About this trip
This is a cycling trip through southern India, from the cool hill country of the Western Ghats down to the backwaters of Kerala. You're on the saddle most days, with a tour leader and support vehicle alongside you throughout.
The riding has real substance to it, including the switchback climb up the Ooty hairpins, but it's broken up with off-the-bike experiences too, from a houseboat night on the backwaters to a 4x4 safari through Bandipur National Park.
You finish up in Varkala, an old hippie hangout on the coast, with some beach downtime to recover before heading home.
What you'll do
- Ride the switchback climbs up to Ooty in the Western Ghats
- Spend a night aboard a traditional houseboat on Kerala's backwaters
- Go on a 4x4 safari through Bandipur National Park
- Cycle through the cooler hill country down towards the coast
- Wind down on the beach at Varkala
- Riding most days, with some genuinely tough climbs, so a reasonable level of fitness helps
- A support vehicle accompanies the group, useful if you need a break from the saddle
- Mix of private and shared rooms available
Worth it if you're fit enough for Ooty's climb, enjoy authentic village cycling, and can handle heat and Indian traffic. Think twice if you need creature comforts—some hotels feel sparse and you'll eat heavily every day.
- Staff trio (guides and support drivers) consistently go out of their way to assist; nothing is too much trouble.
- Ooty hill climb is hard but manageable even walked in parts; scenery varies dramatically from backroads to coast to mountains.
- Ooty hotel felt cold and impersonal; bring a space blanket if you're waiting at rest stops—you'll genuinely get cold.
- First week is hardest fitness-wise; second week mostly flat. Indian traffic requires bike confidence; pull over if unsure.
Distilled from real traveller reviews on TourRadar — we don't edit out the bad bits.
The same-vibe trips, side by side — price, value per day, and how each is moving. Only we can lay two operators' trips out honestly.
Sorted by fit — never by who paid. Price moves and fill fill in from our own tracking as it builds.
Departing in Dec is cheapest — from £1,930, about 36% below the priciest month (Jan).
Getting there
Opens Trip.com, pre-filled — one-way so you can book your return whenever. Prices & booking shown there.
Where to stay
A night before your tour in Mysuru · 5 Dec – 6 Dec
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