MAlABAr coASt AnD the WeStern GhAtS
Combining the port of Cochin with the tranquil backwaters of Allepey this tour offers a chance to see the huge variety that ‘God’s Own Country’ has to offer. Leaving the coast we explore the rolling tea plantations and valleys around Munnar before making our way through villages and along quiet backroads to the waterways, and our chance to experience a traditional Keralan houseboat.
ITINERARY
Days 1/2 Overnight flight to Cochin. Day 3 Fort Cochin Full day exploring the city and getting to know our bikes. Day 4 Bird Sanctuary Cycle to Thattekkad. Days 5/6 Munnar Passing through tea plantations make our way to Munnar. Explore the villages of this hill town by bike. Days 7/8 Djohordje Pass Continue through tea country and spice plantations to Cheruthoni. Days 9/10 Markets Cycle to Erratupeta, on the confluence of two rivers and a lively market town. Days 11/12 Houseboats Moving in to the backwaters board our traditional houseboat we for a night. Day 13 Cochin Return to Cochin, watch the fishing nets at sunset. Day 14 Fly to London.
Malabar Coast and the Western Ghats Ref CIK
Cochin boat trip
Cochin Airport Fort
Bird Sanctuary Kolenchery COCHIN
THATTEKKAD Tea Plantations NEDUMKANDAM
KULAMAVU
HOUSEBOAT Backwaters Cruise
KOTAYAM ALLEPPEY Reservoir ERRATUPETTA
KERALA INDIA
INDIA km 050 COCHIN
Bay of Bengal
01000km
TOUR ONLY – 13 DAYS Tour price without flights from £949
For detailed information visit or call our experts on 0844 875 1894
The Malabar Coast and the Western Ghats tour runs in the following months:
Jan
May Sep
Feb
Jun Oct
Mar
Jul Nov
Apr Aug Dec
For full details of the dates and prices visit
explore.co.uk/tours/cik
Backroads of Kerala Ref CKB
KOCHI Sunset cruise
Alleppey
MANCOMBU Village houses
Cruise backwaters Canoe trip
KOLLAM VARKALA
INDIAN OCEAN
Veli Trivandrum KOVALAM km
www.explore.co.uk/tours/cik 0120 35 THEKKADY VANILLA
COUNTY ESTATE Tea & spice plantations
INDIA Idukki TOUR DATES
Anamudi 2695m
MUNNAR Poopara DETAILS
Cycle grade STRENUOUS Comfort
Accommodation and Meals: 9 nights hotels, 2 nights camping, 1 night houseboat. 13 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 1 dinner are included.
Included Bike: We provide 21 gear Trek 4300 mountain bikes with front suspension – see trip notes for details
Route and Terrain: On this tour we cycle 456 km over eleven days (an average of 41 km per day). We follow quiet backroads with some sections on larger main roads. The terrain is undulating with some steep climbs and descents through Munnar and Cheredony. A support vehicle is available throughout the tour. We have graded the route as strenuous.
Group Size: Generally 10 to 16.
inclusive from
£1659 14 DAYS
A strenuous graded cycling holiday exploring Kerala’s coast, backwaters and highlands.
Ref: CIK
flight
BAckroADS of kerAlA
On this cycling tour of southern India we travel into Kerala’s rural backwaters. We ride inland through a landscape of spice, tea and rubber plantations. We also travel along the waterways in wooden canoes, walk through Periyar National Park in search of wildlife and relax on Indian Ocean beaches. Staying in family houses we also enjoy warm Keralan hospitality.
ITINERARY
Days 1/2 Overnight flight to Trivandrum. Drive to Kovalam. Days 3/4 Coastal riding Follow a canopy of coconut trees north along the Indian Ocean coastline. Stop at beaches and fishing villages on the way to Varkala and Kollam. Days 5/6 Backwaters Stay in family homes in the rural countryside. Glide through the waterways on small boats, exploring the riverside villages. Take a sunset cruise in Anjili wooden canoes. Days 7/8 Plantation country Cycle inland to the Vanilla County Estate: a landscape of tea gardens and plantations of spice and rubber. Cycle to Poonjar Palace. Days 9/10 Periyar National Park Take an early morning nature walk searching for elephants, deer and the myriad of birdlife. Days 11/12 Kochi Cycle around the colonial Portuguese Fort, visiting Dutch palaces, churches and synagogues. Take a sunset boat cruise. There is also the chance to see traditional Kathakali dancing. Days 13/14 Kovalam Enjoy free time on the beach, take an optional cycle ride or try an Indian cookery lesson. Day 15 Fly to the UK.
inclusive from
£1813 15 DAYS
An easy grade route through the varied
landscapes of Kerala, in India's deep south
DETAILS
Cycle grade EASY Comfort
Accommodation and Meals: 9 nights hotels, 2 nights bungalow, 2 nights village houses. 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners are included.
Included Bike: We provide 21 gear Trek 4300 mountain bikes with front suspension – see trip notes for details.
Route and Terrain: On this tour we cycle 240 km in nine days (an average of 26 km a day), with additional rides available. Cycling will be on back roads and gravel paths. We have graded the route as easy.
Group Size: Generally 10 to 16. TOUR DATES
The Backroads of Kerala tour runs in the following months:
Jan
May Sep
Feb
Jun Oct
Mar
Jul Nov
Apr Aug Dec
For full details of the dates and prices visit
explore.co.uk/tours/ckb
TOUR ONLY – 14 DAYS Tour price without flights from £1120
For detailed information visit
www.explore.co.uk/tours/ckb
Ref: CKB
flight
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Laccadiv e Sea
Arabian Sea
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