The Cycle India 2008 Itinerary can be downloaded as
a PDF document:

ItineraryNov08, PDF document

A map of the route the Cycle Challenge will be taking can be viewed here.

DAY 1 - DEPARTURE
We depart London.

DAY 2 - ARRIVE KERALA
On arrival into Kochi we are transferred to our Hotel in town. After a chance to relax and freshen up we have lunch, a bike fitting and briefing then the rest of the afternoon to discover a little of this amazing city. Kochi is a major port on the west coast of India, set on a cluster of islands surrounded by sparkling blue lagoons and backwaters. Its historic links can be seen in the Colonial Bungalows, an old Jewish Synagogue, Chinese fishing nets, the oldest European Church in India and a medieval Portuguese Palace. We finish the evening with a meal
to sample some Keralian delights.

DAY 3 - BIRDS LAGOON (53km)
After breakfast we start off on our cycle challenge making the most of the early morning coolness heading north. We start with a short transfer, enabling us to avoid the morning city traffic and reach quiet roads that are mostly level throughout the morning. We pass through scenic countryside of temples, spice gardens, paddy fields and rubber plantations. Our comfortable accommodation on the Thattekkad river in the late afternoon is a welcome sight and here we have time to relax in a magnificent jungle.

DAY 4 - MUNNAR (82km)
Today we have a shock to the system as we start a day of almost entirely uphill cycling. The route is magnificent and views as we climb higher are spectacular. We make our way gradually to the fresher higher climes passing tea estates, cycling along rivers banks, through valleys, and into vibrant villages where everyone will be ready to offer a welcome smile. Our destination is the town of Munnar where some of the best Indian tea is grown and where the highest peaks south of the Himalaya can be found. Our hotel tonight is great quality and offers an Ayurvedic massage service second to none.

DAY 5 - PERIYAR (107km)
Our ride today is the longest of the challenge but possibly one of the most exciting. Almost 70km of our ride today is in fact down hill although there are a couple of good climbs to surmount. Passing through forests, tea gardens and spice plantations, we end our day with a good freewheel into the wonderful Spice Village Hotel where we can either relax our legs by the pool after a good evening meal or have a good stiff drink at the bar. Periyar has one of the best wildlife reserves in India with large herds of Asiatic elephants, Indian Bison as well as tigers. For the ornithologists it has over 330 species of birds including the majestic Great Hornbill.

DAY 6 - THENI (102km)
Today is another long distance although probably one of our easier cycling days. We cycle out of Thekkady and then have 9km of steep downhill before hitting the plains of Tamil Nadu. We stop for lunch just after Theni overlooking the agricultural lands of the great plains of southern India. Today we return to the town of Theni for our hotel where we spend the night..

DAY 7 - KODAIKANAL (53km)
Today we get off to an early start for our final cycling day and a tough final challenge too. By now our body should be used to the full cycling days and this may well have prepared us for the road to Kodaikanal. The ICT supported project, Vilpatti Village Projects (VVP) is based near 'Kodai,' and this hill station at 2074m with its steep road that seems to go on for ever, is a fitting end to the challenge. Our hotel for the next two nights is in the centre of Kodai.

DAY 8 - ICT PROJECT VISIT - KODAIKANAL
This is a special day for the whole team as we make our way to VVP to spend a morning at the project. We have a long drive on tough Indian roads back to the west coast and the lovely beaches at Alleppey ahead of us so early afternoon we depart from the project. We should arrive in Marari in the late evening in time for dinner.

DAY 9 - ALLEPPEY BEACH
Today we have the whole day at out great hotel where we have time to relax on the beach and soak in some of this special atmosphere. Tonight we prepare ourselves for a fantastic gala celebratory meal and some serious partying on the southern Indian Ocean.

DAY 10 - DEPART FOR UK
We transfer to Cochin airport and board our flight for the UK.

The Cycle India 2008 Itinerary is complicated and may be subject to change.