Discover two very different sides of Southern India on a journey from Tamil Nadu to Kerala by bike. Begin in coastal Pondicherry, once a French colonial outpost, and ride quiet backroads through colourful temple towns and traditional villages. Climb steadily into the lush Western Ghats, where spice gardens and tea plantations blanket the hills, before descending to Kerala's serene backwaters and ending your adventure in historic Kochi on the Arabian Sea coast.
Breakfast: 13
Lunch: 1
Dinner: 5
Explore Tour Leader
Driver(s)
Bus
Bicycle
Boat
1 nights simple boat
1 nights simple homestay
9 nights comfortable hotel
2 nights premium hotel
Moderate
Trip maximum 16 Explore average 11
Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.
Our tour starts today in Puducherry, formerly known as Pondicherry, a former French colonial outpost on India's southeast coast. Known for its tree-lined boulevards, colonial-era villas and lively markets, the city blends French architecture with Tamil traditions, giving it a charming seaside atmosphere.
For those arriving in time for the 10am joining time, we'll transfer together from Chennai International Airport (approximately three-and-a-half hours). En route, we'll stop in Mamallapuram, a UNESCO site where intricately 7th and 8th century carved shore temples and roadside stone workshops showcase a craft that has thrived for centuries. Customers making their own arrangements should aim to be at the hotel in Pondicherry by 3pm.
After checking in and having lunch, we'll meet the tour leader at the hotel lobby around 3:30 pm to get set up with our bikes and take a gentle warm-up ride of around 6 kilometres/4 miles through the French Quarter and along the coast. Back at the hotel, there's time to freshen up before we head out for our first group dinner and an evening briefing about the journey ahead.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 6 kilometres / 4 miles on flat terrain.
Hotel Atithi (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Hotel
We start our first full day in Puducherry with a ride out to Auroville, an experimental township founded in 1968. Created with human unity in mind, the spiritual commune was developed by Mirra Alfass, also known as 'The Mother', whose idea was to create a place for all people, regardless of their gender, nationality or religion, to live together in harmony. Today, Auroville is recognised for both its giant golden meditation dome, the Matrimandir, and for being one of the most famous ashrams in India.
After exploring Auroville's visitor centre and learning about the community's philosophy, we head back to Puducherry for lunch.
In the afternoon, our tour leader will take us on a city tour of this French colonial town on foot, exploring the European-style buildings of the French Quarter. We'll learn why the French colony settled in Puducherry in the 18th century, whilst walking past the colourful markets and colonial houses.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 32 kilometres / 20 miles on flat terrain
After breakfast, we take a 30-minute transfer out of Puducherry to avoid the city's busy traffic. At our starting point, we meet the crew and support vehicle with our bikes before beginning today's ride. We follow quiet backroads towards Chidambaram, passing through small rural settlements and agricultural land, experiencing rural day-to-day life in Southern India unfold. We'll make a stop for some lunch at a roadside restaurant before continuing our ride to Chidambaram.
On arrival in the city this afternoon we use our vehicle again to avoid the busier urban sections, thencheck into our hotel before visiting the Nataraja Temple with our tour leader. Dedicated to Shiva in his form as the cosmic dancer, it's one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites in Southern India. The temple complex is known for its towering gopurams (gateway towers) covered in intricate carvings. We'll also visit the local bazaar with its stalls selling flowers, incense, and temple offerings.
For those who want to experience nature, there is an optional one-hour boat trip in the nearby Pichavaram Mangrove Forest. Known as one of the largest mangrove forests in India, this unique coastal ecosystem is home to migrant and local birds, such as cormorants, egrets, storks, herons and pelicans.
Please see the budgeting section for more information on optional activities.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 60 kilometres / 37 miles (total 370 metres or 1214 feet accumulated ascent and descent).
Lakshmi Vilas Heritage Resort (or similar)
After breakfast, we take a short transfer to the outskirts of the city to bypass the morning traffic. From our starting point, we'll mount our bikes and begin our 60-kilometre ride on quiet country roads as we follow the Cauvery River towards Thanjavur city.
Known as the 'Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu', as it boasts some of the most fertile lands in India, producing vast quantities of rice, Thanjavur is also famed for its Chola dynasty temples and rich cultural heritage. At the end of our ride we complete the busier section of road into town in our vehicle.
Thanjavur was the former heartland of the Chola dynasty, an empire that originated in the fertile valley of the Cauvery River and ruled for over four centuries, from the 9th to the 13th century. Its power stretched beyond the borders of India, to as far as Sri Lanka, the Maldives and parts of Southeast Asia, thanks to its maritime presence. Besides their enormous influence in establishing trade connections between India and Southeast Asia, the Cholas were also great patrons of Tamil arts.
This afternoon we visit the UNESCO-listed Brihadeeswarar Temple, an outstanding example of Chola architecture with its 66-metre-high vimana (tower) and large stone Nandi bull statue. From here, we will visit the Royal Palace, whose paintings, manuscripts and sculptures depict the Chola dynasty.
From here, we will wander over to the Sangeet Mahal, a Hall of Music designed to showcase its excellent acoustics, where public events and concerts once took place.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 60 kilometres / 37 miles (total 265 metres or 870 feef accumulated ascent and descent).
Hotel Gnanam (or similar)
This morning, we leave the Chola heartland of Tamil Nadu as we head further south into the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu. Known for its impressive mansions built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by wealthy traders known as Chettiars, we'll cycle past these lavish mansions that once showcased the wealth and power of the Nattukottai Chettiar community.
This community amassed their wealth by trading precious stones with other Southeast Asian countries. Sadly, overseas trade was impacted by the Second World War, which resulted in many of these mansions being abandoned as the traders of the Nattukottai Chettiar community fled the country. Despite many of the mansions being abandoned and left to ruin, in more recent years, some of the mansions have been restored as boutique hotels, offering guests the chance to glimpse into the past.
After taking a short transfer into the city to avoid the traffic, we'll visit the Chettinad Museum, where we will see how the famous Athangudi tiles are made. These tiles were used in the grand Chettiar mansions and are impressively poured, painted and polished all by hand.
If time permits, we'll also make a stop at the local Santhai market where hand-spun cotton fabrics, palmyra leaf baskets and locally-grown produce are sold.
Aside from its impressive Chettiar mansions, the Chettinad region is also renowned for its famous cuisine. This evening, we'll enjoy a cooking demonstration to discover why this part of Tamil Nadu is so celebrated, sampling a couple of regional dishes such as a fragrant biryani or a traditional thali.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 55 kilometres / 34 miles (total 370 metres or 1214 feet accumulated ascent and descent).
Chettinadu Mansion (or similar)
We leave Chettinad this morning and will be making our way to Madurai via a couple of interesting stops. We'll cycle past granite quarries and mason workshops who are responsible for carving temple pillars for over 2,500 years. Our ride will take us past local villages until we reach Karrupur, where we'll have lunch.
Our final stretch of today's journey will be in our vehicle and we'll stop at Melur en route to Madurai. Melur is known for its hundreds of red clay horses that surround village shrines dedicated to Ayyanar, the guardian deity who is believed to protect village boundaries.
This afternoon will be spent exploring the old city of Madurai and Sri Meenakshi- Sundareshwara temple, arguably one of the most beautiful and atmospheric temples in Southern India. The Hindu temple is one of the biggest temple structures in India and is an iconic sight in Tamil Nadu. Thousands of huge stone pillars line the hallways, each adorned with different deities, and are said to represent the 3,333,333 gods of the Hindu cosmos. As with all the temple visits over these days, it is a great opportunity to strike up conversations with the many local pilgrims.
For those interested, there is the option to return to the temple in the evening to witness the Bed Ceremony, a daily procession in which the statue of Lord Shiva is carried from his shrine to join his beloved Parvati in hers within the Meenakshi Temple.
If time allows, there is an optional rickshaw ride through the narrow streets of Madurai to visit the spice and vegetable markets. Please see the budgeting section for this optional activity.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 65 kilometres / 40 miles (total 315 metres / 1033 feet accumulated ascent and descent).
JC Residency (or similar)
We are up early this morning to visit the flower market in Madurai before breakfast. Early morning is the busiest but best time to visit this bustling market. The market is a colourful feast for the eyes (and nose!) where you'll see piles of jasmine, lotuses, marigolds and roses, to name a few, being bought and sold for weddings, celebrations, and worship.
After breakfast, we leave behind the hustle and bustle of Madurai and drive towards the Cardamom Hills. Our bus journey of around two hours takes us through changing landscapes, from fertile plains into rolling fields of sugarcane and coconut palms. From our lunch stop in Theni, we begin our ride passing by banana groves before we begin our slow but steady ascent up to the Western Ghats. Our time in Tamil Nadu comes to an end today as we cross into Kerala.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 35 kilometres / 22 miles (total 605 metres / 1985 feet accumulated ascent and descent).
Abad Green Forest-Best Resort (or similar)
We'll head out on a guided walk in Periyar National Park bright and early today. Led by a trained forest department tribal guide, the trek will take us approximately 3 miles/5 kilometres through a dense forest of teak, rosewood, sandalwood and mango, where we will keep our eyes peeled for birds, butterflies and wildlife.
Returning to the hotel in time for a late breakfast, the rest of the day is free for you to relax at the hotel or, for those who want to keep busy, to do an optional boat safari in the park. The boat safari is a great opportunity to spot guar, deer, monkeys, and, from March to May, herds of elephants.
In the late afternoon, we'll drive over to a family-run spice plantation. Here we'll take a guided walk through the family's private spice plantation and learn about spices such as peppercorn and nutmeg, which are typically grown in this region. These spices will form the base of the meals we'll prepare with the family and are typical of Kerala, such as Malabar fish curry or spiced curry.
No cycling today.
Today we continue our journey through the Cardamom Hills with a short transfer before reuniting with our bikes. We'll pause for a welcome tea stop at a local factory, learning about the tea-making process and the history of the industry in India.
From here, we continue our ride, ascending towards Vagamon, an area of outstanding natural beauty. The road winds through pine forests, rolling meadows, and misty hills, offering some of the most scenic cycling of the journey before we begin our descent.
Tonight, we stay at Planters Homestay, a 55-year-old two-storey family mansion set in a rural village. All rooms are bright and airy with en-suite facilities, and some (but not all) have air conditioning. The house is surrounded by lush gardens with tropical fruit trees, tall teaks, and lots of bird life. We have included dinner at the homestay.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 45 kilometres/28 miles (total 690 metres/2,264 feet accumulated ascent and descent).
Planters Homestay (or similar)
Grade: Simple Homestay
Our ride today takes us through spice plantations, rubber estates and tea gardens as we slowly make our way towards the coast. This part of Kerala is best known for its Syrian Christian heritage, evident in the many churches that grace the region. We stop in Palai to visit St. Thomas Church, established in 1922, which beautifully blends European and Keralan influences. Its sloping tiled roof and wide verandas were built to withstand the heavy monsoon rains, while the high altar and side chapels are reminiscent of Catholic churches in Europe. Our cycle will become a more leisurely pace as we approach the more flatter sections of the coastal road.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 40 kilometres / 25 miles (total 520 metres / 1706 feet accumulated ascent and descent).
Windsor Castle (or similar)
This morning, we have a leisurely start to the day. For those who want to stay active, there is the option to explore the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, home to cormorants, egrets, herons and more.
We'll board our houseboat around midday for an exotic journey, lazily chugging along the waterways used by villagers to connect each of the communities. We'll dock before dusk and watch the sun go down on the horizon.
The Kerala Backwaters are a remarkable 900km network of lagoons, canals and lakes, formed where the flow of rivers from the Western Ghats meets the Malabar Coast and Arabian Sea. The houseboat is perfect for observing locals who rely on it for transportation, fishing and farming going about their daily lives, as well as switching off and enjoying serenity and natural beauty.
The houseboats we use are simple yet comfortable, converted rice barges which have en-suite rooms and an area to relax and watch riverside life as we go by. Whilst the engine is running, there will be some power supply to charge cameras, but the air conditioning will be limited to nighttime only. Houseboat sizes range from two to five-bed barges; therefore, larger groups will likely be split over several boats.
Our total optional cycling distance today is approximately 35 kilometres/22 miles (total 65 metres/213 feet accumulated ascent and descent).
Houseboat - Kochi (or similar)
Grade: Simple Boat
Disembarking at Alleppey after breakfast, we'll travel by bus on the coast road north to Marari Beach, where we'll catch our first glimpse of the Arabian Sea. We'll continue to Andhakaranazhi, where the backwaters flow into the Arabian Sea, forming a strip of land called the "Azhi". From here, we'll ride the final stretch, concluding our epic ride from Tamil Nadu to Kerala.
We will be staying in a two-hundred-year-old heritage property located in the heart of Fort Kochi. The hotel is a great jumping point to explore Kochi, but for those who want to relax, the property has a rooftop pool to unwind in. The rest of the afternoon is yours at leisure to relax and celebrate the conclusion of a memorable ride.
Our total cycling distance today is approximately 40 kilometres/25 miles (total 73 metres/240 feet accumulated ascent and descent).
Abad Old Court House (or similar)
Grade: Premium Hotel
Today is completely free to explore Fort Kochi at our own pace. Our tour leader can arrange an orientation walk of the city for those who are interested.
Kochi was founded on trade, originally with the arrival of the Chinese, Arabs and Phoenicians in the 2 millennium BC. Its links to Europe strengthened in the 16th century, with the arrival of the Portuguese, closely followed by the Dutch and the English. This has produced an eclectic mix of styles and influences. You can find both the oldest European church and the oldest synagogue in India amongst its winding streets, and elsewhere, Chinese fishing nets vie for space alongside Portuguese houses and Dutch palaces.
Otherwise, there is the opportunity to visit the rural village of Chedamangalam to gain insight into what daily life is like in rural Kerala. The women of the village are supported by the Kudumbashree project, an initiative set up by the Keralan Government to eradicate poverty by creating livelihoods for the women. The visit will involve a cooking demonstration with a traditional sadya lunch served on banana leaves, followed by the opportunity to explore the village and farm.
Please see the budgeting section for information on this optional activity.
Our tour of Kerala ends at our hotel in Kochi.
There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight leaves later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel.\revised \revised0 If you'd like a hotel transfer, you'll need to depart from Cochin International Airport (COK), which is roughly an hour and a half from the hotel.
Total distance : 478 kilometres
There is considerable variation between the different regions of India but, in general, the climate is tropical. Summer temperatures on the plains are very hot, but cooled by the South-West Monsoon, which lasts from June- September. During these months it can be very wet and therefore very humid. The temperature can be incredibly hot between June to September, especially in places such as Delhi and the north of India. During this time, it is not uncommon to experience thunderstorms and rain. It is recommended to wear light, breathable and loose clothes to keep cool. One benefit of travelling during the summer months is less crowds around the major sights. At altitude, temperatures can become quite cool at night even in the summer and may drop below freezing between December and February so warm clothing is necessary. In the winter, northern and mid India can be very cool, with cold evenings, so warm clothing, including plenty of layers, are essential. The south of India remains warm and sunny during the winter months.
+5
3 Pin Round
Catholicism, Hindu, Islam and Sikhism
Hindi and English.
Bear in mind that the area is tropical with high humidity. Lightweights are needed all year round with some warmer clothes (ie fleece and long trousers) for the cooler winter evenings (November to March). When cycling: quick drying cycle tops, padded cycle shorts and cycling gloves are strongly recommended as they will protect you from sunburn and may also help protect your hands if you fall. It's also recommended that you bring waterproof cycling gear should your trip fall in the monsoon season. Bring a swimming costume or swim shorts for the beaches and to use at the hotel pools. Whilst cycling in shorts is acceptable and expected, please note that for visits to temples and city sightseeing, tight fitting sleeveless t-shirts, brief or tight shorts and miniskirts should be avoided, since they attract unwelcome attention. When visiting religious sites you will need to dress respectfully by covering your knees and shoulders plus taking off your shoes and hats. You may like to wear socks for temple visits as the ground can get very hot and burn the soles of your feet. You will need to bring long trousers, or buy a sarong locally.
If you are not bringing cycle shoes then try to bring stiff-soled shoes as these are better for cycling - transmitting your energy into the pedals more efficiently. This becomes more relevant and recommended the more demanding the grade and distances to cover. SPD cycle shoes are not well suited to tours that combine sightseeing with cycling.Comfortable shoes, trainers, sandals or flip flops are useful when not on the bike, particularly for walking in the national park
We recommend you bring a daypack and one main piece of luggage (total allowance: 44lb/20kg) which will be transported between hotels while you cycle. Check the bike details section to see if a pannier or handlebar bag is provided on the bike. Remember you are expected to carry your own luggage so don't overload yourself.
It is compulsory to wear a cycling helmet on all Explore cycling holidays. As we cannot guarantee the quality or structural integrity of locally hired cycling helmets, it is a requirement that you bring your own helmet with you. Most insurance providers require helmets to be worn whilst cycling, so in the event of an accident, it is likely that any insurance claim will be invalidated if you are not wearing a helmet. Cycle glasses to protect against dust, pollen and the sun, padded cycle gloves and a water bottle or water delivery system (e.g. camelback or platypus) are also useful. You may choose to bring your own gel seat cover for added comfort. A pannier is not provided so you may like to bring a small rucksack to wear while cycling. Other items to consider bringing are a sunhat and sun cream, torch, earplugs and insect repellent. Please carry some or all of your cycling equipment e.g. helmet as part of your hand luggage.
Bus, Bicycle, Boat
Accommodation in India is as varied as the country itself and standards might not always meet those back home. Service can be slow, especially when travelling with a group and a number of hotels in India don't serve alcohol due to complicated licensing laws or for religious reasons. Hot water is not always available at small properties, and with a group staying, you might find the water is cooler if you're showering last. Hotels also don't usually have heating, so it can become chilly in the winter months; however, blankets will always be provided. Due to the growth in tourism in India, it's not always possible to stay at our listed accommodation and an alternative will be found. We've graded the majority of hotels on this trip as 'comfortable'. Most have a good level of service and extra amenities like a restaurant, bar, garden, or swimming pool. Generally, rooms will be comfortable with en-suite facilities. We'll also spend a night at a 'simple' homestay. Planters Homestay is a spacious and comfortable two storey family mansion located in a small rural village. All rooms are bright and airy with en-suite facilities, and some (but not all) have air conditioning. The house is surrounded by lush gardens with tropical fruit trees, tall teaks, and lots of bird life.
Can you drink the water? The water quality is poor and therefore it is recommended to avoid drinking tap water during your trip.
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination's safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. Relevant government website links for UK, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens are available on our Travel Safety page. If you'd like some inital information on country-specific entry requirements, such as visas or any health declaration forms, please refer to our Entry Requirements page. The services and information on this page are provided by a third party, and so we will still recommend that you cross check this against your government website for the latest advice.
Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.
Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
India: UK passport holders must apply for an e-visa, once obtained you will be given a QR code to present at the airport. Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian passport holders may be eligible for the e-Tourist Visa to enter India. The visa can be applied for through the official Indian government visa website only - https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html . Please check all eligibility criteria that can be found on the website. Introduction of India's Digital Arrival Card Travellers holding passports from the UK, US, EU, and Canada must now complete a Digital Arrival Card when travelling to India. This form can be submitted online through the official Indian visa portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival) up to 72 hours before arrival. Please note that this is a separate requirement from the Indian e-Visa process. Paper arrival cards will continue to be available at airports until 1 April 2026, after which the Digital Arrival Card will become mandatory. You must be arriving into one of 29 selected entry points which can be found via the official Indian Government website link above. However, you can exit from any of the authorised immigration check posts in India. Passports must have at least 6 months validity from the date of arrival in India and at least two blank pages for stamping. Visa applications will take approximately 4 days to process. Those applying for a 30 day electronic visa can only apply within 30 days of arrival for your visa to be valid. Furthermore double entry is permitted and you can only obtain two 30-day visas in a calendar year. If you are not eligible for the e-Tourist Visa, please refer to https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html
If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.
Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both. The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.
Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.
If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking. For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here
It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom. Read more information about what travel insurance is required.
Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.
You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.
We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.
On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against Tetanus, Infectious Hepatitis, Typhoid and Polio. Please consult your travel clinic for the latest advice on Malaria, Dengue and Zika Virus. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by on the NaTHNaC website and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.