Compare Cycle the Coast of Kerala by Exodus Travels vs Sri Lanka and South India: A Contrast In Cultures by Myths and Mountains
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 18 days |
| Price From | $ 1,950 | $ 7,895 |
| Price Per Day | $ 244 | $ 439 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | All breakfasts, four lunches and two dinners 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. You can eat out very cheaply in India, but if you mainly eat at the more expensive restaurants, you will spend more than the suggested amount. 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. | N/A |
| Description |
Kerala is an excellent place to explore by bike; a true paradise with an idyllic coastline, tranquil backwaters, colourful temples and old stone churches. It’s not surprising it is often called God’s own country. Offering a gentler experience than the often-frenetic north, Kerala is great for a first-time bike trip or your first visit to India. From the old spice port of Cochin to the laid-back beach town of Varkala, we gently cycle through beautiful landscapes, fascinating towns and colourful fishing villages, sampling superb south Indian cuisine along the way. A night in a village homestay provides a unique insight into the warm Keralan hospitality, and we cruise the Kerala backwaters on a traditional houseboat before relaxing on the sweeping beaches of Varkala.Enjoy gentle cycling along the tropical Keralan coastline |
Although both South India and Sri Lanka both have lots of oceanfront and beaches, grow tea in the highlands, and have a long history of trading and commerce, there are many differences between these two areas. This trip combines some of the hallmarks of both Sri Lanka and South India – visits to Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and Jewish sites from Polonnaruwa to the synagogue in Cochin, opportunities to see and actually practice local crafts, touring with some of the top country experts, a backwater cruise and time in national parks. When you finish this very special journey, you will have a good sense of two very special countries and their unique place in the world. |
Day 1 Start Cochin
The trip starts at the hotel in Cochin. Once the group has gathered, we can test and fit our bikes, ready for the adventures ahead. Accommodation: Casino Hotel (or similar)
Day 2 Explore Cochin by bike and on foot
Today is a good opportunity to get used to the bikes, exploring the historic town of Cochin (also known as Kochi) by bike and on foot. The Portuguese established a base here, followed by the Dutch, who were forced to hand it over to the British in 1841. With a multicultural heritage, it is now the bustling commercial capital of Kerala. Warehouses are still filled with the smell of tea and spices pop in bright green, yellow and blue; rickety bikes and hand-painted trucks piled high with goods fill the narrow streets and food stalls stand on every corner. Most of the major sights are in the Fort Kochi and Mattancherry neighbourhoods. We'll visit St Francis Church, which is close to the hotel. Built by the Portuguese in 1503, it was where explorer Vasco da Gama was first buried. We then head to the Dutch Palace in Mattancherry. 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 Jew Town and the Paradesi Synagogue. Built in 1568 for the Jewish members of the local 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, called Jew Street, is a heritage zone with many antique and handicraft shops. The fish market near the Chinese fishing nets is also worth a visit. Cochin is also the centre for Keralan arts, so this evening we'll enjoy a Kathakali dance performance, a form of religious dance and play unique to Kerala. Accommodation: Casino Hotel (or similar) Maximum elevation: 174ft (53m)
Day 3 Cycle to Muhamma, past old Portuguese villas and through fishing villages
Riding out of Fort Kochi, we pass 500-year-old Portuguese villas, a striking contrast to the tiny fishermen’s huts dotted along the beach road, with their wooden boats pulled under the palm trees and nets hung out to dry. Many of these fishing villages are Christian. At Arthungal, we can rest under the shade of the coconut trees, sip tea and admire the view of the old stone church. Continuing along the coastal road, we make our way towards the backwaters of Muhamma. Kerala is renowned for its backwaters: a network of canals and lakes that we cruise on a traditional rice barge later on in the trip. Tonight, we stay in a backwater resort overlooking Vambanad Lake. The veranda and the gardens are excellent spots for relaxing, while backwater life unfurls before us. Accommodation: Deshadan Backwater Resort (or similar) Maximum elevation: 89ft (27m)
Day 4 Continue riding along the coast to a backwater village in the Alleppey region
We continue along the coastal road towards Alleppey, another start point for the backwater trips. Our ride takes us through Kainakary village, eventually reaching Chennamkary, a traditional village in the Kuttanad backwater region of Alleppey. We spend the evening here in a homestay, arriving in time for lunch. It's a fantastic opportunity to experience warm Keralan hospitality. We enjoy a cooking demonstration in the evening, followed by dinner. Accommodation: Gabby World Community Homestay (or similar) Maximum elevation: 85ft (26m)
Day 5 Optional morning village ride; board houseboat
We have a laid-back morning. You can either relax at the homestay or go on an optional short bike ride to explore the village. At midday, we board our houseboat for a backwater cruise to Trikunnapuzha. These converted rice barges consist of two-berth cabins with en suite bathrooms and are equipped with their own cook; depending on your group size, you may be divided over two to three boats. We stack our bikes on the side of the boat (we'll be saddle free for the next 19 hours), a chance to unwind as we watch the world pass. Vessels of all sizes use the network of canals and lakes, with smaller boats ferrying passengers and goods between tiny hamlets on narrow spits of land. On one side of the canal, we see vast paddy fields, and on the other side are fishing nets and coconut trees. As the sun begins to set, the boats are moored together and we gather on the deck for sundowners and dinner. Accommodation: Houseboat Maximum elevation: 69ft (21m)
Day 6 Disembark houseboat; cliff-top ride to the laid-back beach town of Varkala
Breakfast is taken on the houseboat before we disembark. We then enjoy a cliff-top ride to the laid-back beach town of Varkala. We set off along a quiet coastal road to Karunagapally, passing by Amrithanadamayi Ashram, better known as the Hugging Mama Ashram, a spiritual retreat overlooking the backwaters. We stop for lunch en route before spending the next two nights at Varkala, staying close to one of the best beaches in India. With coffee bars, shops and yoga schools perched along the red sandstone cliff-top, this town is an excellent place to chill. Accommodation: Sajjoys Hotel (or similar) Maximum elevation: 75ft (23m)
Day 7 Short morning ride to the surrounding coastal area; afternoon free to relax and enjoy Varkala
After breakfast, we enjoy a small morning ride to explore the surrounding coastal areas. Returning to the hotel by lunch, there is time to enjoy the beach-side location and perhaps try one of the beach shack restaurants, which serve excellent seafood. We recommend trying tandoori dishes, the clay ovens give a more authentic taste to the breads and curries. Tonight, there is the option to enjoy a final group dinner at the hotel restaurant, which serves a variety of Keralan dishes. Accommodation: Sajjoys Hotel (or similar) Maximum elevation: 558ft (170m)
Day 8 End Varkala
The trip ends after check-out. Start your return journey home or, if you’d like a little more time to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
Day 1
Arrive Colombo. Fast track clearance at Airport. Drive to Wallawwa.
Day 2
Drive cultural triangle and tour Sigiriya.
Day 3
AM visit to Polonnaruwa. Lunch at a local farmer’s house PM at Minneriya National Park.
Day 4
Kep Ela elephant experience. Drive Kandy via Dambulla Caves. Visit Ena De Silva’s estate. Moonrise over Hunas Mountain with the artist Raju.
Day 5
Visit Botanical Gardens with Professor. Cemetery, museum, Queen’s Hotel, Temple of the Tooth, market, Dalada Maligawa for puja.
Day 6
Drive Peradeniya to see station and catch train to Nawalapitiya. Afternoon to explore on foot or by bicycle
Day 7
Option 2: Visit Tea Factory continue to Nuwara Eliya for the day
Day 8
Drive Colombo. PM private tour of town with local resident. Dinner at Ministry of Crab
Day 9
Fast Track departure. Fly Chennai in India. PM Excursion to Mahabalipuram.
Day 10
Explore Chennai – Fort St. George, Kapaleeswarar Temple, Georgetown. March Arubathimoovar Festival
Day 11
Fly Madurai. Walk around town and market. PM visit to Minakshi Temple
Day 12
Early AM at temple. Drive Chettinadu to visit special mansions with special Chettinadu lunch.
Day 13
Drive Thekaddy. Boat ride in Periyar.
Day 14
AM jungle walk in buffer zone. PM visit to spice plantation
Day 15
Drive Alleppy and board houseboat to cruise backwaters. Overnight on the boat.
Day 16
Disembark. Drive Cochin. Evening Kathakali show.
Day 17
Tour Cochin – Synagogue, palace, Fort, Chinese Fishing Nets.
Day 18
Transfer to airport. Fly Mumbai. Met. Dinner on your own and then transfer to International Airport for flight out.
