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Motorcycle trip Southern India

The Big Crossing

Photos
Itinerary Extensions Price Reviews
Motorcycle Ramble
Duration
13 D
Tour Type
Tour Leader
Accomodation
Comfort
Level
Intermediate
Meal Plan
Half-Board
Vintage Rides → Destinations → India → Southern India → The Big Crossing
Francis
Your motorcycle expert
Francis
Francis is a biker always venturing out on the road to uncover new routes with as much passion as he has telling stories. He is an enthusiast and knows our itineraries like the back of his hand.
On the agenda
Mixing nature and culture, this motorbike trip fuses laidback Kerala living with Tamil culture.
The Big Crossing

Motorcycle Tour in South India

13 stages - 752 miles
meeting locals south india
1/13 • Arrive in Fort Kochi
You’re met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. We’ll explore the charming old town, historic Fort Kochi (where we’ll stay) and discover its beautiful colonial past with an eclectic mix of Dutch and Portuguese architecture, centuries-old churches and a vibrant, appealing way of life. Far from being a boring walk through history, Fort Kochi is one of the most pleasant neighbourhoods to live in.
royal enfields south india
2/13 • Fort Kochi
You can spend the day visiting the old Kochi, which has an eclectic mix of influences: medieval Portugal, Dutch colonial and the British countryside with Malabar’s tropical coast as the backdrop. Discover the country’s oldest Christian church, winding roads lined with mosques and 500-year-old Portuguese houses, Chinese fishing nets, a sixteenth-century synagogue, and a Portuguese-built palace. We get used to our Royal Enfield motorcycles and take a short ride to the seafront.
12 miles
biker group south india
3/13 • Fort Kochi - Kumily
Our first real riding day! We cross the backwaters, a network of lakes and canals, then cross the plains and have lunch before diving into the lush nature and winding roads of the western chain through the Vagamon Hills. The area is famous for its wildlife, but is especially known for its fantastic spice farms, which produce one of Kerala’s major resources.
112 miles
tea plantation south india
4/13 • Kumily - Munnar
In the morning we visit a spice garden. We then head north and gradually gain altitude on beautiful mountain roads through verdant tea plantations. We find ourselves on the highest mountain in South India, which stands at an impressive 2,700 m altitude. Munnar is a commercial center in the heart of some of the highest tea plantations in the world.
78 miles
wedding invitation south india
5/13 • Munnar - Munnar
You will enjoy this day around Munnar, in the midst of its abundant tea plantations and generous nature. Today, or tomorrow morning, we can visit a tea factory. The Tea Museum in Munnar is also worth a look. Being situated on the border of the Eravikulam National Park, this day is filled with endless possibilities! We are happy to make recommendations so you can experience this day to the fullest.
43 miles
road trip south india
6/13 • Munnar - Kodaikanal
We travel from Kerala to Tamil Nadu, on the eastern side of the Western Ghats. The climate is less humid and the cultivated countryside contrasts with the Kerala forest. We enjoy many more mountain roads with views over spectacular bodies of water. We briefly drop back down to the warm Tamil plains, only to climb back up to the Kodaikanal region with the welcome fresh mountain air of the Palani Hills. An English hill town, popular for its large cedar and eucalyptus forests.
106 miles
meeting locals south india
7/13 • Kodaikanal - Madurai
The descends onto Coimbatore’s vast plains, offering spelndid views. But before that, we draw in one last breath of these intoxicating forests where coffee, pepper and cardamom abound. We cruise through coconut groves and wheat fields to arrive in Madurai, one of the most popular Hindu pilgrimage sites in India. Overnight stay at hotel.
93 miles
schoolchildren south india
8/13 • Madurai - Chettinad
We spend the morning visiting the famous Meenakshi temple in Madurai, and we experience the enchanting atmosphere enveloping the sanctuary. Then an easy and pleasant routes take us to Chettinad, a region famous for the many luxurious residences of the Chettiar community, some of which have been transformed into beautiful hotels whose refinement will seduce you. Night at the hotel.
59 miles
temple south india
9/13 • Chettinad - Thanjavur
We leave early and ride through the Chettinad countryside, where we take a few breaks to admire other splendid landmarks of Chettiar and the small but mighty fort of Thirumayam. We ride on little roads throughout this stage between cotton fields, coconut trees, and rice paddies. Once in Thanjavur, we stroll through the old town and visit the 1,000-year-old Brihadeshwara temple. Overnight stay at hotel.
93 miles
biker south india
10/13 • Thanjavur - South Pondicherry
Today is our last day on the bikes! We take a scenic ride to Kumbakonam where we visit Darasuram temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We continue northeast and arrive at the Bay of Bengal coast. We stop and sleep a few miles south of Pondicherry to avoid the congested roads entering the city. We can enjoy a dip in the sea (or in the pool) if we so choose.
115 miles
rice paddy south india
11/13 • Pondicherry
A private vehicle takes us to Pondicherry, where we spend the day exploring the city and its coast. There is nowhere else like Pondicherry in South India with its seafront promenade, wide boulevards, pockets of French culture and architecture. The city still holds a certain "je ne sais quoi" from the days of the French East India Company, a stark contrast with its typically Indian atmosphere and way of life.
flower south india
12/13 • Pondicherry - Chennai
Morning is spent in relaxation, then we will partake in lunch at the utopian "city" of Auroville, an experimental New-Age community project of the sixties. From there, we depart for the big city of Chennai. On the way we stop in Mahabalipuram to visit its famous temples carved into the rock. Arrival in Chennai in the late afternoon.
garage south india
13/13 • Chennai
Today we have lunch in Chennai, and then we transfer you to the international airport according to your flight schedule. It is here that our services conclude.

Available extensions

houseboat south india

Houseboat Cruise / 2 days

You board a traditional "house-boat" for a cruise through Kerala's jungle. You receive a warm welcome from your crew for a night on board (double cabin with bathroom) and cruise along canals, lagoon and on Lake Vembanad. You disembark at the end of the morning after breakfast onboard.
Price
From 2990,00 € / rider
The price includes The price does not include

  • A Royal Enfield motorcycle is provided with full mechanical assistance

  • Domestic transfers as appearing in the program, by private vehicle

  • An English speaking Tour Leader (From day 2 to day 13)

  • Mandatory insurance: an insurance that covers medical expenses and legal assistance

  • Repatriation, which covers you for accidents with two-wheeled vehicles (large-displacement)

  • Visa costs

Important
MAKE SURE TO HAVE:
International motorcycle license if necessary
Motorcycle Driving License
Currently valid passport for the Motorcycle Trip
Valid Visa, if required
This trip includes a few long stages Primary aid in reaching the nearest medical center is provided by our support vehicle, as helicopters and ambulances are rarely available. Limited phone coverage and restrictions on satellite phones can make contacting emergency services challenging. Additionally, as with any mountain route, road quality and difficulty are heavily influenced by current and prior weather conditions
Reviews on this trip
4.5/5 · 22 review
Voyage incroyable, qui a ete au…

Voyage incroyable, qui a ete au dela de mes attentes. Decouverte d’une region magnifique en...

Isabelle
08 May. 2024

The Big Crossing
A change of scenery and a very pleasant trip in…

An exotic and very pleasant trip in the company of Johann

Natacha
24 Mar. 2024

The Big Crossing
Already familiar with India, it was a…

Already familiar with India, it was a pleasure to explore its roads by motorcycle. I...

Patrick
24 Mar. 2024

The Big Crossing
It would be nice to have…

It would be nice to have a more international group of travellers. For tours ending...

Sonja
24 Mar. 2024

The Big Crossing
Thanks to Johann for…

Thanks to Johann for making us love Kerala.

Hervé
18 Mar. 2024

The Big Crossing
Very good experience despite some apprehension…

A very good experience, despite some initial apprehension. A vision of India only possible by...

Brigitte
07 Mar. 2024

The Big Crossing
Thanks to Johann who guided…

Thanks to Johann, who guided our group to discover authentic India in unusual places where...

Emmanuel
07 Mar. 2024

The Big Crossing
A wonderful discovery of India with…

A great way to discover India, with the most appropriate means of transport.

bruno
05 Mar. 2024

The Big Crossing
La Grande Traversée

Denis
26 Feb. 2024

The Big Crossing
Very disappointed with vintage ride very…

Very disappointed with vintage ride, very expensive for an overly touristy route. We would have...

Mathis
14 Feb. 2024

The Big Crossing
See all reviews (22)
Southern India
The Big Crossing
3 upcoming departures
From 2990 € / rider
2590 € / pillion
From 08 Dec. 2025 to 20 Dec. 2025 2990 € / rider
2 registered • 8 motorcycles available
OPTION
From 21 Jan. 2026 to 02 Feb. 2026 2990 € / rider
0 registered • 10 motorcycles available
OPTION
50% deposit
Cancellation and postponement with conditions
PRIVATIZE
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