Kerala in Style: bike, hike, kayak

Meet your trip leader post-lunch, 02:00 pm at your hotel of stay in Fort Kochi and head out to see Fort Kochi by foot.

One of the foremost trading hubs on the western coast of India, Fort Kochi drew colonial interest with its aromatic spices. Along with traders from China, Portugal, Arab and Holland, came a cocktail of religions, cultural practices, and diverse food. Kerala owes its cosmopolitan vibe to the traders who braved the seas to come to this land.

Later, in the evening, go to see the traditional dance form, Kathakali (you can also see the face painting before the show). After the show, we will have dinner at a seaside restaurant known for seafood and Indian delicacies.

There is a lot to pack in this day but be well rested for the night as we start early on the next day.

This morning we start with a 2.5 hours shuttle bus to get out of traffic-clogged roads. We start cycling along the canal route to Thattekad. This first tryst with Kerala on the wheels will enthrall you. A scenic route, this smooth road along a canal is perfect to see birdlife and the verdant environs of real Kerala. Our destination is the outdoors camping facility- The Hornbill Camp.

We check into our snug and comfortable Swiss tents and get ready for an activity-packed day. Hornbill Camp offers Kayaking in the Periyar River, bird watching, and plantation walk around the property. The stay gives you a taste of the wilderness of Kerala along with all the comforts. The camp is situated in the environs of a tropical forest where you have nothing but birdsong for company!

Today we ride into the countryside and follow the Periyar River. The gradual rising trail winds its way through rubber and pineapple plantations to the Idukki forest reserve. We continue our gradual climb towards our lunch stop at a local restaurant. After lunch, bike amongst enormous grass plants, eucalyptus trees, and past alpine tea plantations in the rugged Munnar hills to your hotel.

After sipping hot tea in your bed, get ready to bike into the wilderness. Overlooking the town, Annamalai peak at 2695 m is the highest mountain in Kerala and well worth the ride to Top Station 1,950 m/ 6,397 ft for the fine views over the town and neighboring Tamil Nadu. You’ll ascend 500 m in this gradual uphill climb.

Later we head to Munnar town to visit the market.

A rest day for biking, but never really a rest day. We hike through tea plantations and rainforests. The hiking path is easy to walk through, with less variation in altitude. We reach our campsite located at 1600 m/ 5249 ft. Overnight in a simple tent camp. The camp area are is bordering the grassland and forests. The area is rich in birds and butterflies. With the best position to view the sunset, sunrise, night sky, you will be just lost in time. Oh never to miss is the beautiful and panoramic view of western ghat mountains ranges.

Wake up along with birds, watch the sunrise sipping a hot cup of tea. Prepare for the hike to the high-altitude forest and grasslands. The hiking ends at the Great escape gap.

If you still have power left in your legs, you can cycle a bit today along a winding country road, passing small hamlets and spice plantation villages to Thekkady.

This morning we take a nature walk in Periyar National Park in search of mongooses, elephants and learn about the flora and fauna in Periyar Tiger Reserve. Later, we head to a garden of spices and learn about the spices from a local farmer.

This is going to be a beautiful ride – from the Cardamom Hills of Thekkady to the tea gardens of Vagamon, and that too, through the rubber plantations. A hilly ride, with both dips and steep climbs, but the cool weather helps you grapple with this challenging ride better.

Vagamon is an enchanting hill station where you can either relax or indulge in outdoor activities like paragliding, easy hikes, or explore nature trails.

The ride today takes us near spectacular Vembanad Lake. Enjoy stunning vistas in all directions. We bike and transfer the rest in the van.

Today step into a kayak. Soon you will be kayaking the backwaters, through inland canals, with people living very close to the water edges. Enjoy a simple lunch in a local village restaurant. See the village life in action and hear the stories from our local guide.

Post-lunch, if time permits, ride through the narrow trails and experience a fabulous birdlife, situated right at the edge of mesmerizing Vembanad Lake.

On the last biking day, we ride along the beach road and the journey will be refreshing and easy. We ride past fishing villages and numerous Christian churches along the coast will to a small village named Ezhupunna and then to Kochi.