South India Cycling Tour

15 Days / 14 Nights

Day 1 Trivandrum

We meet up just north of Trivandrum at a place where we can walk onto the beach and into the Arabian Sea for a swim.

Day 2 Trivandrum

We have an out and back shake down ride of about 60k to Varkala Beach, where we have a leisurely lunch. Varkala is kind of funky, counter culture place where tattoos, corn-rolled hair and baggy pants are the uniform of the day. There are lots of open air restaurants on the breezy beach.
Distance: 60k

Day 3 Trivandrum to Madurai

After checking out the temple in Trivandrum, we catch the late afternoon train for Madurai.

Day 4 - Madurai to Vathalagundu

We seek out a quiet backroad for today's relatively flat ride.
Distance: 45k

Day 5 - Vathalagundu to Kodaikanal

We start out flat, but the road soon starts up the slopes of the Western Ghats, the long chain of mountains that snakes down the middle of the continent. Kodaikanal is a hill station, was founded as a hill station, a cool retreat from the very steamy Indian summers. There are great views, a lake, and usually, a cricket game. The cosmopolitan feel of Kodaikanal is partly due the to the Kodaikanal International School, formed over 100 years ago as an American Missionary school. It now has students and faculty from over 30 different countries. We spend two nights in Kodaikanal.
Distance: 83k

Day 6 - Rest Day in Kodaikanal

There is an opportunity for a loop to the local sights, a trek, or just relax and soak up the cool of being in a town 2200 meters high.

Day 7 - Kodaikanal to Marayoor

We back track to the turn off for Palani, ride the ridge road and then have a big descent. There is an option of a van lift or taking a back road towards the turn off for Indira Ghandi National Park. We ride through Indira Ghandi park to Marayoor. It is a small town, but situated in a dramatic setting under the brooding hulk of the 2,700 meter high Mt. Anamudi.
Distance: 120k

Day 8 - Marayoor to Chinnakanal

From Marayoor on we encounter tea plantations. From a distance, the hills look marbled. Tea plants are grouped together so they can be harvested by hand, often on very steep slopes and the paths between them look like veins. There is a big climb and then a big descent to Munnar, the tea plantation hub of the area. From Munnar, we climb again on a narrow road to Chinnakanal. Chinnakanal is surrounded by mountains with a valley below. Morning clouds and low lying fog often ooze over the mountains and into the valley like some sort of liquid plasma.
Distance: 65k

Day 9 - Chinnakanal to Kumily

We leave plantation country and enter the backwaters. The backwaters parallel the coast and include some 900 kilometers of canals and waterways. It's the "Venice of India" and full of wildlife. Houseboats ply the waters and we take full advantage by cruising and spending the night on the water in the one, two and sometimes three bedroom houseboats.
Distance: 100k

Day 10 - Kumily

Rest day in Kumily. We take time to explore nearby Periyer National Park, tour nearby spice plantations and take in a Thalakali Show.

Day 11 - Kumily to Vagamon Village

We leave plantation country and enter the backwaters. The backwaters parallel the coast and include some 900 kilometers of canals and waterways. It's the "Venice of India" and full of wildlife. Houseboats ply the waters and we take full advantage by cruising and spending the night on the water in the one, two and sometimes three bedroom houseboats.
Distance: 60k

Day 12 - Vagamon Village to Alleppey

We leave plantation country and enter the backwaters. The backwaters parallel the coast and include some 900 kilometers of canals and waterways. It's the "Venice of India" and full of wildlife. Houseboats ply the waters and we take full advantage by cruising and spending the night on houseboats. They come in comfortable one, two and sometimes three bedroom versions with full crews.
Distance: 85k

Day 13 - Alleppey to Island Retreat

We bike to our own hideaway in the backwaters. It's a unique place that will give you a sense of what life is like here.

Day 14 - Island Retreat to Kochi

Kochi is a colorful port city and was the first city of India to be occupied by a European party, the Portuguese in 1503. It is a melting pot. There is a jewish quarter and a dutch cemetery as well as the Portuguese Catholic Church, now a Basilica. There is great shopping, great food and great accomodation in Kochi. It is a nice place to end the riding.
Distance: 60k

Day 15

Depart from Kochi for home.