Destination: India
Duration: 14 Day(s)
Group Size: 10
Pillion Friendly: Yes – this is a great holiday for couples
Terrain: All Tar Riding – Twisty Mountain Roads
Support: Tour leader / First-aider / Mechanic / Support vehicle
Distance: Approx 1200km
As a participant in this tour you will fly to Cochin's international airport, Advice on finding a flight can be found HERE, to be met by Blazing Trails staff and escorted to your hotel in the Fort area of the old city. Here you will be briefed on the adventure ahead and introduced to 'your' Enfield Bullet.
The following morning we will leave the heat of the coast and head up into the relative cool of the mountains. Whenever riding there will be a leader and 'outrider' guiding and trouble-spotting. A 'sweeper' rider and a support vehicle with spares at the rear.
The trip includes few longer days in the saddle and takes in some challenging mountain chicanery. These twisty rides will require skill and concentration, so we ask that you have a minimum of two year's riding experience before joining this tour. Once away from the coast, there should be little traffic, but that which we do encounter is likely to be behaving 'erratically' compared to vehicles in The West. The general condition of the roads is, however, good for this part of the world and the riding experience extremely rewarding.
Weather ranges from very warm/hot on the coast, to a cool UK autumn's evening in the hill stations, where we will venture as high as 6500ft above sea level. We would not expect it to rain at the times of year that we run tours in Kerala, but precipitation is possible in the higher reaches of the mountains.
The two-night stops on this tour offer the opportunity to have clothes laundered while you get out and explore. So try not to over-pack, as you will want to leave some space for mementos, spices and gifts.
This trip is generally characterised by the quality of the riding, the accommodation and the stunning natural settings in which you can enjoy them. We love riding on this tour and are sure you will too.
The 'START DATE' (Day 1) date is the date of arrival at your destination airport. The 'END DATE' is the date on which you fly home.
Please make sure that on booking you select a tour date and bike.
Advice on finding a flight can be found HERE
Leave the British winter behind as you leap merrily onto the flight to Cochin.
Arrive in the morning (flight time permitting) for a transfer to your hotel in Cochin for lunch. Here you'll receive a briefing on the trip ahead and be introduced to your Enfield 500 Bullet and its eccentricities.
We head inland and up into the cool of the hills, covering some 150km in about five or six hours. The ride is fantastic, with long straights passing through shady tropical forest and sweeping bends dipping into verdant valleys. Lofty hairpins then climb ever upwards to reach the stunning emerald tea plantations that tortoise-shell the high Western Ghats around our destination, Munnar. At nearly 1500m above sea-level, anyone who isn't a walrus may choose to don a fleece.
A day for both rest and exploration. Possible activities include a ride out through the tea plantations and up to Kerala's highest point. There will still be lots of time to get out and explore town, or just kick back and relax.
Heading down and out of the Nilgiri range, we cross the plains before heading up spectacular switchbacks to the Palani Hills and the religious fervour in the temple-town of Palani itself. This is an all-day ride and among the best in the world. The views will redefine your understanding of the word 'beauty.' Kodaikanal, at 2100m above Southend, is the geographical high point of the trip. Unless you happen to be half penguin, a fleece is a good idea while taking in the evening views from the heights of our hotel's roof.
A chance to explore this historically interesting hill station and its surroundings – we'd recommend simply walking around and taking in the vertiginous mountain views and colonial architecture. More 'serious' trekking into virgin forest can also be arranged. The less energetic may prefer a stroll in the botanical gardens, to bob around on the boating lake, or even swing a club on the town's golf course.
More sinuous twisties carry us back to the plains, then up over the Keralan border to descend through lush cardamom plantation and forest to our destination, the tiny village of Vandanmedu. Here, deep in a forested plantation, our luxurious hotel features a swimming pool, so don't forget the cossie.
Thekkady, is near the sanactuary entrance and has great views over the forest. Take advantage of the sanctuary's proximity and an evening boat trip out onto the lake, where it's possible to see a huge variety of Indian wildlife.
A whole day to get stuck into Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, or a bottle of wine. For the former option, there are a huge range of wildlife-based activities; for the latter a number of hotels and eateries. Should one remain self-supporting come dusk, then even night treks can be arranged in the park.
Today we take a full day's ride on the wild side as we bisect two huge nature reserves. The route is rammed with super-twisty riding and spectacular views over forested mountains and large reservoirs. The day ends in the small town of Thenmala, where we will enjoy a traditional meal in a local restaurant.
We will first ride up to Palaruvi Waterfalls, where a river descends 91m over a series of smooth boulders into a huge plunge pool. Today's ride is fairly short so that we reach our backwaters resort on Munroe Island in time to enjoy a fascinating evening boat ride through a huge inland waterway. Sunset is almost guaranteed to be spectacular.
Heading north, a short ride takes us to the Marari Turtle Beach resort. The beach here is one of the cleanest, quietest and least spoiled on the whole coast and swimming in the warm waters, with the golden beach stretching the the horizon is a very special experience.
Another chance for a quick dip in the morning, before a short afternoon ride takes us back to Cochin, where the remainder of the day can be spent wandering the hundreds of bars and restaurants, serving both traditional Keralan fare and international cuisine.
From your hotel in Fort Cochin, venture out on a full day of exploration this fascinating city, home to the famous Kathakali dance. You won't be short of things to do, especially if you like to shop for antiques, spices, or textiles. There are also museums and marketplaces through which to stroll, plus an impressive fort and the oldest church in India to visit. In 'Jew Town', a bustling trading enclave is a 16th Century synagogue and the Portuguese-built palace, containing beautiful murals, is another fabulous sight worth taking in. Boat cruises around the harbour, decorated with the famous Chinese cantilever fishing nets, may even afford the opportunity to see dolphins close by.
A transfer to the airport for your flight home. Cheerio.
The tours can be booked online, by email, or over the phone on: +44 (0) 7494 050404. To secure a place you will be asked to put down a 15% deposit of and payment can be made by card, cheque, or bank transfer.
Yes. We enjoy hosting riders from all countries.
Flights are not included in the price of your tour, unless specified, but we can provide details of where to book an appropriate flight.
Yes, you need travel insurance to cover you for the period of the tour. This insurance must cover you to ride a bike of the capacity offered on your tour.
Applicants must submit online between 30 and four days before travelling and the visa will be issued on arrival – on production of an emailed confirmation document.
Quality Airport Hotel
Nayathode P.O.,
Angamaly, Kochi - 683 572,
Kerala,
India
Praveen Prasannan, CC-1/423, Ridsdale Branch Rd
Fort Kochi
Kerala
682001
India
You will need a valid certificate of travel insurance and, officially, an International Driving Permit. This can be obtained through the Post Office at major branches. You’ll need your UK Driving Licence and some six of His Imperial Majesty’s Pounds.
We would advise that you have some idea of the exchange rate before you leave, to avoid getting ripped-off at airports. ATMs that will accept major credit and debit cards are now widely available. Cash can be changed at banks and agencies. Further advice will be given in the tour briefing.
About £500 should cover food, petrol and sundries. Relative to the cost of food, alcohol is expensive.
Yes, if you pay a supplement. Even then, in rare cases single rooms may not be available at some stops as the hotels we use are popular, or in some cases small, and we have to book our accommodation some time in advance.
The accommodation varies. There are a couple of nights of glamping and the accommodation is generally the best in the area that we can find in terms of the overall experience and value.
Pretty much everywhere, but at some camps not right through the night. Thus, bring a torch and if it’s vital you need electrical power every night, please speak to us before booking. Don’t forget a travel adaptor if you need to recharge your electricals.
They are very similar, but Tarka dhal is a bit ‘otter.
You must have a licence that covers the tour bike. Make sure you read the tour description to get a measure of the difficulty. While two years’ recent riding experience is advised, the main criterion is confidence. If you’re happy to zip through a London rush hour, then you’ll be capable of dealing with road life in India.
Riding anywhere carries a degree of risk, as does Indian riding. For more information on the riding side of things see ‘Riding’ in the ‘About India ‘ section of this site. If any rider joining us rides in a manner we suspect will endanger themselves, or others, they will receive one warning. If they continue to display a threat to the safety or enjoyment of others on the tour, they will be excluded from the remainder. See terms and conditions).
Due to road conditions and other traffic, vehicles tend to move a lot slower in India than they do in the West. We will do likewise. There are also constraints on speed enforced by the bikes. These are not high-revving sports bikes and so we will lead the tour at a maximum speed of around 80kph.
No, you can’t ride independently of the tour group, sorry.
You are limited to 25-ish kg by most airlines. However, we suggest you pack as lightly and in as compact a form as possible. We insist you bring soft luggage – no suitcases. If you turn up with a suitcase we may ask you to buy a soft bag and repack.
Yes, it’s full of snakes. Don’t bring any snakes. It’s full.
Please look at the meals provided in the tour description.
We would firstly suggest that you avoid too much curry, purely on the grounds that you don’t like it. Indian cuisine has much more to offer than that which we in the West are offered in most ‘Indian’ restaurants. In many destinations, Western-style food is available and where it is not, less spicy food can be arranged. As an alternative, it is possible to bring your own pre-packed camping meals and add hot water.
They are, but not every night. Check the itineraries of Tours. You should be able to get clothes cleaned at two-night stops, so consider this when packing.
We hope not, but if your riding kit isn’t waterproof, then bring some over-proofs.
Consult your GP/travel clinic for travel health advice. Bring enough of any prescribed medication you take regularly. A basic first aid kit is useful (plasters, antiseptic cream, bite/sting relief, plus insect repellent). Any serious medical problems will be dealt with by the tour medic, or first-aider.
Proper bike gloves are essential.
31 Rock Road
Oundle,
PE8 4LN
United Kingdom