About this trip.
Hampi at the end of the ride
Hampi sits at the end of this fortnight in the saddle — a UNESCO World Heritage site where stone-carved palaces and temples emerge from a boulder-strewn landscape unlike anywhere else in India. Getting there from Mumbai takes you through three quite different countries on one map: the tropical Konkan coast, the jungled hills of the Western Ghats, and the dry farmland of inland Karnataka. The contrast is the point. You start with sea breezes and coconut groves and finish among the ruins at Hampi, and the days in between do the work of stitching the two together.
Pedal Nation runs this trip in partnership with their sister company High Places, and the itinerary was put together by their manager Sunny Wattel and his team. They've been working in this part of Asia for decades, which shows in the choice of roads and stopovers — the route favours quiet backroads over highways and stays in places with character rather than chain hotels.
From Dapoli to the Tungabhadra
The cycling proper begins with a descent from Dapoli's cool hill air through paddy fields and mango orchards down to the Konkan coast. From there the route runs south on quiet backroads past fishing villages, coconut groves, and unhurried beaches, taking in the ancient temples at Guhagar and the seaside shrine at Ganpatipule. Ferry crossings break up the days, and the Arabian Sea is rarely far off.
After a built-in rest day in South Goa, the road turns inland and the scenery shifts. The forests of the Western Ghats close in around Dandeli, with wildlife-rich hills and proper climbs on the legs. From Hubli you cross rural Karnataka farmland on the run-in to Hampi, where the sightseeing — colonial Mumbai at the start, the temples and palaces at the end — bookends the cycling rather than competing with it.
Bookings, prices and who it suits
The trip runs three times: 6–20 December 2026, 7–21 February 2027, and 15–29 December 2027, all at £2,495 per person on a shared-room basis. The single supplement is £695. Bike hire is included, breakfast is included throughout, and dinner is included on every day except the first night in Mumbai and the rest day in Goa — both places where you'll want to eat out anyway. Konkani seafood is one of the genuine pleasures of the first half of the route.
Flights to Mumbai and home from Goa aren't in the price, though the operator will help book them. The grading is moderately challenging: it suits regular cyclists who are happy with long days and some real hill climbs. October to March is the window — dry, clear, and post-monsoon — and the trip dates sit in the heart of that. The route itself should be treated as a guide; weather, local conditions and the group's fitness can shift things around on the day.
The shape of the trip.
What's typically in the price, what isn't.
A general guide for cycling holidays of this kind. Check the operator's booking page for the final inclusions on this specific trip.
Typically included
- ✓Hotel accommodation, double or twin en-suite rooms
- ✓Daily breakfast at each hotel
- ✓Luggage transfer between hotels on every riding day
- ✓Bike rental (usually a hybrid), helmet, and panniers
- ✓Detailed route notes with GPX files and emergency contacts
- ✓24/7 support line in English for the duration of the trip
Typically not included
- ×Flights to and from the country of travel
- ×Travel insurance with cycle cover (strongly recommended)
- ×Lunches and most evening meals — eat locally on the route
- ×E-bike or road-bike upgrades (usually a supplement)
- ×Repair kit consumables (tubes, chain lube) beyond what comes with the bike
- ×Any alcohol beyond wine included with set dinners
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1How hard are the climbs?
Grading reflects daily distance, total climbing, and traffic. Moderate routes typically involve 40-60km a day with 300-600m of climbing, on quiet roads or well-surfaced bike paths. If you ride regularly at home and can manage a 40km weekend ride, you'll be fine. Check the daily elevation profile when the operator shares it.
Q2Is bike rental included?
It's usually included, with a hybrid as standard and an e-bike or road-bike upgrade available for a supplement. Helmets and panniers normally come with the rental. Check the operator's booking page for the exact inclusions on this trip.
Q3What if I get a puncture?
Rental bikes come with a small repair kit and a pump. If you can't fix it yourself, the operator's support line can arrange a replacement or a lift to the next hotel — times vary by location. Carry a phone and the support number at all times.
Q4Can I use my own bike?
Yes, most operators are happy for you to bring your own bike — you'll often get a small discount off the trip price in lieu of rental. Check with the airline on how to transport it, and bring basic spares (tubes, multi-tool).
Q5Can I do this solo?
Absolutely — self-guided cycling holidays work well for solo travellers. The route notes, GPX files, and 24/7 support are designed for confident independent riders.
Q6What if the weather is bad?
The route is rideable in rain if you're dressed for it, though some surfaces get slower. The operator's support line can reroute you onto a lower / flatter alternative or arrange a vehicle transfer for any stage if conditions are genuinely unsafe.
Q7How do I get there from the UK?
Fly into the nearest airport, then train or transfer to the start point. The operator will advise — some will book onward trains for a small fee. If you're bringing your own bike, check dimensions and dismantling requirements with the airline in advance.
Q8What about cancellation?
A deposit (usually 20-25%) is taken at booking, with the balance due 8-10 weeks before departure. The operator's own terms apply — Mooch doesn't handle the booking or refunds. Travel insurance with cycle cover is strongly recommended.
Three cycling holidays, side-by-side.
Other cycling holidays on Mooch in the same spirit. All prices per person, from the operator.
