Cycling Kerala s Backroads

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BEGELEIDE FIETSREIZEN OP VERRE BESTEMMINGEN Kerala India internationaal en individueel 2016 14 Days/13 Nights Departure Dates: Cycling Kerala s Backroads Kerala, a narrow Indian state sandwiched

Its location near the equator combined with the sea breezes and cooler temperatures in the highlands makes it perfect for bicycling and lives up to its tagline God s Own Country.

country roads we ll start our tour with a visit to the Thatekkad bird sanctuary, one of three wildlife reserves we explore on this tour.

1 BEGELEIDE FIETSREIZEN OP VERRE BESTEMMINGEN Kerala India internationaal en individueel Days/13 Nights Departure Dates: Cycling Kerala s Backroads Kerala, a narrow Indian state sandwiched between the Arabian Sea and the mountainous Western Ghats, is known for its tropical greenery, backwaters, wildlife reserves, tea and spice plantations. Its location near the equator combined with the sea breezes and cooler temperatures in the highlands makes it perfect for bicycling and lives up to its tagline God s Own Country. US$2,795 Tour Cost US$950 Single Supplement Jan 6 Feb 21 Feb 5 Mar 20 Mar 2 Apr 17 Apr 30 Apr US$3,150 Tour Cost US$1,100 Single Supplement Nov 3 Dec 18 Dec 31 Dec Cycling on paved country roads we ll start our tour with a visit to the Thatekkad bird sanctuary, one of three wildlife reserves we explore on this tour. Then the climbing begins as we head up to the highlands and to Munnar, known for its tea plantations and spice estates. After taking the amazing views from Top Station, we descend to Periyar and have a rest day to explore the park where we are very likely to see a herd of elephants, but unlikely to spot one of the 40 tigers in residence. We then head towards Kumarakom from where we spend a relaxing afternoon plying the backwaters on a houseboat, where we ll also spend the night. From here it is a flat ride back to Kochi with time to explore this fascinating historic town. Along the way you will be staying at beautiful heritage hotels, eco-lodges and spend a night on a converted rice barge. We ll have our fill of ethnic and delicious food, seasoned by the local spices. US$2,650 Tour Cost US$775 Single Supplement Aug 27 Aug US$280 Bike Hire (all dates) Voor de prijzen in euro check onze website You won t be disappointed in the scenery and the culture, as you explore the slopes of the Western Ghats, the network of the famous backwaters by houseboat and the colonial town of Kochi. These are just some of the many reasons that National Geographic Traveler Magazine named Kerala one of the "10 Paradises of the World" and "50 Places of a Lifetime." Trip Profile The scenery is ever changing as we start cycling from the outskirts of Kochi and then we climb the slopes of the Western Ghats, and enter tea and spice country. We ride 547 kilometers in 10 days of riding, but this tour is entirely on paved roads so the distances are not too strenuous. We have designed the route to take in the best of Kerala s culture, countryside and wildlife, all while enjoying an active holiday. You ll ride from sea level to an altitude of 1,950 m, but this is over many days and though there will be some steep climbs, the pace is easy.

2 There ll be some exhilarating descents, including one that s 22 km long! The trip is fully supported and your guide s expert knowledge of the area and terrain means that you always know what is coming up in terms of distance and difficulty. This makes a tremendous difference, as does the constant supply of cold drinks and fresh fruit. Biking Conditions: This trip is on tarmac roads and there is no technical riding involved on this tour. An air-conditioned support bus travels behind the group to supports us and participants can cycle as much or as little as they like and still enjoy the same views as the rest of the group. Suitability: You can expect some climbs with steep gradients for the first five days of this trip, then some undulating terrain towards the end. There are three days of longer distances, but they include major descents. The hills can be tackled by those with a moderate amount of fitness, however, being physically fit will of course be a huge asset but as the tour is fully supported the van is always close at hand if needed. Biking Difficulty (out of five) Good quality tarmac roads with some challenging steep ascents the first three days. No technical experience required. Day to Day B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner Day 1 - Kochi Arrive at Kochi (formerly known as Cochin), a vibrant seaport town that is the perfect jumping off point for our exploration of Kerala. As the airport is more than an hour s drive from the city centre, we ll stay near the airport so we can ride straight from the hotel in the morning. Quality Airport Hotel. D Day 2 Kochi - Thatekkad After breakfast we ride into the countryside, passing a temple, crossing the Periyar River where, if we are lucky, we ll see elephants from a nearby camp bathing. We are on the slopes of the Western Ghats mountain range and heading towards the Thatekkad Bird Sanctuary, home to rare birds like the crimson-throated barbet, black winged Kite, hornbill, ceylon frogmouth, rose-billed Roller and blue-winged parakeet, to name but a few. We overnight in unique house tents that have peaceful views of the Periyar River. Lemon Grass Hotel. Ride 62 km. B L D Cycling Distance 547 kilometres Cycling Days 9 full 1 half Day 3 - Thatekkad - Munnar Bird watchers will want to rise early to see how many bird species they can check off before breakfast. Riding from the hotel we follow the Periyar River and the gradually rising trail winds its way through rubber and pineapple plantations to the Valara forest reserve, passing waterfalls on the way. We continue our gradual climb towards our lunch stop at a local restaurant. The afternoon is still up, we'll climb a total of 1000 m today, into the hills, branching off onto an old estate road to our plantation bungalow nestled amongst the cardamom estates, the main crop at this elevation. Those with energy to burn can explore the rest of the valley and then virtually freewheel back to the bungalow. Falling Waters Ride 55 km. B L D Day 4 Munnar Hill Station A 31 km morning climb of about 600 m in elevation will take us up to Munnar hill station. Located on the slopes of the Western Ghats at about 1600 meters above sea level, Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams -- Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. There are lakes, reservoirs, forests and several tea plantations carpeting the hillsides.

3 Our agent lives in Asia and have thoroughly researched the routes to assure that you see the best scenery and ride the best terrain, be it on road or dirt. We have carefully chosen accommodation that is the best available for the location and offer a good mix, from home stays to luxurious lodges, on our tours. We love Asian cuisine, wellknown for being hot and spicy and for its use of fresh ingredients, and will make sure you get to sample lots of it. Once we have done our hard work of climbing we arrive early afternoon and you have free time, perhaps to cycle 5 km to town if you want to take in the bazaar. Blackberry Hills. Ride 30 km. B L D Day 5 Munnar Loop to Top Station Overlooking the town, Annamali 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 neighbouring Tamil Nadu. You ll ascend 500 m in this gradual uphill but there ll be little traffic and the views will be worth the effort. After lunch in a restaurant at the summit there s the reward of the downhill back! Blackberry Hills. Ride 72 km. B L D Day 6 Munnar - Periyar Today's ride is stunning, as we ride out of Munnar on an undulating country road that takes us through small villages with wonderful views of reservoirs and streams to Kattapana town. After lunch it's just a short ride to our tranquil resort set amidst a plantation of a wide varieties of spices lsuch as cardamom, pepper, clove, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon and many more. We ll take a guided walk around the grounds to show you all the various spices. Carmelia Haven. Ride 79 km. B L D Day 7 Periyar - Thekkady Easy morning ride to Periyar National Park snuggled in the Western Ghats, one of the world's richest bio-diversity spots, this is the fascinating natural wildlife sanctuary with more than 40 tigers in residence and herds and herds of elephants. We ride on small roads through deciduous forests and try to catch glimpses of some of the native animals on our way to our resort set on the edge of the park. For those who like to shop there are a few curio shops and art galleries in this hip little town. Greenwoods Resort. Ride 26 km. B L D Day 8 Rest Day Free day to relax or go on one of the trekking and boat safaris to the nearby Periyar Park (please book in advance with your guide). Centered around a man-made reservoir, it is possible to see wildlife all year round at the park, although the best time is the dry season March to May when herds of elephants come to the lake to graze by the shore. If you are very lucky you may even see a leopard or tigers coming down to quench their thirst. The park is rated as one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in India for wildlife photography, bird and tiger watching. Greenwoods Resort. B Day 9 Thekkady - Mavady Estate Riding from the hotel we descend through cardamom and tea estates, stopping to visit the Connemara Tea Factory en route to Kuttikanam if tickets are available. This is a very scenic road and great views abound. We take a break from the saddle for a traditional lunch at Kuttikanam. After lunch we continue our undulating ride out of the tea growing area, with a couple of challenging hills, along one of the most scenic roads in Kerala. Summer Sand Hotel. Ride 55 km. B L D Day 10 - Mavady Estate- Kottayam Probably the best ride of the trip with simply stunning views, combined with a 22 km descent to start our ride. We ride through rubber and spice plantations as we head towards Kottayam, known as the Syrian Christian heartland of Kerala. Here grand churches dot the landscape and we break for lunch at Palai to visit St Thomas Church.

4 Its whitewashed facade and distinct guild ceiling, pre dates its Portuguese renovation. Relax at our luxury hotel set on the shore of India s second largest lake and there is time to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Abad Whispering Palms Resort. Ride 86 km. B L D Hoe te reserveren? Stuur een mailtje naar info@flyandbike.be en wij doen het nodige Day 11 - Vembanad Lake Cruise Morning is free to relax and enjoy the lake view or go for an optional visit to the nearby Kumarakom bird sanctuary. Midmorning we board our houseboat for a stunning backwater cruise. The houseboats, converted rice barges, come with a captain, cook and crew; we just sit back, sip long drinks and watch the world go by. Houseboat. B L D Day 12 Alleppey Fort Cochin Mid morning we disembark at Alleppey, earning the nickname the Venice of the East from an intricate network of canals. Riding along the old canal road we view some historic buildings and see why it remains the centre for Coir carpets, made from coconut husks, and prawn farming. Taking the beach road north our ride ends at Fort Cochin and our boutique hotel. Killians hotel. Ride 60 km. B L D Subject to Change In remote destinations abnormal conditions can prevail at any time, and all adventurous holidays can therefore be subject to unexpected change. Though we will do our best to adhere to the original itinerary, we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes. This also applies to the hotels mentioned and any changes will be to another hotel of the same or higher standard. In order to enjoy your cycling holiday you should be prepared to be flexible when necessary. Day 13 Fort Cochin Optional morning cycle ride around the back streets of old Cochin, taking in all the major sights of Fort Cochin and Jew Town, before ending at Chinese Fishing Nets, a stones throws from our hotel. With a rich background influenced by the Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese, there is much to explore, from the bazaars and the old harbour area of the town, to the Dutch Palace, Santa Cruz Basilica, Vasco House or the synagogue, built in 1568 for the Jewish members of Cochin's trading communities, adorned with hand-painted tiles from China and elegant Belgian chandeliers. Afternoon is free to relax at the hotel, poke around the antique and curio shops, or if you prefer museums, there s the Museum of Kerala History, Gallery of Contemporary Art, Hill Palace museum and Chaithram Art Gallery. And of course there are an abundance of shopping eating opportunities. But save room for our farewell dinner. Killians hotel. Ride 15 km. B L D Day 14 Onward travel Onward travel or explore more of incredible India. B Nuts & Bolts Bikes: The rental bikes are well-known makes of hybrid or mountain bikes (depending on the tour) with lightweight alloy frames, 24- to 27-speed gearing, v-brakes and Shimano components and front suspension. If you bring your own bike, please make sure it is a mountain bike, preferably with front suspension, and that it is in good mechanical order. Bike Repairs: Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though we cannot guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended. Safety: Wearing a helmet is compulsory on all our biking adventures. Your guide is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. It is therefore compulsory that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for a mountain biking tour.

5 Support: We will be supported by vehicles throughout this tour and they are always available for tired cyclists. It is very easy to get bikes on and off, so you can rest when you are tired and cycle whenever you feel like it. Guides: You will be led by a local English-speaking guide and if the group is 8 people or more we will add another guide to the tour. All our guides are well informed in the history, culture and religions of the area where you are biking and are skilled at passing that knowledge on to you. Your guide is also medically trained and an experienced cyclist, able to handle most minor repairs en route. The Nitty Gritty Arriving and Departing: This tour begins and ends in Kochi (Cochin). International flights, to and from the start and finish points are not included in the tour price. If you need help or advice arranging international flights please contact us. Passports and Visas: Please make sure that your passport is still valid for at least six months at the end of the tour. An electronic visa (e-visa) is available for passport holders of 43 countries including Australia, Finland, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, and USA, with the application and a US$60 fee submitted at least 4 days before the date of arrival. The visa is valid for 30 days. For citizens of countries not specified a visa must be acquired before arriving in India. Please contact your local Indian embassy to receive a standard tourist visa. Health: There are no compulsory vaccinations although it is strongly recommended that you are vaccinated against: Typhoid; Hepatitis A and B. Tetanus and polio vaccinations should also be up to date at the time of travel. Please speak to your doctor/physician for the most recent information. Weather: Being near to the equator means Kerala weather is pleasantly tropical in nature. Temperatures vary little throughout the year, with average maximum highs between 29º and 33º. The best weather in Kerala is from November to late February when temperatures are marginally lower and it is the lowest rainfall. You may experience a tropical rain shower, but they will be short. Kerala s rainy season is June and July. Temperatures are significantly cooler in the highlands, hill stations and the higher Western Ghats. Take a light fleece for the cooler nights in the highlands. Food: Meals are included in the itinerary where B = breakfast, L = lunch, and D = dinner. Any special dietary requirements can also be catered for as well. Please let us know at the time of booking. Drink: Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water and energy-restoring drinks are included in the tour price while riding. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. Beer and alcohol are NOT included in the price. Beer is not readily available everywhere in Kerala, but we can arrange for you to purchase in advance where it is not. Solo Travellers: We do not require you to pay a surcharge for travelling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveller of the same gender and if we cannot match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.

6 Extra Expenses: We recommend that you tuck away a few extra dollars a day for incidentals. Included entrance fees are those for the listed sites and national parks that are part of the itinerary. Any other site fees are not included. Money: The currency is the Indian rupee (Rs) and there are ATMs in major cities and most towns that take international cards. However, we suggest that you withdraw money at the airport at the start of your tour. The information in this document is given in good faith, and covers the average range of conditions likely to be found on this trip. Please note that the itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, however, we will always do our best to adhere to this original itinerary.

India - Cycling Kerala's Back Roads Bike Tour ( ) Guided 14 days/13 nights

India - Cycling Kerala's Back Roads Bike Tour (2017-2018) Guided 14 days/13 nights Kerala, a narrow Indian state sandwiched between the Arabian Sea and the mountainous Western Ghats, is known for its tropical