hunting preserve of Mysore’s Maharajas, staying close to Bandipur National Park. We should arrive at our hotel in the Bandipur National Park in time for lunch, but if not we will have something en-route. In the late afternoon we take a jeep safari in the park.

Day 5: Ride to Mudumalai N.P; explore ‘Wild Haven’

After breakfast we go for a short circular ride along the villages outside the forest areas to witness the local farming village life. This ride is followed by a tea break before we transfer by jeep to our resort. The afternoon is free to  relax at our resort.

Day 6: Optional ascent to Ooty hill station

For some, today is the highlight of the trip, ascending 1251m to Ooty (Ootacamund), an Indian hill station and the former summer capital of the Raj. It’s a very steep ride up 36 hairpin bends with stunning vistas at every turn, and there’s an immense sense of achievement at the summit. Although steep, there are plenty of photographic opportunities that provide a resting spot. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxed morning and journey up the hill in the support vehicle. After tea and cake at the top we have an undulating ride into Ooty. Set at an altitude of 2177m, the cool climate of the Nilgiri Hills gives us a break from the hotter plains below.

Day 7: Tea Plantations

After breakfast we have a stunning ride across the rolling Nilgiri Hills, the backdrop for many Bollywood movies, before starting the dramatic descent, dropping 2000m through the hills and tea-covered slopes of the Western Ghats. The ride offers fantastic views over the hills below and there are some viewpoints that should not be missed. 54km later we reach Gadalur, a typical Indian town with one long high street selling everything, its shop-fronts covered with colourful adverts and cheap children’s toys. Here we have a tea break before heading towards Kerala with the final 20km descent through tropical rain forest and bamboo covered slopes to our end point at a typical Keralan roadside restaurant.

Day 8: Morning ride to Guruvayoor Temple

Today we cycle by the Shree Krishna Temple. A few kilometres further is another religious centre, Palayur Church, which is one of the oldest churches in India and founded by the apostle St Thomas, who landed in India in AD 52. From here we head towards the coast, cycling along country roads lined with mango and coconut trees. There are plenty of photo opportunities as we observe traditional life. Later, we board a ferry to Vypin Island, arriving at Cherai Beach early afternoon.

Day 9: Cycle along coastal roads lined with coconut palms; ferry to Fort Cochin

We set off from our beach location towards the coast to Cochin, cycling south and passing through small fishing communities with their colourful boats hauled up along the sands. Turning inland, we see grand houses built with the remittance money from the Gulf States workforce, as well as older houses constructed during the British colonial period.

Day 10: Free day in Cochin

Today is a free day to explore the town of Cochin (Kochi) with its bazaars and old harbour area.

Day 11: Continue to Vambanad Lake and Muhamma

Riding out from Fort Cochin we pass 500 year old Portuguese villas, a striking contrast to the tiny fisherman’s huts dotted along the beach road with their long wooden boats pulled up under the palm trees and nets hung out to dry. Many of these fishing villages are Christian; at Arthungal the old stone church dominates its surroundings and is best viewed from the shade of a coconut tree whilst we have a tea break. Continuing along the coast road we head to Muhamma, famous as the start point for backwater trips.

Day 12: Explore Muhamma town

After a lie-in you can enjoy an optional 22km bike ride to explore the village, or alternatively, you can relax for the morning. Around midday we board a fabulous backwater houseboat for an unforgettable trip to Trikunnapuzha. These converted rice barges have 2-berth cabins with en-suite bathrooms and come with their own cook. With our bikes stacked on the side of the boat you won’t see the saddle for another 19 hours, so just relax and watch the world go by.

Day 13: Cliff-top ride to laid-back Varkala

We have breakfast on the houseboats as they move from their overnight mooring point to our disembarkation point. Here we meet the support vehicle and set off along a quiet coastal road to the Valaazhikal ferry crossing. We load the bikes on a local fishing boat to cross the river estuary and pass by Amrithanadamayi Ashram, better known as the Hugging Mama Ashram, a spiritual retreat overlooking the backwaters

Day 14: Free beach time

Today is a full free day to relax and enjoy the beachside location. There are a number of beach shack restaurants for lunch which serve excellent seafood. Try some of the Tandoori dishes – the clay ovens give a more authentic taste to breads and curries.

Day 15: End Varkala

Those on the flight inclusive package will be transferred to Trivandrum airport early in the morning for the daytime flight back to London.

9 nights hotels, 3 nights lodges and 1 night houseboat, all have ensuite rooms. Most hotels are of a comfortable standard with 4-star facilities. The bungalows at Wild Haven are clean but more basic.

Houseboats are comfortable and all cabins have ensuite facilities, the majority of cabins on board are on a twin share basis.

Moderate/challenging
You’ll need to be in good health and reasonably fit.

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.