South India Coast To Coast Cycle Tour

Cycle From the Bay Of Bengal to the Palm Fringed Beaches of the Arabian Sea

Many people have asked us over the years if we could organize a cycle tour in India for those not from an off-road mountain biking background. The tour would have to be a challenge, take in the best of the sites and the scenery and allow time to soak up India’s delights.

For us at Mountain Bike Kerala one route sprung to mind that would provide all that and more; a cycle tour from the Bay of Bengal over the mighty mountains of the Western Ghats to the palm fringed beaches of the Arabian Sea. South India Coast to Coast.

Our South India coast to coast cycle tour takes in the tropical South Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. We pedal on idyllic back country roads, stopping overnight at places of special historical and scenic interest giving enough time to take in the temples, tea plantations, backwaters, historic cities and the best of the sights that make Mountain Bike Kerala’s Coast to Coast cycle ride so unique.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1: Arrive Chennai. Transfer to Mahabalipuram and the poolside restaurant at our hotel. Unwind, relax then join us on a short walk around Mahabalipuram’s world famous rock carved temples.

Day 2: Mahabalipuram-Pondicherry. 110km. The cycle touring kicks of with a flat ride along the stunning scenic coastal road to the former French Colonial capital of Pondicherry. Join the locals on the promenade for an evening stroll before dining in top Indo-French restaurant.

Day 3: Pondicherry-Chidambaram. 75km. More cruisy coastal riding as we continue our journey south to the temple town of Chidambaram. Endless palm fringed paddy fields will provide the backdrop. Take a step back through the ages as we visit the temple complex at sunset and join the pilgrims in an unforgettable ancient ritual.

Day 4: Chidambaram-Thanjavur. 120km. We leave the coast and head inland onto the vast lush Tamil plains. Stunning rural scenery reveals a Tamil heartland almost unchanged over centuries. A big day in the saddle takes us to another South Indian gem; Thanjavur, and its world heritage listed Brihadeshwara Temple.

Day 5: Thanjavur-Pudukkotai. 58km. A relaxing morning then it’s a short stage ride to Pudukkottia as we head further inland. Bullock carts and cycles are more common than any other vehicles here. Evening gives us time to relax those legs, take in fantastic meal and perhaps knock the tops of a few Kingfishers; Kingfisher beers that is.

Day 6: Pudukkotai-Madurai. 112km. Riding legs required as we ride deeper in to the heart of Tamil Nadu with the lush landscape becoming more arid with rocks and ridges becoming a common sight. Idyllic rural riding brings us to perhaps the most famous of all of Tamil Nadu’s towns, Madurai and the unforgettable riot of colour that are the gopurams of Sri Menakshi temple. Evening guided stroll round the temple complex.

Day 7: Madurai-Thenni. 89km. Landscapes change, the first signs of an undulating road and the mighty mountains of the Western Ghats beckon on this delight of a ride as we make our way to rural backwater district headquarter capital of Thenni. Scenery simply outrageous.

Day 8: Thenni-Munnar. 85km. Its time to climb. A gentle warm up for 20km then climbing legs start to whirr as we embark upon the near 2000 meter ascent to Bhodimet and the Keralan border. Switch back after switch back give us the elevation to look back over the vast Tamil plain and see what we have ridden. Truly mesmerizing views. As we head into Kerala we ride through tropical jungles and tea estates on what must be one of the most stunning roads anywhere in the world. After the days riding its time perhaps to crack open a few more Kingfishers and revel in the cool night air and relax knowing that tomorrow is a well deserved rest day.

Day 9: Munnar Rest Day. Set amongst the highest tea estates in the world Munnar is simply magic destination. Relax in the riverside gardens of our hotel retreat or take an afternoon trip in search of elephants at Chinnar national park. Visit the tea factory or take a short hike through the tea estates. It’s your day.

Day 10: Munnar-Kuttikanam 90/130km. We ride the forest road through cardamom and pepper plantations and ancient rain forests on an undulating road. Forests make way for beautiful valleys carpeted by tea before we reach our delightful plantation resort accommodation in Kuttikanam.

Day 11: Kuttikanam-Pala. 70km. Another cracking day in the saddle with the joys of a big descent down to the lush tropical Kerala plains. Colonial tea bungalows, and churches new and old are testimony to the areas unique strong Christian roots. We overnight in the charming town of Pala.

Day 12: Pala-Kottayam. 50km. We ride through rubber, pepper and spice plantations on this short ride through to the district headquarters town and gateway to the backwaters of Kottayam. From here we board our boat and cruise along Kerala’s famed backwaters through to Allepey for our overnight retreat in a traditional Kerala homestay.

Day 13: Allepey-Marwari Beach. 20km. A delightful short ride to one of Kerala’s hidden secrets; the near deserted tropical paradise beach of Marwari. Dive into to the soothingly warm sea for a well deserved bathe. We make the short trip in the afternoon to our luxury houseboat and overnight cruise on Vembanad Lake.

Day 14: Fort Cochin. Breakfast on the boat then it’s a short transfer to historical Fort Cochin. Join us on our guided walk through the wealth of historical buildings and spice bazaars or take the chance to embark upon a bit of shopping. Finish the tour with a traditional Keralan meal.

Day 15: Transfer to Cochin airport and your flight home.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

2013 Jan £985

0044 (0) 161 408 2281