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Trivandrum—Varkala—Kollam--Murinjapuzha-Vagamon-Thekkady-Cochin |
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| Total no. of Days |
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09 |
| Best Season |
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October to March |
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| Itinerary |
 Day
1: Arrive Trivandrum |
| Flight
arrives Trivandrum; afternoon cycle ride The group flight
arrives in Trivandrum this morning and we transfer the
short distance to our hotel in Kovalam. Although in recent
years Kovalam has had an influx of tourists, it still
retains much of its original charm, being made up of a
series of sandy bays and rocky promontories. After our
briefing there will be the opportunity to take a relaxing
ride through this landscape, visiting some of the villages
to the south of Kovalam. (Approximately 15 km cycling).
Overnight at hotel with breakfast.
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| Day
2: Cycling in Veli Lagoon (20kms) |
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| Drive to Veli Lagoon; visit Anjengo
fort and Cycle to Varkala After breakfast this morning
we transfer by bus to Veli, from where we cycle the 20
kms to the estuary. The lagoon is a large lake separated
from the ocean by the narrowest of sandbar spits, where
fisherman can be seen working on their boats and nets,
or poling across the lake with sand-filled barges. Transfering
by boat we visit the fishing village of Anjuthengu, where
we stop to visit Anjengo fort, built by the British East
India Company in the 17th Century and the first British
trading post on the Malabar coast. After our visit
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| we carry on towards Varkala, a
temple town renowned throughout the region as a pilgrimage
centre for the millions of Hindus who come here to worship
at the ancient Janardhana Swamy Temple. On arrival in
Varkala there should be time to relax andenjoy the beaches
of the Arabian coast,wander amongst the palms and paddy
fields and perhaps enjoy a stunning sunset before enjoying
a well-earned dinner in one of the local restaurants.
(Approximately 35 km cycling). Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day
3: Cycle to Kollam |
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| This morning’s
ride gives us the chance for some interaction with the
local people of the area. Travelling through villages
we see some traditional coir-making skills (the fibres
from the outer husk of the cocunut, which is used to make
rope and mats), as well as fishing.Stopping south of Paravoor
for lunch we then continue on and hope to visit an elephant
trader’s camp, where there may be the option of
joining in with an elephant safari and feeding. Continuing,
we pass through |
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| the fishing harbour at Thankaessery,
before finally arriving in Kollam. Situated on the edge of the
Ashtamundi Lake, Kollam is surrounded by coconut palms and cashew
tree plantations, indeed the town is the centre of the cashew
industry here. Its old wooden houses are typical of the Keralan
style and its situation at the southern end of the backwaters
makes it an ideal spot from which to explore this fascinating
network of canals and lagoons. (Approximately 40 km cycling).
Overnight at the hotel. |
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| Day
4: Backawaters of Kayamkulam |
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| Boat trip along Backwaters;
cycle through villages to Mancombu Transferring to Kollam
jetty we catch a motor launch to travel through the backwaters
to Kayamkulam. This is the ideal way to explore these
waterways, which cover an area of some 1900km. The boats
– their bows often carved in the shape of a dragon
– are the lifeline for the villages, acting as taxis,
mail delivery, even the harvest is carried in boats. You
may see great pyramids of coconuts or even the odd buffalo
being carried along in this time |
| honoured fashion.
Stopping at Ayiramthengu village for lunch en route, we
eventually reach our destination of Kayamkulam, from where
we cycle once more, along tranquil backroads and through
fishing villages, to the Manarasala snake temple, close
to the settlement of Thottapally. After visiting the temple
we transfer to our accommodation, a couple of typical
Keralan village houses, in the district of the ancient
trading town of Alleppey. (Approximately 20 km cycling).
2 nights Village homestay with breakfast and dinner. |
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| Day
5: Vagamon Hill station |
| Drive and cycle to Vagamon
Hill Station Leaving the beautiful backwaters behind
we use a combination of engine and pedal power to
reach today’s destination; the Hill Station
of Vagamon. Travelling via the town of Chengancherry,
we quickly see the landscape and its flora change
as we gain elevation to arrive at the town of Kanjirapalli,from
where we cycle up to the hill station. Situated
at an elevation of 1100m, Vagamon is an enchanting
setting, surrounded by the lush greenery of tea
gardens and spice plantations, overlooking the valleys
and meadows of the surrounding country- |
| side. In the evening we can
visit Ayyampara, an area of startling rock formations
covering some 30 acres. On clear days it affords
views down to Alleppey’s lighthouse, and is
a favourite haunt for those wishing to see spectacular
sunsets. (Approximately 40 km cycling).
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| Day
6: Vagamon full day cycling (20 kms). |
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| Full day cycling around Vagamon
A morning stroll among the seemingly numerous fruits and
medicinal plants of a local plantation brings us to the
Meenachil river, the enigmatic source of life and death
in Arundhati Roy’s Booker prize-winning novel ‘The
God of Small Things’. Depending on the season, we
may bathe in its rock pools before cycling to Poonjar
Palace, a 900 year old residency still occupied by the
Maharajah and his family. After lunch, we may have a chance
to track elephants at work among the surrounding forests
of teak and sandalwood. For the keen trekker, there may
be, conditions allowing, an option to walk to the top
of Illikal Peak (2000m), the origin of the Meenachil and,
as legend would have it, a mythological site in its own
right. (Approximately 20 km cycling). |
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| Day
7 : Thekkady-Pariyar national Park |
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| Drive and cycle to
Thekkady; afternoon boat trip in Periyar National Park
Taking the meandering roads through the high ranges today
we will drive some of the steeper sections of road, before
transferring to two wheels to continue our journey to
Thekkady, situated close to the border with Tamil Nadu.
Our route to the Periyar wildlife sanctuary takes us past
many rubber plantations, and through the varied spice
gardens of this part of India. Periyar is one of the 16
Project Tiger Reserves in India, with about 40 tigers
living in the |
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| 777 sq km park, but as they are solitary
creatures, the chances of seeing them are very slim. The park
is actually probably better known for its elephants and this
afternoon we take a boat cruise on Periyar reservoir, where
we hope to catch sight these magnificent beasts drinking at
the waters edge. This is reputedly one of the most picturesque
reservoirs in the area and home to myriad wildlife. As well
as elephant, we may see sambar and barking and mouse deer, as
well as wild pigs, bisons, monkeys and langurs. Also look out
for some of the many birds which live here, such as cormorants,
darters, ospreys, kingfishers, hornbills and kites. The nearby
fruit trees attract hill mynas, orioles and racket-tailed drongos
and there are an amazing variety of butterflies, with up to
112 species being recorded. (Approximately 20 km cycling). |
| Day
8 : In and around Thekkady |
| In and around Thekkady; visit
villages and plantations This morning we go for
a walk in the forest in search of other wildlife
such as the star tortoise, porcupine and the flying
squirrel. The park itself is made up of a variety
of habitats,open grasslands, deciduous, semi-evergreen
and tropical forest – all of which have different
animal species. The ecosystem of the tropical evergreen
jungle is very interesting – the trees grow
up to 40m, and the dense canopy above only allows
in limited sunlight. Therefore at ground level,
there are abundant ferns, orchids and airplants
– plants that need little light to survive.
Later we’ll set out by bike to explore the
surrounding valleys clothed in the richest green
that rise toward the majestic heights of the Western
Ghats. After a brief excursion into Tamil Nadu for
a view down to the plains stretching away to the
Bay of Bengal in the east, we visit a spice garden
with a local botanist. Further on, we may have the
opportunity to meet local tea pickers at a factory
and get something of a feel for how people live
in this beautiful region before returning to our
hotel. |
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| Day
9 : Cochin |
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| Bus and cycle to Cochin via Kodanadu
Today we make our way back to the coast, as we head for
the bustling port of Cochin, with a beautiful natural
harbour that earned it the title of Queen of the Arabian
Sea. We first drive to Kodanadu, where elephants have
been raised and trained to work with local foresters for
over a century, and from here we cycle across the Periyar
river surrounded by silent forested peaks to reach a mahogany
plantation. On the way we’ll pass through Malayattoos,
an important devotional centre for Kerala’s substantial
Christian community. Finally, we’ll rejoin our bus
for the drive down to Cochin. As well as being the oldest
European settlement in India, with its mix of English,
Dutch and Portuguese influences, Cochin is also home to
the famous Kathakali dancers. Its origins came from traditional
temple rituals and from an art form known as Koodiyattam.
The dancers can take up to three hours painting their
faces – the features are heavily emphasized as it
is the facial expressions and coordinated eye movements
which are important in the dance. The dances usually portray
events from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, great Indian
epics. (Approximately 15km cycling). |
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| Day
9 : Cochin cycling |
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| Bus and cycle to Cochin
via Kodanadu Today we make our way back to the coast,
as we head for the bustling port of Cochin, with a beautiful
natural harbour that earned it the title of Queen of the
Arabian Sea. We first drive to Kodanadu, where elephants
have been raised and trained to work with local foresters
for over a century, and from here we cycle across the
Periyar river surrounded by silent forested peaks to reach
a mahogany plantation. On the way we’ll pass through
Malayattoos, an important devotional centre for |
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| Kerala’s substantial Christian
community. Finally, we’ll rejoin our bus for the drive
down to Cochin. As well as being the oldest European settlement
in India, with its mix of English, Dutch and Portuguese influences,
Cochin is also home to the famous Kathakali dancers. Its origins
came from traditional temple rituals and from an art form known
as Koodiyattam. The dancers can take up to three hours painting
their faces – the features are heavily emphasized as it
is the facial expressions and coordinated eye movements which
are important in the dance. The dances usually portray events
from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, great Indian epics. (Approximately
15km cycling).
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| Day
9 : Cochin -Trivandrum |
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| We catch an early morning
train back to Trivandrum, from where we cycle via quiet backroads
to Kovalam. Once a quiet hippy haven, Kovalam is today a thriving
tourist resort, but its palm-fringed beaches and turquoise waters
still offer the weary traveller a relaxing place to unwind.
What better place to end our trip. (Approximately 20km cycling). |
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Biking Tour In South India
