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Motorcycle trip Southern India

The Big Crossing

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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
Alex
Your motorcycle expert
Alex
In 2006, after travelling 20,000 km by motorbike in India, Alex founded Vintage Rides. Since then, he has been developing our concept in more than 20 countries.
On the agenda
From the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal, blending nature and culture, this exceptional ride combines the relaxed Kerala lifestyle with the rich Tamil heritage – the perfect journey for those looking for unforgettable South India motorcycle tours.
The Big Crossing

Motorcycle Tour in South India

13 stages - 752 miles
Arrive in Fort Kochi
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.
Fort Kochi
2/13 • Fort Kochi
You can spend the day visiting 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 – a perfect introduction to our India motorcycle tours.
12 miles
Fort Kochi - Kumily
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
Kumily - Munnar
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
Munnar - Munnar
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
Munnar - Kodaikanal
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
Kodaikanal - Madurai
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
Madurai - Chettinad
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
Chettinad - Thanjavur
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
Thanjavur - South Pondicherry
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
Pondicherry
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.
Pondicherry - Chennai
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.
Chennai
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.
Price
From $3490,00 / 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
Documents requested :
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
4.8/5 · 16 review
My first guided tour of my…

My first guided tour of my live time. I prefer to travel on my own...

Thomas Karl Georg
14 Mar. 2025

The Big Crossing
Beautiful discovery of Kerala in…

Beautiful discovery of Kerala in exceptional conditions, because the direction signs are non-existent, the guides...

Daniel
13 Mar. 2025

The Big Crossing
It was a great trip and…

It was a great trip and we saw an India i never expected to see.

Frank
05 Mar. 2025

The Big Crossing
I got a real kick out of it;

It was a real eye-opener. Discovering India through its way of life, nature and landscapes....

yannick
03 Mar. 2025

The Big Crossing
Very good approach to India…

Very good approach to India on two wheels, for the atmosphere, the landscapes, the smells...

CORINNE
02 Mar. 2025

The Big Crossing
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
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
Our on ground experience was exceptional…

Our on ground experience was exceptional Due to Deepak But the admin needs work To...

John
21 Dec. 2023

The Big Crossing
One of the best things I…

One of the best things I have ever done in 37 years of my life,...

Ilaria
21 Dec. 2023

The Big Crossing
I think there is still a…

I think there is still a little way to go to make the non-French speakers...

Andrew
24 Mar. 2023

The Big Crossing
See all reviews (16)
From
$3490 / Rider
$3090 / pillion
From 06 Jan. 2027 to 18 Jan. 2027
3 registered • 7 motorcycles available
OPTION
From 20 Jan. 2027 to 01 Feb. 2027
1 registered • 9 motorcycles available
OPTION
50% deposit
Cancellation and postponement with conditions
PRIVATIZE
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Since 2006, Vintage Rides has been the specialist in characterful motorcycle travel.
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