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ROAD - India
Kerala & Tropical India
Grade: B/C
RIDE PROFILE Av. daily distance: 80 km (50 miles) No. of days cycling: 9-11 Vehicle support: 100% Terrain and route: mostly surfaced roads. One of our more demanding road trips, but with an overall downhill bias. Routes follow mainly quiet backroads with low levels of traffic, but this does increase when approaching towns. TRIP DETAILS Group: min. 6, max. 13, plus leader and driver. Accommodation: 9 nights hotels, 3 nights lodge, 1 night houseboat. Food: all breakfasts, 10 lunches and 1 dinner included.
Bandipur National Park
Cultural cycling through the beautiful landscapes and villages of Southern India
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outhern India is a mystical place, where time, culture and countryside have stood still for centuries. In the cool heights of the Western Ghats the sanctuaries at Bandipur and Mudumalai hide wild elephants, tigers and leopards in the jungle and bamboo forests. We cycle round old forts and up to religious rock shrines as well as through colourful villages where rural life has remained littlechanged for centuries. Further south, in Kerala, Hinduism has produced some of Indias most elaborately decorated temples. A relaxing boat trip on the quiet backwaters here offers a change of pace from the bicycles, before the final coastal ride to Kovalam and a chance to laze on the beach and reflect on an unforgettable experience of rural India.
ITINERARY
Day 1 Depart London. 2 Arrive Bangalore; transfer to Mysore. 3 Ride to Srirangapatnan ruins; return to Mysore; afternoon explore the city including the Maharaja Palace. 4 Cycle on the back roads to Mysore Plateau and Bandipur N.P. via Nanjangud. 5 Morning free or optional visit to Bandipur, afternoon ride to Mudumalai N.P. 6 Optional ascent to Ooty Hill Station (13km climb), former summer capital of the Raj; free afternoon to explore the town. 7 Western Ghats descent through tea plantations; transfer to Guruvayoor in tropical Kerala. 8 Circular ride on rural roads to visit elephants from the temple, return to Guruvayoor; evening free to wander round this atmospheric town. 9 Cycle along the coconut tree-lined coastal roads; ferry to Fort Cochin.
16 DAYS
10 Free in Cochin to explore the bazaars and the old harbour. 11 Cycle past old Portuguese houses; continue to Vambanad Lake and Alleppey; overnight in traditional Kerala house. 12 Explore Alleppey town before backwater boat trip; overnight on lovely Kerala houseboat. 13 Cliff-top ride to laid-back Varkala, transfer to Kovalam Beach. 14 Free to relax on the beach and eat the wonderful seafood. 15 Depart Trivandrum. 16 Arrive London.
Trip code MIK " 16 days Sat to Sun Trip Code 2008 MIK803 MIK807 MIK809 MIK811 MIK840 MIK842 MIK844 MIK846 MIK848 MIK851 2009 MIK903 MIK907 MIK913
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Start 19 Jan 16 Feb 01 Mar 15 Mar 04 Oct 18 Oct 01 Nov 15 Nov 29 Nov 20 Dec
End 03 Feb 02 Mar 16 Mar 30 Mar 19 Oct 02 Nov 16 Nov 30 Nov 14 Dec 04 Jan
Flight Land inc. only 1449 999 1449 999 1449 999 1449 999 1449 999 1449 999 1449 999 1449 999 1449 999 1999 1119
17 Jan 01 Feb 1479 1119 14 Feb 01 Mar 1479 1119 28 Mar 12 Apr 1479 1119
No Local Payment Prices are £ sterling per person ¤ Recommended carbon offset £10 ¤ Optional single supplement £140 ¤ Land only start Bangalore day 2, end Trivandrum day 15 ¤ Insurance £83
BIKE HIRE
India: Specialized Hardrock with front suspension £120, paid on booking From UK: £125, paid on booking
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To book call 0845 863 9626 or visit www.exodus.co.uk
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