Motor Biking Kerala – 10 days / 09 nights

Day 01: Arrive at Cochin
You will arrive at the Cochin Airport, meet our rep, and be immediately escorted to your hotel in Fort Cochin.
Cochin (Kochi) is spread across islands and promontories in a stunning location between the Arabian Sea and the backwaters. The city was founded in 1341 when a flood created a natural safe port, which became the principal harbor for Malabar Coast’s spice trade. Cochin was on the main trade route between Europe and China. The rulers invited people of various religions to settle here, attracting the Jews and the Christians, who built places of worship and their own communities.
This afternoon, you will be handed your 500 CC Royal Enfield Bullet and also meet your driver, who will accompany you in the car with your luggage and will also assist in your route.
You will proceed for a test ride through Fort Cochin and Mattancherry with a local guide. During the course, you will also visit the monuments at Fort Cochin and Mattancherry: the St. Francis Church – oldest European Church in India, where Vasco de Gama, the first European traveler to India, was originally buried; Dutch Palace at Mattancherry (Friday closed), which has been renowned for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana; and the Jewish Synagogue (Saturday closed) at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town.
Overnight stay will be at Fort Cochin.
Overnight stay will be at Cochin.

Day 02: Cochin/Valparai
After early breakfast, you will begin with your ride to Valparai – 155 km from Cochin, passing through 88 km of beautiful rainforest of the Western Ghats. The first 70 km up to Athirappally Waterfalls are through the national highway (45 km) and state road (25 km) up to the check post. From there on, you will come across thick deciduous forests on both sides with no signs of human life. You might see very few vehicles in your more than three hours of ride through the forest. At times, you can even expect a gaur or an elephant to block your way. You will also ride past two dams – Perngalkuthu and Sholayar. When you get closer to Valparai, the forest cover will disappear, and you will start seeing coffee and tea plantations.
Valparai is a small hill town located 3,500 feet above sea level on the Anamalai mountain range. You will stay in an estate bungalow at Valparai.

Day 03: Valparai/Pollachi
Today will be another day of exotic ride, a 64-km descent to Pollachi, covering 40 hairpin bends. You will ride through the Indira Gandhi Wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary is almost 1000 sq. km in size, and the place is rich in flora and fauna. Be alert along your drive, as you are sure to sight a lot of animals/birds.
You will stop at Aliyar dam and also visit the monkey falls.
You will stay at a treasure trove of cultural heritage, a majestic bungalow built in the early 1900’s amidst hundreds of acres of farmland. Experience the quintessence of village charm and the warmth and hospitality of the people.
Rest of the day, take a stroll through the village, its market, the temples and rituals, the local shops…
Overnight stay will be at Pollachi.

Day 04: Pollachi/Camp at Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
You will enjoy an early ride through the reserve forest and villages via the small town of Udumalpet to Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (80 km).
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique protected area located in the rain shadow region in the eastern slope of Western Ghats, adjoining Tamil Nadu. The forest types comprise thorny scrub forests, dry deciduous forests, high altitude sholas, and wet montane grasslands. Apart from this, this area is noted for its archaeological importance too. The Dolmens, built between 1st and 5th century CE are one of the major attractions. Herds of Asiatic elephants, gaurs, spotted deers, tigers, the elusive leopards, the legendary “white bison of Manjampatti,” and the colorful birds and butterflies life make Chinnar a must-see destination in the wildlife map of Western Ghats. On arrival at Chinnar Forest Office, you will leave the bikes in the custody of your driver and meet up with your naturalist and eco guides, who will accompany you during your trek and camping.
After a short briefing, you will be guided for a trek through the dry deciduous thorny scrub forests of Chinnar. The two-hour long trek will begin from Champakkad tribal settlement and will end at Vasyappara.
You will camp in a traditional thatched hut on a ledge at the top of this hill – an ideal place for wildlife viewing and star gazing. Simple vegetarian food will be cooked and served by your hosts. You will stay overnight in the hut.

Day 05: Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary/Munnar/ Kailasappara
You will walk around your camp early in the morning with your naturalist. After breakfast, you will trek back to Champakkad. After taking a dip in the river Pampar to cool your body, you will reach your base station by around 1000 hrs.
You will say good bye to your naturalist and eco guides and will get on your bikes to begin the picturesque ride to Kailasappara. The 100-km ride is a feast to the eye, through the winding roads of panoramic Western Ghat hills covered with tea and cardamom plantations and occasional view of waterfalls and streams.
At Munnar, you will stop at the Tea Museum for a visit.
The roads are narrow when riding from Munnar to Chinnakanal (22 km).
Kailasappara
Kailasapara is a hamlet set in the stunningly beautiful upper reaches of the Western Ghat mountain range in the Vandanmedu area. Numerous rivers snake through picturesque valleys past vast stretches of thick forests and plantations. Rugged mountains and dense forests cover a major portion of the countryside in and around Vandanmedu, making this area special.

You will stay at a plantation bungalow set on a hillock amidst tea plantations. If by then, you would still be not tired, you can take a heart-stopping jeep safari to a hillock through a dirt path strewn with rocks. The jeep rocks, sways to the right, then to the left and then leaps into the air to land with a bone crunching thud.
Overnight stay will be at Kailasappara.

Day 06: Kailasappara/Thekkady
At a comfortable time, you will begin your ride to Thekkady (55 km).
Thekkady

Periyar is South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary, encompassing an area of 777 sq. km. Set on the attractive man-made Periyar Lake, it attracts over 300,000 visitors a year. Though the sanctuary was made a part of Project Tiger in 1973, it is better known for its elephants.
You will enjoy an evening boat ride in Lake Periyar, and see the wildlife around the lake as you cruise along its banks. Apart from elephants, bisons, sambars, wild boars, langurs, otters, and flying squirrels are common here. The sanctuary also has 246 species of birds and 112 species of butterflies.
You will later witness Kalaripayattu performance (martial arts) at a local theatre.
Overnight stay will be at Thekkady.

Day 07: Periyar/Nedumudy backwaters
In the morning, you will start your ride to the backwaters (130 km). After a descent for 70 km, you will pass through rubber plantations, rivers, small towns, and finally through backwaters and paddy fields. During a slow ride through the paddy fields, you will see people working on the fields, sowing the seeds, plucking out weeds, and diverting water channels. The most fascinating site is obviously that of the ducks, quacking together in high decibels and moving across the backwaters in large numbers, shepherded by men on small boats. You will also catch men playing on the backwaters, some diving down to collect lime shells from the depths and others fishing with their nets and traditional cane basket.
You will stay at a backwater homestead.
In this 100-year-old wooden mansion situated on the bank of the holy river Pamba, you will feel serenity, peace, and joy, which have long been lost to the frenetic pace of the times that we live in. A golden opportunity to experience closeness with nature, the home is just on the bank of the river, giving a clear view of the village life across. You can also sit and relax watching the fishermen, boats, and people cruising along.
Half past six when the sun will set beneath the banks, you will set off in punted canoe with your lone oarsmen, on a slower pace cruising through the darkness, watching the faraway lights. Somewhere in the middle of the lake, your oarsmen will serve you a glass of wine. Under a clear sky, you will enjoy sipping the wine gazing at the stars or watching the people still on the banks, some taking a bath, some fishing, some washing their utensils, and some waving at you.
Overnight stay will be at Nedumudy.

Day 08: Nedumudy backwaters/Alleppey/Marari
You will start your ride in the morning towards Alleppey (10 km).
The bazaars of Mullackal Road provide a delightful morning browsing. Here, you will find everything from fine gold jeweler to umbrella emporiums and coir products. You will get a chance to observe the Mullackal Temple from inside.
Later, you will visit the house of Mr. Tomy and Mrs. Elsamma, who will await to welcome you. You will experience the Keralan hospitality with a sumptuous Kerala lunch with the family.
You will later drive to Marari beach (15 km).
Marari Beach, other than being an endless vista of sand and surf, is an authentic experience of the world of Kerala’s traditional fishing villages, and a recreation of an ancient, harmonious way of life. The resort sprawls across 55 acres of lawns, far-flung lotus ponds, and whispering coconut groves, all threaded through with stone-flagged pathways. A windbreak of palms runs the length of the property, a protective cover that reduces even the gustiest sea winds to mere caresses. And beyond is a milk-and-azure ocean, fringed by a beach more ochre than yellow, a sand-meets-sea combination you’re not likely to find anywhere else.
Your eight days of exhilarating motor biking will come to an end, and you will hand over your bikes to the representative that evening.
Overnight stay will be at Marari.

Day 09: Marari
You will relax the entire day at the beach.
Overnight stay will be at Marari.

Day 10: Marari /Cochin departure
You will in time be transferred to Cochin Airport by car (90 km; 2.5 hrs) to help you board a flight back home.