Cycle Kerala & Tropical India

Cycle Kerala & Tropical India

14 Days Starting in Mysore and ending in Varkala

Visiting: India

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

MIK

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 14

Physical rating:

Moderate & Challenging

Age range:

16-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Cycling

From: $3748 $3375 Operator discount: -$373

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Jump on the saddle to discover laidback southern India on this cycling group adventure. Accompanied by an expert tour leader and a support vehicle, we are on the saddle most days, riding from the cool Western Ghats to the quiet backwaters of Kerala. Expect some challenging rides – there are high fives all round at the top of the Ooty hairpins! – plus off-the-saddle adventures, including a traditional houseboat stay and a 4x4 safari in Bandipur National Park. We finish in Varkala, on the old hippie trail, for downtime at the beach.

Highlights

  • Discover idyllic southern India by bike, the most immersive way to experience the friendly people and incredible landscapes

  • Challenge yourself to climb the fabled hairpins of Ooty

  • Cruise the backwaters of Kerala on a traditional rice barge – a classic experience in South India!

  • Search for monkeys and elephants on a 4x4 safari in Bandipur National Park

  • Finish at the beach, relaxing in the old hippie trail town of Varkala

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Start Mysore

Meals Included: Lunch

The adventure begins in Mysore. After checking into our hotel, we have a short introductory briefing and time to relax (we may have to wait until around noon if rooms are not ready). We meet at lunchtime and have a short post-lunch walk around the markets. In the late afternoon, we have a bike briefing and fitting in the hotel courtyard. In the evening, we have a full trip briefing before an optional group dinner.



Accommodation: Hotel Pai Vista (or similar)



Hotel Sandesh The Prince will be used for the following 2024 departures, 06 October, 27 October & 20 December 2024 and all departures from 01 January 2025.

Day 2 : Ride To Srirangapatnam Ruins; Return To Mysore; Afternoon To Explore The City Including The Maharaja Palace

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

We start with a leisurely morning ride to Srirangapatna, the ruins of Tipu 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; once over the bridge, we cycle around the old ramparts, enter Tipu Sultan’s Mosque and the Ranganathaswamy Temple before riding back to Mysore for lunch.



For lunch, you get your first taste of thali, the southern Indian meal of rice and multiple small curries on a plate, or the typical south Indian masala dosa, a thin pancake made with fermented rice and lentil batter.



In the afternoon, we have a guided tour around Mysore Palace. Also known as the Amba Vilas Palace, it is the official residence of the Wodeyars, the former royal family of Mysore, which ruled the princely state of Mysore for more than seven centuries. The decor is stunning, if a little bit over the top, and the former maharaja is still in residence in his private quarters.



Accommodation: Hotel Pai Vista (or similar)



Hotel Sandesh The Prince will be used for the following 2024 departures, 06 October, 27 October & 20 December 2024 and all departures from 01 January 2025.

Day 3 : Cycle The Backroads Of Mysore Plateau To Chamarajanagar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We leave the hotel and cycle out of Mysore town up to Chamundi Hill to view the 16.5ft (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 also share the road with herds of white oxen and women in colourful saris carrying waterpots on their heads.



Our ride takes us through the backroads to a quaint little village where we stop to enjoy a picnic lunch. After a comfortable lunch, some rehydration and rest, we continue to Chamarajanagar. We should arrive at our hotel in Chamarajanagar by late afternoon to relax by the pool or enjoy a cold drink.



Accommodation: The King’s Resort & Spa (or similar)

Day 4 : Cycle On The Backroads To Bandipur National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we ride along the villages outside the forest areas to witness village life and continue along the backroads to the outskirts of Bandipur Sanctuary.



We should arrive at our hotel in Bandipur National Park in time for lunch. In the late afternoon, we take a 4×4 safari in the park to see lots of peacocks, spotted deer and monkeys, with the chance to see wild elephants, Indian bison, and, at certain times of the year, the elusive tiger.



Accommodation: Bandipur Safari Lodge (or similar)

Day 5 : Optional Ascent To Ooty; Free Afternoon To Explore

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today is the highlight of the trip for some, ascending 4,104ft (1,251m) to Ooty (Ootacamund), a resort town in the Nilgiri Hills and the former summer capital of the Raj.



After an early breakfast, we take local transportation to Kalhatty, a small village on the way up. Due to cycling restrictions to mitigate animal-human conflict, we start our ride just outside the forest area, from the 20th hairpin of the 36 bends. It’s a very steep ride up with stunning vistas at every turn; we have plenty of photo opportunities along the way, which double as rest stops. Reaching the top is a huge achievement and we should all take a moment or two to bathe in our success!



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.



Ooty is called the Queen of the Hill Stations and, although it is now a busy little town, there is lots to see and do. Originally occupied by the tribal Todas, the area came under the East India Company at the end of the 18th century. The British introduced tea, and the hillsides around Ooty are covered in tea gardens.



Arriving late morning, we take lunch in our hotel. The afternoon is free to explore town and sample the local cardamom tea. Both the Botanical Gardens and the Rose Gardens are a short walk from our hotel. In town, there are many shops selling locally grown tea and oils and homemade chocolate.



Accommodation: Fortune Resort Sullivan Court (or similar)

Day 6 : Western Ghats Descent Through Tea Plantations; Transfer To Guruvayoor In Tropical Kerala

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we have a stunning ride across the rolling Nilgiri Hills, the backdrop for many Bollywood movies, before starting the dramatic descent, dropping 6,560ft (2,000m) through the hills and tea-covered slopes of the Western Ghats. The ride offers fantastic views over the hills below and there are spectacular viewpoints. After 34mi (54km), we reach Gadalur, a typical Indian town with one long high street selling everything, with shop fronts covered in colourful adverts and cheap children’s toys. We have a tea break here before heading towards Kerala with the final 12.5mi (20km) descent through tropical rainforest and bamboo-covered slopes to our end point at a typical Keralan roadside restaurant.



The bikes are loaded as we enjoy lunch and then transfer (3hr 30min) to Guruvayoor to avoid busy roads. Please note that although the road is not very busy the road surface today is probably the worst of the trip. There are many potholes and the road surface is not even. Please take care and concentrate while cycling.



Arriving in Guruvayoor, we have time to relax before wandering into town to sample delicious Keralan street food and have an evening stroll outside the temple, which comes alive at night. It is one of the most important places of worship for Hindus in Kerala and the fourth-largest temple in India. The town is filled with devotees dressed in traditional Keralan costume, who come here in their thousands to offer rice, flowers and gold to Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.



Accommodation: Sopanam Heritage (or similar)

Day 7 : Ride Past Guruvayoor Temple; Continue To Cherai Beach

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today, we cycle by the Shree Krishna Temple. A little further is another religious centre, Palayur Church, one of the oldest churches in India and founded by Saint Thomas the Apostle, who landed in India in 52 CE.



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, crossing bridges, we cycle onto Vypin Island, arriving at Cherai Beach early afternoon. The rest of the day is free to enjoy this stunning location and swim in the Indian Ocean. Cherai is known for mouth-watering fresh seafood, so for dinner, you could try jhinga kachcia aam kari, a speciality dish from Kerala made with green mango and prawns simmered in coconut milk and spices.



Accommodation: Sea Lagoon Health Resort (or similar)

Day 8 : Cycle Along Coastal Roads Lined With Coconut Palms; Ferry To Fort Kochi

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

We set off from our beach location towards the port city of Kochi (formerly Cochin), cycling south and passing through small fishing communities where colourful boats are hauled up along the sands. Turning inland, we see grand houses built with the remittance money from the Gulf States workforce, plus older houses constructed during the British colonial period. Please note, the traffic levels are high for the last 5mi (8km) as we arrive at the main road to board the ferry to the Fort Kochi neighbourhood. This has a unique place in Indian history, and to soak up the atmosphere we spend the next two nights here. After hotel check-in, we wander down to one of the restaurants in the old harbour area for lunch. Those wishing to visit the Indo-Portuguese Museum should do so today, as it is closed on Mondays.



Accommodation: The Dutch Bungalow (or similar)

Day 9 : Free Day In Kochi To Explore The Bazaars And The Old Harbour

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today is a free day to explore Kochi with its bazaars and old harbour area. The Portuguese established a base here, followed by the Dutch, who were forced to hand it over to the British in 1841. A potpourri of Indian and international communities, it is now the bustling commercial capital of Kerala and consists of several islands connected by ferries. Most of the major sights are close by in the neighbouring areas of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. Warehouses that 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.



St Francis Church is close to the hotel. Built by the Portuguese in 1503, it is the burial place of explorer Vasco da Gama and his tomb is inside the church. Further along, you come to Mattancherry and the Dutch Palace. 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 Jewtown and the Paradesi Synagogue. Built in 1568 for the Jewish members of the Kochi 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, Jew Street, is a heritage zone with many antique and handicraft shops and is excellent for shopping.



For a culinary experience, try the fish market near the Chinese fishing nets, where you can buy the day’s catch and have it cooked to your taste. There are also plenty of shopping opportunities here.



Accommodation: The Dutch Bungalow (or similar)

Day 10 : Cycle Past Old Portuguese Houses; Continue To Muhamma

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Riding from Fort Kochi, we pass 500-year-old Portuguese villas, a striking contrast to the tiny fisherman huts dotted along the beach road. Many of these fishing villages are Christian; at the coastal town of Arthunkal, the old stone church dominates the surroundings and is best viewed from the shade of a coconut tree while we have a tea break.



Continuing along the coast road, we head to Muhamma, the start point for backwater trips, and spend the night in a lakeside resort. The tranquil gardens are as relaxing as the Ayurvedic massage and treatments on offer to guests. In the afternoon and early evening, relax on the veranda as backwater life unfurls before you.



Accommodation: Deshadan Backwater Resort (or similar)

Day 11 : Explore Muhamma Town Before Backwater Boat Trip; Overnight On Keralan Houseboat

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a lie-in, enjoy an optional 13.5mi (22km) bike ride to explore the village or relax. Around midday, we board a backwater houseboat for an unforgettable trip to Trikunnapuzha. These converted rice barges have two-berth cabins 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 pass.



Vessels of all sizes use the lakes and canals that make up this fascinating network of waterways. On one side of the canal, vast paddy fields of iridescent green stretch as far as the eye can see; on the other are fishing nets and coconut trees. As the sun begins to set, the boats are moored together and we gather on deck for sundowners.



Accommodation: Overnight houseboat

Day 12 : Ride To Laidback Varkala

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

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, passing by Amrithanadamayi Ashram, better known as the Hugging Mama Ashram, a spiritual retreat overlooking the backwaters.



We then join the main road to Quillon and have lunch at a seaside guesthouse: the fish is bought fresh from the market and cooked in mild spice and served with poratta, a favourite Keralan bread. After lunch, we are back on quiet roads for the last 18.5mi (30km) to Varkala, a small laid-back community with coffee bars and yoga schools perched along the clifftop. We spend the next two nights here.



Accommodation: Sajjoys Hotel (or similar)

Day 13 : Free To Relax On The Beach And Try Delicious Seafood

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today is free to relax and enjoy the beachside location. There are several beach shack restaurants for lunch, serving excellent seafood. Try the tandoori dishes, the clay ovens give a more authentic taste to breads and curries. The last night’s meal is generally at the hotel with a fusion of all your favourite Keralan dishes.



Accommodation: Sajjoys Hotel (or similar)

Day 14 : End Varkala

Meals Included: Breakfast

The adventure comes to an end today. Those catching the group transfer to the airport will have a very early departure this morning. For everyone else, the trip ends after breakfast.



If you’d like a little longer to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

What's Included

  • All breakfasts, 10 lunches and four dinners

  • All accommodation

  • Monument entrance fees as per itinerary

  • One jeep safari

  • Local bike hire

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Visas and vaccinations

  • Single supplement

  • E-bike hire

Food

All breakfasts, 10 lunches and four dinners are included.



Lunches on riding days are usually taken in 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 heavily influenced by the tropical landscape; creamy coconut dishes enlivened with delicate spices, served on a banana leaf. It’s also an ideal destination if you are vegetarian. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap but a (large) bottle of beer is approximately 410 rupees (US$5). Please note, due to Kerala state laws, alcohol licenses are limited to one or two bars in each area and not all hotels are permitted to serve alcohol. The first day of every month and certain holidays in India are dry days, when no alcohol is permitted for sale.



Generally, you can eat out very cheaply in India. Where food is not included, you should allow at least 1,650 rupees (approximately US$20) per day for lunch and dinner.



Please note, service in restaurants can be quite slow.



Drinking water is provided in the support vehicle, where you can fill your bottle from the containers.

Accommodation

The accommodation on this trip includes 11 nights in hotels, one night in a safari lodge and one night on a houseboat. The accommodations typically used are found on the day-to-day itinerary. However, below are a few of the places we stay on this trip.



Bandipur: Bandipur Safari Lodge (night 4)







With an enviable position close to the national park entrance, Bandipur Safari Lodge is ideally placed for our adventures. We can be one of the first groups to take a game drive in the park, beating some of the crowds. The accommodation itself includes 22 rooms, a multi-cuisine restaurant and campfire setting.



Ooty: Fortune Resort Sullivan Court (night 5)







Named for John Sullivan, who founded Ooty in 1821, this 67-room resort has a scenic spot in the Nilgiri Hills. Food and drink options include the multi-cuisine Pavilion Restaurant and Selbourne’s Bar, where you can gather with the group over a wine, beer or mocktail. It’s also well located, close to the Botanical Gardens and Rose Gardens.



Trikunnapuzha: Traditional houseboat (night 11)







No trip to Kerala is complete without a houseboat stay. Typically, the boats are converted barges (known locally as kettuvallam), once used to transport rice from farm to market. They are comfortable and unique. All cabins have private bathrooms and the staff will keep you well fed. The houseboats have a deck and dining area, although the style/layout varies between boats. There is a cook, driver and assistants for each boat and the food is traditional Keralan fare using local produce. Houseboats have two to five twin-bedded rooms. Larger groups may be split over several boats; however, the group reunites at riverside stops and the overnight anchor point where your leader will be available.



Worth knowing



Hotels in India usually do not have heating as there are only a couple of months when the weather can get cooler. You can request more blankets or the hotel may be able to provide a standing heater for your room. Please ask your tour leader if you need help in this matter.

Hotel Sandesh The Prince will be used as the start hotel for the following 2024 departures, 06 October, 27 October & 20 December 2024 and all departures from 01 January 2025.

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Check out our Q&As

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    International flights are not included with this tour.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes, our local guides are English speaking.

  • 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.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Simply sensational

My husband and I had an amazing time on this cycling trip. From the start in Mysorevisiting stunning temples and cycling through manic traffic to the backwaters of Kerala and the tranquil pace to the national parks and tiger and elephant sightings it was a wonderful experience. Safi and his team were first class guides - there to help in every way they could and to enhance each experience and always with a smile on their faces. Nothing was too much trouble and the added extra of being impromptu guests at an Indian wedding was an experience we’ll never forget. The cycling was accessible to us as occasional cyclists and sometimes challenging. Climbing the hill to Ooty was certainly physically demanding but we had plenty of time and support on route and the midway tea point provided some much needed respite. The roads are, as described in the trip notes, mostly good but with some rough patches but taking our time we all navigated these without too much difficulty. It’s hard to pick out the top highlights because there were so many varied and different experiences but for us the night on the houseboat (where we all dressed in traditional outfits) and seeing a tiger at close range were two. The food was also exquisite. However, it’ll be the smiles of everybody we met and the hospitality of people who couldn’t do enough for us that we’ll remember. We can’t recommend this trip highly enough,

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

An absolutely classic trip.  If you only do one cycle trip then this should be the one.  The cycling is fantastic with very relaxed quiet roads (mostly), the scenery is stunning, and the food excellent. Add to this the lack of transfers, the houseboat experience and the variation in terrain and it has everything you could ask for.

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

A great 'holiday'! Although some would argue that a holiday is lying on a beach!!

Fantastic sycling in Kerala

Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic. I kept saying this at least three times a day during the trip. The landscape, all the friendly people along the route who cheered at us and the consept of sycling through Keralas wonderful environments.

Great trip , recommended - 9th cycling trip

I've done 9 cycling trips to date (not all Exodus), and this definitely rates as one of the best. I took my girlfriend (her first cycling holiday), and it was a good introduction for her to this format of holiday I believe its organised by the same person that does the 'Back Roads of Sri Lanka' trip (done 2 years ago), maps you get everyday are certainly exactly the same format The distances cycled on busy roads is very limited , so no-one had an issue in that regard. Some of us found the busy roads quite exciting, speeds are generally slow, so risk of injury is actually very low

Cycle Kerala & Tropical India - Oct 2022

Great trip, well organised, lovey tasty food and very friendly staff and locals. Bike were appropriate to the trip and mostly trouble free. Houseboat stay was a wonderfully peaceful and restful period after busy actioned packed first week. Weather was better than forecast, not too hot for cycling and only used rain jacket one day.

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

A really enjoyable holiday that exceeded expectations. This trip goes to places where there are few western tourists and you feel you are getting to know the real India - combined with great weather and fantastic food.

Cycle Kerala and Tropical India

A great trip - with huge diversity of experience and atmosphere My first time in India, and Kerala was probably the right place to start Good cycling, paced by time in Kochi city/time on the backwaters/a brief time on the beach

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

This was a fantatic trip to suit people who enjoy cuture, cycling and great food. Guides were great and support excellent. There are not too many transfers so great continuity.Loved it. 

KERALA & TROPICAL INDIA

Cycling on varied terrain across some quite different parts of India, from cool hills and eucalyptus forests, to tea plantations, bamboo and coconut palms as well as National Parks. Accommodation excellent (on the premium trip) and the staff incredibly helpful and caring. Sometimes the traffic was a little much, but I just got in the bus!

Read all 105 reviews

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  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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