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The journey begins at the airport for your overnight flight to Cochin. Your Charity Challenge Cycling Leader will meet you at the airport and assist with the check-in and any last minute questions.
There will be a full challenge briefing after you check in at the hotel. Depending on your flight arrival time, if there is some time before dinner, you will explore Cochin, a ascinating and beautiful city founded by the Portuguese in the early 16th century. After a little bit of sightseeing, you may then choose to unwind with an ancient and relaxing aryuvedic massage. Overnight in hotel.
Saddle up for the first day of cycling! Leave the city behind as you head towards Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, one of India’s richest bird habitats. Here more than 270 species are found in just 25 square kilometres. Look out for the rare mottled wood owl, spot-bellied eagle owls and rusty-tailed flycatchers, during the afternoon. Onwards to the outskirts of the Kokanad Elephant Rescue Centre before overnighting at camp.
Today you pass through the Western Ghats of south-western India, known locally as the Sahyadri Hills. The route meanders through rich ecosystems, so look out for the endangered Indian elephants, bison, monkeys and birds of prey. Munnar is the gateway to the mountains and home to some of the world’s highest tea-growing estates and spice plantations, which combined make this former hill station an ideal retreat. Overnight in Munnar
Your third day of pedalling takes you to Vandanmedu. Once there, you plan to visit the tribal inhabitants of the area and the village’s incredible cardamom and pepper spice plantations. Your route follows tea estate tracks through eucalyptus forest and tea bushes, inviting you to interact with many tea pickers along the way. Overnight on a boutique eco resort.
Today you will cycle to Periyar, one of India’s greatest tiger reserves. Altogether 62 different kinds of mammals have been recorded in Periyar. There are about 40 tigers, but also some 1,000 Indian elephants too. The reserve, which extends over 777 square kilometres, is also home to wild boar, leopards, monkeys and much more. Forest guides will provide an amazing insight into the unique flora and fauna. Overnight on the outskirts of Periyar Wildlife Park.
The final day on the bike and definitely one to remember! The route to Vagamon is a scenic one, passing through Alleppey, a vast network of waterways. You will pedal hard past miles of palm trees, small villages, lagoons, lakes, rivers and canals. Tonight you celebrate this fantastic achievement with a victors’ meal and a night on the backwaters.
Transfer back to Cochin Airport for the return flight to London. Be sure to swap details with new-found cycling pals on the flight home.
BELIEVE >> ACHIEVE >> INSPIRE
We hold an Air Travel Organiser's Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 6546. Many of the flight-inclusive challenges on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. This ATOL protection only covers challenges that include flights booked by Charity Challenge and that originate in the UK. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLcertificate
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