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Discover Kerala by bike on this leisurely 13-day journey, from tea plantations and spice trading routes to palaces and cultural sites. Float along the backwaters and pass through sleepy villages and share a home with locals. Includes 10 days cycling with support vehicle, bike hire and accommodation with breakfast, 3 lunches and 2 dinners.

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• 10 nights in comfortable hotels and 2 nights homestay
• All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners
• 10 days cycling with full vehicle support
• Local transport by boat and bus
• Local bike hire included

Day 1 Start Kovalam

• Tour starts in Kovalam, a small coastal town with palm-backed beaches, a busy fishing harbour and a lighthouse. There is a welcome meeting in the hotel at 2pm.

Accommodation: Soma Palmshore Beach Resort (or similar). Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 2 Morning cycle ride and afternoon free to relax on the Arabian coast

• After breakfast it’s time to collect the bikes and set off for a test ride through some of the local fishing villages, with the option to extend the ride up to 32km along a lovely coastal road. The afternoon and evening are free to explore at your own pace. Take a walk along the sandy beaches of the Arabian Sea where there are plenty of cafes to watch the fishing boats sailing out for their evening catch. There are also lots of places to unwind with an Ayurvedic massage to prepare for the days of cycling ahead. Ascent: 205m; Descent: 175m; Total: 10km.

Accommodation: Soma Palmshore Beach Resort (or similar). Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 3 Drive to Veli Lagoon and cycle to Varkala

• After breakfast take the bus to Veli, from where you'll cycle to the estuary. The lagoon is separated from the ocean by a narrow sand spit, where fishermen can be seen working on their boats and nets or poling across the lake with sand-filled barges. Visit the fishing village of Anjuthengu to see the Anjengo Fort, built by the British East India Company in the 17th century as the first British trading post on the Malabar coast. Carry on towards Varkala, renowned throughout the region as a pilgrimage centre for Hindus who come to worship at the ancient Janardhana Swamy Temple. It’s a popular backpacker hangout thanks to its beautiful clifftop setting and relaxed vibe. Take time to relax by the beach or wander amongst the palms and enjoy the sunset before catching dinner at one of the local restaurants. Ascent: 318m; Descent: 295m; Total: 37km.

Accommodation: Deshadan Cliff and Beach Resort (or similar). Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 4 Cycle through Keralan villages to Kollam

• Cycle alongside palm-fringed shores and beautiful blue lagoons and spend a little time on Kollam beach. Kollam is surrounded by coconut palms and cashew tree plantations. Its old wooden houses are typical of the Keralan style and its situation at the southern end of the backwaters makes it an ideal spot to begin exploring the network of canals and lagoons. Ascent: 300m; Descent: 325m; Total: 36km.

Accommodation: Hotel Regant Lake Palace (or similar). Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 5 Boat trip along the backwaters and cycle to Allepey

• After a short drive this morning it’s back on the bikes to cycle further south along coastal roads shaded by palm trees. Cross the river by ferry before continuing to the Manarasala Snake Temple for a short visit. Rejoin the bus for the drive to Thotappally, where there is a break for lunch. Then spend the afternoon exploring Kerala's famous backwaters by motor launch. These boats are provide transport and delivery service for the villages - it's not unusual to spot pyramids of coconuts or even buffalo being carried in this time-honoured fashion. After disembarkation continue the journey to your hotel in the ancient trading town of Alleppey. The evening is free to explore the town. Ascent: 308m; Descent: 308m; Total: 39km.

Accommodation: Green Palace Resort (or similar). Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 6 Morning cycle through the backwaters villages and sunset canoe

• After breakfast, drive towards the Mancombu area for today’s cycle. The route is through the villages of the backwaters and there'll be plenty of opportunities to interact with the locals and visit churches and temples. Take to the waters in a traditional boat made out of Anjili wood, passing by villagers tending to their animals and gardens. Rejoin the bus in late afternoon to head back to the village for a walk followed by a sunset canoe through the backwaters. Ascent: 225m; Descent: 235m; Total: 35km.

Accommodation: Green Palace Resort (or similar). Meals included: Breakfast & lunch.

Day 7 Drive and cycle to Erattupetta

• Today is a combination of bus and bike to reach Erattupetta, famous for its rubber plantations. The climate is cooler as we cycle in the shade of the rubber trees up in the rolling hills. Tonight is the first of 2 nights’ stay with a host family in a small rural village. The house is surrounded by lush gardens with tropical fruit trees, tall teaks, and lots of bird life. Watch the family cook up a traditional curry, take a walk through the gardens or go for a swim in some natural rock pools. Ascent: 657m; Descent: 648m; Total: 33km.

Accommodation: Planters Homestay (or similar). Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Day 8 Time in a local plantation and optional visit to Poonjar Palace

• This morning, take a stroll through a local plantation and learn about the numerous fruits and medicinal plants. Depending on the season, it may be possible to relax in the rock pools before an optional visit to see Poonjar Palace, the 900-year-old residency of the Maharajah and his family.Ascent: 266m; Descent: 160m; Total: 9km. Optional extra ride of 32km.

Accommodation: Planters Homestay (or similar). Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Day 9 Drive and cycle to Thekkady to visit plantations

• After driving the steeper roads it’s back to two wheels to continue the journey to Thekkady, the spice hub of Kerala. The route is through the region called Wagamon, passing tea and rubber plantations, and through varied spice gardens. There might be an opportunity to meet local tea pickers in the plantations to see how people live in this beautiful region. Ascent: 1176m; Descent: 1506m; Total: 36km (10km on a busy road).

Accommodation: Abad Green Forest-Best Resort (or similar). Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 10 Forest walk and explore Thekkady

• Take a break from the bikes today to visit the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the 16 tiger reserves in India and, well known for its elephants. There is a chance to spot wildlife such as wild boar, giant Malabar, porcupine and flying squirrels during a walk through the variety of habitats in the park.

Accommodation: Abad Green Forest-Best Resort (or similar). Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 11 Cycle to Kuttikanam and drive to Kochi

• After breakfast enjoy a freewheeling cycling route down the down the winding roads of Kuttikanam. Transfer by bus to Kochi, a bustling port city on India's Malabar Coast. Also known as Cochin, its port has been used by Arab, Chinese and European merchants since 1341. Spread across several islands with criss-crossing waterways, the city has a relaxed feel that attracts artists and artisans from around the world. Ascent: 540m; Descent: 1524m; Total: 30km.

Accommodation: Hotel Fort Queen (or similar). Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 12 Cycling tour of Kochi and evening boat cruise

• Cycle through the old town of Fort Cochin to see its eclectic mix of styles and influences. The town boasts the oldest European church and the oldest synagogue in India alongside Portuguese houses and Dutch palaces. In the evening take a sunset cruise around the surrounding islands. Total: 10km.

Accommodation: Hotel Fort Queen (or similar). Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 13 Trip ends in Kochi

• Trip ends after breakfast at the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast.