The tour starts in Cochin in the Southern state of Kerala, and finishes in Udaipur, in Rajasthan. Join Pedaltours as we cycle through villages where we will share the road with goats and camels, sacred cows – perhaps even an elephant; see local women pumping water at the communal well and be overwhelmed by magnificent Moghul forts rising above deserts and towns.
Day 1 Fort Cochin.
Namaste! Welcome in the traditional Indian way. Kochi, formerly known as Cochin, Kerala’s commercial capital with one of the finest natural harbours in the world.
Day 2 Thattekad.
Pass rubber, banana, coconut and pineapple plantations on the way to the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, one of the most important bird sanctuaries of India.
Day 3 Munnar.
Enjoy a glorious descent through a forest before a challenging climb to the famous tea plantations of Munnar. With the gain in altitude , you will notice the significant drop in temperatures.
Day 4, 5 + 6 Kumily.
Ride past rice fields, coffee and cardamom to Kumily. Take an organised hike through Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. We cycle to neighbouring Tamil Nadu where you will see many bullock carts and perhaps working elephants.
Day 7 Kumarakom.
A spectacular day’s biking to our resort on the edge of Lake Vembanad. Kumarakom is a paradise of mangrove forests, paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals.
Day 8 Houseboat.
Spend a lazy afternoon cruising the lakes and canals, then spend the night on the houseboat.
Day 9 Cochin.
Cycling on a flat road along the Arabian Sea coast, back to Cochin. Hundred of coloured fishing boats, and an evening with a dance performance.
Day 10 Cochin. After breakfast , we fly from Cochin to Delhi, to commence the second half of our trip. It is an early flight and we will arrive in Delhi at 10.10am.
Day 11 Delhi. Namaste! (Welcome). New Delhi, the capital of India, is a blend of the old and new India.
Day 12 Delhi/Kota.
After an orientation tour of New Delhi, we board the afternoon train to Kota where we stay in a former Maharaja’s palace.
Day 13 + 14 Bijaipur.
We cycle to the little village of Bijaipur, the countryside becoming progressively more attractive and quiet. Goats and camel carts on the road. We stay at Castle Bijaipur for two nights. Enjoy a ride to Panagahr Lake resort, we lunch in a luxury tent camp before returning to relax at the castle.
Day 15 + 16 Udaipur.
We bike to Udaipur via Chittaurgarh, India’s largest fort and the ultimate symbol of Rajput chivalry and pride. Optional day ride through rolling countryside and little villages.
Day 17 Kumbhalgarh.
A superb day’s cycling on narrow paved roads through rolling countryside and little villages as we gently climb to spectacular Kumbhalgarh Fort and our heritage hunting lodge.
Day 18 Ranakpur.
It’s an easy ride along narrow lanes, past bullocks working water mills to irrigate the fields, and culminating in a wonderful downhill.
Day 19 Udaipur.
We drive to Udaipur where there will be time for a short city tour and perhaps a traditional string puppet show, before our final dinner.
Day 19 + 20 Udaipur.
We wish you ‘bon voyage’ and hope to see you again. An airport transfer is included if required.
