This trip is certainly an insight into real India, we definitely felt we were in at the deep-end! We’ve previously cycled in Vietnam and Sri Lanka with Exodus and this trip was very different. Our previous holidays included a lot of information about the abundant flora, fauna and history of the countries, this trip not so much. However, it is very interesting to cycle through the villages and towns to see how the people are living and the people were very friendly towards us.
Don’t under-estimate he climb up Ooty Hill, it’s an unrelenting slog, but well worth the pain for the sense of pride at the top and the lovely stop at the Highland Cafe.
Some people in the group had asked for electric bikes and 2 of them were small-wheeled and, in my opinion, looked quite poor and not up to the job. However, our non-electric bikes were absolutely fine.
The roads are very busy and we had some sections cycling on the highway so I would say that this isn’t cycling for the faint-hearted. However, our guide was excellent at keeping the group together through the ‘dodgy’ bits! The cycling for the first few days does include a fair few hills so don’t expect it to be flat! Also, some of the road surfaces can be a bit rough, or even non-existent in some places, so don’t forget your padded cycling shorts!
Eating out is very cheap in the south and we had some delicious food. Also as far as I’m aware no-one in our group suffered with any tummy upsets.
In the main, the hotels were good. We had a couple which were a bit basic, but our guide explained that this was because there wasn’t anything else in the area, but other hotels were excellent so it’s swings and roundabouts.
All in all, a very good trip and we definitely feel like we’ve seen real, incredible, India.
Exodus Does Cycling Adventures
We’re excited to announce that our new departure dates for 2025 are out!
Cycling Adventures
Cycling Adventure Reviews
Kathryn Boast Cycle Kerala & Tropical India
Kristin Dudley Cycling VietnamMy husband and I usually go on self guided bicycling vacations. Choose this one because its the route I wanted without any planning hassles. It was a great choice. It was fantastic that we had a group leader, named Son, and his team Lee, Tee and Saow, who planed every detail. They got us out of the crazy busy cities by their bus/van. Routes were well planned and it was impossible to get lost. We had faster riders in the front and Lee in the back. Then Tee drove ahead and stood at every intersection to make sure we were all heading in the right direction. There were snack, water, and bathroom breaks. All breakfasts and lunches were included. Most dinners/not all were on our own . However Son always had great recommendations for restaurants . Couldn’t have asked for a better staff leader. Son was always organized and as he said 100 times. Enjoy yourself and safety first. He and his crew handled everything. Literally, no stress. Eat ,ride, eat ride, look at the wonderful scenery, and wave to all of the kids and people who say hello and wave at us as we ride by. The Vietnamese people were so welcoming.
John Whittle Cycling the Lake District of Chile & ArgentinaI first rate end-to-end experience. The route, the variations in landscape and the demands made upon the cyclist were all thoughtfully considered. The accommodation used was all very good, very clean and occasionally excellent. Our lunch stops were all interesting as we dined in local restaurants run by families. We were blessed with good weather, a fine trio of guides and a lovely group. Our support vehicle loitered around us when we were on the move and miraculously would appear under the shade of a tree with a table full of goodies and drinks. The early stages are green and lush, but as the Andes are climbed and Argentina entered, the route turns north and the landscape becomes less Alpine and more ‘high plains drifter’ and finally near desert with glacial topped volcanoes and lava fields. The Monkey Puzzel forests ate the end a cool green and beautiful treat. Both countries are calm gentle places, the driving generally very calm and where the people are kind and courteous. The Mantupechu villages and tribal lands were fascinating.
FAQs about our cycling holidays
What is a cycling holiday?
If you haven’t been on this type of break before, you might be wondering what you can expect from a cycling holiday.
You’ll have a detailed itinerary carefully compiled by us to make sure you have a set route that takes you through some of the highlights of your chosen region. We’ll give you access to a top-quality bike and we’ll see that you’re set up with a trusty guide or our very own navigation app and GPS instructions (depending on whether you go for a guided or self-guided tour). Your accommodation will also be arranged by us, taking the hassle out of the organisation side of things for you!
What types of cycling holidays are there?
There are guided and self-guided bike holidays available.
A guided trip will take place in a small group led by a local expert. These are very sociable and are a great way to make friends. You can sign up to one of these as a solo traveller or with a significant other, friend or relative. If you’ve already got a group of people you want to travel with, some cycling holiday packages also have the option for you to come along as a private group.
Some of our cycling trips are self-guided. These are perfect for the traveller that likes to travel at their own pace, but still have an organised itinerary to follow and excellent accommodation. We provide the bikes and the maps, among other things!
When you check out the various cycling tour breaks we run, you’ll notice that we’ve graded them as “leisurely”, “moderate”, or “challenging” to give you a better idea of the level of exertion involved. As a baseline, we recommend you be in good health and relish the outdoors when you embark on your adventure with us. Read more about how our cycling activity level grading works.
You can also read the helpful cycling fitness guide we’ve put together to help you prepare for your Exodus trip.
There are lots of options. In Europe, we’ve got a fantastic range that includes famed regions such as the Swiss Alps, France’s Loire Valley, the Spanish region of Valencia and various other Mediterranean coastal routes.
If you want to venture further afield, why not embark on one our cycle tours of the Indian state of Kerala, our Vietnam adventure or the premium Indochina and Angkor cycle holiday that covers three breath-taking south-eastern Asian countries?
With us, you can choose from short cycling breaks that last 6 days to longer holidays of up to 14 days. Whichever you choose, we’ll make sure we pack tonnes of amazing highlights into the time you spend in the region.
Some, but not all, of these holidays are guided. When you’re browsing each of our holidays, you can find out whether it’s guided or self-guided by checking out the bar at the top of the page that lists key information.
If you’re thinking of joining a guided cycle trip, you may be wondering what your group will be like. Most Exodus groups are comprised of 5-16 people who love to travel and embrace the outdoors lifestyle. You’re likely to meet solo travellers, couples and friends travelling together from all walks of life.
Wondering what to take on a cycling holiday? You should pack a couple of pairs of shoes with cycling cleats (including a spare pair in case something happens to your original pair). Bring a helmet, some sunglasses and consider some suncream too.
For your bike, it’s a good idea to bring front and rear lights with spare batteries in case these need changing while you’re on the move.
Don’t forget that you’ll need to stay hydrated as well, so it’s a good idea to bring a couple of bottle cages for the bike and two large water bottles. If you’re hiring a bike from us, please be aware which bike size suits you so that we can match you up with a comfy pair of wheels.
Check the essential details of your holiday on the overview tab to see what’s not included. For example, you will need to sort travel insurance yourself and potentially visas too.
Don’t forget to bring cycling clothes that will keep you comfortable in the climate you’re travelling to. Consider whether you need long or short-fingered cycling gloves, arm warmers and leg warmers. A wind and waterproof jacket probably won’t go amiss, and neither will some quick-drying compression socks.
If your holiday includes dining out on an evening or swimming, make sure you pack appropriate clothing for these experiences as well!
We select the accommodations for our cycling adventures carefully because we know it’s important for you to take some time to relax and be comfortable on your break.
The accommodation you have depends on the holiday you choose, and you can get a better idea of what it will be like by reading the overview tab on the holiday you’re considering.
Overnight stays in hotels are part of most of our cycling holidays. Some include houseboat stays and homestays too!
Check the essential details relating to your holiday to find this out. Most of our guided holidays include breakfasts. Some trips, including our self-guided ones, leave it up you to sort your food arrangements throughout the day.
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