Kerala cycling holiday, India
Highlights
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary | Munnar hill station | Kannan Devan hills | Thodupuzha | Lockard Gap | Stylish three-night houseboat stay in Kumarakom | Cycle around Vembanad Lake | Cochin |Description of Kerala cycling holiday, India
Discover a new way to explore Kerala, with this 10-day India cycling holiday that takes you through sublime scenery from hill stations and tea plantations to the Kumarakom backwaters and an idyllic lakeside retreat.Pedal as part of a small group led by a local guide between lovely hotels, your luggage transferred so that you need only a small backpack each day, and a support vehicle accompanying you too any time you feel in need of a rest.
This trip involves daily rides of up to 60km, with the occasional challenging ascent and descent – nothing that should pose a problem for regular cyclists. And of course you will be pulling over frequently for refreshments or photo stops.
There are two key highlights to the itinerary, both of which will involve staying for a few nights. The Munnar hill station will be pleasantly cool, a favourite holiday destination of British officials during the Raj, where English-style bungalows remain amid the verdant foliage clinging to the hillsides.
Ride through tea plantations aromatic with cardamom as you proceed along canalsides to the backwaters of Kumarakom. Here you’ll spend three nights aboard a luxuriously refurbished houseboat, your days cycling around pretty Vembanad Lake to explore traditional villages, your evenings on deck with a cooling drink – paradise? Not far off.
Returning along the scenic Old Beach Road to the ancient port city of Cochin, you’ll return your bikes and bid your fellow cyclists farewell – this adventure is bound to result in a blend of memories and friendships.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.comCheck dates, prices & availability
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.
Cycling is one the greenest activities you can think of, but we are aware there are other elements of an organised cycle tour that are not as environmentally friendly as they could be. We are passionate about promoting responsible tourism and on our Kerala Cycling holiday we will strive to leave no traces of our presence as we cycle in the interiors of Kerala. We will be immersed in the local culture and encourage our clients to do their bit towards the conservation of the local environment.
The local staffs on the trip are chosen based on their knowledge and qualification, are aware of the sensitivity towards the local ecology. We strongly discourage any bonfire activities on the camps in and around the forest areas; maintain zero-litter policy and our local staff briefings to the clients are maintaining the same.
The Impacts of this Trip
Our accommodations’ are chosen because of their long-standing links with the community and not any chain hotels; we generally use local family home stays or simple hotels owned locally. Local food and delicacies are our first recommended option to the clients; this helps local establishments all along the tour. However, clients are free to choose what they would like to have. We are determined that financial benefits of our Cycling in Kerala trip are bound to stay within the local communities. Our local staff is our asset and we are proud to involve local people in our trips; we strive hard to ensure wages paid to them are fair and justified every time. This is reflected on the level of service they provide
As far as our UK office is concerned we took the decision several years ago to stop producing brochures, most of which we were aware ended in landfill. Any paper we use is recycled and is reused where possible.
Cycling is one the greenest activities you can think of, but we are aware there are other elements of an organised cycle tour that are not as environmentally friendly as they could be. We are passionate about promoting responsible tourism and on our Kerala Cycling holiday we will strive to leave no traces of our presence as we cycle in the interiors of Kerala. We will be immersed in the local culture and encourage our clients to do their bit towards the conservation of the local environment.
The local staffs on the trip are chosen based on their knowledge and qualification, are aware of the sensitivity towards the local ecology. We strongly discourage any bonfire activities on the camps in and around the forest areas; maintain zero-litter policy and our local staff briefings to the clients are maintaining the same.
The Impacts of this Trip
Our accommodations’ are chosen because of their long-standing links with the community and not any chain hotels; we generally use local family home stays or simple hotels owned locally. Local food and delicacies are our first recommended option to the clients; this helps local establishments all along the tour. However, clients are free to choose what they would like to have. We are determined that financial benefits of our Cycling in Kerala trip are bound to stay within the local communities. Our local staff is our asset and we are proud to involve local people in our trips; we strive hard to ensure wages paid to them are fair and justified every time. This is reflected on the level of service they provide
As far as our UK office is concerned we took the decision several years ago to stop producing brochures, most of which we were aware ended in landfill. Any paper we use is recycled and is reused where possible.
1 Reviews of Kerala cycling holiday, India
Reviewed on 06 Mar 2019 by Rita Orr
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We all enjoyed our long day of trekking.
Time on the house boat was perfect after a few days of cycling in the heat.
Throughly enjoyed the homestay accommodation.
Birdlife was particularly interesting
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The itinerary is not fixed and adjustments can be made to suit you
Need a resonable level of fitness.
We were careful about the water but ate everything with no ill effects
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes . In Kerala they are making a big effort to reduce waste from plastic in particular.
We met very few westerners on our trip so we were happy to support their tourist industry.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Well organised and felt the guide did his best to make sure we enjoyed our Kerala experience.
Changes to the itinerary were usually of benefit to us. Local people were very welcoming.
We were a group of 4 and ended up with 2 guides and a driver. Didn’t need 3 support staff
especially when one of the guides was too slow on the bike!
Accommodation was better than we expected. Food was fabulous!
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