Could you cycle 392km through rural India and raise money for animals?
Join around 40 other vegan and veg-curious people as you discover rural Kerala in southern India on two wheels. From tea gardens and rainforests to backwaters and beaches, you will sample delicious local cuisine (all vegan of course!), stay in quality hotels and make lifelong friends.
If you’re interested in taking part in Vegan Cycle India 2020, just email Stuart at [email protected] and request your information pack.
Itinerary
Day 1 – February 8
All cyclists will arrive at Kochi airport and meet our guides – Kalyspo Adventures – who will arrange transfers to the Marriott Hotel in Kochi. In the afternoon, experienced mechanics will fit your bike. That evening, there will be a tour briefing followed by dinner.
Day 2 – February 9: Kochi to Thattekad
Cycling distance: 60km
After breakfast you will set off on the first leg of the cycle, making the most of the early morning coolness as you head towards the foothills of the Western Ghats and the lowland forests of Thattekad.
You will start a little outside the Kochi city limits so as to avoid the morning city traffic, quickly reaching quiet countryside where the roads are mostly level. You will pass through scenic countryside with temples, spice gardens, paddy fields and rubber plantations.
After a leisurely lunch en-route, you will reach the spectacular Hornbill Camp eco-lodge on the banks of the river Periyar where you will spend the night.
Day 3 – February 10: Thattekad to Munnar
Cycling distance: 70km
After breakfast, you will cycle along the Periyar riverbank and through dense low altitude forest of Neriyamangalam. Here, reeds are extracted and used in the manufacturing of traditional household items like baskets and mats.
As the scenery slowly changes you will glimpse rubber estates, pepper estates, cardamom estates and finally tea plantations.
After lunch at Adimali, the accompanying support vehicles will take you into the hills of Munnar. Munnar is a hill town famed for its vast swathes of tea plantations, which are some of the highest in the world. It is set amidst dramatic mountain scenery, craggy peaks and tall redwood trees.
You will stay in the Tea County Resort.
Day 4 – February 11: Munnar to Vandanmedu
Cycling distance: 85km
Today’s cycle will start at 1500m in the tea town of Munnar. You will take the winding estate roads through the tea gardens and forest patches, and through the Lockhart gap overlooking the spectacular Bison Valley deep down below.
You will pass through the thick forests, cardamom estates and spice gardens that have made these hills world famous.
In the evening, you’ll check into the magnificent Carmelia Haven resort at Vandanmedu which is set amidst cardamom and tea estates.
Day 5 – February 12: Vandanmedu to Periyar
Cycling distance 33km
Today you will pass through forests, tea gardens and spice plantations, reaching the forests at Periyar by lunchtime and checking into the Forest Canopy Resort.
In the afternoon you can either relax at the hotel or choose to take off into the jungle. Periyar is one of the best wildlife reserves in India and has large herds of Asiatic elephants, Indian bison and tigers. There are also over 330 species of bird, including the majestic great hornbill.
Day 6 – February 13: Periyar to Kulamavu
Cycling distance 80km
Today is a long day, but perhaps the best of the trip. It is also the most challenging day of the trip, with undulations the whole way.
The view is magnificent with spice plantations on either side of the road. En-route you will see the famous arch dam of Idukki, and cross the beautiful Kulamavu dam shortly before reaching today’s accommodation, the Greenberg Resort.
The last stretch is a tough climb, but a worthwhile challenge.
Day 7 – February 14: Kulamavu to Marari
Cycling distance 80km
Today it’s a fantastic downhill ride through mountain passes to the plains and then onto the rubber country of Palai. Eventually, you will reach the backwaters of Kerala for lunch.
You will stay at the Abad Turtle Beach Hotel.
Day 8 – February 15
Bid a sad farewell to India, as you transfer back to Kochi airport and depart for home.
This trip follows Vegan Cycle India 2019 in Rajasthan
Watch our video of Vegan Cycle India 2019 to learn more about the experience:
Film by DOUBLEXAIR / www.doublexair.co.uk. Music by Solomon Onyemere featuring Man Ray Sky.
If you’re interested in taking part in Vegan Cycle India 2020, just email Stuart at [email protected] and request your information pack.
Please note: this is an outline itinerary and subject to alterations if required.
