Cochin - Munnar - Madurai - Thekkady - House Boat - Alleppey - Cochin

Welcome to Cochin International Airport! Following customs, immigration formalities and baggage collection, our representative will meet you as you EXIT ARRIVALS and transfer from Airport to hotel. We have got the best Opening day for you - Fort Kochi. You must have heard of this historical hub of trade and arts earlier. If you are fit today, it is your opportunity to set out and explore Kochi by bicycle around 2 hrs. But remember not to miss our cultural show "Kathakali" in the evening.  This evening we will get together for a welcome dinner to meet the India Cycle Trails team as well as run through a briefing about the route and safety.

After an early breakfast on time pick up from hotel and we drive to Munnar. Post gathering all that morning energy, get ready to go on a cycling adventure to Munnar, one of the most welcome winter destinations in South India. After an hour and half journey you will start biking through the bird sanctuary. Through the terrain is quite hard, you can make the most of it in at your own pace. You will also get a chance to witness the Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls and the beautiful lush green tropical cover on your way. On reaching Munnar, Check in a resort and relax on the cool breeze.

After breakfast we start with our cycle towards to Suryanelli / Chinnakanal. On the way you will come across variety plantations and small villages. Take a pause and have a long look at both the mountain ranges enveloping the waterfalls and the surge crystal clear water before resuming the journey. Overnight at resort.

After breakfast we get on our bikes and cycling towards to Madurai. Reach next place Bodinayakanur (Bodi) the border of Kerala & Tamil Nadu. After crossing the Bodi we enter in Tamil Nadu towards hilly terrain on the foothills of the Western Ghats and rach Theni. Theni can be said as the gateway to high range in another side. From Theni to Usilampetti the straight line road visualizing the village beauty and plain lands of vegetation and agriculture. Reach Usilampetti, which is bigger town after Munnar enroute Madurai. On arrival Madurai check into the hotel.   

After having breakfast we leave for Local sightseeing of Madurai is one of the ancient city which has traces in history back to 3rd Century BC. We begin our tour with old city visiting Meenakshi Temple, which is one of the most remarkable landmarks of Madurai - the temple city. The temple is dedicated to one of the form of goddess Parvati called "Meenakshi". Thousands of huge stone pillars line the hallways, each adorned with different deties, are said to represent the 3,333,333 gods of the Hindu cosmos. There is also a shrine for consort Shiva, known as Sundareshwarar. This temple has been made using south Indian Dravidian architectural style. Then we will move towards Thiruparakundram Temple, nestled at a hillock around 08 kms away from Madurai city. It is dedicated to Lord Muruga and is considered as one among the six sacred abodes of the Arupadai Veedu. Mentions about this temple can be seen in the ancient scriptures from 6th century AD. After that you will visit Alagar Temple, which is located 20 km away from the city. The temple is dedicated to God Vishnu. Your next visit will be at Pazhamudhir Solai, which is considered as a prominent temple of Lord Karthikeya. Thereafter we will visit this large beautiful temple before proceeding towards the Thirumalai Nayak Palace. Before returning back we will visit Gandhi Museum. Evening free time to explore the city. 

After breakfast we get on cycle leave Tamil Nadu to re-enter Kerala to reach a small town called Thekkady, which is a picturesque town located in the famous 'Cardamon Hills' plantations and forests close to the entrance of Periyar National Park. This is hilly area and cycling here can be a bit tough. We transfer our cycles by our supporting vehicle to lunch point at Theni. After lunch we will will be dropped off at Cambam and from here we ride to Kumily through the banana plantation. The climate and  soil of Thekkady make it perfect for growing natural spices as cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and clove. We take you the plantation farm house where you get a guided tour of the entire state. It different experience to learn about the cultivation methods of spices.    

Today we start our ride on cycle through narrow winding roads towards the renowned Periyar Tiger reserve. The undulating landscape of evergreen forests cardamon estates will keep the air refreshed and brush of the fatigue or lethargy. While you pedal along, you will get a few insights about the local spices, their mode of cultivation, the climate and environment factors that help sustain and the economy it support in this region. You will also come across a variety of  medicinal plants, which show great potency in naturopathy and Ayurveda medical sciences.  The evergreen forest diffuse into the most deciduous forests, sheltering diverse spices of flora and fauna. Later we will leave for cooking class to learn about the Indian curries with our trained cook family and enjoy the same lunch, which is prepared by you.  After lunch we leave for Periyar sanctuary. The park is covered with dense, evergreen and deciduous forest and can enjoy the boat ride. If you are lucky you may spot the tiger, Elephants, sambar, wild boar, flying squirrels and gaur.    

Today after breakfast we get on cycle and paddle 15 kms towards to the Vandiperiyar and visit Connemara Tea Factory one of the oldest tea factories in Kerala. Visiting a tea Tea factory and understand the process of making tea leaves. Kerala has massive production of Tea. Especially in Wayanad, Munnar and Thekkady area.  Connemara Tea Estate near Thekkady is the best place to learn more about tea and making a tea. This factory was built in the year 1940 and one of the oldest factory in Kerala. Later we continue our ride. After 35 Kms of cycling, we will load our cycles on the supporting vehicle and we will drive 75 kms towards to House boat jetty point to board the House boat. Lunch serve in house boat. The boat cruise through the beautiful village with green paddy fields. Dinner and overnight stay in House Boat.

After breakfast in house boat reach Alleppey Jetty point and our cycle team will pick you and we get on the cycle towards Cochin one of the best ways to experience the beauty of coastal Kerala is on a leisurely bicycle trip from Alleppey. The landscape is picturesque, with serene backwaters, small beaches, village and farms. We cycle towards to cochin, with few stops along the way for photography and refreshment. Cycling along the scenic Kerala coastline, you will see fisherman bringing in the fresh morning catch, If you wish, you can stop and learn more about fishing and prawn farming, or about daily lives. You will also see quaint beaches of white sand along the coast. On the way there are local temples, coir processing plants, toddy bars and churches. Lunch in the midway restaurant . The cycle from Alleppey to Cochin 3-4 hrs. We will finished our cycle and say good bye to our India Cycle team and load the bicycle on our supporting vehicle and continue our drive on our vehicle to Cochin.

After breakfast on time our representative will meet you at your hotel lobby and transfer to the Cochin International Airport to board the flight for onwards destination.