Bike, Hike & Kayak South India

4.7Based on

Carbon neutral

14 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Bangalore, India

Ends

Chennai, India

Highlights

Cycle the backroads of Southern India through tea plantations and quaint hillside villages

Embark on jeep safaris in search for wild Asiatic Elephants, Bengal Tigers, Sloth Bears and other wildlife

Trek through rain forest to the second highest peak of the Western Ghats

Depart on a UNESCO heritage train ride between Coonoor and Ooty

Experience the delightful backwaters of Kerala

Explore the historic and culturally rich town of Kochi

Visit the splendid Mysore Palace

Explore the historic and culturally rich town of Kochi

Visit the splendid Mysore Palace

Itinerary

Adventure-seekers looking to experience the diversity of southern India will love the Bike, Hike & Kayak South India tour. Over 14 days, this guided trip journeys from Bangalore to Chennai, blending cycling, hiking, and kayaking across hill stations, wildlife parks, and Kerala’s famed backwaters. Traverse the Western Ghats by bike, trek through Bandipur and Periyar in search of tigers and elephants, and glide by kayak through Kerala’s tranquil waterways. The moderate pace and varied activities make this ideal for experienced travelers and energetic seniors eager to discover India’s natural beauty and cultural tapestry. The unique highlight is the trip’s multi-activity design, offering an immersive tour package that reveals South India’s landscapes from multiple perspectives—cycling, walking, and paddling—while enjoying comfortable accommodations and authentic local cuisine throughout.

day 1 - Join Bengaluru (Bangalore)

Upon arrival you will be met by a representative of World Expeditions and transferred to the group hotel. The rest of the afternoon is spent at your leisure. This evening we head out for our first group meal, this is a great opportunity to get acquainted with your fellow group members.

Overnight: Chancery (MG Road) Hotel or similar.

day 2 - Drive to Mysore

After breakfast we drive to Mysore (approx. 3 hours), situated at the base of the Chamundi Hills, Mysore is commonly described as the City of Palaces. Upon arrival we will have a sightseeing tour of the city including a visit to the ornately adorned Mysore Palace, one of the most famous in India, and the Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery. We also visit the Chamundi Hills where we can see two ancient temples and get a panoramic view of the city.

Overnight: Sandesh the Prince Hotel or similar.

Meals:Breakfast

day 3 - Cycle to Bandipur and Mudumalai (approx.55km)

You will start cycling a short distance away from the city to avoid traffic, to one of the best wildlife reserves in south India, Mudumalai National Park. The park is nestled away in the foothills of the Nilgiris (The Blue Mountains) and is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Here, you can take a jeep safari deep into the midst of this dry deciduous forest, to observe herds of wild Asiatic Elephants, Leopards, Bison, Tigers, the elusive Sloth Bear and primates like the Langur, Bonnet Macaque and Slender Loris, all in their natural habitats. This reserve has achieved many a milestone in conservation efforts, which is evident from the growing number of tigers.

Overnight: Bamboo Banks or similar.

Cycle: approx. 55km

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

day 4 - Cycle to Ooty (approx. 33km)

This morning we negotiate the Kallatti Ghats toward the colonial town of Ooty. We drive up the Nigiris (literally blue mountains) to the old hill station of Ooty or Udagamandalam. Many ‘hair pin bends’ later you find yourself greeted with pleasantly cool weather at your destination situated at just over 2,200 metres. Cycling along these mountain roads you can find charming English style cottages blending into the landscape. These cottages with teak floors, art-deco armchairs, red-tiled roofs and chimneys also boast well kept gardens with a profusion of flowers that thrive here. The excellent botanical garden at Ooty which is over 160 years old is home to not only a great variety of exotic flora but also many birds.

Overnight: Accord Hotel or similar.

Cycle: approx. 35km

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

day 5 - Coonoor UNESCO heritage train, cycle to Mettupalayam (approx. 40km)

This morning we board the historic Toy Train for a remarkable rail journey with spectacular vistas as we descend to the popular hill station of Coonoor. From here we take a scenic bike ride, mostly downhill (approx 40km) to Mettupalayam – a small town located at the foothills of the Nilgiris. You will leave this busy town behind, and travel on our vehicle to Pollachi (approx. 2.5 hours), near the city of Coimbatore. At Pollachi, you will spend the night at a beautiful resort set amidst a coconut grove. In the evening we will take a walk through the farm & the nearby village.

Overnight: Coco Lagoon or similar.

Cycle: approx. 40km

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

day 6 - Cycle to Munnar through tea plantations (approx. 70km)

One of the longer cycling days, today we hop on our bikes and head towards the tea town of Munnar. En-route we pass by the dry scrub land forests at Chinnar and the sandalwood forests at Marayur before the climb begins to Munnar, situated at a pleasantly cool 1500m in altitude. The mountain scenery we pass today is spectacular, and we have plenty of time to stop and enjoy the views.

Overnight: Eastend Hotel or similar.

Cycle: approx 70km.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

day 7 - Day trek to Meesapulimala (approx. 15km)

Your rain forest trek at Munnar begins early, as you to have to ascend to a height of 2640 metres, where the peak of Meesapulimala is located. Meesapulimala is the second highest peak in the Western Ghats and your rain forest trek at Munnar involves navigating through the high altitude cloud forests and grasslands to get to this peak. After a brief stop to feast your eyes on a brilliant view of forests and tea estates down in the valleys below, you will trek down to trail head and be transferred back to Munnar. Overnight: Eastend Hotel or similar.

Hike: approx. 15km.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

day 8 - Cycle the Cardamon Hills (approx. 60km), transfer to Periyar National Park

The Cardamom Hills are famed all over the globe as the spice centre of the world, and today we cycle through the shadow of these hills. We ride around Anaerangal Lake and along wonderful mountain roads to Nedungandom where we stop for lunch. We pass through thick forests, cardamom estates, and spice gardens that have given these Cardamom Hills their name. In the afternoon we drive to Periyar and check into our accommodation where we can relax or explore the jungle. Periyar is one of the best wildlife reserves in India. Here we have an opportunity to meet some of the local people and see their fascinating way of life.

Overnight: Forest Canopy Hotel or similar.

Cycle: approx. 60km.

Meals:Breakfast and Lunch

day 9 - In Periyar

Early this morning we venture into the national park. Mannans are among the oldest indigenous group of people to inhabit Periyar. As late as the 1940’s, they lived in the remotest areas of the reserve seeking out a simple life, fishing in the lake and cultivating a few crops, today they are instrumental in the conservation of the forest. There is also the opportunity to do bamboo rafting for those that are feeling adventurous. In the afternoon we visit the Natural History Museum, and the cardamom and pepper plantations.

Overnight: Forest Canopy Hotel or similar.

Meals:Breakfast

day 10 - Cycle to Vagamon through the Western Ghats (approx. 80km)

Today, you’ll enjoy one of the most rewarding rides of the trip as you descend to the foothills of Vagamon. The journey takes you through sweeping tea plantations and peaceful forested stretches—some of the most picturesque terrain in the Western Ghats.

As you ride, the landscape shifts gradually, with the cool highland air giving way to the warmer breezes of the lower slopes. You’ll arrive in Vagamon, a quiet hill town renowned for its calming atmosphere and its intriguing blend of religious mysticism and European influences.

Tonight, you’ll stay at a resort overlooking Vagamon’s three sacred hills—Thangal Hill, Murugan Hill and Kurisumala—providing a peaceful setting to unwind after a full day on the bike.

Overnight: Wintervale Hotel or similar

Cycle: approx. 80km

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

day 11 - Cycle (approx. 55km) and transfer to Alappuzha (Allepey), kayak through Keralan Backwaters

Today, you will be taking a downhill ride through the mountain passes to the plains and from there through the rubber country of Palai to Alleppey, the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala. Here, you will settle into a beautiful resort at Alleppey.

Overnight: Lake Canopy Hotel or similar.

Cycling: approx. 55km.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

day 12 - Backwaters cruise, overnight on houseboat

Today morning we are in for a different adventure, exploring the backwaters on Kerala on a Kayak. You will kayak through the narrow canal, a great opportunity to experience the village life that evolves around the backwaters. Before noon we will complete the kayaking and board Kerala’s most luxurious forms of accommodation and transport, the houseboat. Reclining on cushions and drifting through quiet canals, you will pass through paddy fields grazed by ducks, floating markets, local toddy shops, temples and churches.

Overnight: Aboard houseboat.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

day 13 - Cycle to historic Fort Kochi (approx. 60km)

We end our journey at Fort Kochi with a fabulous beach side ride. After a chance to relax and freshen up we have lunch, and then spend the rest of the afternoon discovering a little of this amazing city. Its historic links can be seen in the Colonial Bungalows, an old Synagogue, Chinese fishing nets, the oldest European Church in India and a medieval Portuguese Palace. The city was founded in 1341 following a flood which created a natural and safe harbour and quickly became the chief port on the Malabar Coast. From the 1400’s it attracted Jewish, Arab and Christian settlers from the Middle East as a result of the Royal Family’s move to the city from Muziris, 50 kms north. The Europeans began settling from 1500’s as the Portuguese, Dutch and English competed to control the port and the lucrative spice trade. The city has three distinctive regions – Ernakulam, the modern region to the East, and the older districts of Mattancherry and Fort Kochi located on a peninsula in the west. We are staying in the heart of the historic Fort Kochi, India’s Oldest Indo – European town.

We will discover a little more off the rich cultural history of this place during our visits to museums and temples that dot the city and surrounding areas. In the evening we can enjoy traditional Keralan dances like kathakali and mohiniattam.

Overnight: Dutch Bungalow Hotel or similar.

Cycle: approx 60km.

Meals:Breakfast and Lunch

day 14 - In Kochi, trip concludes

Trip concludes after breakfast.

Meals:Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

Comfortable accommodation on a twinshare basisHouseboat accommodation

Meals

13 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 8 dinners

Transport

Airport transfer on day 1 and day 14All internal transport and support vehicle whilst cycling

Others

Simple homestaysLocal specialist guidesBackwaters cruiseSightseeing and entry fees as listed in the itineraryGood quality Cannondale, Trek (or similar) branded bikes

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

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based on 3 reviews

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