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Gentle cycling along the tropical Keralan coastline
Start Cochin. Those on the group flight usually arrive at our hotel in the afternoon. We'll then have our bike fitting and test our bikes. *Comfortable Hotel*
Today is a good opportunity to get used to the bikes, exploring the historical town of Cochin (Kochi) by bike and foot. The Portuguese established a base here, followed by the Dutch, who were forced to hand it over to the British in 1841. With a multicultural heritage, it is now the bustling commercial capital of Kerala. Merchants began trading spices such as pepper and cardamom with the Chinese, Arabs and Portuguese more than 600 years ago. Warehouses are still 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. Most of the major sights are found in Fort Kochi and Mattencharry. We'll visit St Francis Church, which is close to the hotel. Built by the Portuguese in 1503, it is the burial place of Vasco de Gama and his tomb can be found inside the church. We then make our way to the Dutch Palace in Mattancherry. 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 Jew Town 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, called Jew Street, is a heritage zone with many antique and handicraft shops and is excellent for shopping. The fish market near the Chinese fishing nets is also worth a visit. Cochin is also the centre for Keralan arts, so this evening we'll enjoy a Kathakali dance performance, a form of religious dance and play unique to Kerala. *Comfortable Hotel*
Distance in Km: 6
Distance in Miles: 4
Riding out of Fort Cochin, we pass 500 year old Portuguese villas, a striking contrast to the tiny fishermen's huts dotted along the beach road, with their wooden boats pulled up under the palm trees and nets hung out to dry. Many of these fishing villages are Christian. At Arthungal we can rest under the shade of the coconut trees, sip tea and admire the view of the old stone church. Continuing along the coastal road, we make our way towards the backwaters of Muhamma. Kerala is renowned for its backwaters; a network of canals and lakes which we cruise on a traditional rice barge later on in the trip. Tonight we stay in a backwater resort overlooking Vambanad Lake. The veranda and the gardens are excellent spots for relaxing whilst backwater life unfurls before you. Treatments such as Ayurvedic massages are offered here. *Comfortable Hotel*
Distance in Km: 52
Distance in Miles: 32
We continue along the coastal road towards Alleppey, another start point for the backwaters trips. Our ride takes us through Kainakary Village, eventually reaching Chennamkary, a traditional village in the Kuttanad backwater region of Alleppey. We'll spend the evening here in a homestay, arriving in time for lunch. The homestay is spread across a number of houses owned by different families. Rooms are air-conditioned and come with their own bathroom. It's a fantastic opportunity to experience warm Keralan hospitality. We'll enjoy a cooking demonstration in the evening, followed by dinner. *Homestay*
Distance in Km: 35
Distance in Miles: 22
A laid-back morning today. You can either relax at the homestay or go on an optional short bike ride to explore the village. At midday, we board our houseboat for a backwater cruise to Trikunnapuzha. These converted rice barges consist of 2-berth cabins with en suite bathrooms, and are equipped with their own cook. We stack our bikes on the side of the boat (we'll be saddle free for the next 19 hours) whilst we watch the world slowly go by. Vessels of all sizes use the network of canals and lakes, with smaller boats ferrying passengers and goods between tiny hamlets perched on narrow spits of land. On one side of the canal we can see vast paddy fields, and on the other side are fishing nets and coconut trees. As the sun begins to set, the boats are moored together and we gather on the deck for sundowners and dinner. *Houseboat*
Distance in Km: 7
Distance in Miles: 4
Breakfast is taken on the houseboat before we disembark. We then enjoy a cliff-top ride to the laid-back beach town of Varkala. We set off along a quiet coastal road to the Valaazhikal ferry crossing, loading the bikes onto a local fishing boat to cross the river estuary to Karunagapally, where we meet our support vehicle and transfer to the beautiful beach town of Varkala. We'll stop for lunch en route. We spend the next two nights at Varkala, staying close to what is considered one of India's best beaches. With coffee bars, shops and yoga schools perched along the red sandstone cliff-top, this town is an excellent place to chill out. *Standard Hotel*
Distance in Km: 38
Distance in Miles: 24
After breakfast, we enjoy a small morning ride to explore the surrounding coastal areas. Returning to the hotel by lunch time, there is time to enjoy the beachside location and perhaps try one of the beach shack restaurants, which serve excellent seafood. We recommend trying some of the Tandoori dishes - the clay ovens give a more authentic taste to the breads and curries. Tonight there is the option to enjoy a final group dinner at the hotel's restaurant, which serves a variety of Keralan dishes. *Standard Hotel*
Distance in Km: 25
Distance in Miles: 15
Those on the group flight will be transferred to Trivandrum airport for their flight back to London. For Land Only travellers, the trip ends after check-out.
* 5 nights hotels, 1 night houseboat, 1 night homestay
* 6 days cycling, including 1 optional ride and a bike tour of Cochin, with
full vehicle support
* Mostly surfaced roads with a few rough sections
* Group normally 4 to 14, plus leader and driver. Min. age 16 yrs
All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 2 dinners included.
Lunches on riding days are usually taken in local roadside cafes, allowing us
to sample typical south Indian dishes such as poori (deep fried bread served
with curry) and dosa (thin pancake made with fermented rice and lentil
batter). South Indian food is very much influenced by its tropical landscape;
creamy coconut dishes enlivened with delicate spices, served on a banana
leaf. It's also an ideal destination if you are a vegetarian. Tea and soft
drinks are very cheap, and there'll be plenty of tea stops so that you can
enjoy a cold can, a cup of chai or refreshing coconut water. A (large!)
bottle of beer is approximately £3 (approx. US$5) but please note that
alcohol is difficult to get hold of in Kerala as it is a dry state.
Generally you can eat out very cheaply in India. Where food is not included,
you should allow approx. £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.
Please note that service in restaurants can be quite slow. Drinking water is
provided in the support vehicle, where you can fill your bottle from the
containers.
* 5 nights hotels, 1 night houseboat, 1 night homestay
* 6 days cycling, including 1 optional ride and a bike tour of Cochin, with
full vehicle support
* Mostly surfaced roads with a few rough sections
* Group normally 4 to 14, plus leader and driver. Min. age 16 yrs
This trip is classified 'Road'
Activity Level: 2 (Leisurely/Moderate)
No. of days cycling: 6, including 1 optional ride and a bike tour of Cochin.
Full vehicle support.
Average daily distance: ranges from 25km/day (15.5 miles) to 60km/day (37.3
miles).
Terrain and route: mostly surfaced roads (which can be rough in some places)
including plenty of quiet backroads with low levels of traffic, but this does
increase when approaching towns. The support vehicle is available at all
times if required. The cycling consists of mostly half-day rides, allowing
time to explore the sights and relax at your hotel.
This trip is designed so that you can experience the best parts of Kerala in
a short period of time. Kerala shows the softer side of the sub-continent,
offering a gentler experience than the often frenetic north. We follow the
coast rather than going inland in order to avoid the highlands of Kerala.
This itinerary is therefore great for a first time bike trip or your first
visit to India, but there is also plenty of interest for those who have
completed cycle trips with us previously in India and want to see a different
part of the country.
Please note that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) are 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.
Hotels, houseboat,homestay
5 nights hotels, 1 night houseboat and 1 night homestay (all en suite).
We use tourist-class hotels throughout the trip, all of which have swimming
pools, whilst the village homestay brings a different flavour to the
itinerary. The homestay is spread across a number of houses owned by
different families. Here we experience warm Keralan hospitality, alongside a
cooking demonstration and dinner with the hosts. Rooms are air-conditioned
and come with a private bathroom. Please note that single rooms can be
limited at the homestay.
Hotels in India usually do not have heating as there are really only a couple
of months in the year when the weather can be 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 converted rice barges consisting of 2-berth cabins with
ensuite bathrooms. The houseboats are air-conditioned (between 8pm and 6am),
come with their own cook and also benefit from a communal/dining
area. 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
they have been asked to brief groups to keep their rooms ventilated (i.e.
window open) at night to ensure sufficient air circulation.
Houseboat on the 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, 4 lunches and 2 dinners included.
Lunches on riding days are usually taken in local roadside cafes, allowing us
to sample typical south Indian dishes such as poori (deep fried bread served
with curry) and dosa (thin pancake made with fermented rice and lentil
batter). South Indian food is very much influenced by its tropical landscape;
creamy coconut dishes enlivened with delicate spices, served on a banana
leaf. It's also an ideal destination if you are a vegetarian. Tea and soft
drinks are very cheap, and there'll be plenty of tea stops so that you can
enjoy a cold can, a cup of chai or refreshing coconut water. A (large!)
bottle of beer is approximately £3 (approx. US$5) but please note that
alcohol is difficult to get hold of in Kerala as it is a dry state.
Generally you can eat out very cheaply in India. Where food is not included,
you should allow approx. £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.
Please note that service in restaurants can be quite slow. Drinking water is
provided in the support vehicle, where you can fill your bottle from the
containers.
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 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.
*Travelling flight inclusive from London: 9 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: 8 days starting Cochin and ending in Verkala
*
Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Cochin in the afternoon 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 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. We ask you to note that frequent rain can be expected
throughout the tour on November departures. However, this is usually of a
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.
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. We ask you to note that frequent rain can be expected
throughout the tour on November departures. However, this is usually of a
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.
Cycling helmet (compulsory on this trip)
Loose overshorts
High factor sun-cream
Sunglasses
Lip salve
Cotton trousers
Swimwear and towel
Mosquito repellent
Favourite energy snacks
Sandals/flip flops
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.
A first aid kit is carried on each trip, but we recommend that you bring your
own painkillers, rehydration sachets, plasters and a blister treatment kit.
*Local Bike Details:** *Montra Blues 1.2 hybrid bikes.
*Discount for bringing your own bike: *£90.
You will need about £70-£100/$88-125 for meals not included, which will
allow you to eat well. You should also allow money to cover souvenirs.
Shopping opportunities throughout this tour are endless - 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 sites now charge a small
fee for camera use.
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 and 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 2500 INR (approx. £30 or US$38) 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, bus driver
and tour leader used throughout your trip and is at your own discretion.
If you wish to show your appreciation a tip of around £2-£3 (US$3-4.50) per
person per day for the tour leader would be appreciated.
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.
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