Last updated: 2012-04-17
Day by Day
Day 1
Gathering at the hotel in Thiruvananthapuram.
Day 2
You buy your bike in the bicycle store. When the journey is finished you sell it or donate it to the Rotary Club through the tour guide. They will make sure that is reaches a person with the need for it.
Day 3
During seven days the bicycle is your main mean of transportation, an excellent way to get close to nature and people. The first stop is the seaside resort Varkala.
Day 4
The ride continues towards Kollam, a small seaport by the Backwaters network of canals, rivers and lakes. Kollam is a centre of cashew nut production.
Day 5-6
With the bicycle via Thottapally to Palana. In the evening you reach the Coconut Palms, a quiescent carefully renovated house, and stay there in the village of Palana, outside of Alapuzzha.
Day 7
By bicycle to Thakazi, where you continue by boat in to the Backwaters. You stay with a family.
Day 8
You cycle to the small town Kottayam, though spice plantations, pineapple farms and rice fields. Over night stay in Thanneermukkom.
Day 9
In the morning you ride to Thalayolaparambu, and from there you continue by bus to the bird sanctuary Thattekad, inhabited by woodpeckers, parakeets and wader birds. You visit the sanctuary during the afternoon and stay over night with a family.
Day 10
By Bike to Kodanad. Stay at guest house on the riverfront of river Periyar, the elephant training camp and the famous Malayattur church is located nearby.
Day 11-12
Cycling and by bus to the town Kochi, which together with its twin town, Ernakulam create the biggest seaport in Kerala. The town has an exciting history, filled with remains of meetings with different cultures. Vasco da Gama landed here. In old Kochi you find medieval palaces, a synagogue and ancient Chinese fishnets. In the evening you can see a Kathakali dance performance. You sell or donate your bicycle in Kochi.
Day 13-14
Train to Kannur, which once upon a time was an important meeting point for the trade with Europe. Situated a little outside is the Parasinikadavu Temple, where you can experience the ritual
temple dance Theyyam.
Day 15
You leave the coast and travel by bus up to the West Ghats, alongside greens slopes, to Wynad National Park by the boarder to the state of Karnataka. The park has a rich wildlife with tigers, leopards, elephants, gaurs and a many species of birds. You stay at a guest house in the outskirts of the park.
Day 16-17
By bus to Coorg. Coffee- and spice fields surround the landscape, which offers good trekking possibilities. Stay in the village Kakabe, near Madikere.
Day 18-20
Bus to Padana at the coast of Kerala. Enjoy the beach or visit the famous Bekal Fort. Last day train to Mangalore.
Day 21
End of tour. You can fly home via Goa, Trivandrum, Mumbai or Delhi.
