Backroads of Kerala
Tour code: CKB Tour style: Classic Explore Tour comfort: Standard Cycle grade: Easy
DURATION DAYS 14
TOUR
£1225 £1836
TOUR ONLY FLIGHT INCLUSIVE
D14 D15
AYS AYS
KOCHI
Sunset cruise
THEKKADY Idukki
Reservoir
VANILLA COUNTY ESTATE
MANCOMBU
Village houses Alleppey
INDIA
Cruise backwaters Canoe trip
VARKALA KOLLAM
INDIAN OCEAN
Trivandrum Veli
KOVALAM 0 km 40 km Backroads of Kerala CKB
Accommodation Vanilla County Homestay
An easy grade route through the varied landscapes of Kerala, in India’s deep south.
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.
14 day tour itinerary
Day 1 Join tour Kovalam. Days 2/3 Coastal riding Follow a canopy of coconut trees north along the Indian Ocean coastline. Stop at beaches and fi shing villages on the way to Varkala and Kollam. Days 4/5 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 6/7 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 8/9 Periyar
54
National Park Take an early morning nature walk searching for elephants, deer and the myriad of birdlife. Days 10/11 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 12/13 Kovalam Enjoy free time on the beach, take an optional cycle ride or try an Indian cookery lesson. Day 14 Tour ends Kovalam.
Please go online for our full detailed tour notes.
Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13
Optional Rides
On this tour we spend two nights in the company of Baby Matthew and his wife Rani at their homestay close to the Meenachil River in Vagamon. As well as enjoying delicious homecooked food we can spend time exploring the tea plantation and spice gardens, taking nature walks and bird watching or swimming in natural rock pools to cool off.
DAILY DISTANCES
40km 36km 14km 45km 31km 10km 26km
25km 7km 13km 30km
CARDAMOM HILLS
Tour essentials
Accommodation: 9 nights hotels, 4 nights homestay. Meals: 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners are included. Tour staff: Explore Tour Leader, mechanic, driver(s) and local guides. Included Bike: We provide 21 gear Trek 4300 mountain bikes with front suspension – see tour notes for details. Route and Terrain: On this tour we cycle 222 km in nine days (an average of 24 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. Planned tour dates
2013 Tour only dates 14 Jan - 27 Jan 28 Jan - 10 Feb 11 Feb - 24 Feb 25 Feb - 10 Mar 11 Mar - 24 Mar 01 Apr - 14 Apr 21 Oct - 03 Nov 04 Nov - 17 Nov 18 Nov - 01 Dec 16 Dec - 29 Dec 23 Dec - 05 Jan
2014 Tour only dates 06 Jan - 19 Jan 20 Jan - 02 Feb 03 Feb - 16 Feb 17 Feb - 02 Mar 03 Mar - 16 Mar 17 Mar - 30 Mar
Flexible fl ight options We have a range of fl exible fl ight options available, please call our sales team for more details.
Single rooms are available from £320 For more information and to book, go online at
www.explore.co.uk
Tea & spice plantations
Asia - India
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