15 Days Goa to Kerala Bicycle Tour with optional 3 Days add on Beach Resort and Backwater Tour

Day 3: Cycling to Shiroor

Witness one of the Biggest Shiva Statue and ride to the eco resort

Today, we will start our bike ride further south, along the coastal road with the view of the Arabian Sea in the west. We will pass through the fishermen villages of Honnavar and Manki with their off-grid beaches, fish markets, and small temples. We will cross the Aghnashini and Sharavati river and ride through a combination of flat and undulating backroads. En route, we will visit the majestic Murudheshwar Temple standing 20 stories tall in the coastal village of Bhatkala. A mechanical lift will take you to the roof of the temple. From here, you can see the gigantic statue of Lord Shiva sitting gracefully with blessing mudra with the vast sea in the backdrop. Further, we drive crossing the Venkatapur and Chowtani River and enter the gateway of the lush green and biodiverse Western Ghats to wind up our ride at an old-styled eco-resort.

Property	Meal	Activities for the day	Approx. Distances & Duration
Blue Waters	B (L) D	Cycling to Murudeshwar Visit Murudheshwar Temple enroute Transfer to Eco Resort	Total 111 km Cycling to Murudeshwar 60 Kms 5 hours Transfer to Hotel 1 Hour

Day 4: Cycling to Koppa

Ride through the land of King Cobras

From Shiroor, we further ride south to cross the Byndoor, and Yadamavu River and ride through the narrow stretch between the scenic Maravante Beach and the Kolluru river. We will further orient east towards the most enthralling sections of western Ghats. Initially, we ride through flat village roads with farms, temples, and dwellings. Further, we ride steep uphill through the Agumbe forest area. The unique rainforest ecosystem here serves as one of the top habitats for the great reptile species – the King Cobra. We will progress our ride through hilly and undulating terrain with the scenic view of valleys, winding roads, hairpin bends, and swatches of Coffee Estates. In the last section, we drive towards the rural destination of Koppa bordering the Chikkamagaluru district. We will wind up today’s endeavor in a traditional and well-kept homestay with 300 years of lineage.  

Property	Meal	Activities for the day	Approx. Distances & Duration
Ammadi Homestay	B (L) D	Cycling to Koppa through Ghat Roads Plantation Walk	Total 147 km First 60 km Cycling 5 hours Transfer to hotel 3 hours

Day 5: Cycling to Balur

Ride to the Coffee Capital

We start today’s ride through the undulating and hilly terrain of Chikkamagaluru towards Balur. We transverse through the high mountains of the region with the view of scenic landscape, slithering rivers, waterfalls and lush vegetation. After riding past 70 Kms, 6 hours, we will wind up today’s endeavor to reach a rustic bungalow nestled in a 400-acre expanse of Coffee plantation located at a height of 1100m above sea level. The ideal weather and rainfall make Chikkamagaluru, the coffee capital of India alongside the Kodagu district in Karnataka. Established in the year 1826 by the British, these numerous plantations provide employment to the local population invariably. The centuries-old plantation and the time-tested planter’s bungalow is more than a tale on the history of coffee cultivation in India. We unfold the coffee heritage of the estate during the plantation walk scheduled in the evening.         

Property	Meal	Activities for the day	Approx. Distances & Duration
Coffeeberry Hills	B L D	Cycling to Balur through Plantations Coffee Plantation walk at Balur Estate	Total 70 km Cycling 6 hours

Day 6: Cycling to Hassan

Witness marvelous Hoysala Architecture at the Chennakesava temple

Today, we again ride on undulating terrain through the small agrarian villages of Mudigere with coffee and spice plantations. Further, we will ride along the Yagachi water reservoir to reach the temple town of Somanathapura, Belur. The town is renowned for the Chennakesava temple dedicated to Lord Kesava / Vishnu located on the banks of river Kaveri. The 13^th-century temple is the epitome of exceptional Hoysala architecture. The temple has very finesse stone carving and inscriptions depicting ancient Hindu scriptures Mahabharata, Bhagavata Purana, and Ramayana. If time allows, we will further drive to Halebidu to visit the Hoysaleshwara temple dedicated to Lord Kesava, After the temple visits, we drive through the back-country roads to reach the rustic Hassan and wind down at a scenic village resort.

Property	Meal	Activities for the day	Approx. Distances & Duration
Pearl Hassan	B (L) D	Cycling to Hassan through Villages Visit Chennakesava and Hoysaleshwara Temple	Total 97 km Cycling to Balur 60 km 5hours Transfer to hotel 3 hours & temple visit

Day 7: Cycling to Mysore

Ride to the palace city of Mysore

Morning, after breakfast, we leave Hassan and ride through the rural roads towards the city of Mysore also called Mysuru. Today, the terrain will be undulating with a slight downhill. We will pass through villages with a vast stretch of cultivated lands, tobacco plantations, vegetable farms and small temples along the way. We ride alongside the Krishna Raja Sagara lake which is the confluence point of Sacred river Kaveri and its tributaries. Kaveri river is also the basis of Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary which supports a variety of avian species in the region. Once this land was affected by famines and droughts severely affected the local cultivation and livelihood. It was until 1911 a dam was constructed by the Maharaja of Mysore and the issue was mitigated. Further, we drive the last short stretch to reach the palace city of Mysore and wind down at a cozy hotel.      

Property	Meal	Activities for the day	Approx. Distances & Duration
Regenta Central	B (L) D	Cycling to Mysore via backroad	Total 120 km 7 hours with lunch

Day 8: Break day at Mysore

Rest Day and sightseeing of the historic city – Mysore

It’s a break day for cycling and today we set out for the sightseeing tour of Mysore city. We visit the famous Mysore Palace with its Durbar Hall and the Golden Royal Elephant Throne. Mysore is an ancient city with more than 600 glorious years of legacy. Known for its glittering royal heritage, bustling markets, magnificent monuments, cosmopolitan culture, and a friendly populace. The city is also a thriving center for the production of premium silk, sandalwood, and incense. We will also visit Chamundi Hill to have a panoramic view of Mysore city. Further, we will visit the ancient Chamundeshwari temple and the Nandi temple with its giant stone sculpture of a sitting bull dedicated to God Nandi. We will wind up the sightseeing tour with an evening walk through the old-time Devaraja Market packed with its flowers, fruits, and vegetable stalls.

Property	Meal	Activities for the day	Approx. Distances & Duration
Regenta Central	B D	Mysore Sightseeing Visit Palace, Chamundi Hill & Devaraja Market walk	–

Day 9: Cycling to Masinagudi

The wilderness of Bandipur

We will start today’s ride through the outskirts of Mysore city crossing the Kabani River, settlements, and small temples. Reaching Bandipur, we will stop cycling and drive through two of the prominent wildlife sanctuaries in South India – Bandipur and Mudumalai. This scenic and biodiverse section of Western Ghats is categorized as Nilgiri Biosphere, one of the largest in South India. The national parks here are primarily dedicated to conserving endangered habitat of the tiger. Here, we go for a jeep safari in the Tiger reserve. Look out for the commonly seen species like the Elephant, Gaur, Mouse deer, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Wild Boar, Malabar Parakeet, and the Grey-headed Bulbul. After the Safari, we drive to cozy accommodation in Masinagudi.

Property	Meal	Activities for the day	Approx. Distances & Duration
Avadale	B (L) D	Cycling to Bandipur via villages Drive through Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary Jeep Safari	Drive to Begur 45 km 1 hour Cycling to Bandipur 50km 4hours Drive to hotel 25km 1 hour

Day 10: Cycling to Ooty

The enchanting Blue Mountains

Today, we start the ride, to take on the grueling high-altitude hairpin bends along the villages with tea, and vegetable plantations to reach the hill station Ooty, situated approx. 2000m above sea level. The little colonial town is known for its English-styled cottages that have unique teak floors, tiled roofs, and chimneys, resemble a movie scene from another era. The land is framed by the lush tea gardens, which we will explore during a small walk. We also visit the tea museum.  

Property	Meal	Activities for the day	Approx. Distances & Duration
Teanest	B (L) D	Cycling to Ooty Tea plantation walk and tea museum visiz	Total 55 km 6 hours steep hairpin bends

Day 11: Cycling to Pollachi

The heritage train journey and backcountry village of Tamil Nadu 

Morning, we board the heritage train for a remarkable monorail journey through spectacular vistas as we descend to the popular hill station of Coonoor. The railway still relies on its fleet of steam locomotives and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The train journey through villages and pine forests offers a mesmerizing view of manicured tea plantations and scenic valleys. Alighting from the train, we ride through the backcountry roads to Mettupalayam and further to Pollachi – a small agrarian town located at the foothills of the Nilgiris known for its jaggery, vegetables, and cattle market. The terrain will be continuous downhill and undulating, then flat and windy towards the last stretch. We will settle down at a serene plantation resort amidst coconut groves in the quaint agrarian village. 

Property	Meal	Activities for the day	Approx. Distances & Duration
Ambra River Resort	B (L) D	Heritage train ride through tea hills and villages Transfer from Mettupalayam to Pollachi Countryside cycling through sugarcane and coconut farms	9.15 to 10.30 Train journey Transfer to Kothagiri one hour Start Cycling, 30 km 2 hours, mostly downhill Transfer to hotel & enroute lunch 120 km 4 hours

Day 12: Cycling to Munnar

Ride to the manicured and misty Tea Hills

Leaving the great windy plains of Tamil Nadu, we ride the next stretch towards the Ghats. The terrain will be hilly and undulating with winding roads. We will pass aside the Anamalai Tiger Reserve and start riding uphill through the hillocks of Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and sandalwood forests of Marayoor towards Gundumalai with the view of Anamudi Peak. From here, we will start seeing the vast stretch of Tea Plantation perched by small waterfalls and rivulets and the Eravikulam National Park famous for the endangered Nilgiri Thar. We will be passing through scenic valleys and settlements for tea estate employees. The freshness of the high altitude (1500m) climate and misty cool breeze will be good enough to energize your mind and soul. We spend overnight at a small plantation cottage with a fascinating view of the valley and tea plantations.

Property	Meal	Activities for the day	Approx. Distances & Duration
East End	B (L) D	Cycling to Amaravati Drive through the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Sandalwood forest Tea & Cardamom Plantations walk	Total 130 km First 55 km Cycling 4 hours Transfer to hotel with lunch and see jaggery making 4 hours

Day 13: Cycling to Thattekkad

Birding Hotspot of Thattekkad

Leaving the high-altitude tea-growing hills of Munnar, we ride to the lowland forests of Thattekkad. The terrain will be hilly and undulating with steep downhill roads. We will ride through the village roads of Adimali and Neriyamangalam with the refreshing view of the Periyar river, lush rainforest, cardamom plantations, small waterfalls, rivulets, chirruping birds and lurking bonnet macaques watch your way. We will settle down at an eco-lodge situated right on the banks of Periyar River facing the Bird Sanctuary. Afternoon it’s time to visit the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary a prime habitat for several species of birds including many water birds. We can also stroll through nearby plantations and the countryside to meet the local cultivators here.

Property	Meal	Activities for the day	Approx. Distances & Duration
Birds Murmur Camp	B (L) D	Cycling downhill through forest patches along river Periyar Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary Visit	Total 73 km Cycling 4 hours, mostly downhill Walk at bird’s sanctuary 2hours

Day 14: Cycling to Fort Cochin

History Tour of Fort Kochi – Queen of the Arabian Sea

Further, we will ride past the lowland forest valley of Thattekkad. We ride on mostly flat backroads along the irrigation canals through the village. You can see local cultivates of rubber, pepper, nutmeg, banana, and pineapple plantations along the route. We will end today’s ride at Fort Kochi – rightly called the queen of the Arabian Sea. Afternoon, we will go out for the History tour of Fort Kochi to know more about its colonial heritage. Once been a major port and trade Centre, it evolved as a settlement hotspot for numerous merchants from across the world. The gradual intermingling of their cultures for centuries has made Fort Kochi a unique heritage city to visit. We will walk through the Jew street, flea market, watch the creaking Chinese fishing nets, and the sunset. Later, a traditional Kathakali dance performance will be showcased. It will be nice to check out the local restaurants for a dinner before winding up in a comfy hotel.

Property	Meal	Activities for the day	Approx. Distances & Duration
Gama Heritage	B (L)	Cycling through villages and vegetable plantations along irrigation canals Afternoon Fort Kochi Sightseeing Kathakali Dance Performance	50km Cycling 4 hours Transfer to hotel 1.30 hours

Day 15: Cochin Airport

Tour Ends

It’s the time to say Adieu, with fond memories of the ride through the biodiverse and culture-rich Western Ghats. We will be happy to drop you at the Cochin International Airport. If you have a couple of days more left, the add-on tour program offers more experiences of the beach and backwaters of Kerala as you can read through below.        

Property	Meal	Activities for the day	Approx. Distances & Duration
		Drive to Cochin Airport	1.30 hours

ADD ON PROGRAM LEISURE AT MARARI BEACH 

Day 15: Cycling to Marari

Ride to the Fishermen Village

After breakfast, we will start the ride from Fort Kochi toward the pristine beach destination of Marari. The road will be mostly flat throughout with a view of the Arabian Sea. You will be riding along the patches of wetlands, coastal village of Chellanam, Fishing Harbour of Andhakaranazhi and coconut groves. We will visit the coir factory en route to learn more about coir and its products made by the locals here. Once, this cottage industry was a prime source of income for the locals, men and women alike. We will further ride to a serene beach resort at Marari and settle down. Evening, we can go for a walk in the fishermen’s village nearby and get to know more about the humble life of these brave sea warriors. You will wind up the day watching the beautiful sunset at the beach here.

Property	Meal	Activities for the day	Approx. Distances & Duration
Turtle Beach	B (L)	Cycling to Fishermen Village Coir Factory Visit	Total 45 km Cycling 3 hours

Day 16: Leisure at Marari

Sunbathe at the pristine beach and Martial Arts Show

Today we spent the day relaxing by the beach, swimming or simply basking in the sun or relax in the comfy cottages amidst the palm groves. You can closely observe the well-kept vegetable garden, butterfly garden or the small animal farm in the serene resort. You can also experience traditional Ayurveda rejuvenation treatments or do mindful yoga practice with an expert yoga trainer at the resort. Afternoon, we go to a traditional martial art show nearby. This Kerala’s own fighting style known as Kalaripayettu is also one of the oldest disciplines practiced by the personal bodyguards of the erstwhile Kings. A typical fighter is trained for many years to have great coordination of his body and mind, be utmost agile and generate incredible thrust from the synchronized full-body movements. A Kalari massage is delivered by each Guru to keep the body of his trainees in the best shape and overcome injuries. The master trainer will further accustom you with the various fighting styles, techniques, weaponry and some basic self-defense tips.         

Property	Meal	Activities for the day	Approx. Distances & Duration
Turtle Beach	B (L)	Leisure at Beach Kalaripayettu – Traditional Martial Arts Demo	–

Day 17: Backwaters of Alleppey

Kayaking and village experience at the backwaters

In the morning we drive to the backwater village of Champakulam. A visit to the backwaters is incomplete without a kayaking adventure through its narrow intrinsic canals. We paddle lazily across the small islands and wetlands to see up close, how the village life wakes up to life with the golden lights of the sun. You can see toddy tappers climbing up the high coconut tree, the local fishermen harvesting clamshells and pearl spot fishes on their canoe, women washing clothes and children walking to the school, while flocks of ducks paddling across the narrow canals, the patient kingfishers, egrets and cormorants keeping a watchful eye on their next catch. After the kayaking, you will be greeted by a friendly host at the heritage homestay situated right on the banks of Vembanad lake. You will be served traditional banana leaf lunch with all the flavors you can reckon with your taste buds. After lunch, we will go around for a short village walk to see the church, toddy shop, vegetable market, local tea shop and meet the delighted villagers.

Property	Meal	Activities for the day	Approx. Distances & Duration
Turtle Beach	B (L)	Kayaking Excursion in the backwaters Lunch with local family and village experiences	2.30 hours kayaking

Day 18: Tour Ends

It’s pack-up time till the next adventure. We will be happy to drop you at the Cochin International Airport if this is as per your schedule.

Property	Meal	Activities for the day	Approx. Distances & Duration
		Drive to Cochin Airport	75 km Drive 2.30 hours

Arrival

Please book a flight to Goa Dabolim Airport and from Airport Cochin with arrival Day on day 1 and Departure Day on Day 15 or 18. We will welcome you at the airport.

Frequently asked Questions

Do I need an adapter in India?

Yes, an adapter is necessary, as in India most of the plugs are used. More information here.

What is the climate in Southern India?

The climate is subtropical. In July/August is monsoon season, which manifests itself in short showers. The best time to travel is October to March.

In the south of the country, the sun’s irradiation is particularly intense due to its proximity to the equator. In order to avoid unpleasant and long-term dangerous sunburns, care must be taken to ensure good sun protection and adequate fluid absorption.
Dangerous currents continue to lead to bathing accidents on the coasts. Warnings on the beaches are essential.

What language is spoken in India?

The official national languages are English and Hindi. In South india, however, many different languages are spoken and there are also over a hundred dialects.

Is there a time difference?

Yes, there are:  (CET) + 4.5 hours, during European daylight saving time it is + 3.5 hours.

Notes on money/currency:

The local currency rupee may not be entered or exported. Travellers wishing to import more than 5000 cash or traveller’s cheques must indicate this on the currency declaration form you receive upon your entry. We recommend taking euros with you. It is easily possible to exchange money in hotels or banks and bureaux de change, with the exchange rate being uniform. It is recommended to keep the receipt to ensure a return at the airport. International credit cards are accepted by most hotels in major cities and tourist centres.

Notes on additional costs and tipping:

For meals, drinks and snacks not included in the price of the trip, you should calculate approx. 15,- (Euro) per day.

Tips are a voluntary service, which everyone should decide for themselves. Please note, however, that tipping is common in many cultures and is an important part of income due to the relatively low wage level. As a rule of thumb, 5-10% of the invoice amount is appropriate. India is a travel country where a tip is expected for each service. Be it the luggage carrier, the service staff in the restaurant and hotel, for the toilet or the rickshaw ride.

Here is a detailed orientation. Menus often include a surcharge indicated as a service batch. However, the waiters usually see little of this. An additional tip of 5-10% is appropriate. Porters, drivers and guides also expect tipping. For racks 20-30 Rs per bag is attached, for maids 20-30 Rs per day. Your tour guide will be happy to advise you.

Tip: Talk to your fellow travellers. It has often been proven that one of the group gives a reasonable tip on behalf of the whole group (e.g. for the tour guide and driver). Experience has shown that each traveller will receive a tip of around 60 € for the entire trip. But: Tips are voluntary and please communicate with the group on site how you want to deal with it.

Notes on vaccination:

There are no vaccination regulations for direct entry from Germany. The Foreign Office recommends checking the standard vaccinations when travelling to India. These include vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, mumps, measles, rubella and influenza, as well as pneumococci.

Vaccinations against hepatitis A and typhoid, long-term stays or special hazards are also recommended for travel vaccinations against hepatitis B, rabies, meningococcal meningitis ACWY and Japanese encephalitis.

Please keep in mind that vaccination regulations may change in the short term. In addition to the family doctor, individual information is also provided by the health offices or tropical institutes.

What equipment you should think of?

• Passport
• Printing of the electronic tourist visa (e-TV)
• Cash/EC card/credit card
• Photocopies of the most important documents (keep separate from originals). Send a copy via PDF to your own email in advance.
• Travel documents
• Day backpack (approx. 25l volume if possible with integrated rain cover) for food and drinks on the go
• comfortbale clothes and shoes for walks and hikes
• Cycling clothes, helmet, drinking bottle, cleat Pedales, if required
• light sneakers or sandals (for aerating the feet)
• Drinking bottle or field bottle (minimum 1 liter)
•  Wind and rain protection (e.g. breathable rain jacket)
• Long trousers and sweater/jacket (for the evening and/or rooms with air conditioning)
• Towel
• Handkerchiefs (possibly also wet handkerchiefs for body hygiene)
• Photo equipment
• Field cutter/remote glass if necessary
• bathing suits, bath towel
• Sun protection and headgear (cap, hat or headscarf, sunglasses, sunscreen)
• Travel pharmacy, first aid kit, possibly personal medications, insect repellent
• Due to different socket types, we recommend taking an international adapter set with you.