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Tuesday, May 27, 2014
kerala travel wings: Day 1 Cochin On arrival in Cochin we tra...
kerala travel wings:
Day 1 Cochin
On arrival in Cochin we tra...: Day 1 Cochin On arrival in Cochin we transfer to the Hotel. Around noon walk to Fort Cochin and its grandeurs of the co...
Day 1 Cochin
On arrival in Cochin we tra...: Day 1 Cochin On arrival in Cochin we transfer to the Hotel. Around noon walk to Fort Cochin and its grandeurs of the co...
- Day
1 Cochin
On arrival in Cochin we transfer to the Hotel. Around noon walk to Fort Cochin and its grandeurs of the colonial times.
In the evening we will experience the famous Keralan cuisine for the first time whilst sitting by the sea with a view of the world famous Chinese fishing nets. - Day
2 Cochin
After breakfast we collect our cycles. Warm-up trip on calm Sunday morning roads south of Cochin near the sea passing fishing villages and stretches of backwaters. In the evening we will attend a performance of classical Keralan Kathakkali Dance.
Total distance: 30 km
Incline: no incline
Difficulty: easy - Day
3 Cochin – Athirappally
At the gates of Cochin we will start the first real stage of our cycling tour. We will soon be admist the evergreen lovely Keralan countryside and will end it in the rainforest near the beautiful waterfalls of Athirappally.
Total distance: 65 km
Incline: 550m incline
Difficulty: easy – medium - Day
4 Athirappally – Valparai
What a day for cyclists! Just at the start we pass the entrance gate of the forest and begin an impressive steady but not too steep climb for the next 50 km through the rainforest, offering lots of unforgettable views. At the borderline to Tamil Nadu the scenery is changing from rainforest into tea plantations. From there on we will enjoy the very special greenery of the tea bushes for the next few days. Overnight stop in an exclusive bungalow amidst a Tea Estate.
Total distance: 87 km
Incline: 1300 m incline
Difficulty: challenging - Day
5 Valparai – Pollachi
After a manageable climb at the beginning we will enjoy an impressive downhill stretch, enjoying a birds eye view of Aliyar dam and lake and into the Tamil plains. Don’t rush here or you will miss this spectacular experience!
Total distance: 65 km
Incline: 380 m incline
Difficulty: intermediate - Day
6 Pollachi – Chinnar Wildlife Reserve
After an easy tailwind section towards Udumalpettai we will have breakfast there. Then we turn to the right and once again face the Western Ghats. After another 15 km through rural areas we reach the entrance gate of Annamalai Wildlife Reserve, home to tigers, wild elephants and lots of other species. We pass through slightly ascending roads and reach the Chinnar Wildlife Reserve, where we will spend the night in forest bungalows. There we will watch wildlife guided by local forest wardens.
Total distance: 60 km
Incline: 450 m incline
Difficulty: intermediate - Day
7 Chinnar Wildlife Reserve – Munnar
We will leave the Reserve at Marayoor, known for sandal wood forests and products. There we may have a look at how to make jaggery from sugar cane in the traditional way. Now a quite challenging ascent for the next 25 km through a beautiful valley with tea, tea and more tea. After having crossed the pass another Wildlife Reserve (Eravikulam) is welcoming us, highlighting a little endemic mountain goat. From here we descend down to Munnar, centre of tea manufacturing since the days of the British Empire. This is your chance to buy the real thing from its source !
Total distance: 55 km
Incline: 900 m incline
Difficulty: challenging - Day
8 Munnar – Udumpanchola
Today’s trip will take us through magnificent scenery of tea, coffee, pepper and cardamon plantations. A feast for all the senses. We will spend the next two nights in a plantation home just at the foothills of the rainforest.
Total distance: 55 km
Incline: 650 m incline
Difficulty: intermediate - Day
9 Udumpanchola
Day off for the tired cyclists feet! Relax on your terrace, enjoying the view of the ranges of the Western Ghats or accompany us on a little stroll through the spice plantations of the village. - Day
10 Udumpanchola – Kumily
We continue to cycle through plantations and hilly forests on little roads along the Tamil border towards Kumily. After a final downhill section we reach Pepper County , our homestay amidst a spice plantation with magnificent views into the valley in front of us.
The owner himself will introduce us to the many varieties of spices and tropical fruits in his garden.
Total distance: 50 km
Incline: 450 m incline
Difficulty: intermediate - Day
11 Kumily – Kanjirappally
We manage a last ascent in the morning, followed by an impressive 20 km downhill ride as we lose some 1000m of altitude and finally reach the land of rubber.
Total distance: 70 km
Incline: 600 m incline
Difficulty: intermediate - Day
12 Kanjirappally – Alleppey
We will meet some rubber tappers in the morning to watch the first step of producing rubber. After a section of easy undulations we reach the Backwaters at Chaganacherry and proceed to the nearby traditional Keralan house of Josey, where a houseboat is already waiting for us. Check-in on the boat and start of a 1 night Backwaters cruise.
Total distance: 65 km
Incline: 400m incline
Difficulty: intermediate - Day
13 Alleppey
After check-out from the boat we mount our bicycles one last time for a relaxed tour through villages along Vembanad Lake and the beaches of Malabar coast. On our way we stop for a swim in the sea and learn about traditional coir making.
Total distance: 50 km
Incline: no incline
Difficulty: easy - Day
14 Alleppey
Feel free to attend classes in traditional Keralan cooking offered by Lisa, watch Josey while fishing or try it yourself, use the day for another swim in the sea or a last shopping opportunity in Alleppey town.
In the evening farewell dinner in the garden of Josey’s home, where we will have a little rest before the early rise next morning. - Day
15 Cochin – Airport
Transfer to Cochin International Airport for departure
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Sunday, May 18, 2014
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