Backwaters and Beaches of Kerala

Backwaters and Beaches of Kerala Overview

A leisurely cycling holiday at the tropical tip of southern India

At the southern tip of India, the sun-kissed and spice-flavoured state of Kerala encapsulates everything that is magical about this colourful tropical region. Our easy-paced cycling holiday will allow us to get beneath Kerala’s skin and to experience some of the highlights; the traditional towns, timeless fishing villages, friendly people and stunning mix of landscape, ranging from the jungle and tea plantations on the slopes of the Western Ghats to the endless white-sand beaches of the Arabian Sea coastline. Starting out from the old Portuguese-founded trading post of Kochi and ending up with a free day in the laid-back resort of Kovalam, we travel by bike in manageable daily stages, with a number of short support vehicle transfers and a fun 3-hour ride through the famous ‘backwaters’ in a water taxi. Cycling on backroads amongst a maze of palm-fringed waterways and alongside the sea, there’s lots of time to stop to admire the scenery, take photos and to interact with the cheerful Keralan people. We spend time in downtown Kochi, enjoy a Kathakali dance show, take a sunset cruise, visit temples and churches, walk on forest trails at Thattekad Bird Sanctuary and stay 4 nights at comfortable and characterful homestays. With all meals included, the rich, varied and delicious cuisine of Kerala is another major highlight. Kerala is one India’s special places; a little corner of paradise and this leisurely cycling tour is a great way to make the most of it.