Kerala Spice Trail & Backwater Cycling

Name: Kerala Spice Trail & Backwater Cycling
Brand: Tropic Trails
SKU: 3978
Price: 2085 USD
Availability: InStock

OVERVIEW

This thoughtfully designed Kerala cycling tour explores the region at a relaxed pace, combining quiet backroads with nature walks, wildlife experiences, and meaningful local encounters. The journey begins in peaceful island villages and the historic charm of Fort Kochi, offering a gentle introduction to Kerala’s culture, heritage, and daily life.

From here, the route leads into forested landscapes rich in birdlife, before gradually climbing into the cool hill regions of Munnar, surrounded by rolling tea plantations and dramatic mountain scenery. The journey continues through the spice-growing highlands of the Western Ghats and into a renowned wildlife region, where guided walks and close encounters with nature add depth to the experience.

As the ride progresses, you cycle through scenic upland villages before descending into Kerala’s tranquil backwaters. A highlight of the tour is an overnight stay on a traditional houseboat in Alleppey, offering a unique perspective of rural life along the canals. The journey concludes with relaxing days along the coast, perfect for gentle rides or simply unwinding by the beach. Cycling distances are flexible and fully supported, allowing plenty of time for photography, cultural interactions, and unhurried exploration. This Kerala cycling holiday focuses on the region’s natural beauty, biodiversity, and authentic village life, far from crowded tourist centers.

We can tailor this itinerary to match your preferred dates, cycling pace, route, and travel interests, ensuring a personalized and memorable experience. Prefer a shorter ride? Explore our Kerala Cycling Tour 6 days.

HIGHLIGHTS

Kerala cycling adventure
Kerala long cycling tour
Kerala bike expedition
Western Ghats cycling tour
Kerala 2 week cycling tour

ITINERARY

Day 1:

Kadamakudy Islands

All Meals

Sunset cruise

Detailed Plan

On arrival in Kochi, you will be met by a Tropic Trails representative and transferred to the quiet Kadamakudy Islands, a cluster of small backwater villages located just north of the city. This area is known for its scenic waterways, traditional Chinese fishing nets, Pokkali rice fields, and narrow village lanes. After check-in and some time to relax, you will explore the surroundings and experience the calm rural atmosphere away from the busy town. In the evening, enjoy a short sunset cruise through the canals. This boat ride is a great introduction to Kerala’s backwaters, offering excellent opportunities for photography and a chance to observe everyday life in the island communities.

Day 2:

Fort Kochi

All Meals

Cycling and Sightseeing

Detailed Plan

The day begins with a morning kayaking session through calm backwater channels, passing mangroves, small fishing hamlets, and coconut-lined shores. After breakfast, you start cycling towards Fort Kochi using quiet village roads and local ferry crossings, enjoying the gradual change from peaceful countryside to the historic coastal town. By afternoon, you arrive in Fort Kochi and check in to your accommodation. Later, enjoy a guided sightseeing walk through the heritage area, including the famous Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, the seaside promenade, Jew Town, the Paradesi Jewish Synagogue, and the Dutch Palace. In the evening, experience a traditional Kathakali dance performance, one of Kerala’s most celebrated classical art forms. With colorful costumes, dramatic makeup, live music, and powerful facial expressions, it offers a fascinating insight into local culture and storytelling traditions.

Day 3:

Thattekad

All Meals

Cycling

Detailed Plan

Leaving the coast, you travel inland towards the forested foothills of the Western Ghats. After breakfast, there is a short transfer of about one hour to reach the starting point of the cycling route, avoiding the busy city traffic. From there, you begin cycling along quiet rural roads, including beautiful stretches beside canal-side lanes, passing through small villages, rubber plantations, farmland, and riverbanks. The ride offers a peaceful glimpse of everyday life in Kerala’s countryside. By afternoon, you arrive in Thattekkad, Kerala’s first designated bird sanctuary, located along the Periyar River. This region is famous for its rich birdlife and diverse natural habitats, with forest patches, gentle hills, and calm riverside surroundings. You will check in to a peaceful riverside camp surrounded by greenery. In the evening, enjoy a relaxed plantation walk around the camp area, a great opportunity to observe local plants, village life, and perhaps spot a few birds before dinner.

Day 4:

Munnar

All Meals

Cycling

Detailed Plan

Today’s ride gradually climbs into the Western Ghats highlands, with the landscape changing from lowland forest to spice plantations and then into wide tea-covered slopes. Along the route, you will enjoy views of waterfalls, rivers in the valley, and surrounding mountain scenery. Regular stops are included for rest, refreshments, and photography. After about 45 km of cycling, a vehicle transfer is arranged for the final approach into Munnar, helping you avoid the busier traffic sections closer to town. By evening, you arrive in Munnar, located at around 1,600 meters above sea level, known for its cool climate and rolling tea estates.

Day 5:

Munnar

All Meals

Trekking

Detailed Plan

Munnar’s cool climate offers a refreshing change from the warmer lowlands. Today you have a choice of activities: either a guided walk through the scenic Laxmi tea estate, with beautiful views across the plantations and surrounding hills, or a visit to Eravikulam National Park (Rajamala), famous for its high-altitude grasslands and the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. The region is part of the Western Ghats ecosystem and is home to unique wildlife and bird species such as Nilgiri Langur, Black-and-Orange Flycatcher, and Palani Laughingthrush. Birding opportunities are excellent throughout the day in and around Munnar. In the afternoon, you can explore the local market, visit tea shops, and enjoy time in the town, experiencing daily life in this hill station.

Day 6:

Thekkady

All Meals

Cycling

Detailed Plan

Today you leave the cool hills of Munnar and begin an early ride along winding mountain roads through tea gardens, spice plantations, and wide valley views. A major highlight is cycling past Anaerangal Lake in the Suryanelli Valley, surrounded by grasslands and tea estates. This area is also known as a natural corridor for wild elephants, offering the chance of a rare sighting. The route then continues into the Cardamom Hills, where the scenery shifts from open highlands to thicker forest landscapes. After about 40 km of cycling, you join the support vehicle for a transfer to Periyar, avoiding the busier traffic sections. By late afternoon, you arrive in Periyar, home to the famous Periyar Tiger Reserve, known for its rich biodiversity and wildlife including elephants, gaur, sambar deer, and the elusive tiger.

Day 7:

Thekkady

All Meals

Nature Walk and Boating

Detailed Plan

Spend your second day in Periyar Tiger Reserve exploring the region’s rich wildlife and culture. The day combines both walking and water-based experiences for a deeper connection with the forest. In the morning, enjoy a guided nature walk with expert naturalists along scenic trails through forest and grassland habitats. There are good chances of spotting Asiatic Elephants, Gaur, Nilgiri Langurs, Sambar Deer, and a wide variety of birdlife including Malabar Grey Hornbill and Great Indian Hornbill. Later, take a peaceful boat safari on Periyar Lake, offering excellent views of wildlife along the shoreline and a unique perspective of the reserve. In the evening, enjoy a live Kalaripayattu performance, Kerala’s traditional martial art, featuring impressive combat skills, acrobatics, and weapon techniques.

Day 8:

Vagamon

All Meals

Cycling

Detailed Plan

After breakfast, gear up for a stunning ride to Vagamon, a serene hill station tucked away in Kerala’s cool highlands. Famous for its rolling meadows, whispering pine forests, and patchwork tea gardens, Vagamon feels worlds apart from the dense wilderness of Periyar. Your 60 km ride unfolds across gently undulating terrain, a moderately challenging yet deeply rewarding day on the saddle. With every twist and turn of the road, new vistas open up: mist draped hills fading into the horizon, emerald valleys plunging below, and the ever, changing shades of green that paint the Western Ghats. This is the kind of ride where you’ll want to stop often, whether for photography, a moment of quiet reflection, or simply to breathe in the crisp mountain air. By the time you roll into Vagamon, you’ll understand why it’s often called one of Kerala’s hidden gems. It’s cool climate, sweeping panoramas, and peaceful, off beat vibe make it the perfect retreat to relax, recharge, and soak in the beauty of the hills after a fulfilling day’s ride.

Day 9:

Kumarakom

All Meals

Cycling

Detailed Plan

Today you leave the cool highlands of Vagamon and begin your descent towards the backwaters of Kumarakom, a peaceful region known for its canals, lakes, and village scenery. The 80 km ride starts with a long downhill stretch of around 16 km, passing through winding forest roads with wide views over the valleys below. As you descend, the landscape gradually changes from mountain greenery to the warmer tropical plains. The route continues through rubber plantations, small villages, and farmland, with sections following the calm Meenachil River. By afternoon, you arrive in Kumarakom, set along the shores of Vembanad Lake. Surrounded by coconut groves and paddy fields, this backwater area is also an excellent place for birdlife, with many wetland and migratory species found in the region.

Day 10:

Kumarakom

All Meals

Village visit on canoe

Detailed Plan

After breakfast, enjoy a peaceful canoe ride through the narrow backwater canals of Alleppey, offering an intimate glimpse into Kerala’s rural life. As you glide past lush greenery and traditional homes, observe daily activities along the waterways and experience the quiet rhythm of village life. Later, visit a nearby village where you can witness traditional livelihoods such as coir-making, toddy tapping, and mat weaving. This immersive experience provides a deeper understanding of Kerala’s culture, craftsmanship, and local way of life.

Day 11:

Alleppey

All Meals

Cycling

Detailed Plan

Today you cycle deeper into Kerala’s famous backwaters, riding from Kumarakom towards Alleppey (Alappuzha), often called the “Venice of the East” for its network of canals and waterways. The day begins with a relaxed ride of around 30 km through paddy fields, narrow canal roads, and traditional villages. Along the way, you will see local farmers, fishermen, and daily life unfolding beside the water, offering a close look at backwater culture. By midday, you reach Alleppey and board your traditional houseboat for an overnight cruise on the Vembanad backwaters. As you drift past coconut palms, small hamlets, and quiet shores, freshly prepared meals are served onboard. In the evening, the boat anchors near a peaceful village, where you can enjoy the calm atmosphere of the backwaters as the sun sets.

Day 12:

Mararikulam

All Meals

Cycling

Detailed Plan

After checking out from the houseboat, we hop on our bikes and cycle towards Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple, one of the largest and most revered snake temples in India. Our ride takes us through lush rice paddies, charming villages, and scenic countryside, offering glimpses of traditional Kerala life. Along the way, we experience a unique local touch as we cross a river on a traditional ferry, adding to the adventure of the journey. The ride is a perfect blend of culture, nature and local experiences, making it a memorable part of our trip. After visiting the temple, we transfer to Mararikulam, a serene coastal village known for its pristine beaches, swaying palm trees, and tranquil ambiance. Here, we unwind by the sea and soak in the relaxed coastal vibe.

Day 13:

Departure from Kerala

All meals

Airport Drop

Detailed Plan

Your journey concludes with a leisurely morning at the beach, or a short village walk before transferring to Kochi International Airport for departure

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GALLERY

Please note that the cost of our tour includes the activities and accommodations specified in the itinerary as per twin sharing basis(min 2 PAX). For single traveller price may vary. Any additional expenses, such as laundry services or beverages (including alcoholic drinks), are not covered and can be settled directly with the hotels or establishments where these services are provided.

Kerala Spice Trail & Backwater Cycling

OVERVIEW

HIGHLIGHTS

ITINERARY

BOOK NOW

GALLERY

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