Arrival note:
Bangalore or Bengaluru (BLR) has direct connecting flights via Middle East & few destinations in Southeast Asia. Domestic flights can be connected to Bangalore either from Delhi or Mumbai. Bangalore is mainly an arrival/meeting point and you can plan to arrive at Bangalore by afternoon or night.
Day 1: Bangalore
Arrive at Bengaluru Airport and get transferred to a boutique stay, Casa Cottage hotel, in the heart of the city. After resting for a short while, hit the arterial high street of the city, M.G Road. Criss-crossed by narrow streets lined with bookshops, contemporary clothes, pubs, cafes and trinkets, the place are abuzz with shoppers in the evenings. Bangalore acquired itself the moniker of the ‘beer capital’ of India, with around 70 pubs in a radius of 2 kms in this area.
Your Art of Bicycle Trips (ABT) tour leader meets you at 05:00pm
Get well rested tonight.
Day 2: Mysore – train journey, palace and market walk
We know you are eager to ride, but we get on a different set of wheels (a train), to omit the traffic and long transfer between the cities. Post-lunch (lunch is served on the train) is to take in the magnificent structures of Mysore.
We start with the palace, also known as Amba Vilas Palace is a 14th century enthralling structure, which is beautifully lit at night on special days. After the historic sight, we make way into the busy Devaraj market. The market is a concoction of sights, sounds and smells – a real visual treat. Walk around the stalls stacked with conical mounds of Kumkum, stacks of glittering bangles, blocks of jaggery, and huge mounds of fragrant marigolds, jasmine, asters and even antiques!
We convene tonight at the dinner to celebrate the start of a fabulous cycling journey.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Mysore – Kaveri trail
A short transfer of about 1hr brings us to Somnathpur Temple, a 13th century Vaishnava Hindu temple on the banks of River Kaveri at Somanathapura, Karnataka. The ornate temple is a classic illustration of the Hoysala architecture, built in soapstone. Enjoy the stunning temple with our local guide.
Bike from here along the idyllic river Kaveri past paddy fields, sugarcane, banana plantations towards Srirangapatna, enclosed by the river Kaveri to form a river island. Srirangapatna was a scene of the decisive battle fought between Tipu Sultan and British East India company, a turning point in Indian history. End the ride with a well deserved local meal.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Distance cycled: ~ 50km / 30mi*
Day 4: Masinagudi – agricultural trail
Break away from the cultural capital of Karnataka, as we wind our way through the Chamundi hills and later ride past agricultural farms and numerous villages, capturing the rural life to enter the state of Tamil Nadu.
Post-lunch shuttle to Masinagudi, a favourite haunt of wildlife buffs & professional wildlife photographers from around the world.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 45km / 27mi*
Day 5: Nilgiris – switchbacks
Be rewarded with a breathtaking misty view of rolling hills carpeted with shola forest as we climb through hairpin bents and reach Ooty, situated at level of above 2,000m and part of amazing Nilgiris biospehere. Admire the unmatched views in every direction while making your way to the top.
Later take a shuttle to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 40km / 24mi
Day 6: Nilgiris – day at leisure
Today you can plan your own day. Enjoy the day at leisure or explore the nearby areas by walk or just take a ride on the heritage toy train, weaving through the forest and valleys of Nilgiris!
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Pollachi – epic descent
An amazing rolling downhill awaits you from Coonoor, with spectacular views of Mountains. Later, we transfer you to the countryside of Pollachi to spend a night, before heading to the tea clad mountains of Munnar.
Immerse yourself in a countryside living as you stay in a rural village of Pollachi, an unexplored tract in the Indian tourism arena.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 60km / 37mi*
Day 8: Munnar – sandalwood trail
This morning after breakfast, ride through Marayoor sandalwood forest. The gradual rising trail winds its way through tea and sandalwood plantations.
We continue our gradual climb towards our lunch stop at a local restaurant. After lunch, bike amongst past tea plantations in the rugged Munnar hills to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 70km / 44mi*
Day 9: Munnar – our favourite ride to Top Station
Explore the tea gardens of Munnar by walk or if your legs are up for biking, head out to Top Station, a viewpoint of great touristic eminence. The riding stretch to Top station is one of our favourite cycling route in Kerala. As we ride all the way up to Top Station, you will be stunned with brilliant view of the stacked mountains and deep valleys below.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 40km / 25mi*
Day 10: Periyar – Tea trail
Ride through the God’s Own Route today. It’s a stunning climb out of Munnar through the Lockhart Gap, with spectacular views of tea gardens and lakes along the way before we gradually descend along a winding country road, passing small hamlets and spice plantations to settle in the town of Thekkady.
If time permits, we head to a garden of spices and learn about the spices from a local farmer.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 70km / 44mi*
Day 11: Alleppey – undulating trail
This is going to be a beautiful ride – from the Cardamom Hills of Thekkady, through the tea gardens that lie lower. A hilly ride, with both dips and steep climbs, but the cool weather helps you grapple with this challenging ride better.
After biking, we transfer to Alleppey. Alleppey is the backwater destination of India, as it lies at the edge of the massive Vembanad Lake.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 50km / 30mi*
Day 12: Vembanad Lake
Ride through the narrow lanes and experience a fabulous bird life before arriving at Kumarakom, situated right at the edge of mesmerising Vembanad Lake.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 40km/24mi*
Day 13: Kochi – coastal trail
On the last biking day, ride along the beach road and past fishing villages and numerous christian churches along the coast towards Fort Kochi, the historical port city in Kerala, once glorified for it’s spice trade.
The tour support staff will say goodbyes, as you reach Fort Kochi and check-in to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Distance cycled: ~ 40km / 24mi*
Day 14: Kochi
Depending on your time in morning you can explore Fort Kochi and learn more about the history of this old port city.
Please make your arrangements for onward travel.
Meals: Breakfast
* With shuttle – short transfers.
