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Those on the group flight arrive in Bangalore and transfer by coach to Mysore, breaking the 3.5-hour journey for light refreshments. If travelling independently, you should meet us in Mysore. After checking into our hotel there will be a short introductory briefing and time to relax (we may have to wait until around noon if rooms are not ready). We will meet at lunchtime and after lunch will have a short walk around the local markets. In the late afternoon, there will be a bike briefing and fitting in the hotel courtyard. In the evening there will be a full trip briefing before an optional group dinner. *Comfortable Hotel*
We start with a leisurely morning ride to Srirangapatna, the ruins of Tippu Sultan's capital which were destroyed by the British in 1799 during their final battle to secure control of southern India. The fortress stands on an island in the middle of the Cauvery River, and once over the bridge we cycle around the old ramparts, enter Tippu Sultans Mosque and the Ranganathaswamy Temple before riding back to Mysore for lunch. Today for lunch you get your first taste of 'thali’ - the southern Indian meal of rice and multiple small portions of curries on a plate, or the typical south Indian ‘masala dosa’, a thin pancake made with fermented rice and lentil batter. In the afternoon we have a guided tour around Mysore Palace. Also known as the Amba Vilas Palace, it is the official residence of the Wodeyars – the former royal family of Mysore, which ruled the princely state of Mysore for over seven centuries. The Wodeyar kings first built a palace in Mysore in the 14th Century; it was demolished and constructed multiple times. The current palace construction was commissioned in 1897, completed in 1912 and expanded later around 1940. The décor is simply stunning, if a little bit over the top, and the former maharaja is still in residence in his private quarters. *Comfortable Hotel*
Distance in Km: 37
Distance in Miles: 22
We leave the hotel and cycle out of Mysore town up to Chamundi Hill to view the huge 5m rock carving of Nandi, Shiva's celestial Bull. There are also good views over the whole of Mysore. We then cycle back down the hill and continue along the quiet backroads, along with the children riding a bike or bus to school. We also share the road with herds of white oxen and women in colourful saris carrying water pots on their heads. We arrive at the important pilgrim centre of Nanjangud, home to the beautiful 9th Century Srikanteshwara Temple dedicated to Shiva. We have a tea break here with the chance to look around the temple whilst the bikes are loaded onto the bus. We then drive for an hour along a busy road leaving the plains for the forested foothills of the Western Ghats – once the hunting preserve of Mysore's Maharajas, staying close to Bandipur National Park. We should arrive at our hotel in the Bandipur National Park in time for lunch, but if not we will have something en-route. In the late afternoon we take a jeep safari in the park. We will see lots of peacocks, spotted deer and monkeys, with the chance to see wild elephants, Indian Bison and of course the elusive tiger. These can be spotted at certain times of the year. *Standard Hotel*
Distance in Km: 42
Distance in Miles: 26
After breakfast we go for a short circular ride along the villages outside the forest areas to witness the local farming village life. This ride is followed by a tea break before we transfer by jeep to our resort. The afternoon is free to relax at our resort. Later in the afternoon, there will also be the opportunity to go on a village walk on the outskirts of the forest and visit a local farmhouse, where you could join a local family for Tea. *Standard Hotel*
Distance in Km: 20
Distance in Miles: 12
For some, today is the highlight of the trip, ascending 1251m to Ooty (Ootacamund), an Indian hill station and the former summer capital of the Raj. It’s a very steep ride up 36 hairpin bends with stunning vistas at every turn, and there's an immense sense of achievement at the summit. Although steep, there are plenty of photographic opportunities that provide a resting spot. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxed morning and journey up the hill in the support vehicle. After tea and cake at the top we have an undulating ride into Ooty. Set at an altitude of 2177m, the cool climate of the Nilgiri Hills gives us a break from the hotter plains below. Arriving late morning, we take lunch in our comfortable hotel. The afternoon is free to explore the town and to sample some of their famous cardamom tea. Ooty is called the ‘Queen of the hill stations’ and although it is now a busy little town there is lots to see and do. Originally occupied by the tribal Todas, the area came under the East India Company at the end of the 18th Century. The British introduced tea to the area, and the hillsides around Ooty are covered in tea gardens. The Nilgiri Hills are called the ‘Blue Mountains’, the blue colour coming from the many eucalyptus forests surrounding the area. Both the Botanical Gardens and the Rose Gardens are a short walk from our hotel. In the town there are many shops selling locally grown tea and oils and homemade chocolate. If there is time and it is running, there is sometimes the chance to go for a ride on the UNESCO listed Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a steam train built by the British (your leader will give you details at lunchtime if this is possible). *Comfortable Hotel*
Distance in Km: 27
Distance in Miles: 17
After breakfast we have a stunning ride across the rolling Nilgiri Hills, the backdrop for many Bollywood movies, before starting the dramatic descent, dropping 2000m through the hills and tea-covered slopes of the Western Ghats. The ride offers fantastic views over the hills below and there are some viewpoints that should not be missed. 54km later we reach Gadalur, a typical Indian town with one long high street selling everything, its shop-fronts covered with colourful adverts and cheap children's toys. Here we have a tea break before heading towards Kerala with the final 20km descent through tropical rain forest and bamboo covered slopes to our end point at a typical Keralan roadside restaurant. The bikes are loaded whilst we enjoy lunch and then transfer to Guruvayoor (3.5 hours) to avoid busy roads. (Please note that although the road is not very busy the road surface today is probably the worst of the trip. There are many potholes and the road surface is not even. Please take care and concentrate whilst cycling). Arriving in Guruvayoor, we have time to relax before wandering into town to sample delicious Keralan street food and have an evening stroll outside the temple, which comes alive at night. It is one of the most important places of worship for Hindus in Kerala and the fourth largest temple in India. The town is filled with devotees dressed in traditional Keralan costume who come here in their thousands to offer rice, flowers and gold to Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The ritual starts with bathing in the temple pond, then lighting an oil lamp on the huge 7m-high pillar of light, just in front of the heavy temple doors – a truly beautiful spectacle. Only Hindus are allowed beyond this point. *Standard Hotel*
Distance in Km: 86
Distance in Miles: 53
Today we cycle by the Shree Krishna Temple. A few kilometres further is another religious centre, Palayur Church, which is one of the oldest churches in India and founded by the apostle St Thomas, who landed in India in AD 52. From here we head towards the coast, cycling along country roads lined with mango and coconut trees. There are plenty of photo opportunities as we observe traditional life. Later, we board a ferry to Vypin Island, arriving at Cherai Beach early afternoon. The rest of the day is free to enjoy this stunning location and swim in the Indian Ocean. Cherai is known for its mouth-watering fresh seafood, so for dinner, you could try the Jhinga Kachcia Aam Kari, a speciality dish from Kerala made with green mango and prawns simmered in coconut milk and spices. *Comfortable Hotel*
Distance in Km: 62
Distance in Miles: 38
We set off from our beach location towards the coast to Cochin, cycling south and passing through small fishing communities with their colourful boats hauled up along the sands. Turning inland, we see grand houses built with the remittance money from the Gulf States workforce, as well as older houses constructed during the British colonial period. Please bear in mind that the traffic levels are high for the last 8km as we arrive at the main road to board the ferry to Fort Cochin (Kochi). This town has a unique place in Indian history, and to soak up the atmosphere we spend the next two nights in Fort Cochin. After check-in at the hotel, we wander down to one of the restaurants in the old harbour area of Kochi for lunch. Those wishing to visit the Indo Portuguese Museum should do so today as it is closed on Mondays. *Standard Hotel*
Distance in Km: 42
Distance in Miles: 26
Today is a free day to explore the town of Cochin (Kochi) with its bazaars and old harbour area. Merchants began trading spices such as pepper and cardamom with the Chinese, Arabs and Portuguese more than 600 years ago. The Portuguese established a base here, followed by the Dutch, who were forced to hand it over to the British in 1841. A potpourri of Indian and international communities, it is now the bustling commercial capital of Kerala and consists of several islands connected by ferries. Most of the major sights are close by on Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. Warehouses filled with the smell of tea and spices are lime-washed bright green, yellow and blue; rickety old bikes and hand-painted trucks piled high with goods fill the narrow streets and food stalls stand on every corner. St Francis Church is close to the hotel – built by the Portuguese in 1503 it is the burial place of Vasco de Gama and his tomb is inside the church. Further along, you come to Mattancherry and the Dutch Palace. Constructed by the Portuguese in 1568, it was gifted to the Maharaja of Kochi before the Dutch took it over. Close to the palace is Jewtown and the Paradesi Synagogue. Built in 1568 for the Jewish members of Kochi’s trading communities, it is adorned with hand-painted tiles from China and elegant Belgian chandeliers, all donations from wealthy merchants. The area around the synagogue, Jew Street, is a heritage zone with many antique and handicraft shops and is excellent for shopping. For a culinary experience, you should try the fish market near the Chinese fishing nets, where you can buy the day's catch and have it cooked to your own taste. There are also plenty of shopping opportunities here. *Standard Hotel*
Riding out from Fort Cochin we pass 500 year old Portuguese villas, a striking contrast to the tiny fisherman's huts dotted along the beach road with their long wooden boats pulled up under the palm trees and nets hung out to dry. Many of these fishing villages are Christian; at Arthungal the old stone church dominates its surroundings and is best viewed from the shade of a coconut tree whilst we have a tea break. Continuing along the coast road we head to Muhamma, famous as the start point for backwater trips. We spend the night in a backwater resort overlooking the lake. The tranquil gardens are as relaxing as the Ayurvedic massage and treatements on offer to its guests. In the afternoon and early evening, relax on the veranda as backwater life unfurls before you. *Comfortable Hotel*
Distance in Km: 52
Distance in Miles: 32
After a lie-in you can enjoy an optional 22km bike ride to explore the village, or alternatively, you can relax for the morning. Around midday we board a fabulous backwater houseboat for an unforgettable trip to Trikunnapuzha. These converted rice barges have 2-berth cabins with en-suite bathrooms and come with their own cook. With our bikes stacked on the side of the boat you won't see the saddle for another 19 hours, so just relax and watch the world go by. Vessels of all sizes use the lakes and canals that make up this fascinating network of waterways. The smaller boats ferry passengers and goods between tiny hamlets perched on narrow spits of land. On one side of the canal vast paddy fields of iridescent green stretch as far as the eye can see; on the other are fishing nets and coconut trees. As the sun begins to set, the boats are moored together and we gather on deck for sundowners. *Overnight Houseboat*
Distance in Km: 22
Distance in Miles: 14
We have breakfast on the houseboats as they move from their overnight mooring point to our disembarkation point. Here we meet the support vehicle and set off along a quiet coastal road to the Valaazhikal ferry crossing. We load the bikes on a local fishing boat to cross the river estuary and pass by Amrithanadamayi Ashram, better known as the Hugging Mama Ashram, a spiritual retreat overlooking the backwaters. We then join the main road to Quillon and have lunch at a seaside guesthouse: the fish is bought fresh from the market and cooked in mild spice and served with Poratta, a favourite Keralan bread. After lunch we are back on quiet roads for the last 30km to Varkala, a small laid-back community with coffee bars and yoga schools perched along its cliff-top. We spend the next two nights here. *Standard Hotel*
Distance in Km: 88
Distance in Miles: 55
Today is a full free day to relax and enjoy the beachside location. There are a number of beach shack restaurants for lunch which serve excellent seafood. Try some of the Tandoori dishes – the clay ovens give a more authentic taste to breads and curries. The last night's meal is generally at the hotel with a fusion of all your favourite Keralan dishes. *Standard Hotel*
Those on the flight inclusive package will be transferred to Trivandrum airport early in the morning for the daytime flight back to London. Land Only arrangements will finish after check-out from the hotel.
* 9 nights hotels and 3 nights lodges, 1 night houseboat
* 10 days cycling (including 1 optional ride) with full vehicle support
* Group normally 4 to 14, plus local cycling leader and driver. Min age 16
yrs
* Premium departures available
All breakfasts, 10 lunches and 4 dinners included.
There is a good choice of restaurants and sometimes there is a choice
between Indian and Western style food. If you are a vegetarian, South India
is an ideal destination. Lunches on riding days are usually taken in local
roadside cafes. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A (large!) bottle of beer
is approximately £3 (approx. US$5), but alcohol is difficult to get hold of
in Kerala. Please note that service in restaurants can be quite slow. Water
is provided in the support vehicle, where you can fill your bottle from the
20 litre containers. You should allow approximately £10 (approx. US$16.00)
per day for lunch and dinner when they are not included, £3 - £4 (approx.
US$4.80 - US$6.40) for lunch, and £5 - £6 (approx. US$8 - US$9.60) for
dinner without drinks. This amount may vary according to how much you drink.
Generally you can eat out very cheaply in India.
* 9 nights hotels and 3 nights lodges, 1 night houseboat
* 10 days cycling (including 1 optional ride) with full vehicle support
* Group normally 4 to 14, plus local cycling leader and driver. Min age 16
yrs
* Premium departures available
This trip is classified 'Road'
Activity Level: 4 (Moderate/Challenging)
10 days cycling (including 1 optional ride), average 54km/day (33 miles),
full vehicle support.
Terrain and route: mostly surfaced roads, a few rough sections. A good all
round trip with plenty of flat riding, lots of downhill and a challenging
climb. Routes follow mainly quiet back roads with low levels of traffic, but
this does increase when approaching towns. Indian roads can be busy and
clients must be confident cyclists who have cycled in traffic before. Leaders
will brief clients on the rules of the road and we ask that you please listen
to them carefully and follow their instructions. We aim to cycle most of the
route door-to-door, with only a few transfers needed due to distances and
busier roads. Great for a first time bike trip or first visit to India, but
lots of interest for those who have completed cycle trips with us previously
and want to see a different part of India.
Indian roads can be rough in some places, with potholes. Please bear this in
mind if you are bringing your own pedals and clip-in shoes.
Please note that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for
the conservation of many monuments in India and very occasionally this may
mean that work is taking place at sites visited on this trip. The ASI's
schedule is never published so it is not possible to forewarn our clients of
when work will be taking place.
DIWALI FESTIVAL
Some departures will be in India during the Diwali festival -– this is
marked on the website. This is a great festival to witness and some minor
itinerary alterations may be made locally in order to make the most of this
occasion.
Hotels, Lodges & Houseboat
9 nights hotels, 3 nights lodges and 1 night houseboat, all have ensuite
rooms. Most hotels are of a comfortable standard with 4-star facilities. The
resort in Mudumalai is more basic.
Hotels in India usually do not have heating as there are really only a couple
of months in the year when the weather can get cooler You can however
request more blankets or the hotel may be able to provide a standing heater
for your room. Please talk to your tour leader if you need help in this
matter.
Houseboats are comfortable and all cabins have ensuite facilities, the
majority of cabins on board are on a twin share basis. The houseboats are
air-conditioned (between 8pm and 6am) and also benefit from a communal/dining
area. Please note that single rooms can be limited.
Customers should be aware that the gas water heaters used on all houseboats
are open-flued systems, as used in many parts of India. While this complies
with Indian law, it does not meet UK standards and therefore we must inform
travellers that there is a risk (while minimal) of carbon monoxide emissions.
We have asked our leaders to install a Carbon Monoxide alarm, and to brief
your group about keeping their rooms ventilated at night (i.e. window
open) to ensure sufficient air circulation.
Keralan
Our Indian team of leaders have proved very popular with their incredible
knowledge, passion and hospitality adding greatly to the experience. There is
no better way to experience Indian culture than letting an Indian guide show
you around their country.
All breakfasts, 10 lunches and 4 dinners included.
There is a good choice of restaurants and sometimes there is a choice
between Indian and Western style food. If you are a vegetarian, South India
is an ideal destination. Lunches on riding days are usually taken in local
roadside cafes. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A (large!) bottle of beer
is approximately £3 (approx. US$5), but alcohol is difficult to get hold of
in Kerala. Please note that service in restaurants can be quite slow. Water
is provided in the support vehicle, where you can fill your bottle from the
20 litre containers. You should allow approximately £10 (approx. US$16.00)
per day for lunch and dinner when they are not included, £3 - £4 (approx.
US$4.80 - US$6.40) for lunch, and £5 - £6 (approx. US$8 - US$9.60) for
dinner without drinks. This amount may vary according to how much you drink.
Generally you can eat out very cheaply in India.
All your luggage and personal belongings will be carried by the support
vehicle, which is a minibus. Transfer sections are done in the minicoach,
which is sometimes air-conditioned. The support vehicle will follow the
riders most of the time, allowing you to cycle as much or as little as you
like. However, please note that there is only limited seating capacity in the
vehicle, and it is not possible to accommodate the whole group at the same
time. On occasions it is not possible for the support vehicle to follow the
group, but we will still meet the vehicle at regular intervals to replenish
water supplies etc.
*Travelling flight inclusive from London: 15 days*
The group flight from London is an overnight flight departing the day before
Day 1 of the itinerary.
*Flights from London*
We normally use the scheduled services of Emirates (depending on
availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend
you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm
up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and
cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure.
*Travelling land only: 14 days starting in Mysore and ending in Varkala*
Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Mysore in the morning of
Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided
in the Final Joining Instructions – sent approximately two weeks before
departure.
Accommodation check‐in times are normally from around 12 noon.
Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note
that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight,
even if Exodus has booked it.
If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior arrangement only) be
able to join the group transfer. Transfers are arranged to coincide with the
arrival time of the group flight ‐ please check the group flight details 2
weeks before departure. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you
must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense.
The start hotel is in the city of Mysore, which is 4hrs drive from the
airport. If you do choose to take a local taxi to the hotel then the cost
will be approximately £70. There are also public busses and train services
available to Mysore.
The most important feature of the Indian climate is the monsoon. The main
monsoon strikes the coast of Kerala in late May and sweeps its way northward
over the next month or so. The ideal time to visit is during the dry season
from October to March. Days will be hot and the nights warm, the average
range of maximum daytime temperatures being between 21ºC and 35ºC and from
6ºC to 20ºC at night. However, in the hills temperatures can be
considerably cooler and you can expect temperatures to drop to a few degrees
above zero at night. We ask you to note that frequent rainstorms can be
expected throughout the tour on November departures. However, the storms are
usually of quite short duration and the sun normally comes out fairly quickly
afterwards. Please note that swimming in the sea at Varkala is not always
possible, depending on recent weather conditions, however the hotels we use
will always have a pool.
Cycling helmet (compulsory on this trip)
Loose overshorts
High factor sun-cream
Warmer layers for the evenings in the hills
Cotton trousers
Dull coloured clothing for the game drive
Swimwear and towel
Favourite energy snacks
Sandals with toe protection
A water bottle – this should be a standard size to fit into a normal water
bottle cage on the bike
*Please note:*
As of November 2019 the Indian government has announced a ban on e-cigarettes
and related products. You will be unable to buy e-cigarettes in India or
bring them into the country. Please ensure you do not pack these in your
luggage.
Bum-bag or small close-fitting daysack
*Local Bike Details:* Specialized Cross Trail, Specialized Hardrock or Trek
4300 mountain bikes with front suspension.
*Discount for bringing your own bike:* £150.
It is illegal to import or export rupees. Do not accept torn or (very) dirty
Indian banknotes from banks or in change as they will almost certainly not be
accepted as legal tender in India. Please ask for low denomination notes of
100 Rupees, as 500 Rupee notes will be more difficult to use. You can change
money back from Rupees to your chosen currency on departure from India,
before you go through security and immigration, but you must produce an
exchange receipt showing that you changed money in India.
It is recommended that you allow at least £5 (US$8) per day for personal
expenditure such as stamps, postcards and soft drinks. Shopping opportunities
throughout this tour are endless and we suggest that you take as much as you
can afford for souvenirs - even if you are generally not a keen shopper we
have found that most people succumb to some of the wide variety of
handicrafts on offer.
Many sights now charge a small fee for cameras and you should allow
approximately £5 (US$8) for these.
India has very good opportunities for shopping, especially for locally made
goods, and during your trip it is highly likely that your local guides will
take you to emporiums as well as workshops where these goods are made. Many
people find this a great opportunity to buy local handicrafts, silk,
jewellery and carpets. Guides will often assume that visitors will want to go
shopping, it is very much part of the culture, but if you do not wish to go
please make this clear to your local guide at the time.
Tipping is very much part of the culture in India and is usually expected.
Tipping can often be an awkward affair, especially when in an unfamiliar
country where you are not sure when or how much to tip. As such, your tour
leader will offer to arrange and look after a group tipping kitty which will
be used for water, cold drinks, tea breaks, snacks, and to tip hotel staff
(porters, bellboys, security), restaurant staff and local sightseeing guides.
Your leader will suggest how much to contribute, depending on group size, but
it is usually in the region of 5000 INR (approx. £50 US$65) per person. At
any time during the trip your leader will be happy to show you an account of
how the kitty is being distributed. Please note that the kitty does not
include tips for the mechanic and bus driver used throughout your trip and is
at your own discretion. Tipping of the tour leader is not included in the
kitty either and is also at your own discretion. Our local leaders are paid
well and fairly for their work with Exodus, however, if you wish to show your
appreciation a tip of around £2-£3 (US$3-4.50) per person per day would be
appreciated. For Premium departures, we recommend a tip of around £3-£5
(US$4-6.50) per person per day. By definition, gratuities are not something
that can be included in the tour price.
* Travel insurance
* Visas and vaccinations
* Single supplement
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.