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South India - "In the Garden of the Gods "

Itinerary

Day 1	Trivandrum We meet up just north of Trivandrum at a place where we can walk onto the beach and into the Arabian Sea for a swim.
Day2	Trivandrum We have an out and back shake down ride of about 60k to Varkala Beach, where we have a leisurely lunch. Varkala is kind of funky, counter culture place where tattoos, corn-rolled hair and baggy pants are the uniform of the day. There are lots of open air restaurants on the breezy beach. Distance: 60k
Day3	Trivandrum to Madurai After checking out the temple in Trivandrum, we catch the late afternoon train for Madurai.
Day4	Madurai to Vathalagundu We seek out a quiet backroad for today's relatively flat ride. Distance: 45k
Day5	Vathalagundu to Kodaikanal We start out flat, but the road soon starts up the slopes of the Western Ghats, the long chain of mountains that snakes down the middle of the continent. Kodaikanal is a hill station, was founded as a hill station, a cool retreat from the very steamy Indian summers. There are great views, a lake, and usually, a cricket game. The cosmopolitan feel of Kodaikanal is partly due the to the Kodaikanal International School, formed over 100 years ago as an American Missionary school. It now has students and faculty from over 30 different countries. We spend two nights in Kodaikanal. Distance: 83k
Day 6	Rest Day in Kodaikanal There is an opportunity for a loop to the local sights, a trek, or just relax and soak up the cool of being in a town 2200 meters high.
Day 7	Kodaikanal to Marayoor We back track to the turn off for Palani, ride the ridge road and then have a big descent. There is an option of a van lift or taking a back road towards the turn off for Indira Ghandi National Park. We ride through Indira Ghandi park to Marayoor. It is a small town, but situated in a dramatic setting under the brooding hulk of the 2,700 meter high Mt. Anamudi. Distance: 120k
Day 8	Marayoor to Chinnakanal From Marayoor on we encounter tea plantations. From a distance, the hills look marbled. Tea plants are grouped together so they can be harvested by hand, often on very steep slopes and the paths between them look like veins. There is a big climb and then a big descent to Munnar, the tea plantation hub of the area. From Munnar, we climb again on a narrow road to Chinnakanal. Chinnakanal is surrounded by mountains with a valley below. Morning clouds and low lying fog often ooze over the mountains and into the valley like some sort of liquid plasma. Distance: 65k
Day 9	Chinnakanal to Kumily We leave plantation country and enter the backwaters. The backwaters parallel the coast and include some 900 kilometers of canals and waterways. It's the "Venice of India" and full of wildlife. Houseboats ply the waters and we take full advantage by cruising and spending the night on the water in the one, two and sometimes three bedroom houseboats. Distance: 100k
Day 10	Kumily Rest day in Kumily. We take time to explore nearby Periyer National Park, tour nearby spice plantations and take in a Thalakali Show.
Day 11	Kumily to Vagamon Village We leave plantation country and enter the backwaters. The backwaters parallel the coast and include some 900 kilometers of canals and waterways. It's the "Venice of India" and full of wildlife. Houseboats ply the waters and we take full advantage by cruising and spending the night on the water in the one, two and sometimes three bedroom houseboats. Distance: 60k
Day 12	Vagamon Village to Alleppey We leave plantation country and enter the backwaters. The backwaters parallel the coast and include some 900 kilometers of canals and waterways. It's the "Venice of India" and full of wildlife. Houseboats ply the waters and we take full advantage by cruising and spending the night on houseboats. They come in comfortable one, two and sometimes three bedroom versions with full crews. Distance: 85k
Day 13	Alleppey to Island Retreat We bike to our own hideaway in the backwaters. It's a unique place that will give you a sense of what life is like here.
Day 14	Island Retreat to Kochi Kochi is a colorful port city and was the first city of India to be occupied by a European party, the Portuguese in 1503. It is a melting pot. There is a jewish quarter and a dutch cemetery as well as the Portuguese Catholic Church, now a Basilica. There is great shopping, great food and great accomodation in Kochi. It is a nice place to end the riding. Distance: 60k
Day 15	Depart from Kochi for home.

Tour Cost	Group Size 7-10 Price /person  2,295 USD Note: Prices are based per person, double occupancy, with a separate cost for solo travelers. If you are traveling in a group but prefer single accommodations, a single supplement fee applies. Triple accommodations are not available in many of the destinations we visit.
Time to go	Oct to Dec 2009
WHAT'S INCLUDED	English speaking local guide Accommodations in hotels , home stays and  local hotel around trip as mention Meals as noted Airport transfers Sightseeing and activities as noted in the itinerary Ground transportation Additional guides where necessary Entrance fees and permits Basic medical
WHAT NOT	International airfare; meals not noted on itinerary; visa; insurance other than basic medical ; optional tipping to leader, guides and local staff; excess baggage charges; international airport taxes; cost of medical immunizations; items of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).
Bike Hire	USD
	Gears checklist
Total Distance	+- 1,000 km
Number of cycling days	12 full days
Average Daily Distance:	55km
Off Road	0%
Max. Altitude	700 meters
Road Surface	This tour follows a mix of asphalt roads, broken roads.
Support	One or two 16-seats air-conditioned transit vans converted to take bikes and bikers.
Group Size	Minimum 2 person. Maximum  group 10 person.
Staff	Vietnamese cycling leader plus a Vietnamese cycling guide and drivers and assistants, support team.
Accommodation	9 nights in basic tourist class  hotels. All accommodation in hotel has a/c or fan, hot water and private facilities.
Food	All meals are included except on Day 11. Break every 15- 20 km ( 10 miles)  for tea break with water, coffee ,tea, juice, bread, tuna ,banana, apple... including
Biking Grade	Active
Scenery

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