South India cycling tour, coast to coast
The tour runs only in November, December, January and February.
Description of South India cycling tour, coast to coast
Embarking on a two week south India cycling tour, coast to coast, is an incredible experience and one that's bound to find you with your head in the clouds as your feet stay firmly on the pedals.
There's just something magically spiritual about cycling past farmlands cultivated for spice production where welcoming villagers wave at your arrival and offer respite in the form of boutique lodgings, tea gardens and shaded coffee, coconut and rubber plantations.
From the Madurai and Tanjore temples to the Mahabalipuram rock carvings and French influence found within Pondicherry, taking your time to enjoy a south India cycling tour, coast to coast, is what life's all about with the easterly beaches of Tranquibar a tantalising place to rest and relax.
Travelling from west to east coast allows you to really soak up the very best of southern India with cycle tracks taking you away from the typical tourist hot spots as you get to experience the wildlife sanctuaries and secret sandy beaches without the hassle of a huge crowd.
The Western Ghats will also, no doubt, provide an array of inspirational encounters as this two week south India cycling tour, coast to coast, takes you into the mountains where hill stations, riverside bungalows, tea estates and stunning views provide more than adequate accommodation for anyone with more than a passing interest in sustainable and environmentally ethical tourism.
What you'll discover on this south India cycling tour, coast to coast:
Small hotels, eco-retreats and hill station estates.
The majority of your meals will be included as well as packed lunch for days spent in the saddle.
You'll experience the Western Ghats as well as wilderness areas, grasslands, rainforests at high altitude, vast lakes and forests of cardamom.
Cycle to villages surrounded by spice groves as well as tribal villages, sacred temples and the breathtaking beaches on the east Indian coast.
Price information
The tour runs only in November, December, January and February.
Departure information
Travel guides
Holiday information
Reviews
1 Reviews of South India cycling tour, coast to coast
Reviewed on 06 Mar 2017 by Bob Stunt
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The experience of cycling through rural India, meeting and reacting with the local people. Even a local police sergeant bought us all breakfast when we met him one morning.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
A reasonable standard of fitness is required. We were a group of 9 men with ages ranging from 54yrs to 67yrs. Take a good pair of padded cycle shorts.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We stayed at lovely boutique hotels and staff were employed from the local area.
Also used local roadside stalls for lunch and snacks on journey. Cycling does not damage the environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
An amazing experience, backed up by very able, proffesional and attentive team.
Responsible Travel
Planet
Eco and culture tours like these give an opportunity to visit people at their villages and interact with them and gives the travelers a chance to appreciate local cultures.This trip also helps in raising awareness about the unique bio-diversity of the Western Ghats which is one of the 34 bio diversity ‘Hot Spots’ of the earth. All parks in this region have Eco Development Committees and Forest Protection Teams employed in tourism related work and arranging all wildlife programmes for tourists. So when one enters the park & takes part in safaris or treks in the park, the proceeds of such activities go to the local communities directly and almost in full.
The areas that the guests pass through are parts of the bio-diversity areas, enabling them to sight wildlife, birds and flora seen nowhere else in the world. All this is done without stressing the areas environmentally. The fact that we do not have more than 6 persons on these tours minimizes any detrimental impact.
People
This trip is arranged by local operator and hence the money generated remains local. Moreover, the guides, drivers, cooks and porters are all from the local communities notably the indigenous tribal populations that have been stressed due to loss of traditional means of livelihood. Tours like this ploughs back money into their hands and is eagerly awaited by them to enhance their resources for livelihood. The local guides are knowledgeable of their terrain, flora & fauna and make great educators in the wilderness way of life.A prime factor in this holiday is the location where even today traditional ways of life & agriculture thrives. The guests would also learn more about indigenous people, their way of life and traditions. Moreover, part of the money is ploughed back into these areas where you travel and stay.
The food items are sourced locally making survival of this programme a priority for villagers who live near the camps. The eco lodges we use are also well versed in reducing resource consumption and utilizing local expertise in the day to day operations.
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