Cycling Western Ghats

Arrival Cochin to Athirappally

Arrival at Cochin airport. Your accompanying cycling escort will meet you and you will travel in your vehicle to Athirappally (40 kms,01 hr).

Your first day stay will be at a beautiful farm by the Chalakudy river side on the Anamalai Highway leading to the Athirapilly waterfalls . A fresh water aqua farm and large number of spices and tropical fruits are cultivated in this farm. It is landscaped and rest room facilities are provided to attract the visitors travelling to the waterfalls.

Later evening your cycling escort over you the cycles. You will have a detailed discussion on the program, on different terrains you will be riding, on Kerala traffic and the dos and don’ts. You will do a warm up ride on your bikes for forty five minutes to the nearby Vazhachal waterfalls. 

Overnight at Athirappally

From Athirappally to Valparai

After early breakfast , you will start with your ride to Valparai – , passing through 75 km of beautiful rainforest of the Western Ghats. You will come across thick deciduous forests on both sides with no signs of human life. There will be very few vehicles you might see in your four hours of ride through the forest. At times, you can even expect a gaur or an elephant blocking your way.  You will also ride past two dams – Perngalkuthu and Sholayar. When you get closer to Valparai, the forest cover will disappear and you will start seeing Coffee and Tea Plantations. 

 When the ascent starts, you will leave your saddle atop the vehicle and then travel by surface to Valparai

Valparai is a small hill town located 3,500 feet above sea level on the Anamalai mountain range.  You will stay in an estate bungalow at Valparai. You will stay in tents in the midst of Tea Plantations.

Overnight at Valparai

Distance Cycled: 50 kms   

Type:  Mostly easy ride

From Valparai to Pollachi

After early breakfast, you will start your ride, 64 km descent to Pollachi covering 40 hairpin bends. You will ride through the Indira Gandhi Wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary is almost 1000 sq.km in size and the place is rich in flora and fauna. Be alert along your drive, you are sure to sight a lot of animals/birds.

You will stop at Aliyar dam and also visit the monkey falls. Last few km you will travel in the vehicle to avoid the traffic.

Rest of the day, take a stroll through the village, its market, the temples and rituals, the local shops.

Overnight at Pollachi.

Distance Cycled: 50 km

Type: Mostly easy ride, descent. 

From Pollachi to Marayoor via Chinnar Wildlife Sanctaury.

After early breakfast , travel by vehicle for 20 kms to escape the traffic and then ride towards Udumalpettai ,  continue along the Western ghats. Ride through Anamalai Wildlife reserve , after slight inclination , you will arrive at Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary.  Proceed for a three hours easy trek into the wilderness of Chinnar .  

You will then travel for fifteen minutes to reach your hotel in Marayoor. 

Overnight at Marayoor.

Distance Cycled : 45 kms. 

Type : Easy to moderate.

From Marayoor to Munnar

After breakfast , ride upto Munnar. There is a challenging ascent of 25 kms through Tea plantations which you will travel by vehicle. You will further take a descent ride down to Munnar to reach your home stay for the night. En-route Visit a Tea Museum.

We welcome you to a new experience at 'Ripples n Rocks' Home Stay, Your home away in Munnar , on the banks of the rippling cascade of Mutirapuzha River. You will spend the evening with the host and the hostess. 

Dinner and Overnight at Munnar 

Distance Cycled: 35 Km

Type: Descent and winding

From Munnar to Thattekkad

Morning ,  ride to Thattekad . The first 25 kms are easy descent followed by rolling and smooth plain. You will also travel by vehicle for some distance to avoid traffic at couple of small townships. 

The last 10kms are easy ride through Pineapple and rubber plantations. 

The Hornbill Camp, Set amidst a coconut grove on the banks of the Periyar River, the Hornbill Camp consists of cottage tents built on raised platforms. The camp overlooks the lowland forests of the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Thattekkad in Kerala. 

Evening proceed for river Kayaking   

Kayaking (in Periyar River)                                                        
A kayaking trip amidst these great swathes of forests is an ideal sport for those inclined to be adventurous and explore the bio-diversity within these forests. 

Lunch  , Dinner and overnight at Thattekad. 

Distance cycled: 45 kms. 

Type: Easy to rolling

From Thattekad to Cochin

After breakfast, you will ride to Cochin through the country side. Just outside Cochin, you will change to the vehicle to escape the traffic. You will check in at the heritage home at Fort Cochin. 

In the late afternoon you will proceed for a cultural cycling tour of Fort Cochin.  

This tour is a unique and first of its kind covering the historic importance of Fort Cochin. We have taken great care and pain to masterpiece this short excursion where in you get the rare opportunity to get introduced to 13 communities - ethnic & religious groups , who have dwelled into Fort Cochin centuries back and have still been remained here. We take you around to see some or all of the communities understanding the different lifestyles, dressing, living styles, food, culture, tradition and religions which still exists. 

Visit Tamil Dhobi, work place settlement and house of worship, continue to see Kachi Mamens, Tulu Brahmins, Konkons, decentace of Arabs, Jains, Black Jews, White Jews etc. and then ending the tour at 1230 hours.

Dinner will served at a local restaurant near the Chinese fishing nets after your guide buys you the fresh catch from the nets and the cook at the restaurant prepare it your choice

Overnight at Cochin

Distance cycled: 40 km

Type: Easy

From Cochin to Marari

At 0630 hrs  You will start pedalling the first stretch of 26 kms to reach the farm house. It takes around 90 minutes to reach this splendid place. On arrival you will be welcomed with a health drink. Breakfast follows. After breakfast you will be canoed to the island where anglers will be provided for fishing. We are sure that today will be your lucky day to get your catch,we give you the rare opportunity to use the Chinese Fishing nets which will guarantee your catch. Once you get your fish  , we do the cooking together with the host. Enjoy your Lunch with the family.

After some rest, ride 20 km to the beach house at Marari. Once you reach Marari , you will bid farewell to your accompanying cycling escort and hand over your bicycles. 

Overnight at Marari

Distance cycled: 45 kms

Type: Easy

At Marari

Full day relax at the beach house.

Overnight at Marari

Departure from Cochin

In time transfer to Cochin airport (90 km, 2.5 hrs) to connect flight back home