Kerala Mountain Biking Holiday

Tour Overview

This seven day mountain bike holiday in southern India is bound to put your pedals through their paces as you aim to conquer the awesome back roads of the Western Ghat mountains. As you'd hope from a destination for an mtb holiday, southern India provides an incredible backdrop to accompany some fairly rugged terrain with rainforests, agricultural landscapes, plantations and lush green tea gardens conjuring up some superb scenes to enjoy both on and off the saddle. From high-altitude trails to eco-accommodation, this six day mtb holiday in southern India offers an amazing opportunity to mountain bike off the beaten track with bungalows on tea estates and spice plantations offering amazing resorts & lodgings to help you relax and unwind after a stunning day on the trail.

Day 1: Thattekkad

You will be transferred to the lowland forests of Thattekkad, set on the banks of the Periyar river. Check out and fit out the cycles for the tough challenge ahead. You can take off for a quick ride to Edmalayar in the nearby forests along the mountain tracks to get acclimatized to the terrain and climate for the days ahead.

Day 2: Vagamon

Your first challenge starts with a ride to the foothills, gaining 1000m. The ride is spectacular and the winding cycling route passes through forested areas, grasslands, spice growing villages. Vagamon town is set against the rolling grasslands of the Western Ghats. This interesting mountain town is said to be ‘curious blend of religious mysticism and European legacies’ and the cycling trip through this area will let you immerse yourself in its tranquillity. You will be staying at resort overlooking the three hills - Thangal hill, Murugan hill and Kurisumala.

Day 3: Anavilasam

Today we ride towards the cardamom hills to Anavilasam – or abode of elephants – this area once being abundant with herds of elephants. Passing through numerous cardamom plantations and isolated villages, we will be riding along undulating roads towards Anavilasam. Our stay would be at a plantation resort.

Day 4: Ponmudi

We will continue cycling through the midlands along undulating mountainous terrain, passing through the rural Kerala at its best – villages, small towns, farmsteads and chai shops that are everywhere serving tea and local delicacies. Here you will find the people welcome all into their communities, sharing stories and laughter in their own way. The ‘migrants’ from the plains have made a life in these parts with hard toil and good humour. Over the decades, they have imprinted upon the local populace a sense of the frontier, tough life and good humour captured in the increasing number of local books and movies about these early settlers from eight decades ago. You will be cycling around the mountain roads past the beautiful lake near Ponmudi – meaning Golden Peak- and ride up the steep slope to a beautifully located resort overlooking the lake.  

Day 5: Neriamanagalam

Today’s cycling trip from Ponmudi to the plains feels like a slow ride through the quieter side of Kerala’s countryside. You begin early in the morning, with cool mountain air drifting across the roads near Ponmudi. The first stretch is mostly gentle downhill curves, lined with rubber trees, spice gardens, and small village homes waking up for the day. You pass tiny tea shops where locals gather over steaming chai, and every few kilometers the landscape opens into wide green valleys with patches of paddy fields and banana plantations. As the ride continues, the roads become narrower and calmer with the occasional uphill section gives just enough challenge to make the descents feel rewarding. The traffic is light compared to the highways, making it ideal for a relaxed cycling pace. Closer to your destination, the scenery turns more rustic and agricultural. You start seeing vegetable gardens, grazing cattle, coconut groves, and small farmhouses surrounded by flowering plants. This is a ride that feels less like exercise and more like a journey through Kerala’s natural rhythm — hills, farms, village life, and fresh air stitched together by winding roads. Rest at a boutique plantation villa, set on the banks of the river Periyar.

Day 6: Panieli

Making the best of early morning weather, you will be setting off once again through village roads through the forests to Mamalakandam. Through the ages, a bamboo grove has always been a staple in the homes amidst the forests with myriad of uses in a homestead. Bamboo was used for baskets fashioned for fishing, or for use in the kitchen, as a trellis for growing vegetables to name a few examples. The Western Ghats, ecologically rich in flora and fauna, has for centuries abundantly provided forest dwelling communities with bamboo, and they used their skills to fashion bamboo into baskets, paaya’s or mats, utensils, rattan for furniture among other things. After the ride to Urulanthanni amidst the lowland forests, transfer to a resort set within hearing distance of the thundering rapids of the river Periyar.  

Day 7: Departure

Transfer to Kochi for your onward journey, with fond memories of a great mountain adventure.

Inclusions

 - Accommodation for 5 nights on twin share room basis: inclusive of all applicable taxes at the time of quoting
- Most Meals
- Cannondale Cycles
- Accompanying Vehicle throughout
- Airport transfers
- Service of an English speaking cycling guide accompanying
- Assistance on arrival and departure at each destination
- All taxes

Holiday Feedback

Route Maps

FAQs

Q. Are cycles provided for this tour?
Cycles are provided for the tour

Q. What type of cycles are provided?
We provide CANONDALE / TREK / GIANT cycles.

Q. Will I get choice of my size?
We can provide frame sizes from 13” to 21”.

Q. Can I get my own cycle?
Yes, you can, but do let us know in advance.

Q. What other equipment are provided?
Standard items provided with the cycles are Pedals, Bar ends, water bottles and Helmets. We however recommend you bring your own helmets and camelbaks.

Q. What about transfers?
All transportation is included in the cost including airport pick up & drop at the nearest airport. The vehicle is also used to ferry your luggage , cycle & yourself as required.

Q. What kind of terrain can I expect?
The terrain consists of both level roads and mountainous terrain.

Q. What are the distances cycled each day?
We will send you this with the detailed itinerary.

Q. Are meals included in the package?
Most meals are included. The itinerary will have the details.

Q. What do I do if I’m too tired to cycle?
There is a vehicle that accompanies you throughout the trip. You can load the cycle on to carriers and take a ride it till you are ready to cycle again.

Q. Are panniers provided?
No but can do on specific request.

Q. Do we have a guide who cycles with us?
Yes, our guide will cycle with you throughout the trip.

Q. Do we get to shop along the way.
Yes, you will get opportunities en-route to do a bit of shopping. However, unless specifically asked for, our guides will not recommend any particular shop. We or our guides do not take commissions on shopping.

Q. Do we get to interact with local people?
You will get lot of opportunities to interact with local people and the itinerary specifically designed for such interactions.
Q. Does our visit help the local community in any way?
Yes, Most of the places you would be staying at are in small homestays, family owned resorts or camps and eco lodges managed by local community members . Your guides are selected from amongst the locals.

Q. Are entries into national parks, treks, elephant rides etc. included in the package?
No, all entries and activities will be charged extra but at actuals.

Q. Is the water available en-route safe to drink?
We recommend that you drink only the bottled water provided by us or if you are buying water, ensure that the bottle is sealed and has an ISI mark (India Standards Institute).

Q. How spicy is the food?
Typically Kerala food is spicy. We ensure that the food we provide is medium spicy unless you ask for bland food. Any special food requirements can be met if sufficient advance notice is given.

Q. Do we get an option of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food?
Yes

Q. What is the type of accommodation?
Accommodation provided is a combination of heritage villas, Eco Lodges & luxury Tents - all with a common thread of excellence in service. Most are family owned and run with great care and love. Food is a very important part of these journeys and we have ensured that Keralan cuisine is a part of this adventure. Our prices are based on 'twin-sharing' basis. For those interested, we provide single rooms, but at additional cost. While staying at the camp we provide all essentials including sleeping bags. A open-air barbeque around camp fire is another highlight of this adventure.

Q. What are the Exclusions ?
• Insurance - Please take your own insurance
• Tips to the guide and driver
• Personal expenses like beverages, laundry, telephone bills etc..
• Airport departure taxes (if any)

Q. Do we need a VISA ?
Yes, visitors to India must obtain a Visa before departure.
 

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