Kerala - The spice route
Welcome to the Spice Route, a fascinating tour of South India by motorcycle. Through this route we will discover the roads of the Western Ghats through tropical forests and exuberant flora. Mountain roads that meander tiger parks and elephants with stops at the famous mountain resorts surrounded by tea plantations, and all kinds of spices. This trip is completed with the famous backwater or channels to rest on the beaches of the Malabar coast.
Our last destination will be the capital of Kerala, Cochin, a colonial city with a charming and quiet old town full of typical Portuguese and Dutch architecture.
Tour of 1000 km by paved roads through the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, with mountain passes at a maximum altitude of 2200m with a day at the beach.
Day 1 Arrival of international flights to Kochin. Transfer to our luxury camp in Thattekad. Just 40kms from Thattekad airport, it is in the middle of nature next to the bird and elephant sanctuary on the banks of the Periyar river. Afternoon meeting with the group and introductory briefing about way of driving, introduction to the country and the program of the tour. Night at Thattekad.
Day 2 Thattekad - Valparai. 175kms 6hrs. In the morning we will meet the team that will assist us during the trip and first contact with the motorcycles. Departure to Valparai through the Idamalayar forest reserve that houses white-tailed monkeys and a large number of animals such as birches, elephants and wild goats. Stop for lunch at the Vettilappara waterfalls to continue on an almost empty road that we will have for ourselves. We are still surrounded by nature and tropical forests until we reach our hotel in the middle of one of the most important tea plantations in the area. Night in Valparai.
Day 3 Valparai - Kodaikanal. 180kms 6h. After breakfast we continue through small roads surrounded by tea plantations. Downhill with stunning views of the plain and the Aliyar dam. This road is known for the monkeys and the wild goats scattered along the more than 60 turns that we will enjoy until we reach the dam. We leave the mountain roads for a moment while on the plain, and then we return again to the mountain station of Kodaikanal. Lunch in front of the Kodaikanal lake. Rest of the afternoon free. Hotel in Kodaikanal.
Day 4 Kodaikanal - Munnar. 160kms 6h. From Kodaikanal we go to what is probably the best known city of Kerala, Munnar. The tea plantations, out of sight, have caused dozens of Bollywood films to be filmed in his surroundings. Stop for lunch before starting to climb up thought a road with lots of turns and tropical forests. At 40kms from Munnar, the landscape changed to be literally covered with carpets of tea fields and plantations. Our hotel is in the middle of the tea plantations. Night in Munnar.
Day 5 Munnar day off. You can choose between relaxings at the hotel, or visiting the tea factories or walk through the tea plantations. For those who want more motorcycle, you can take an excursion to climb to the highest point of Kerala. Night in Munnar.
Day 6 Munnar - Periyar Park. 110kms 4h. We take a secondary and little travelled road that will lead us to the Idukki dam, one of the largest in Asia. At lunchtime we will see that the tea plantations give way to another type of spice very common in Indian food, cardamom. The smell of this spice will follow us throughout the day. In the afternoon we arrive at the Periyar park. Hotel in Periyar.
Day 7 Periyar Natural Park. The park is home to one of the largest national park and protected areas in southern India, with an area of 1000 km2. It is a protected area with tigers, wild elephants and leopards. It is also famous for the birds that live around its lake. You can visit it by taking a boat trip on the lake or doing other activities such as canoe rafting or guided walks in the park. Thekkady, the village next to the park, is possibly one of the best places to buy all kinds of spices produced in the surrounding area. Hotel in Periyar.
Day 8 Periyar - Marari Beach. 170kms. 6h We leave the spice plantations to head towards the coast of Kerala. We go through the backwaters or channels that flourish between the coast and the inland. They are areas with intricate canals, palm trees and dozens of boats transporting local people. Arrival at our resort on Marari beach. You have the choise to swim in the hotel pool or in the Indian Ocean. Hotel in Marari.
Day 9 Marari Beach - Fort Kochi. 45kms. 1h Today those who want to, can lazy around on the beach or at the hotel relaxing, or you can choose a boat ride for a few hours by the backwaters. Departure about 4pm for our last destination of our motorcycle tour, the colonial old town of Fort Kochi. We wave goodbye to our bikes and evening dinner with the group to celebrate our incredible journey. Hotel in Fort Kochi.
Day 10 Fort Kochi day off. Day to discover this fascinating and quiet part of the capital. Fort Kochi for its colonial past is full of Portuguese and Dutch architecture. It has a relaxed and quiet atmosphere that makes it one of the most pleasant cities in South India to visit on foot or by bicycle. In its port, Chinese fishing nets are still used, possibly brought by Chinese travellers in the 15th century. Fort Kochi is full of cafes and restaurants where you can drink beer and enjoy the tasty Kerali food. Hotel in Fort Kochi.
Day 11 Departure of international flights. Transfer to the international airport of Kochi accordingly to the schedule of your flight or prolongation of your trip through the south of India.
Duration of the tour:
11 days 10 nights hotel (day 1 to 10 inclusive).
It is possible to make the trip as a pillion passenger or in the backtoup vehicle.
The price includes:
- Hiring of the motorbike throughout the whole trip (500cc Enfield Bullet).
- Superior/comfort category hotels. 10 nights (1 to 10 included). Night 1comfortable tents with beds and private WC.
- Twin-share basis; (single room supplement, additional 400€). 1
- Breakfast, water and tea during the trip on the road.
- English speaker road guide during the motorcycle trip, mechanic specialised on Enfields.
- Backup vehicle and driver, for the luggage and provide assistance on the road.
- Spare parts, tools, first aid equipment and medicines.
- First petrol tank, maintenance of motorcycle, and third party insurance.
- All transfers from/to airport and hotel.
The price mentioned above does not include
- International airfares to/from Delhi.
- Your Indian Visa.
- Personal expenses like washing clothes, souvenirs or alcoholic drinks.
- Tips for the personnel on the trip, hotels and restaurants.
- The meals and dinners and any other service not mentioned in "the price includes" section.
- Transport during the free days.
- Deposit of 500€ for the motorbike. The deposit will be fully refunded at the end of the tour if no damage has been made on the motorbike.
Climate and clothing during the trip
During the tour, the average temperatures in Kerala is around 25°C. The nights in the mountain areas can be cool. At this time of year we will have sunny days with very few or no chances of rain. High level sun protection, sunglasses and gloves are recommended.
Motorbike gear: helmet (best an open one), windtobreaker, gloves, closed boots, and motorbike equipment for the rain (those in two parts preferably). In windy days, the top of the windtobreaker could be enough for not feeling cold. In Ladakh, the rain is rare in July and August, but the weather is unpredictable. If you are sensitive to the cold, bring protection. A motorbike tank bag is very useful to keep the camera, hand gloves or small things within reach.
State of the road and driving in India
Driving in India can be chaotic and with totally different rules than we are used to in Europe, although one adapts quickly to it. During our tour of South India we will drive on paved roads and in a very good general condition. We will drive most of the time through natural parks, tea, coffee and cardamom fields, with little traffic except in the vicinity of urban areas.
This circuit is suitable for a driver with intermediate level because of the ease of the route and the good general condition of the roads.
India is an incredible country and full of magic, but it is not an easy country for which it has no patience or is not used to unexpected and delays. If you decide to join the group, keep in mind that you will have to be flexible with unexpected situations and possible delays due to the special conditions of the country. As I imagine you will know, this type of motorcycle adventure carries a certain risk that when you come to the trip, I suppose you are aware of it and accept it. Having good disposition and a good dose of humor are essential to enjoy this trip to the fullest.This is a memorable trip to make on a motorbike, but we do not advise it for the inexperienced biker. We advise you, even to those which have a long riding experience, to take an advanced driving course before making this trip. One can even be surprised of all the things which one can learn in this kind of course!!
India is an incredible country, full of magic, but it is not an easy country for those who do not have patience or are not used to the delays and the unforeseen situations. If you decide to join the group, I will ask you to be flexible with the possible delays and the unexpected situations due to the special conditions of the country. This type of motorbike adventures always has a share of risks of which you must be aware of and accept before joining the group.
Being open minded with a good amount of humour is essential to be able to enjoy this trip to the maximum. A trip that you will almost certainly never forget in your whole life.
The Royal Enfield Bullet
The Royal Enfield continues to be manufactured in the Indian factories of Madras after the closing of the head office in England in the Fifties.
There have been very few aesthetic and technical changes since then. It is a very solid motorbike with a legendary look and motor noise. With a 500cc engine, the Royal Enfield gives a pleasurable sense of a bygone time on the Indian roads. The Bullet is far from being a fast motorbike but it is the best adapted for the hard conditions of the roads in this part of the world.
Our fleet of Royal Enfields motorcycles are all 500cc models with right side 5 speed gearbox, disk brake and electric start.
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