Redesigned

Cycling Kerala's Backroads

Day 1 Meet in Kochi

Welcome to Kochi, Kerala’s vibrant commercial and cultural hub. This afternoon, we'll gather at our tour hotel near the airport for a bike fitting, trip briefing, and a welcome dinner. Staying near the airport allows us to start cycling directly from the hotel the following day, avoiding lengthy transfers to and from the city center. Don't worry — we’ll return to Kochi on days 12 and 13 for a deeper exploration!

Flora Airport Hotel
Dinner

Day 2 Kochi - Thattekkad

We begin the adventure by riding out from our airport hotel. The first 5 km along the main road can get busy, introducing you to one of India’s unofficial national languages: honking! After crossing the Periyar River by bridge, we’ll transition to backcountry roads, where the ride becomes much quieter as we delve into rural Kerala. Initially, the route is fairly flat as we follow the course of the Periyar River. Around the 30 km mark, we’ll reach the foothills of the Western Ghats, where the terrain becomes more undulating. Along the way, we’ll witness scenes of local life in the paddy fields, plantations, and towns, and encounter Kerala’s two dominant faiths, Hinduism and Christianity, as we pass by temples and churches. Our destination is the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, where we'll stay overnight at a riverside tented camp. This afternoon, you have the option of kayaking on the Periyar River, paddling through gentle waters surrounded by lush jungle foliage.

Birds Murmur Camp
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 56km
+479m
-443m

Day 3 Thattekkad - Munnar

Bird watchers will want to rise early to spot some of the 300+ bird species in the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. After breakfast, we’ll ride east, continuing to follow the course of the Periyar River. The first 30 km are flat, taking us through quiet roads lined with plantations and dense forests. As we enter the rolling hills of the Western Ghats, the terrain becomes more challenging, culminating in a roughly 5 km climb to the Kallarkutty Dam. The final stretch follows a busier provincial road, and we’ll stop for lunch in the town of Adimali. From there, we’ll transfer about 1.5 hours to our hotel in Munnar, a hill station surrounded by picturesque hills and tea estates, where we’ll stay for the next two nights.

Tea County
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 64km
+1072m
-552m

Day 4 Munnar Exploration

Today is dedicated to exploring Munnar's iconic landscape, with its rolling hills draped in sprawling tea fields set against the backdrop of the Western Ghats mountains. The first 10 km will take us to the shores of Mattupetty Reservoir, which we’ll skirt along for a few kilometers before beginning today’s main feat, a roughly 15 km climb. We’ll ascend gradually, winding up the narrow, twisting road through tea terraces and forests. By 35 km, we’ll reach Top Station, a stunning viewpoint at approximately 1,880 meters elevation. Here, we’ll rest and soak in the panoramic views of the Western Ghats and the Theni Valley (on a clear day!). We then retrace our route back to Munnar, enjoying a refreshing descent. The afternoon is free to relax or explore Munnar’s lively markets.

Tea County
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 71km
+1189m
-1187m

Day 5 Munnar - Chinnakanal

Today’s ride is short and sweet as we head further southeast through the Munnar Hills. We follow a well-paved provincial throughway with many curves, hairpins, and viewpoints making for a fun and scenic journey. A highlight is passing by the so-called Powerhouse Waterfalls which cascade dramatically down a cliff face directly next to the road (water levels depend on the season). Saddling-off in the village of Chinnakanal we have lunch and prepare ourselves for a special treat this afternoon: a visit to the world’s highest tea plantation by jeep! Located at 2,170 meters in the Western Ghats, Kolukkumalai Tea Estate offers fabulous views and a look into the time-honored tea processing methods of South India. After our jeep safari we return to Chinnakanal for the night.

The Sienna Village
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 21km
+403m
-457m

Day 6 Chinnakanal - Thekkady

Get ready for a challenging yet scenic ride along the eastern fringes of Kerala, known as the “Cardamom Hills.” The high elevation and cool climate create perfect conditions for spice cultivation, especially cardamom — though you probably guessed that! We’ll cover nearly 90 km on paved, undulating provincial roads surrounded by dense forests, spice farms, lively towns, and small villages. The first 45 km trend downhill as we ride towards the Kallar River valley, though there are enough climbs to keep our legs busy. After reaching the valley floor, the second half of the route includes a series of hills through the wooded hills before a final descent brings us to the edge of Periyar National Park, one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in the Western Ghats. We spend two nights at a lovely resort in the town of Thekkady, the gateway to Periyar National Park

Wild Avenue Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 90km
+1622m
-2169m

Day 7 Thekkady Rest Day

Today is a well-deserved break from cycling. Based in Thekkady, the wilds of Periyar National Park lie at our doorstep, offering several options for exploration. A popular choice is a boat ride on the park’s large lake, where you might spot elephants, tigers, leopards, and other elusive wildlife along the shores. For a more intimate exploration of the forests and tiger reserve beyond the lake, consider a jeep safari. Your guide will provide details on available activities, which can be booked in advance of arriving. Lunch is on your own, and we’ll gather for dinner at the hotel in the evening.

Wild Avenue Resort
Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 Thekkady – Vagamon

We’re back in the saddle for another fabulous day of Kerala highland riding! Departing from Thekkady, we start with 30 km on a provincial throughway before transitioning to a winding, single-lane secondary road along a mountain ridge. This stretch offers some of the best cycling in Kerala: a tranquil road with tea and spice plantations seemingly within arm’s reach blanketing the hillsides. For the final 20 km, we join the main road leading to Vagamon, a picturesque hill station perched 1,100 meters above sea level. From here, we’ll savor a thrilling 18 km downhill to our vintage boutique hotel nestled in the Mavady Hills. If our group is large, we’ll stay at a bigger hotel near Vagamon town and save the downhill ride for the following morning.

Vanilla County/ Adrak Summer Sand Hill Resort Vagamon
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 68km
+970m
-1531m

Day 9 Vagamon - Vembanad Lake

A final 5 km downhill completes our descent out of the Western Ghats and into the lowlands of Kerala’s lush backwater region. The ride is predominantly flat, following small country roads that crisscross the fertile plains of the Meenachil River. A unique feature of this area is the presence of Syrian Christians, a prominent community with historical roots linked to St. Thomas the Apostle, who arrived on the shores of Kerala in the 1st century AD. We’ll pass many churches with their distinctive whitewashed facades and intricate designs. After lunch, we’ll visit the particularly pretty St. Thomas Church and then complete our ride to Vembanad Lake, Kerala’s largest body of water. We spend the night at a lovely resort on the shores of this tranquil lake.

Abad Whispering Palms
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 71km
+586m
-901m

Day 10 Kerala Backwater Cruise

This morning is free to relax at the lakeside hotel. If you’re eager for a ride, we can offer a leisurely 10 km loop around the charming villages of Kumarakom. Before noon, we embark on an unmissable Keralite experience: a day and night cruise on Lake Vembanad and its expansive network of canals aboard a converted rice barge. These vintage “houseboats” feature bedrooms, lounging areas, and come with a captain, cook, and crew. We’ll simply sit back, sip drinks, and watch the world pass by in the blue lagoons of Kerala’s backwaters. Enjoy scenes of coconut groves, paddy fields, village life, churches, temples, fishing boats, and flocks of birds skimming the waters. Meals including lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and breakfast the following morning will all be served on board.

Houseboat
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 Vembanad Lake– Mararikulam Beach

This morning, we enjoy an al fresco breakfast aboard the houseboat as we glide across Vembanad Lake. After disembarking, we hop on our bikes for a leisurely, flat ride towards the palm-fringed Mararikulam Beach. We plan to arrive in time for lunch, leaving the afternoon for you to dip your toes in the Arabian Sea. Unlike the more crowded beach destinations of Southern India, Mararikulam offers a laid-back vibe ideal for relaxing on the soft sands or taking a casual stroll along the waterfront and through local fishing villages. Or how about treating yourself to a relaxing Ayurvedic massage (a Kerala wellness specialty)?

Azure Tides
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 35km
+94m
-91m

Day 12 Mararikulam Beach – Fort Kochi

Our tour comes full circle as we ride to Kochi. Our route takes us through a narrow stretch of coastal Kerala, nestled between the Arabian Sea to the west and the backwater lagoons to the east. We traverse country roads winding through coconut groves, farms, fishing villages, and roadside markets. While the ride is mostly inland, we’ll swing by a beach or two along the way to cool down with some refreshments and the ocean breeze. After about 40 km, traffic begins to pick up as we approach Fort Kochi, the city’s historic heart, where we conclude the ride and spend the final two nights.

Abad Dutch Bungalow
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 52km
+96m
-93m

Day 13 Fort Kochi by Bike

This morning, we’ll explore the backstreets of Fort Kochi on a heritage-focused biking loop. As a bustling maritime port since ancient times, Fort Kochi’s townscape reflects a rich cosmopolitan history, showcasing influences from Chinese, Arab, Portuguese, Dutch, and British cultures. With much to see, today’s route is designed to be flexible, with possible stops at the old harbor area, St. Francis Church (the oldest European church in India), the Dutch Palace, Santa Cruz Basilica, Vasco House, and the ornate Paradesi Synagogue. We’ll also visit the massive and iconic Chinese fishing nets. The afternoon is free to relax at the hotel, poke around the antique and curio shops, or visit one of Fort Kochi’s many museums. In the evening, we’ll meet for a farewell dinner.

Abad Dutch Bungalow Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 11km
+34m
-34m

Day 14 Kochi Departure

Feel free to extend your stay in Kochi or travel onwards to discover more of incredible India. If you need assistance with post-tour hotel bookings in Kochi or airport transfers please let us know.

Breakfast

Disclaimer: The adventure cycling tours we operate often go beyond the beaten track, and the countries where we ride are not always predictable. Due to these reasons, it is occasionally necessary to reroute or update itineraries. Our guarantee is that we will not change a trip unless for safety or to improve it. Our listed hotels are always accurate at the time of writing, but should we have to change any hotel, it will always be for a similar or better one.