Kerala Backwaters Active Discovery

During our route planning process, our expert team conducts a thorough risk assessment to identify potential emergency situations and ensure that appropriate medical facilities are available. We have identified multi-speciality hospitals and health clinics along the route that meet national accreditation standards. If an incident occurs, and a hospital is far away, our support vehicle will transport you to the hospital as quickly as possible. Additionally, we have emergency contact numbers, such as 100 (Police), 101 (Fire), 102 (Ambulance), 108 (Medical Emergency), and 112 (National Emergency), that can be used in critical situations to call for help.

We provide high-quality Trek and Giant mountain and hybrid bikes that meet international standards. Our bikes feature a hardtail aluminum alloy frame, front (2-3) and rear (7-9) gear setup, hydraulic brakes, and efficient tires. If you have any special requirements, such as custom-fitted pedals, seat post, or panniers, please let us know in advance, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Additionally, we have custom-made e-bikes that are perfect for the backroads of India, providing riders with a bit of motorized assistance, particularly on long uphill rides.

Yes, we offer guided tours, and it is up to you whether you want the guide to cycle with the group or follow in a support vehicle. We highly recommend a guided tour in India as it can be more insightful and enjoyable. Our guides are trained to ensure your safety and well-being in the outdoors, and they have the necessary expertise to provide first aid when needed. They are also experienced in preserving your privacy while providing assistance when necessary. If you prefer to explore on your own, we can provide GPX tracks and maps to help you navigate the route.

Certainly! We understand that everyone has their own travel style and preferences. That’s why we strive to create personalized tours that cater to your interests and pace. Whether you prefer to explore at a leisurely pace or take on more adventurous routes, we will work with you to customize the tour to your liking. Our goal is to make the tour your own and provide you with an unforgettable experience. Let us know your interests and preferences, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Yes, you can charge your electronic devices at the hotels. The standard power supply voltage in India is 230 Volts, and the plug sockets are of type C, D, and M. You can plug in devices with voltage requirements ranging from 220 to 240 Volts. It is recommended that you carry a suitable travel plug or adapter to ensure compatibility with the sockets at the hotels.

During the tour, we understand that carrying luggage while cycling can be inconvenient. Therefore, we have made arrangements for luggage transfer. Before the start of each cycling day, you can hand over your luggage to your tour guide. We recommend that you lock your luggage for additional security. Your luggage will be inspected briefly and then transferred to the support vehicle (if you have opted for it). The support vehicle will follow you closely throughout the cycling route, and the driver and support staff (if any) will take care of your luggage. Our staff is trustworthy and trained to handle luggage with care and hygiene, so you can rest assured that your belongings are safe with us. This is one of the many benefits of booking an organized tour with us.

We take the health and safety of our guests very seriously, and we understand the importance of staying hydrated during a cycling tour. That’s why we provide filtered and bottled drinking water while cycling, and we encourage guests to bring their own water bottles or squeeze sippers to refill from a reusable 20-litre water can. Additionally, all properties we stay at offer safe and filtered drinking water. We’re proud to say that many of these properties have implemented eco-friendly measures, such as water filtration plants, to reduce plastic waste. So you can enjoy your tour with peace of mind, knowing that you’ll have access to safe and plentiful drinking water.

Indian cuisine is known for its use of spices and can be relatively spicier compared to Western cuisine. However, most of the hotels and restaurants we use for our tours serve moderate to mildly spiced food. If you have any special dietary requirements such as vegetarian, vegan, or restrictions related to legumes or dairy, kindly let our team know while planning the tour. We will make necessary arrangements based on your preferences.

Great to hear that you are interested in bird watching! Yes, you can expect to see a variety of birds while cycling and at the hotels. Many of our cycling routes take you through scenic countryside areas with diverse birdlife. Additionally, some of the hotels we partner with are located near prime birding destinations, where you can witness many endemics up close. If you are a keen birdwatcher, please let us know in advance, and we can arrange for a naturalist to guide you at these destinations for an additional fee.

Yes, this is definitely possible. In addition to cycling, we offer options for local interactions such as visiting a primary school to meet the children, stopping by a local tea shop or fishing village, meeting with the aboriginals at the plantations or near the periphery of the forest or backwaters, and learning about their culture and way of life. You can also witness the artistry of making local products such as weaving baskets, honey making, silk cultivation and weaving, fish cultivation, coir industry, and more. These are some of the highlights of the tour, and it’s truly amazing to see how the culture and lifestyle in India vary from each destination.

Yes, you can store heavy camera equipment in the support vehicle if you have opted for it. The vehicle will be following you in close proximity, and you can retrieve your equipment from the vehicle during breaks or at photo points. Your guide will be available to assist you in handling such situations.

Yes, the best option is to buy a SIM card at the airport with data and calling facilities. If you don’t get a chance to do so, we can hire a local SIM card for you, which you will have to return before departure. You can also get a SIM card from local shops if you can provide a valid government-issued ID proof and a local address proof.

Great! We absolutely encourage our guests to take photos and videos during the tour to capture the wonderful moments and sceneries. We have designated stops along the way for this purpose. However, please be mindful of the time and ensure that we do not get delayed. Also, note that at certain places like ASI monuments, national parks, etc., camera fees will be applicable. We would also love to capture the best moments of the tour with your consent. We will share these files via Google Drive or any such medium. Let us know your preferred method.

Certainly, you’re welcome to bring your own bicycle for the tour. Alternatively, we also have a selection of Trek/Giant bikes that meet international standards for you to choose from.

Sure, we will provide you with a detailed description of the route that we will cover each day. While most of the cycling routes will be on tarmac backroads, there may be some instances where we will be riding on non-tarmac roads or sand/gravel for a short stretch. During the rainy season, there may be potholes with water that we may encounter. Additionally, for some routes, we may ride on lonely highway roads. We will make sure to provide all the necessary information beforehand, so that you can be prepared for the route ahead.

Сurrency exchange can be arranged during the tour. Major cities and airports usually have money exchangers, and our tour leader will assist you in finding them. The tour leader can also give you an estimate of the amount of money you should carry for incidentals, such as small tips, camera charges, or items not covered in the itinerary. If you wish to purchase souvenirs or clothing, the tour leader can provide advice on pricing and quality and recommend the best options available during the tour.

We understand that guests may have special dietary requirements, such as vegetarian or vegan, and we will do our best to accommodate them. However, please note that this may not always be possible in remote destinations where resources are limited. We will inform you of the possibilities during the enquiry stage and request your cooperation and understanding.

Airport pickups and drops are included in some of our standard itineraries where the tour starts or ends at a destination with an airport. If the distance to the airport is more than 30 Kms, you may have to pay a supplementary charge. This will be communicated to you by the Travel advisor during the discussions.

Laundry services are usually available at most of the hotels and resorts we stay at during the tour. We recommend using the laundry services during the cycling break day. Our tour leader will assist you with this. However, please note that if we are camping, laundry facilities may not be available as the camping sites have limited supplies and are not equipped to handle laundry.

Sure, we welcome families and children to join our cycling tours. It’s important to inform us in advance about their participation so that we can make necessary arrangements like providing appropriate bike sizes and extra support staff if required. We will also discuss with you the tour program and make sure it suits the needs and preferences of your group.

Yes, non-cyclists are allowed to join the tour. We can accommodate them by creating a separate group that prefers to ride at a slower pace. Alternatively, they can also take a break and hop on to the support vehicle and join the group later. We can also provide eBikes to make the ride less tiring for them.

We can certainly arrange for an early morning start to the cycling tour. If you let us know in advance, we can communicate your preference for an early breakfast to the hotels or provide a packed breakfast. Please note that the breakfast menu may be basic and will depend on each hotel’s individual offerings.

Certainly, our bicycles come equipped with bells. We believe it is important to have one, especially when riding on the backroads in India.

Certainly, it is mandatory to wear safety helmets while cycling for your safety. We provide standard quality cycling helmets, but we recommend bringing your own if possible.

Our tours can be supported, semi-supported, or non-supported, depending on your preference. We will work with you to make the necessary arrangements and provide the appropriate level of support.

Certainly, we can accommodate your own pedals and saddle during the tour. We can even fit them with universal fittings. Additionally, if the tour requires it, you can also bring panniers or racks.