Exotic Kerala

Day 1: Kochi
Day 2: Kochi - Thattekkad, 37 mi. (60 km)
Day 3: Thattekkad - Muthuvaankudi, 37 mi. (59 km)
Day 4: Muthuvaankudi
Day 5: Muthuvaankudi - Munnar, 18 mi. (29 km)
Day 6: Munnar - Periyar, 44 mi. (70 km)
Day 7: Periyar
Day 8: Periyar - Kulamavu, 50 mi. (80 km)
Day 9: Kulamavu
Day 10: Kulamavu - Kumarakom, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 11: Kumarakom - Alleppey, 19 mi. (30 km)
Day 12: Alleppey
Day 13: Allepey - Marari, 19 mi. (30 km)
Day 14: Marari

*All distances are approximate and subject to change due to changing weather conditions, lock repairs, or other unforeseen circumstances. The captain and crew reserve the right to make changes at any time with safety as the top priority.

Day 1: Kochi
Your exotic cycling adventure begins with your arrival to the historic city of Fort Kochi. After checking in, you have the remainder of the day to see this historic city with its ancient churches, synagogue, and museums at your leisure. One highlight is the Chinese Fishing Nets at the harbor. Said to have been introduced by traders from the court of Kublai Khan, these cantilevered nets, set up on teak and bamboo poles, are physical remnants of Fort Kochi's ancient trade with the Far East. Fishermen work the nets all day long, lowering them into the water and then hauling them up using a remarkably efficient pulley system. Tonight you will overnight either in the Brunton Boatyard or Dutch Bungalow, depending on the level of accommodations you choose. In the evening, you will enjoy a classical dance performance of Kathakali, a guided city tour, and a harbor cruise. 

Accommodation:
Luxury: Brunton Boatyard
Standard: Dutch Bungalow

Activities: Guided city tour & harbor cruise with dinner

Day 2: Kochi - Thattekkad, 37 mi. (60 km)
Early in the morning, you will make your way to the lowland forests of Thattekkad, set on the banks of the Periyar River. The journey will take you through the spice gardens that have made Kerala famous all over the globe. On arrival, you will be staying at the luxury tented Hornbill Camp, set amidst a coconut grove on the banks of the Periyar river. The camp consists of cottage tents built on raised platforms and overlooks the lowland forests of the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Thattekkad. The tents are spacious with rustic luxury as well as modern living standards. This jungle camp is the perfect setting for an evening of relaxation as you listen to the sounds of the forest.
(B, L, D)

Accommodation:
Luxury and Standard: Hornbill Camp

Day 3: Thattekkad - Muthuvaankudi, 37 mi. (59 km)
Today, after breakfast, you will set off again, along the banks of  Periyar River, through the dense low altitude forests of Neriyamanagalam. These are the forests where the reed is extracted for the manufacture of traditional household items such as baskets and mats. The view is filled with forests of redwood trees and mountain peaks. Towards the end, it’s time to challenge yourself as the roads get much steeper.
Cycle through different settlements to reach your stay at Muthuvaankudi, bringing you some well-deserved rest after the day’s uphill cycling. (B, L, D)

Accommodation:
Luxury: Kites Munnar
Standard: Eco Tones

Day 4: Muthuvaankudi, 37 mi. (59 km)
You can explore the village more in-depth as it has many stories to tell; culture, tradition, and the cultivation of spices. You can spot many varieties of birds and fruit trees. Use this opportunity to learn tips from the local people while they prepare food in their traditional methods. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: 
Luxury: Kites Munnar
Standard: Eco Tones

Day 5: Muthuvaankudi - Munnar, 18 mi. (29 km)
Today is a day of climbing to the heights at Munnar, famous for its exotic flora and fauna, at over 1600 meters. You will pass through high-altitude forests, manicured tea gardens, cardamom plantations, and winding roads to a family-owned resort within a cardamom forest.  Munnar is famed for its trekking routes or you can go on a cycling trip through the wonderfully laid tea gardens in absolute serenity through the quiet country roads. There are opportunities to sight wild animals, especially Nilgiri tahr (mountain goat), elephant, bison, and more. A highlight will be a visit to the Tea Museum. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: 
Luxury and Standard: Tea County
Activities: Team Museum visit

Day 6: Munnar - Periyar, 44 mi. (70 km)
Today is a challenging day as you continue biking around the beautiful Anaerangal Lake (literally meaning the 'lake where the elephants come down') and through 'manicured' tea estates to the day's destination, the world-famed Periyar Tiger Reserve, Periyar is one of the 27 tiger reserves in India. It is a repository of rare, endemic, and endangered flora and fauna. For luxury accommodations, you will overnight in Spice Village, a resort located in the hilly tea and spice growing region of Thekkady and it is a couple of minutes from the entrance gate of the Raft at the Periyar Lake. The resort is constructed like a tribal village and has several varieties of spices and fruits growing on its sprawling grounds. Its location, within minutes away from the entrance gate of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, makes it the perfect gateway to exploring the area.  (B, L, D)

Accommodation: 
Luxury: Spice Village
Standard: Forest Canopy

Day 7: Periyar
You will have a couple of options this day, either a wildlife safari or a visit to a tribal village and spice plantations at Periyar. You choose!  (B, L, D)

Accommodation: 
Luxury: Spice Village
Standard: Forest Canopy

Day 8: Periyar - Kulamavu, 50 mi. (80 km)
Another long day is ahead of you but perhaps the best day of the trip. It is the most challenging day of the week with many ups and downs but the view is magnificent and you are surrounded by spice plantations. You will pass the famous arch dam of Idukki on the way and just before you reach the destination for the night, Lulamavu, You will cross the beautiful Kulamavu dam. The last bit is a tough climb and a worthwhile challenge to the Greenberg Resort, your accommodations for the next two nights. Kulamavu is located in the Western Ghats,  a green paradise with hills, meadows, lush green trees, and beautiful lakes. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: 
Luxury and Standard: Greenberg

Day 9: Kulamavu
You have a free day at the resort to explore Kulamavu.  (B, L, D)

Accommodation:  Green Berg

Day 10: Kulamavu - Kumarakom, 34 mi. (55 km)
What a treat is in store for you today! Your destination leads to the famed backwater town of Kumarakom. The ride through the plains passes through settlements of rubber plantations, farmlands, fruit yards, and market places. In the afternoon you will be ready for the highlight of the tour, a cruise, and overnight on one of the world-renowned rice boats, a luxurious way to see the backwaters and see the life in the backwater countryside villages.  (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Houseboat

Day 11: Kumarakom -  Alleppey, 19 mi. (30 km)
Once again we will make our way through the narrow country roads to a  villa on the backwaters near the ancient city of Alleppey - a perfect place to take in a Kerala Ayurvedic massage as you relax for the next two evenings at the Punnamada Resort. (B, L, D)

Accommodation:
Luxury: Punnamada Resort
Standard: Lake Canopy

Day 12: Alleppey
You will have one more day at the backwater to explore the villages and the local markets. Alleppey possesses a large network of inland canals that provide its lifeline. It was one of the busiest centers of trade in the past with one of the best-known ports along the Malabar coast. Perhaps you would be interested in a visit to the lovely church-filled town of Kottayam, and the town of Aranmula, famous for its historic Aranmula Snake Boat Race which is an annual event. (B, D)

Accommodation:
Luxury: Punnamada Resort
Standard: Lake Canopy

Day 13: Alleppey - Marari, 19 mi. (30 km)
The route passes through country roads and small villages where you will see coconut husk being processed and made into coir ropes and mats. You will hit the beach road that will lead to the final destination for the day at Marari. Wind down by spending the afternoon on the beach. (B)

Accommodation:
Luxury: Marari Beach Resort
Standard: Turtle Beach

Day 14: Departure
Transfer to Kochi International Airport. (B)

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Accommodations

On this unique and exotic tour, you will have your choice of either luxury or standard accommodations. You overnight in heritage villas, hotels, homestays, luxury cottage tents, and an air-conditioned deluxe rice boat, all with private facilities. On the day to day itinerary, you will find the name of the preferred accommodations for each overnight based on availability.

Bicycles

Standard Bike

Cannondale Trail 6

• Double-butted alloy frame
• Front suspension
• Shimano Altus 24 speed gearing
• FPD Platform pedals (flat)
• Cannondale Stage 2 saddle
• Tektro Novel Mechanical Disc brakes

Accessories

• Helmet
• Bike bag
• Water bottle holder

Electric Bike

Spero E Bike/ Electro

• Aluminum frame
• Front suspension
• 5 gears for the electric mode
• Intelligent Display
• Powerful Motor
• Digital gear
• Pedal Assist
• Mobile charger and holder
• Helmet holder

Accessories

• Helmet
• Water bottle (no holder on bike)