Southern India Coast to Coast Ride

The two southernmost states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala perfectly depict the contrasting nature of India. Seeing them on two wheels gives us an excellent opportunity to soak up the rich culture and appreciate the different landscapes as we cycle by. Tamil Nadu sees far fewer visitors than other Indian states, but this is part of the attraction as we follow quiet backroads from the fertile coastal plains in the east to the remarkable hills of the Western Ghats, which form the border with Kerala. Our ride takes us past some of the most impressive sites of southern India, including the former French colony of Pondicherry and the magnificent Sri Meenakshi Temple at Madurai. After cycling through the cooler highlands and tea estates of the Western Ghats, we reach the tranquil backwaters of Kerala, where a relaxing houseboat cruise offers the chance to unwind and reflect on a memorable journey.

Most of the hotels are comfortable tourist class. We spend two nights in grand Indian homes; one of these is a palatial wedding mansion built by the Chettis and the other is the family home of a 19th-century plantation owner. The night near Kottayam (Day 9) is usually spent in a homestay. The accommodation here is spread out so some of the group stays in the main house and others in permanent Swiss cottage tents. These each have a raised bed and mattress, an attached veranda and toilet.



Hotels in India usually do not have heating as there are really only a couple of months in the year when the weather can get cooler. You can, however, request more blankets or the hotel may be able to provide a standing heater for your room. Please talk to your tour leader if you need help in this matter.



Houseboats are comfortable, the majority of cabins on board are on a twin-share basis, and all cabins have toilet facilities. The houseboats have a communal dining area and are air-conditioned between 8pm and 6am.



Please note, the single supplement does not include the night at Vanilla County Plantation on Day 9 and cannot be guaranteed on the houseboat due to limited rooms.