South India Coast to Coast Cycling Holidays

OVERVIEW

Tropic Trails coast to coast cycling tour will take you through the two distinctively different Indian states in peninsular India. Our cycling starts from the east coast at Chennai, also known as Madras in Tamil Nadu, to the west coast at Cochin in Kerala. Tamil Nadu and Kerala perfectly depict the contrasting nature of India. The Western Ghats mountain ranges that run along the western coastline in South India divide the region by language, cultures, traditions, its people and their way of life. Our ride will take us through some of the most impressive sites of south India. The former French colony of Pondicherry, Shore Temple of Mahabalipuram and the magnificent Sri Meenakshi Temple at Madurai. After cycling through the cooler highlands and tea estates of the Western Ghats, we reach the serene backwaters of Kerala, where you will be staying in one of Kerala’s most luxurious forms of accommodation and transport, the houseboat.

HIGHLIGHTS

French colonial colony of Pondicherry or Puthucherry
Historic Temples in Tamilnadu such as Brihadeeswara Temple & Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple
Boat safari at the Periyar Tiger Reserve
Houseboat cruise in Alleppey

ITINERARY

Day 1:

Mahabalipuram

All Meals

Cycling & Transfer 55km

Detailed Plan

A Tropic Trails representative will pick you from the Airport and take you to the hotel at Mahabalipuram, it will take 1h 30min. Mahabalipuram is famous for its shore temples and rock carvings. Carving in stone is still a living art here and we will see stonemasons chipping away along the roadside, practicing skills that have flourished for centuries

Day 2:

Pondicherry

All Meals

Cycling 95km

Detailed Plan

Today you will be cycling to the former French colonial colony of Pondicherry or Puthucherry. On the way you will be visiting Auroville, a new-age spiritual commune.

Day 3:

Tranquebar

All Meals

Cycling 100km

Detailed Plan

Today you have an hour transfer to the outskirts of the city. You will be cycling through vast stretches of paddy-fields known as rice bowl of Tamil Nadu through the delta of the great Cauvery River. You will reach the eastern coast today at Tranquebar, known as Thiranganbadi locally, a centre of Dutch conquest and trade during the eighteenth century, you will be staying by the Beach

Day 4:

Kumbakonam

All Meals

Cycling 65km

Detailed Plan

Today you will be leaving the coast and heading inland onto the vast lush Tamil plains. Kumbakonam is known as a temple town due to the prevalence of a number of temples here and is noted for its Mahamaham festival, which happens once in 12 years, attracting people from all over the country. Optional to visit the Temple in the evening.

Day 5:

Tanjore

All Meals

Cycling 50km

Detailed Plan

Thanjavur is an important center of South Indian religion, art, and architecture. Most of the great living Chola Temples, which are Unesco World Heritage Monuments, are located in and around Thanjavur. The foremost among these, the Brihadeeswara Temple, built by the Chola emperor Rajaraja I, is located in the centre of the city. Thanjavur is also home to Tanjore painting, a painting style unique to the region. Bullock carts and cycles are more common than any other vehicles in Tanjore. We will be visiting the wonderful Swathi Mahal Palace, The Art Gallery and the Brihadeeswara Temple, one of the largest in India and known locally as simply the Big Temple.

Day 6:

Chettinad

All Meals

Cycling 90km

Detailed Plan

In local language Chettinad means land of Chettiars. Chettinad is the home of the Nattukottai Chettiars, a prosperous banking and business community, and they are known to be traders in salt and spices and this is reflected in the famous Chettinad cuisine. Chettinad is specially known for its traditional mansions, some of which have more than a 100 rooms.

Day 7:

Madurai

All Meals

Cycling 60km

Detailed Plan

Madurai is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu. Madurai has been a major settlement for two millennia and has a documented history of more than 2500 years. The city has a number of historical monuments, Meenakshi Temple and the Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal being the most prominent. Today you will be cycling 60km. In the evening you will be visiting the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, and the local market.

Day 8:

Athoor

All Meals

80 km

Detailed Plan

Today, cycle through picturesque sugarcane fields and coconut groves toward the tranquil village of Athoor near Dindigul. This charming farming community offers a glimpse into rural Tamil Nadu, where life moves at a peaceful rhythm. Stay in a cozy country home, interact with local farmers, and soak in the fresh mountain air. Enjoy leisurely walks, birdwatching, and a home-cooked meal as you unwind in this serene retreat, far from the bustle of the plains.

Day 9 :

Periyar

All Meals

Cycling 85km

Detailed Plan

Periyar Tiger Reserve is one of the most visited protected areas in India.This wild paradise is known for its unique and diverse flora and fauna. Periyar Tiger Reserve bares its boundary with the Cardamom hill range, the finest aroma of the spices arose from the merchants yards fills this small hilly town, the town also shared an equal share of space with wild wanderers coming in, such as Nilgiri Langur, Bonnet Macaque, Indian Wild Boar (wild pig) and the Malabar Giant Squirrel.

Day 10:

Periyar

All Meals

Boat safari

Detailed Plan

This morning you will be going for a boat safari at the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Optional visit to a martial art performance show in the evening

Day 11:

Vagamon

All Meals

Cycling 55km

Detailed Plan

Vagamon is famed as one of the 50 Most Attractive Places to Visit in India by National Geographic Traveller. Dotted with evergreen meadows, never-ending pine forests, wonderful waterfalls and the scenic valleys, the overall greenery is really striking.

Day 12:

Alleppey, Houseboat

All Meals

Cycling 16 km

Detailed Plan

Early breakfast and we’re out for a thrilling 16 kms cycling mostly descent and through the spice plantations and rubber estates. After a break we transfer you to Alleppey. A luxury rice-barge moored on the Vembanad Lake awaits our arrival. Festive lunch on boat, music in the background, you’re next in charge steering the boat through vast stretches of blue waters. Coconut palms, temples and villages in the horizon, you have a book out to sketch or write a poem. Amidst a million stars in the night sky, the breeze silently steers you into God’s own waters.

Day 13:

Fort Kochi

All Meals

Cycling 40km

Detailed Plan

In the morning you can see the magnificent sun rise from the comfort of the house boat, and enjoy breakfast while cruising towards Alleppey. Your last day of South India coast to coast cycling holiday will take you through the coastal roads through shady coconut palms and sleepy fishing villages. We stop for a picnic lunch and you have the opportunity to cool off with a dip in the Arabian Sea. This afternoon we cycle through prawn farms and rice paddies to Cochin on the Malabar Coast.

Day 14:

Depart

All Meals

Transfer 45km

Detailed Plan

Our guide will drop you off at the airport

BOOK NOW

GALLERY

Please note that the cost of our tour includes the activities and accommodations specified in the itinerary. 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.

ABOUT US

Tropic Trails offers immersive nature-based journeys guided by experts. With carefully crafted adventures, we bring you closer to the heart of each destination, making every trip a unique connection with nature.

CONTACT INFORMATION

We are available from 9:00AM to 4.30PM IST(+5.30 GMT)