- LOCATION
INDIA
Bookings are open!
$750 AUD reserves your spot for our 2020 India Coast to Coast Tour. Book now!
WHO SHOULD COME?
Our Indian Coast to Coast tour enjoys 4 and 5-star accommodation, it’s suited to enthusiastic riders with a keen sense of adventure and ready for a challenge.
Some days in the mountains are fairly challenging with great climbs, others are easier flatter coastal days, distances vary from day to day, you’ll be well supported by our vehicles and guides each step of the way
We look forward to showing you around our favourite places on and off the bike. We’re sure you’ll love India as much as we do.
2020 INDIA
COAST TO COAST TOUR
We look forward to welcoming you on our South India Coast to Coast cycle tour.
Riding from the Bay of Bengal over the mighty mountains of the Western Ghats, to the palm-fringed beaches of the Arabian Sea. This tour takes in the tropical South Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Our Coast to Coast tour is led by our experienced team who have been hosting tours to India for many years. We know how to get the best out of your holiday and riding, in a supported – team like environment.
We’ll pedal on idyllic backcountry roads and overnight in outstanding 4 and 5-star accommodation so you can experience the best of India during the day, then retreat to the peaceful surrounds of our hand-picked accommodation in the evenings.
We ride through places of special historical and scenic interest, giving enough time off the bike to take in some temples, tea plantations, backwaters, historic cities and the best of the sights that make our Coast to Coast tour unique.
You’ll experience India by the best possible means – by bike.
TOUR INCLUSIONS
TOUR EXCLUSIONS
Itinerary in brief:
Day 1: Arrive Chennai. Transfer to Mahabalipuram and poolside restaurant at our hotel. Unwind, relax then join us on a tour around Mahabalipuram’s world famous rock carved temples.
Day 2: Mahabbalaupuram-Auroville-Pondicherry: 110KM/98M. Ride along the stunning scenic coastal and inland to new-age Auroville for a short-guided tour and on to the former French colonial colony of Pondicherry. Join the locals on the promenade for an evening stroll before dining in top Indo-French restaurant.
Day 3: Pondicherry-Chidambaram 90KM/200M: More serene coastal riding as we continue our journey south to the temple town of Chidambaram. Endless palm fringed paddy fields provide the backdrop. Take a step back through the ages as we visit the temple complex at sunset and join the pilgrims in an unforgettable ancient ritual.
Day 4: Chidambaram-Swamilmalai: 83KM: We leave the coast and head inland onto the vast, lush Tamil plains. Stunning rural scenery reveals a Tamil heartland almost unchanged over centuries taking us to Swamlimalai and an overnight stay in our award-winning heritage hotel.
Day 5: Swamimalai-Thanjavur-Kannadukathan 150KM/270M Bullock carts and cycles are more common than any other vehicles as we ride to another South Indian gem, Thanjavur, and the World Heritage listed Brihadeshwara Temple for a short visit then we push on deeper in to the heart of Tamil Nadu and the famous Chettinadu region abound with mansions and palaces, testimony to the success of the Chettiyars in years gone by. Sample the famed Chettanadu food and explore the now near
deserted villages.
Day 6: Kannadukathan-Madurai: 105KM:/207M: The lush landscape becomes more arid with rocks and ridges becoming a common sight. Idyllic rural riding brings us to perhaps the most famous of all of Tamil Nadu’s towns, Madurai and the unforgettable riot of colour that are the gopurams of Sri Meenakshi temple. Evening guided stroll round the temple complex.
Day 7: Madurai-Palani: 120KM/450M. Landscapes change, the first signs of an undulating road and the mighty mountains of the Western Ghats beckon on this delight of a ride as we make our way Palani nestled at the base of the Western Ghat mountains.Scenery simply outrageous.
Day 8: Palani -Munnar: 110KM/2200M. It’s time to climb. A gentle warm up for 20km then climbing legs start to whirr as we embark upon the near 1500 meter ascent to Munnar as we head into Kerala we ride through tropical jungles and tea estates on what must be one of the most stunning roads anywhere in the world. After the days riding its time perhaps to crack open a few more Kingfishers and revel in the cool night air.
Day 9: Munnar-Kuttikanam 135KM/2200M. We ride the forest road through cardamom plantations and ancient rain forests as climbs and descents come in equal measure through the spice mountains of Kerala and on to our famed retreat in the grounds of the former royal family of Travancore in Kuttikanam.
Day 10: Kuttikanam- Vembanad Lake. 125KM/1400M: Another cracking day in the saddle with the joys of a big descent down to the lush tropical Kerala plains. Colonial tea bungalows, churches new and old are testimony to the areas unique strong Christian roots as we reach the renowned Kerala backwaters.
Day 11: Thaneermukkom-Marwari Beach-Fort Kochi- 82KM/45M: We ride from Vembanad Lake to the palm-fringed shores of the Arabian Sea at Marari Beach to dip our bikes in the Arabian Sea and take in a celebratory drink and a swim for making it to the coast. We finish with a leisurely ride up to Fort Cochin and our journey’s end. Evening guided tour with a stroll around historical Fort Cochin.
Day 12: Today marks the end of your India Coast to Coast Tour. We will provide transfers to Cochin Airport if you are flying out today.
Tour Information:
ARRIVALS
10am: Airport Pick up time. It is around a 90 minute journey from the airport to our Hotel in Mamallapuram.
RIDE CLOTHING/SHOES
Better to wear over shorts rather than just standard cycling knicks, to minimise any unwanted attention and ease of walking into temples and places of interest on route.
Cycle shoes are usually better with a non-exposed cleat so you can easily walk around mid-ride at stops and places of interest..
CLIMATE
Temperatures on the plains will be around 30c during the day an remain warm at night time. In the mountains it’s usually still warm but nights can be cool We would expect rain at some point during the trip.
FLIGHTS
Tours start in Chennai and finish in Cochin. Both Chennai and Cochin are well served by international carriers including Emirates. Check individual airlines for luggage allowance and what their policy is regarding bikes.
INDIA VISA
You can apply for an E-Visa following the link below with a 60 day stay-limit. For all visa applications use the following as a reference in India which is our 1st nights stay.
Mr Mani
Manager- Reservations
Hotel Mamallaa Heritage
No.104, East Raja Street
Mamallapuram
Tamil Nadu
Phone: 0091 44- 27442060
MEDICAL
Get in touch with your GP well in advance of your departure for latest information on vaccinations any other medical considerations.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
It is a condition of our trips that you are adequately insured. Policies must cover cycling. If your usual insurance doesn’t cover cycling then consider specialist coverage. We ask for a copy of your insurance pre tour.
ACCOMMODATION
All our accommodation has been hand-picked to be just about the best there is.
Boutique hideaways, plantation stays, converted palaces and luxury hotels all feature in our tour. All rooms are based on twin or double occupancy. Single rooms are available on request. If you are a single person and have not requested an “own room” option we will endeavour to match you up with a compatible room-mate for the duration of the trip.
VEHICLE SUPPORT
We have full vehicle support for the duration of the tour. Non Cyclists and Riders who are tired or just wish for a quick break from the cycling will be able to take time out in the support vehicle. The support vehicle will carry all spares/tools/water/snacks etc so all you need to carry with you is a water bottle and a camera.
FINANCES
ATM’s are available in all our destinations. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted. Make sure you contact your bank to inform them of your travel dates before departure so they don’t block your card.
Breakfasts, lunches and evening meals are included. Additional snacks, extra drinks like beer or wine and perhaps the odd massage are non -inclusions. Ayurvedic massages are around $25 for an hour.
Airport exchange rates are usually poor so if you are exchanging money then just change small amounts. You can change larger amounts of cash at better rates near where we stay at our 1st night’s accommodation. ATM’s will be accessible at the airport and at almost all our destinations.
ELECTRICITY
India’s Electricity: 230/240 volts AC, 50 Hz. 2 pin type.
GUIDES/DRIVERS
Our tour driver and local guides do not expect tips from our guests but they would greatly appreciate them. Feel free to tip at your discretion if you feel the service has been good.
BIKES
Bringing your own bike.
The roads are in good condition with the majority of the roads being recently metalled and smooth. We would recommend a road bike with 28mm – 32 mm tyres or a gravel or CX bike with slicks. Leave your super light road race bike at home and bring your more sturdy bike.
Your bike must be in tip top condition. If you are unsure if a part will survive the trip replace it or take your bike to be serviced by a bike shop. Performance bike parts are hard to obtain in India but we do have small stocks of spare parts if things go wrong.
Bike spares to bring:
• Spare spokes for your bike
• A spare derailluier / mech hanger.
• Spare set of brake pads.
• Multi tool
• Pump
• Tyre levers
• 2 tubes
2019 TOUR DE FRANCE – Full Itinerary
Advance Bookings:
We open up our Advance Reservations for trips so you can book well ahead. Guarantee your position by booking up to 12 months prior.
If you’d like to organise and book your trip more than 12 months prior, contact us via email or phone, we’ll arrange everything so you can make an advanced early booking.
An advance booking, accompanied by a fully refundable $750 AUD (Australian Dollar) ensures priority booking status when the trip details are announced. Note, an advance booking is not considered final until payment is received.
Once specific trip itinerary details are finalized, we’ll contact everyone on the advance reservation list via email, we’ll include the itinerary and offer a priority booking position before opening up bookings to the wider community.
If a trip fills – as it often does in the advance bookings, we create a waiting list and then offer reservations on a first-come, first-serve basis (based on the date the advance reservation was made) once our advanced booking guest have finalised.
To cancel an advance booking submitted in writing/ via email within 14 days of the trip details being published. The (AUD) $750 advance reservation payment will be immediately refunded for any cancellation received within this 14-day period.
Final Payments:
The balance of your trip payment is due no later than 120 days prior to your trip departure date, we will forward via email your final payment invoice. You can choose to make full payment earlier if you prefer to finalise your trip payment early, contact us and we will arrange for an invoice to be sent.
What if I have to transfer, change or cancel my trip:
We understand you may not be able to go on your trip, cancel, change or transfer due to personal or medical reasons. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to transfer to another trip that has places available. If you have a question give us a call or email.
Due to the high demand, limited hotel availability and the advance payments expected by our hotels and restaurants we use, the following cancellation conditions apply to all of our trips.
AFTER BOOKING, IF YOU CANCEL:
120 – 91 days prior to departure | 50% cancellation fee of the trip price |
90 – 61 days prior to departure | 75% cancellation fee of the trip price |
60 days and less prior to departure | 100% cancellation fee of the trip price |
Years of Experience
Tours Completed
Trip Guests
Cycled on Tour
Hotels Visited