Francis is a biker always venturing out on the road to uncover new routes with as much passion as he has telling stories. He is an enthusiast and knows our itineraries like the back of his hand.
A unique crossing that links two mythical cities: Fort Kochi and Pondicherry. Some 695 miles away from the mainstream routes, this itinerary is a discovery of the riches of Southern India. Aboard your Royal Enfield, savour constant diversity. From Kerala’s tea plantations to the jungle of Tamil Nadu, we’ll reveal our secret roads and boutique hotels. Admire the distinctive architecture of multi-coloured Tamil temples and the palaces of the Chettinad region. This motorcycle trip through Southern India ends with a bang in Chennai!
Period
January to March
Duration
13 days incl. 9 days' riding
Level
Intermediate
English-speaking tour leader
Accommodation
Comfort or Boutique
From
€2,890/pilot
You’re met at Kochi airport and transferred to Fort Kochi. You can check in at the hotel any time after midday.
You can spend the day visiting Kochi, which has an eclectic mix of influences: medieval Portugal, Dutch colonial and the British countryside with Malabar’s tropical coast as the backdrop. We get used to our Royal Enfield motorcycles and take a short ride to the seafront. You have a free evening. We recommend going to see a Kathakali show, a traditional performing art.
Our first real biking day! We cross the backwaters, a network of lakes and canals, and then take a windy road up towards Periyar hills surrounded by lush nature. The area is famous for its wildlife, but is especially known for its fantastic spice farms, which produce one of Kerala’s major resources.
In the morning, we visit a spice garden. We then head north and gradually gain altitude on beautiful mountain roads through verdant tea plantations. We arrive in Munnar, one of the highest tea trading centres in the world. We take a walk in the surrounding plantations.
We cross over the state border into Tamil Nadu, on the eastern slope of the Western Ghats. Its less humid climate and farmlands present quite a contrast with Kerala’s forests. The superb road then takes us up towards Kodaikanal in the Palani Hills.
The road goes back down to Coimbatore’s vast plains, offering wonderful views. We cruise through coconut groves and wheat fields and arrive in Madurai, one of the most popular Hindu pilgrimage sites in India. We visit Meenakshi temple and the bazaar.
This leg may be short but makes up for it with beautiful views. We ride through small villages, where inquisitive locals gladly exchange with passing travellers, and wind through the sugar loaf rock formations characteristic of Tamil Nadu.
We can spend the morning relaxing. In the afternoon, we ride around the surrounding villages to discover a culture unique to India and we visit Thirumayam Fort.
We leave early and ride through the Chettiar countryside between cotton fields, rice paddies and water basins, where we can spot large migratory birds. Once in Thanjavur, we visit Brihadeshwara temple, which is over 1,000 years old, and stroll through the old town.
Today’s our last day on the bikes! We take a scenic ride to Kumbakonam, where we visit Darasuram temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We continue northeast and arrive at the Bay of Bengal coast. We stop and sleep a few miles south of Pondicherry to avoid the congested roads entering the city. We can enjoy a dip in the sea if we want.
A private vehicle takes us to Pondicherry, where we spend the day exploring the city and its coast. We stay 10 miles north of the city, on the Bay of Bengal coast, and enjoy our ecoresort’s incredible surrounds.
Today you have the morning to relax or do as you please. After lunch, we head to Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, formerly called Madras. On the way, we stop at Mahabalipuram to visit its famous temples carved out of rock. We arrive in Chennai in the late afternoon.
Today, we have lunch in Chennai and you’re transferred to the international airport according to your flight schedule, where our services end.
You board a traditional "house-boat" for a cruise through Kerala's jungle. You receive a warm welcome from your crew for a night on board (double cabin with bathroom) and cruise along canals, lagoon and on Lake Vembanad. You disembark at the end of the morning after breakfast onboard.
“The organization of the trip was great. Our tour leader ensured that all riders are always together, irrespective of the nationality. It was great fun and adventure mixed. On the whole a great trip.”
“Excellent, almost effortless trip. We were looked after well. The route was a wonderful combination of easy riding and modest challenge. The staff was tolerant beyond any reasonable human's capacity. Lodgings both exotic and comfortable. A better trip can not be imagined.”
“Having joined two tours in India previously with Vintage Rides I have no hesitation in booking a third and recommending this company as experts in their field to anyone contemplating a guided tour on the sub continent or the far east. Vintage Rides is a French company and as expected many of the riders are French speakers but it is not a barrier. I speak English and have only a little of the French language but I have been welcomed by both the tour leaders and the other riders without any problems at all. Communication is not a problem in the brotherhood off the bikers. The tour leaders know their stuff and take you to places off the well beaten tourist track, always mindful of one's safety. The support team for mechanical issues that can occasionally arise with the robust Royal Enfield 500cc Bullet bikes and for transport of luggage and local knowledge remove any concerns, just sit back and enjoy the ride.”
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