Duration 18N/19D
Cycle the length of South India, from the Bay of Bengal to the Kerala backwaters, on a 14-day fully supported cultural cycling expedition tour. Rolling out of Chennai along the Coromandel Coast, you'll ride past fishing villages and paddy fields through the great Dravidian temple towns of Tamil Nadu- Mahabalipuram, Chidambaram, Tanjore, Trichy and Madurai- pause among the merchant mansions of Chettinad, then climb the Western Ghats into Kerala's spice and tea country before freewheeling down to the legendary backwaters and finishing in historic Fort Kochi. It's the most culturally rich cycling tour in India, on quiet rural roads with full vehicle support the whole way.
transfer to Mahabalipuram Welcome to India! You'll be met at Chennai International Airport and driven down the scenic East Coast Road to Mahabalipuram, a coastal town on the Coromandel Coast and your first glimpse of South India's shoreline. Settle into your beachfront resort, then meet your expedition leader, crew and fellow riders for a full briefing on the route, daily schedule, road conditions, safety and logistics. Your bike is assembled and fitted to you, with a short test ride to fine-tune it, before a welcome dinner as the sun sets over the Bay of Bengal.
Transfer: approx. 60 km · Meals: Dinner · Overnight: Mahabalipuram
heritage and coastal ride An easy day to settle into the tropical climate. After breakfast you ride the quiet coastal roads around Mahabalipuram, passing fishing villages and coconut groves, before a guided visit to the town's UNESCO World Heritage monuments-the seafront Shore Temple, the monolithic Five Rathas and Arjuna's Penance, one of the largest open-air rock reliefs anywhere. The afternoon is free for the beach or pool. Cycling: approx. 30–40 km·
Terrain: easy and flat
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight: Mahabalipuram
One of the most enjoyable coastal stages of the trip. Heading south along the Coromandel Coast, you pass salt pans, casuarina groves, coconut plantations and fishing communities, with village life unfolding by the roadside-fishermen mending nets, farmers in the fields, bright little temples among the greenery. The support team sets up regular stops for water and fresh fruit. In Pondicherry (Puducherry), a former French settlement, explore the atmospheric French Quarter- mustard-coloured colonial houses, bougainvillea-draped walls and the seaside promenade.
Cycling: approx. 90 km · Terrain: mostly flat · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch & Dinner · Overnight: Pondicherry
Leaving the colonial streets behind, you cycle into agricultural Tamil Nadu, past rice fields, small villages and roadside shrines, with children heading to school and farmers at work — quiet roads that reward you with unhurried encounters and great photography. In Chidambaram, one of Tamil Nadu's key pilgrimage towns, visit the magnificent Nataraja Temple, dedicated to Shiva in his cosmic dancing form and renowned for its soaring gopurams and intricate carving.
Cycling: approx. 70 km · Terrain: flat to gently undulating · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch & Dinner · Overnight: Chidambaram
Today you ride through the fertile Cauvery Delta, the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu- a beautiful stage past emerald paddy fields, irrigation canals, banana plantations and coconut groves, with bullock carts, village markets and roadside temples along the way. The flat terrain makes for a comfortable rhythm. Kumbakonam, set between the Cauvery and Arasalar rivers, is an ancient temple town known for its bronze casting, silk and famously strong filter coffee- well worth sampling.
Cycling: approx. 90 km · Terrain: mostly flat · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch & Dinner · Overnight: Kumbakonam
A shorter, gentler stage through the peaceful delta countryside towards Tanjore (Thanjavur), with time to slow down and take in village life along the way. On arrival, visit the extraordinary Brihadeeswarar Temple- a UNESCO World Heritage monument from the Chola period whose colossal granite tower and vast courtyard remain one of India's great architectural feats.
Cycling: approx. 40 km · Terrain: easy and flat · Meals: Breakfast & Dinner · Overnight: Tanjore
Continue through the rural heartland towards Trichy, past paddy fields, villages and stretches of the Cauvery basin. In Trichy, visit the immense Srirangam temple complex, set on an island between arms of the river and among the largest working Hindu temples in the world, then the dramatic Rock Fort perched high above the city- a climb rewarded with panoramic views for those who make it.
Cycling: approx. 60 km · Terrain: flat to gently undulating · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch & Dinner · Overnight: Trichy
One of the longer stages, heading south into drier country towards the historic Chettinad region, the landscape opening out into palm-lined village roads. Chettinad is the ancestral home of the Nattukottai Chettiar merchants, celebrated for its grand mansions built with materials imported from Europe and Southeast Asia. After settling into your heritage stay, take a guided village walk among the ornate courtyards and antique doorways, then discover the region's famous Chettinad cuisine at dinner.
Cycling: approx. 100 km · Terrain: mostly flat with gentle rises · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch & Dinner · Overnight: Chettinad
Ride on through dry rural landscapes and traditional villages rarely reached by conventional tours, with refreshment stops along the way. Your destination is Madurai, one of India's oldest continuously inhabited cities and a great centre of Tamil culture. In the evening, visit the spectacular Meenakshi Amman Temple- One of the Top 10 temples to visit in South India. Its towering gateways are covered in thousands of vividly painted figures, and wander the surrounding market streets alive with flower sellers and pilgrims; temple timings permitting, you may witness the evening ceremony.
Cycling: approx. 100 km · Terrain: flat to gently undulating · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch & Dinner · Overnight: Madurai
The most demanding stage, as the route leaves the Tamil Nadu plains and climbs into the Western Ghats. Gentle riding out of Madurai gradually gives way to a serious ascent through greener country, coconut groves and agricultural land yielding to forested slopes and spice-growing hills. Ride to your own fitness- the support vehicle is available throughout and cross into Kerala to Thekkady, near the Periyar Tiger Reserve, where cool mountain air and lush forest make a striking contrast to the plains.
Total route: approx. 140–150 km · Recommended cycling: to rider fitness and conditions · Terrain: challenging mountain ascent · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch & Dinner · Overnight: Thekkady
A highlight of the whole expedition. Leaving Thekkady, you ride through fragrant spice plantations before climbing into Kerala's misty highlands, the road winding past cardamom estates, dense forest and superb viewpoints into Munnar, India's premier tea region. The final approach opens onto endless emerald tea gardens draped across the hills. Check in to your plantation resort, with the afternoon free to relax or visit a tea museum.
Cycling: approx. 80–95 km · Terrain: mountain climb with rolling sections · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch & Dinner · Overnight: Munnar
One of the most spectacular descents of the trip. From Munnar you roll down through tea estates into Kerala's tropical lowlands, the scenery shifting from cool highlands to coconut groves, rubber plantations and pretty villages. Continue to the famous Kerala backwaters and Kumarakom, on the shores of Vembanad Lake, where the evening is yours to unwind at a lakeside resort.
Cycling: approx. 70–100 km (selected scenic sections) · Support vehicle throughout · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch & Dinner · Overnight: Kumarakom
Your final ride winds through Kerala's enchanting backwater countryside- narrow canals, coconut groves, village churches and small farming communities on quiet rural roads, a memorable way to close the journey. These are some of the most famous places to explore in South India. As you approach Cochin, board the support vehicle for the transfer into historic Fort Kochi, shaped by centuries of maritime trade: see the iconic Chinese fishing nets, St Francis Church and the colonial streets, then continue to Mattancherry for the Dutch Palace and the old Jewish Quarter (the synagogue subject to opening days). The evening brings a farewell dinner and your cycling expedition certificate.
Cycling: approx. 50–60 km · Terrain: mostly flat · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch & Farewell Dinner · Overnight: Cochin
After breakfast, the expedition comes to an end. At the appropriate time, transfer to Cochin International Airport for your onward flight, carrying memories of temple cities, rural villages, coastal roads, the Western Ghats, spice plantations and the legendary backwaters of South India.
Meals: Breakfast
Cycling Expedition Services
Transport & Logistics
Sightseeing & Cultural Experiences
Cycling Support During the Ride
Entrance Fees
Taxes
This is our most premium tour- nights are spent in 5★ hotels, luxury resorts, heritage properties and boutique stays, on a half-board basis.
| Destination | Hotel Names | Nights | Meal Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahabalipuram | Radisson Blu Resort Temple Bay | 02 | Half Board |
| Pondicherry | Le Pondy | 01 | Half Board |
| Chidambaram | Chidambara Vilas | 01 | Half Board |
| Kumbakonam | Mantra Koodam – CGH Earth | 01 | Half Board |
| Tanjore | Svatma, Tanjore | 01 | Half Board |
| Trichy | Courtyard by Marriott Trichy | 01 | Half Board |
| Chettinad | Chidambara Vilas | 01 | Half Board |
| Madurai | Heritage Resort | 01 | Half Board |
| Thekkady | Elephant Court | 01 | Half Board |
| Munnar | Fragrant Nature Munnar | 01 | Half Board |
| Kumarakom | Kumarakom Lake Resort | 01 | Half Board |
| Cochin | Brunton Boatyard | 01 | Half Board |
Seven curated routes- from a 7-day Kerala escape to a two-week grand tour. Each one private, guided and fully customisable to your dates.
It's graded moderate to challenging. The Tamil Nadu coast and Cauvery Delta stages are flat and easy, but crossing into Kerala over the Western Ghats- Madurai to Thekkady, Thekkady to Munnar and Munnar toward Kumarakom- involves substantial climbing. The support vehicle covers every stage, so you can ride the mountain sections at your own pace or share them with the vehicle.
A remarkable cross-section of South India: UNESCO World Heritage sites at Mahabalipuram and Tanjore, the French quarter of Pondicherry, the great temple cities of Chidambaram, Trichy and Madurai, the heritage mansions of Chettinad, the tea gardens of Munnar, the Kerala backwaters at Kumarakom and historic Fort Kochi.
October to March, when the tropical climate is at its driest and coolest and riding conditions are most comfortable across both Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Yes- the listed departures are guaranteed* based on a minimum of four confirmed riders. If the minimum isn't met 45 days before departure, you'll be offered an alternative date or a revised small-group arrangement.
This is a premium tour- nights are spent in 5★ hotels, luxury resorts, heritage properties and boutique stays on a half-board basis, with a welcome dinner in Mahabalipuram and a farewell dinner in Cochin.
South India can be warm and humid, especially on the coast. Riding in the October–March season keeps conditions comfortable, and the crew arranges regular stops for water, fresh fruit, electrolytes and snacks throughout each stage. This season is perfect for booking any other South India Tour Packages also.
The tour begins with an arrival transfer from Chennai International Airport and ends with a departure transfer to Cochin International Airport. International and domestic airfares are not included.
