KERALA BIKE CHALLENGE
NOVEMBER 2013
India, Kerala fact file
Grade: Moderate
Best time of year: Mid Oct-Feb
Number of Challenge days: 6 days
Total Number of Days: 11
Accommodation: hotels and camping
This superb bike challenge takes place in Kerala, one of the smallest states in India. The state stretches for about 360 miles along the Malabar Coast on the western side of the Indian peninsula.
Kerala has evolved a unique culture, and is a land of great natural beauty. From the majestic heights of the Western Ghats (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the country undulates westward presenting a vista of silent valleys clothed in the richest green.
The biking route will weave its way through the Western Ghats and will pass by areas of great natural beauty and interest such as pine and bamboo forests, tea plantations and coconut farms. At night you will be camping under the stars and when the challenge has been completed you will be free to relax and enjoy some time on the beach.
Day 1: Depart London Heathrow
Depart London for a flight to Kochi, India.
Day 2: Arrive India
You will arrive at Kochi International airport to a garland welcome, assistance and transfer to hotel.
After an early lunch you will be free to enjoy some sightseeing of Kochi. Kochi was once an obscure fishing village that became the first European township in India. Kochi has an eventful and colourful history, its reputation as a sea facing commercial town was such that Nicolas Conti, an Italian traveller of the Middle Ages remarked: ‘If China is where you make your money, then Kochi surely is the place to spend it.’
The town was shaped by the Portuguese, the Dutch and later the British. The result of these cultural influences is seen in the many examples of Indo-European architecture that still exist here. Just before dinner there will be a full briefing about the bike challenge and time will be spent fitting the bikes.
Day 3: Kochi to Parambikulam
This morning there will be a transfer of approx. 7hrs by road to Parambikulam via Sholayar and Valparai Tea Estates. The roads wind through the stunning views of the Western Ghats and there will be a stop en-route for lunch, staying overnight at Forest Lodge.
Day 4: Parambikulam—Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary-Marayoor 70km
After breakfast the cycling challenge will begin around 10km drive away at the Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, where Elephants and the Nilgiri Tahr (ibex) are often spotted. The first 30kms take you through the villages of Tamil Nadu passing paddy fields and coconut farms. You will then enter Chinnar Sanctuary, famous for over 225 species of bird, stopping off for lunch and then continuing on an afternoon ride to the overnight camp spot.
Day 5: Marayoor—Munnar 40km
Today the ride continues through Kanthalloor village before reaching Anaimudo Shola National Park, the biggest Shola forest in India. It’s a tough uphill rough trail to the tea plantations and Kundula Dam.
After lunch you will ride into the Yellapatty Valley. The camp tonight is approx. 1hrs walk into the tea plantation with the most spectacular views of Tamil Nadi, the second highest peak in South India.
Day 6: Munnar-Kailasapara 74km
A long day today. The ride is on rough jeep tracks winding through tea, coffee and pepper plantations and then passing small villages with a stunning view point at Munnar-Lockheart Gap. The final section of the day is on tarmac to Kailasapara Camp.
Day 7: Kailasapara-Periyar 60km
After breakfast the ride continues through quiet village roads to Periyar and the camp.
Day 8: Periyar-Kuttikanam-Elapara-Wagamon-Teekoy 24km
Today you will take an early morning tranquil boat ride in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, notable for an elephant and tiger sanctuary. You will then continue your bike ride to the beautiful camp at Teekoy, passing lush green undulating tea estates. Overnight camp.
Day 9: Teekoy-Kottayam-Kumarakom-Muhamma 70km
The final day of the cycling challenge. You will ride through rubber and tea plantations to the finishing point at Muhamma. From here it’s a short transfer to Kovalam, a beautiful beach village and your hotel. There will be a well deserved dinner held to celebrate the completion of the bike ride.
Day 10: Depart India
A free day to enjoy this sleepy fisherman’s village. The beach is quiet and a perfect place to relax and unwind after the cycling challenge. You will have an early dinner before the transfer to the airport for your flight in the early hours of tomorrow morning (local time).
Day 11: Arrive London Heathrow
Early morning arrival
Information for Participants
If you wish to take part in the Kerala Bike Ride, we will ask you to raise £4,000. The breakdown of the £4000 is as follows:-
· £250 non refundable deposit to be paid upfront and directly to The Ultimate Travel Company
· £2050 organisational cost **
· £1700 minimum fundraising target (excluding gift aid) for the Lungs for Living Appeal
The organisational cost ** covers provision of a doctor, the tour leader, local English speaking guides, the hire of bikes, entrance to sanctuaries and a boat trip, all meals, accommodation in hotels and camping and back up vehicles, flights and transfers.
Raising Money for Lungs for Living
Lungs for Living is a ground breaking project that is being run by some of the world's most respected and experienced researchers and clinicians to develop an integrated lung cancer research facility at UCLH.
Lung cancer accounts for 22 per cent of all cancer deaths in Britain, but attracts only 3.9 per cent of research funding. The National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) has recently called for greater translational research into lung cancer and stated that its priority area of
biological research is to understand how normal lung cells first become dysplastic and subsequently progress to cancer. Here at UCLH we have some of the world’s leading experts in lung cancer and we believe that the Lungs for Living research facility could become the most successful Lung Cancer Centre in Europe. We would be extremely grateful for your support of this pioneering project.
For more information please contact .