Cycle the Coast of Kerala
8 Days Starting in Kochi (Cochin) and ending in Varkala
Visiting: India
Tour operator:
Tour code:
MIA
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 14
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Kerala is an excellent place to discover by bike; a true tropical paradise with an idyllic coastline, lush tranquil backwaters, colourful temples and old stone churches. It's not surprising that Kerala is often referred to as '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 the backwaters of Kerala are cruised on a traditional houseboat before relaxing on the sweeping beaches of Varkala.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Kochi (Cochin); Bike Fitting
The trip starts in the old spice port of Kochi, formerly Cochin. The Portuguese established a base here in the early 1500s, 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 still smell of tea, rickety bikes and hand-painted trucks fill the narrow streets, and food stalls stand on every corner.
We get to explore this fascinating city properly tomorrow. Today, 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 Kochi By Bike And On Foot
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is a good opportunity to get used to the bikes, exploring the historic town of Kochi by bike and on foot.
Most of the major sights are in the Fort Kochi and Mattancherry areas. We visit St Francis Church, close to the hotel, where explorer Vasco da Gama was first buried, 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.
Kochi is also a hub for Keralan arts, so this evening we 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
Meals Included: Breakfast
Riding out of Fort Kochi, we pass 500-year-old Portuguese villas, a striking contrast to the tiny fishermen 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 head 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 in the trip. Tonight, we stay in a backwater resort overlooking Vembanad 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
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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. Spend the night here in a homestay, arriving in time for lunch. It’s a fantastic opportunity to experience warm Keralan hospitality and 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
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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 Thrikkunnapuzha. These converted rice barges consist of two-berth cabins with private bathrooms and have their own cook; depending on your group size, you may be divided over two or three boats. We stack our bikes on the side of the boat (we are 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 communities on narrow spits of land. On one side of the canal, we see vast paddies, and on the other side are fishing nets and coconut trees. As the sun begins to set, the boats are moored together and we unite 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
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Breakfast is taken on the houseboat before we disembark, 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 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 relax.
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
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a small morning ride after breakfast to explore the surrounding coastal areas. Returning to the hotel by lunch, there is time to enjoy the beachside 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
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
What's Included
-
Meals
7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners.
* All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 2 dinners included
* All accommodation
* Transfer for group flights
* Local bike hire
What's Not Included
-
Single supplement
-
Visas and vaccinations
-
Travel insurance
Food
All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 2 dinners included.
Lunches on riding days are usually taken in local 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 very much influenced by its tropical landscape;
creamy coconut dishes enlivened with delicate spices, served on a banana
leaf. It's also an ideal destination if you are a vegetarian. Tea and soft
drinks are very cheap, and there'll be plenty of tea stops so that you can
enjoy a cold can, a cup of chai or refreshing coconut water. A (large!)
bottle of beer is approximately £3 (approx. US$5) but please note that
alcohol is difficult to get hold of in Kerala as it is a dry state.
Generally you can eat out very cheaply in India. Where food is not included,
you should allow approx. £3-£4 (approx. US$4.80 - US$6.40) for lunch, and
£5-£6 (approx. US$8 - US$9.60) for dinner without drinks. This amount may
vary according to how much you drink.
Please note that service in restaurants can be quite slow. Drinking water is
provided in the support vehicle, where you can fill your bottle from the
containers.
Accommodation
We spend five nights in hotels, one night on a houseboat and one night in a homestay (all en suite).
We use tourist-class hotels throughout the trip, all of which have swimming pools, while the village homestay brings a different flavour to the itinerary. The homestay is spread across several houses owned by different families. Here we experience warm Keralan hospitality, alongside a cooking demonstration and dinner with the hosts. Rooms are air conditioned and have a private bathroom. Please note, single rooms can be limited at the homestay.
Hotels in India usually do not have heating as there are really only a couple of months in the year when the weather can be cooler. You can, however, request more blankets or the hotel may be able to provide a standing heater for your room. Please talk to your tour leader if you need help in this matter.
Houseboats are converted rice barges consisting of two to five twin-bedded cabins with private bathrooms. The houseboat has a communal deck and dining area, although the style/layout can vary from boat to boat. There is a cook, driver and assistants for each boat and the food is traditional Keralan fare using local produce. Larger groups may be split over several boats; however, the group will come together for riverside stops and the overnight anchor point where your leader will be available.
Check out our Q&As
-
Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
-
Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
-
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
-
Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
-
Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
-
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
1 Select your preferred date
Sunday - Sunday
Oct 06, 2024 - Oct 13, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Oct 20, 2024 - Oct 27, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Nov 03, 2024 - Nov 10, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Nov 17, 2024 - Nov 24, 2024Sunday - Sunday
Feb 02, 2025 - Feb 09, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Feb 16, 2025 - Feb 23, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Mar 09, 2025 - Mar 16, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Apr 13, 2025 - Apr 20, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Oct 05, 2025 - Oct 12, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Oct 12, 2025 - Oct 19, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Oct 26, 2025 - Nov 02, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Nov 09, 2025 - Nov 16, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Nov 30, 2025 - Dec 07, 2025Sunday - Sunday
Dec 07, 2025 - Dec 14, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
-
Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
-
Terms and Conditions