Motorcycle Tour

Southern India, Coast-to-Coast

Culture and technology are the themes of our road trips from Varkala to Chennai, across the South of India. In Tamil Nadu we'll find numerous well-kept, actively used temple sites from all historical periods of the country.

Description

In no other state of the subcontinent, Hindu culture has survived in such a pure form.

Unfortunately, we had to take the visit to the Enfield factory out of the program, since Enfield no longer offers tours of their factory, or if they do, they usually cancel them at short notice. We are very sorry about that, but it can't be helped.

Scenically, we will experience pretty much everything India has to offer on this trip: white beaches on the west and east coast, winding mountain roads in the Western and Eastern Ghatts, and endless plains on the high plateau of the Deccan. The only thing we have to do without is the desert sand.

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Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival

Today you will start your flight to India. Late at night or early the next morning, you will arrive in Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), the capital of Kerala. We will pick you up from the airport and bring you to the hotel in Varkala (approx. 50 km).

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Day 2: A sunny day in Varkala

The beach invites you to sunbathe and swim. If you feel like it, you can have a custom-made Indian shirt tailored by one of the numerous tailors or simply hang out for the day in one of the many nice beach cafes.

The first dinner with the group

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Day 3: Bike rides in Varkala and surroundings (approx. 50 km)

Now the time has come, we take the Enfields out of the garage and each one of you can choose his favorite bike. We give you a short introduction to handling the bikes and how the Indian traffic "functions". Then we start. Alongside romantic coast roads, across a short sandy part, and finally, on the highway, we get to know the Enfields.

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Day 4: Varkala - Kanyakumari (approx. 150 km)

Ride to Kanyakumari (Kap Komorin). Most of the time we spend on small beach roads. On the road, we'll visit the Kali temple and the royal palace in Padmanabhapuram. If we're lucky, we'll experience a terrific sunset and finish the day with a Pooja in the temple of goddess Kanya Kumari. From our hotel windows, we have a direct view of the Gulf of Bengal. Joint dinner. We'll enjoy Thali, a South Indian specialty.

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Day 5: Kanyakumari - Madurai (approx. 245 km)

Ride to Madurai. Shortly after leaving Kanyakumari, we'll cross a gigantic wind energy plant. We'll arrive in Madurai after about 6 hours. In the evening, we'll visit the Menakshee Temple, one of the most gigantic temples in India. Then we'll have dinner on the rooftop.

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Day 6: Madurai - Thanjavur (approx. 160 km)

We go further into the center of Tamil Nadu. As we proceed you´ll see fewer and fewer Western tourists. This part of India has never been noticeably influenced by foreign powers in its thousand years of history. Here we'll experience Hindu culture in its purest form. Along the road to Thanjavur, we'll see many fixed images of horsemen on reared-up horses. By early evening, we'll arrive in Thanjavur.

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Day 7: Thanjavur and further to Pondicharry (approx. 180 km)

Thanjavur is characterized by the Dravidic temple architecture which is typical for Southern India. The Brahadhiswara Temple (Big Temple) is an impressive example of this type of sacred building. After our visit there, we'll move on to "France", to Pondicherry, one of the few former French colonies on Indian soil.

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Day 8: Pondicherry

French influence on the Indian subcontinent is minimal, but you still find traces of their presence even today. Pondicherry is one of the few former French colonies. Until today, local policemen wear the typical "Flic" uniforms in the streets of this pretty port town, just like in Paris. The promenades along the shore and nice bistros invite you to enjoy yourselves.

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Day 9: Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram (approx. 130 km)

Only a few kilometers separate us from our next goal, Mamallapuram (also called Mahabalipuram). On our way, shortly behind Pondicherry, we might visit one of the most unusual "world projects", the center of Auroville, Ashram of Aurobindo. People from more than a hundred different nations are trying new, peaceful forms of living together. By early afternoon, we'll arrive in Mamallapuram.

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Day 10: Mahabalipuram

Tick tick tick ...the sound of Mamallapuram. As long as living memory is concerned, this "song" can be heard on the roads and streets of this town. It is a center for stonemasons. The artists sit in front of their stand in their studios and transform different materials into the most beautiful pieces of art. The large rock reliefs testify to the long tradition of this craftsmanship. Beyond that, Mamallapuram also has to offer very beautiful beaches.

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Day 11: Mahabalipuram - Tiruvannamalai (approx. 150 km)

Well-rested and with fresh strength we get back on our motorcycles. We have now divided the route to Trichi into two stages. 350 km was just too much for one day. We have again the opportunity to study the originality and the "closeness to nature" of Indian country life. Without further ado, the road is "reclaimed" and converted to agricultural use.

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Day 12: Trivannamalai - Trichy (approx. 190 km)

Today we complete the second leg of our ride from Mahabalipuram to Trichy. Only 150 kilometers separate us from our destination. Also today a lot of agriculture and nature accompany us. It is nice to cruise through so much pristine nature.

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Day 13: Trichy

Besides Madurai, Trichy, or better the neighboring Srirangam, harbors the largest temple compound of our trip. Numerous small and large Vishnu sanctuaries from Dravidian times are spread over a vast area enclosed by seven concentric rings of walls. Trichi itself is a bustling city with a colorful and lively bazaar. From the Rock Fort, built on an 83-meter-high rock, one has a stunning view over the city.

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Day 14: Trichy - Palani (approx. 165 km)

For the last time, we cruise the highland of the Dekkan, across wide fields and tiny villages. Starting tomorrow, the world will look different. Early afternoon we'll arrive at Pthe Alani, the site of the famous temple which was built on a rock. More than seven million believers visit the Murugan Temple every year. The painstaking climb is worthwhile anyway. There is always action here and you´ll witness Indian religiousness in its pure form. There is also an elevator.

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Day 15: Palani - Munnar (approx. 70 km)

From now on, everything will be different. We enter the country of tea and spices. First, we cross two huge natural parks, the Indira-Ghandhi, and the Chinnar-Wildlife Sanctuaries. And suddenly, we are surrounded by juicy green colors. Up to the tree line, the hip-high tea plants have conquered all the space. They are harvested all over the year, and you'll see tea pickers doing their work everywhere.

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Day 16: Munnar (approx. 100 km)

Munnar is located in the middle of tea plantations. We will take the opportunity to visit a tea factory and see how this delicious and invigorating drink is made.

And today we will ride high up to the so-called top station. A beautiful ride through the mountains of Kerala awaits us. You will enjoy it.

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Day 17: Munnar - Thekkady (approx. 110 km)

Also today the tea does not let us go. In between, however, we cross huge spice plantations, where mainly cardamom, but also pepper, chili, and other spices are planted. In the early afternoon, we reach the town of Thekkady, located at the entrance to Periyar Nature Park. We can use the rest of the day for relaxing and shopping.

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Day 18: Thekkady

We take a well-deserved break today. Thekkadi is the ideal place for it. The relatively high mountain location provides a pleasant climate. If you wish, you can book a guided walk of about three hours through the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and get expert information about the flora and fauna. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, you can embark on a boat trip on Lake Periyar. Numerous Ayurvedic massage centers also offer their services.

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Day 19: Thekkady - Kollam (approx. 200 km)

After a hearty breakfast, we mount our bikes again. We have seven hours of mountain riding ahead of us through lush vegetation. One last time we enjoy winding roads in the Western Ghatts. The closer we get to the sea and the lower we go, the warmer it gets until we finally have to get rid of our warm "mountain clothes". Our accommodation today is in the middle of the backwaters of Kerala.

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Day 20: Kollam - Varkala (approx. 80 km)

Before we ride back to Varkala, we will take a boat tour through the famous backwaters of Kerala, a palm-fringed, partly natural, partly man-made canal system, comparable to the Everglades in Florida. For a few hours, we will sail through the backwaters on small motorboats. Around noon we have solid ground under our feet again and set off for the last motorcycle ride of this trip. A little later we are back in Varkala.

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Day 21: Varkala

Now it is time to relax. If you want, you can pamper yourself with an Ayurvedic massage at one of the numerous Ayurvedic resorts for little money, or let the warming rays of the sun burn your belly on the beach. For dinner, we recommend freshly caught fish or the many other delicacies of Indian cuisine.

The flights back home start mostly late at night. You will have your hotel room at your disposal until the return transfer to the airport.

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Day 22: Return flight

For those who did not fly last night, the transfer to Trivandrum is scheduled for early this morning.

If you liked it, join us again in India, this time perhaps in the desert state of Rajasthan or over the highest passes in the world, to Ladakh in the Himalayas. India has many faces, and no two are alike.

Namasté and goodbye!