About this trip.
The road into Kochi
Most India trips arrive in Delhi or Mumbai. This one starts on the wrong coast for that — Cochin International, then a two-hour transfer to Fort Kochi, the old colonial port at the mouth of the backwaters. The Chinese fishing nets along the seafront are still worked by hand, and the white-washed churches and trader's houses give the place a Goa-meets-Lisbon air that doesn't feel quite like the rest of India. It's a useful place to land: warm, walkable, and a soft introduction to the food before the cycling begins.
The route through the hills
The first proper day on the bike skips the Kochi traffic entirely. A short transfer drops you in Ambalamugal, and from there it's 34 miles to Thattekad on quiet country roads, with only 134 metres of ascent — undulating rather than hard. Traffic thins out to bicycles, motorbikes and the occasional motor rickshaw. The road runs alongside old British-built irrigation canals, past rubber smallholdings and mango, papaya, tamarind and pineapple growing in the verges. Kingfishers and egrets are common.
Over 14 days the route climbs gradually inland into the tea and spice country of the Western Ghats — the cooler, greener Kerala that most visitors miss. The Periyar wildlife reserve is on the itinerary; it's home to elephants, bison and (in theory, rarely in practice) tigers. After the climbing comes the descent to the backwaters, and a full day off the bike on a converted rice barge — the kettuvallam houseboats that drift along Kerala's network of narrow canals. The trip finishes with two days at Marari, a quiet beach village on the Arabian Sea coast, before the flight home.
It's graded across the full 1–5 range, which is honest: there are easy days and harder ones, and the heat and humidity do their share of the work even when the gradients don't.
Bookings and logistics
Fourteen days from £2,415 per person, guided, with departures from a UK airport into Cochin (COK). The pricing covers the cycling, the houseboat day, accommodation throughout, and most meals — the day-by-day notes specify breakfast, lunch and dinner included on riding days. Trip notes are available from Saddle Skedaddle directly on +44 (0)191 265 1110.
For every booking, the operator donates to World Bicycle Relief, the charity that distributes Buffalo Bicycles to people in rural communities; their stated aim is to fund one bike per long-haul trip booked, and clients can add a donation at checkout to double that.
This suits cyclists who want a varied two-week trip rather than a pure mileage challenge — the riding is real but the rhythm is built around the landscape, with a houseboat day and beach time written into the structure rather than tacked on. Best in the dry season, roughly November to March, when the hills are cool and the backwaters are at their easiest.
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.
