This outstanding tour covers some of the most scenic, exotic and diverse areas of southern India. Join our meticulously designed itinerary through Kerala “God’s own country” and experience motorcycling delight as you ride a Royal Enfield Motorcycle and meander through its spectacular scenery, mountain rods, coconut groves, spice & plantations, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Tiger & Elephant Reserves, backwater, Lagoons & beaches. The riding on this trip is superb- twisty and generally well surfaced roads; and the accommodation is of a high standard, while retaining a genuine Keralan feel.
Day 1: Arrival Kochi, Kerala
Day 2: Kochi to Alleppy (90km, 2 hrs)
Day 3: Alleppy to Munnar (140km, 5-6hrs)
Day 4: Munnar to Anamalai Tiger Reserve (180km, 6-7kms)
Day 5: Anamalai Tiger Reserve to Silent Valley (170km, 6hrs)
Day 6: Silent Valley to Wayanad (150km, 5hrs)
Day 7: Wayanad to Ooty (100km, 4-5hrs)
Day 8: Ooty to Kodaikanal (200km, 8hrs)
Day 9: Kodaikanal to Periyar (120km, 5hrs)
Day 10: Periyar to Kochi (160kms, 6 hrs)
Day 11: Kochi
Day 12: Kochi Airport
Arrive in the morning at the Kochi Airport and you will be met by a Himalayan Challenges Representative. Transfer to your hotel in Kochi for Lunch. Here you’ll receive a briefing on the trip ahead and be introduced to your Royal Enfield bikes and it’s eccentricities.
We start of off gently with an easy ride to get used to our bikes and the Indian way of the road. We spend this first day of riding cruising on Malabar’s pretty coastal road, passing numerous beaches and taking in its notable Christian influence. In the evening we’ll experience the backwater brilliance of Kerala in a typical houseboat, exploring village life from the water. After a hearty dinner, spend overnight on the traditional Kerala Houseboat.
We take a windy road to Munnar. We find ourselves on the highest mountain in South India, which stands at an impressive 2,700m altitude. The ride is fantastic, with long straights passing through shady tropical forest and sweeping bends into verdant valleys. Munnar is a commercial centre in the heart of some of the highest tea plantations in the world. Some of the best Indian tea comes from this part of India. In the evening stroll through the tea plantation.
Today we explore the Nilgiri Mountains, where some 35 steep hairpin bends will make for an exciting ascends. The area is lush with vegetation and teeming with wildlife and is the source of a thousand streams and rivers. It is a land of peaks and precipices, rolling grasslands in the foothills and dense jungles.
Silent valley National Park stretches as far as the Eastern Nilgiri Mountains. This part of the park is one of the most preserved tropical virgin forests comprising of diverse fauna such as elephants, tigers, panthers, wild boars, monkeys and lion tail macaques. Hill tribes inhabit most of this region.
The route to Wayanad is spectacular. Look out for pepper, cinnamon, cumin and nutmeg plantations along the way and also the endless Eucalyptus forest. Created in 1973, the Wayanad Park comprises of all the natural reserves in Kerala and is also known as The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
Dense forests and plantations surround us once more as we climb towards Ooty, another ancient hill station much-loved by the English, set at the foot of the Doddabetta, the highest peak in the Nilgiri Range (2637m). we make a crazily steep ascent on a series of 35 hairpin bends over only 12 miles. Ooty is among the best hill destinations of India, especially in the South. Its tropical climate makes it an important agricultural belt, where coffee, tea, spices, flowers and rare essences are produced.
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 is an English hill town, popular for its large cedar and eucalyptus forests.
The roads between Kodaikanal and Periyar will take us through several vibrant villages. After negotiating the downhill hairpins to the valley, we ascend to Periyar, a small border town located between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most beautiful protected, impenetrable jungle areas of Southern India where among roughly 10 animal species, herds of wild elephants and about 40 tigers live.
After breakfast we ride down the Western Ghats on a delightful mountain road, passing through tea plantations and a few colonial vestiges. Heading towards the coast, we go through the backwater and their alluring landscapes which are a harmonious symbiosis of coconut trees, turquoise water and colourful saris.
From you hotel in Fort Kochi, venture out on a full day of exploration of 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 textile. There are also museums and marketplaces through which you can stroll, plus an impressive fort and the oldest church 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.
You’ll be transferred to Kochi International Airport for your flight back home.
Kerala Motorcycle Tour
This outstanding tour covers some of the most scenic, exotic and diverse areas of southern India. Join our meticulously designed itinerary through Kerala “God’s own country” and experience motorcycling delight as you ride a Royal Enfield Motorcycle and meander through its spectacular scenery, mountain rods, coconut groves, spice & plantations, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Tiger & Elephant Reserves, backwater, Lagoons & beaches. The riding on this trip is superb- twisty and generally well surfaced roads; and the accommodation is of a high standard, while retaining a genuine Keralan feel.
Our tour starts from the port city of Kochi (also referred to as Ernakulam), historically popular as a spice trade center. The itinerary then takes you through some of the top destinations & experiences the region has to offer (including a couple of nights in the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu). Let the lovely serpentine roads through tropical jungles, the majestic Nilgiri Mountains and the infamous tea plantations mesmerize you. Prepare to have your palate enchanted by Kerala’s divine delicacies including the freshest of sea food. Your trip will range from the Occidental Ghats to the surrounding Tamil Nadu. Don’t wait any longer to schedule your motorcycle tour in South India.
Tour at a Glance:
Region of the Country: South India (Kerala & Tamil Nadu)
Months: September to March
Duration: 12 days 11 nights
Riding Days: 9 days
Gradient: Easy
Average daily distance: 145 kms
Total Distance: 1310km
Trip DetailAll riders must have a motorbike license and some experience.
Included:
Excluded:
ABOUT THIS TOUR
In fact we only expect you to bring
In the Himalayas the weather can change at any time. During the daylight the temperature can be as high 30’c. But at night it can dip down to -5’c although it will most likely be around 0’c. It is important to bring layers rather than one big warm fleece.
BOOKING CONDITIONS
Himalayan Challenges (HC) is an operator of all Adventure Travel and sports shown on our website. HC is registered with the Department of Tourism and Civil aviation, Government of Himachal Pradesh, India.
1) Insurance:In respect of these Booking Conditions, “We/ Himalayan Challenges” and “You/ Participant(s)”- will be the person(s) whose name and details appear on the online booking form.
Before joining the tour we recommend that you take out travel insurance. This should include adequate cover for baggage, medical expenses, cancellation, helicopter evacuation and emergency repatriation. You must supply documentary proof of it to us before starting the trip. If you do not have travel insurance you must have a credit card with at least a US $5000 limit.
2) Booking Confirmation:Your booking will be confirmed by email once we have received a deposit of 50% and the signed copy of booking form and contract. The balance is due no later than two months prior to departure. If you book a tour less than 2 month prior to departure, you must send the full payment within 7 days of confirmation by us.
3) Terms of Cancellation:(a)All cancellations must be made in writing and signed by the person who signed the booking form and will be taken into account by the agency upon receipt of that letter.
If you cancel, the following scale of charges will apply:
(b)If you do not show up at the meeting point specified on the agreed date, we will assume you have been delayed and will wait for you to contact us with your new expected arrival date. If you do not contact us within 48 hours we will assume you have cancelled the tour. There is no refund of any money paid.
(c) The tour will not be cancelled unless we are forced to do so because of unusual or unforeseen circumstances, such as a major natural disaster, major political unrest or war. If we cancel the tour we will promptly refund all payments made to us including the deposit (less the unrecoverable costs such as air tickets cancellations). We shall not be liable to refund any additional expenses that you may have incurred (such as insurance, visas, vaccinations and other incidental costs).
4) Refunds:(a)In case the journey is broken off early upon the client’s own wish or causes, Himalayan Challenges shall not be liable to any refund of the days not utilized. Clients will have to pay for hotel or any extra costs incurred after leaving the itinerary.
(b)The trek information sheets and the dossier give information and conditions relating to the tour and are deemed to be part of the contract and so you should be fully aware of their contents. However, the itinerary is an indication of what the group should accomplish, but is not a contractual obligation- changes may be made because of exceptional weather, flight cancellations, sickness or other unforeseen circumstances. No refund will be given for unused services or unrealized dreams.
(c)Himalayan Challenges shall not be liable to refund of any Bank charges deducted while making the bank transaction.
5) Your Responsibility(5.1)Acknowledgement of Risk:
It is a fundamental condition that you acknowledge that this is an adventure tour. This requires some flexibility. The day to day itinerary is taken as a guideline only. We cannot be held responsible for any delays caused by International or domestic flights, Strikes, Government regulations, weather or natural casualties. In such cases, Wild Himalayan Challenges shall be responsible for suitable alternatives which could be decided upon mutual agreement. If an agreement cannot be made, Wild Himalayan Challenges shall be responsible for refund after deducting expenses already incurred.
(5.2)Physical Fitness:
You confirm that you are in proper physical and mental condition before going on a Challenge/trek/tour with Himalayan Challenges. You confirm that it is your own responsibility to determine the ability to participate. If you are going on an Expedition a Doctors Certificate would be required stating that you are fit for such a tough and demanding experience. You also confirm that you will notify us about any medical condition or the use of prescribed medication that we should know about. It is your duty to notify us beforehand and is your responsibility to obtain medical advice as regards to vaccinations required for the trip.
(5.3)Documents (just a guide)
All participants must bring with them the following paperwork without which Himalayan Challenges may refuse them from joining their expedition:
Himalayan Challenges will take no responsibility if you are not allowed to fly due to inappropriate paperwork.
In alliance with your expedition booking with Himalayan Challenges you agree to give authority to your expedition leader during your travels, where decisions may be needed for the benefit and safety of everyone.
(5.4)Respect:
(a)You agree to abide by the authority of the leader. Signing the booking form implies your acceptance of the tour leader’s decisions which could affect the group or individuals. The tour leader will give you a complete briefing at your arrival about your journey with Himalayan Challenges. The guide or group leader designated by the agency reserves the right to expel at any time a group of person or an individual whose conduct may be regarded as affecting or endangering the safety or well-being of the group. No compensation or refund will be due to such individuals.
(b)The client agrees to behave responsibly in environmental and cultural matters and agrees to follow proper hiking and camping etiquette while in the mountains and to act respectfully towards the people and customs of the region.
6) AccommodationRoom allocations are as per same sex twin-room sharing- double room for couples. Where a single room has been requested, a single room supplement will apply.
7) Our Responsibility:(7.1)It is our duty to ensure to we deliver the trip you have booked with us to the best of our ability and the it precedes in accordance with the itinerary as stated on our website/ tailor made to your requirement, thereafter making sure as reasonable as possible your journey is unhindered en-route. Our itineraries have been designed with consideration to the environments in which we travel its people and its cultures. Participants’ should therefore realize that hygiene and safety standards in countries which you journey are far different to the standards of your own. However, Himalayan Challenges take care when booking locations, should offer the best of the area in which you stay and dine.
(7.2)Any Participant(s) portraying acts of negligence on the expedition will not only risk their own life, but also that of their fellow participant(s) and will be cautioned. Repeated actions of the Participant(s) in question will have their trip terminated immediately and no refunds will be given. No refunds will be given to participant(s) who leave an expedition en-route. Himalayan Challenges will not be responsible for any traffic accidents caused through carelessness.
(7.3)Due to the nature of our adventures and their locations- Himalayan Challenges reserve the right if deemed necessary, to divert the course of an already commenced expedition away from events (deemed harmful) to the safety of an alternative route.
(7.4)Force Majeure- if for any unforeseen reason interruptions cause delay(s) en-route, preventing Himalayan Challenges from fulfilling their expedition obligations. Any additional expenditure incurred during the interruptions will have to be borne by the participant(s). However, we will do our utmost to rectify the situation into continuing on with the adventure.
8) Complaints:Himalayan Challenges endeavors to supply you the best possible service on your journey, ensuring you have a great time. However, if you have a complaint during your expedition, please notify your expedition leader immediately in order to rectify the situation. If your complaint was unresolved, then a written letter should be sent within 25 days from the expedition completion date to: Himalayan Challenges, Hillco Building, Vill. Shuru, P.O. Prini, Manali, Distt. Kullu, H.P.
9) Law and Jurisdiction:The Contract shall be construed in accordance with the Indian Law and the parties irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Indian Court; Manali, District Kullu, H.P. to settle any disputes, which may arise out of or in connection with this Contract.
10) Currency conversion:All our prices are coated in US dollars. For Client comfort, we forward quotes in their local currency on request. This also depends on the Current Exchange Rate. We will Quote the Exchange rate on the Bill.
11)When making your booking it is implied and accepted that you have read and understood all these booking conditions and agree to abide by them.