Most loved · Cycle tour
Wake-up Pondy Cycle Tour
The best way to discover Pondicherry, made by Pondy locals for you to enjoy the city the way we love it. Wander through small shady lanes on vintage-designed cycles and listen to our guide’s stories and fun facts.
- 2 hours
- Every day, 7 – 9 am
- ₹1,500 adult · ₹750 child · ₹100 baby
- Small friendly groups
The tour
Pondicherry in two hours, the way locals love it.
Many travellers passing through Pondicherry see only a tiny bit of it and miss a lot. That is why we created a guided cycle ride that covers the entire city centre in just two hours.
Sita was the first to offer guided cycle tours in Pondicherry, back in 2014, in collaboration with My Vintage Bicyclette.
With a well-versed guide and small, friendly groups, you will hear anecdotes you won’t find anywhere else: the daily life of Pondy locals, bits of history, and French words that became Tamil vocabulary and the other way around.
And because Pondicherry’s motto is “Give time a break!”, we make plenty of pit stops to enjoy the views, take pictures and listen carefully to the guide.
A storyteller and heritage guide leads every ride, with the history and the stories of Pondicherry along the way. The tour can be customised to the needs of your group and to the weather.
What you will do
Six neighbourhoods, one morning.
We start and end at Sita and cover the entire city centre, with plenty of pit stops for views, photos and stories.
- Start
Meet at Sita
Meet your guide and choose your cycle from plenty of options and colours.
- 1
The Muslim quarter
Quaint alleys and the colourful villas of the Muslim area.
- 2
The Indian town
Vivid streets full of everyday Pondicherry life.
- 3
Goubert market
The main market of Pondicherry, early in the morning.
- 4
The Ashram quarter
Quiet, shady streets around the Sri Aurobindo Ashram.
- 5
Kuruchikuppam fishing village
The fishermen’s village by the sea.
- 6
The French quarter
The French heritage part of town and its seaside.
- End
Back at Sita
A moment of rest to finish the tour.
Choose your cycle from plenty of colours and styles.
Things to know
Before you ride.
Start and end at Sita
We meet at Sita Cultural Center and finish there too.
Cycles for everyone
A wide choice of cycles for all sizes and genders.
Children
Under 5 years old: a baby seat on the back of a cycle. From 8 years old: kids’ cycles so they can ride with their parents.
You need to be able to ride
The rhythm is slow and the streets are quiet and shady. Not sure? Choose the morning slot: less traffic and fresh air.
What is included
- Vintage-designed cycle and helmet
- A map of Pondicherry
- Water bottle and a snack during the tour
What to bring
- Comfortable clothes
- Cap or hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Your camera
Our guests say
Riders on the ride.
Questions
Good to know.
Where does the cycle tour start?
At Sita Cultural Center, 22 Candappa Moudaliar Street, Pondicherry. The tour also ends there.
How long is the tour and when does it run?
The tour takes about two hours and runs every day from 7 to 9 am.
Do I need to know how to ride a cycle?
Yes. The rhythm is slow and the streets are quiet and shady, but you must be able to ride. The morning slot has the least traffic.
Can children join?
Yes. Children from 8 years old ride their own kids’ cycle. Children under 5 can travel on a baby seat on the back of a cycle.
What is included?
A vintage-designed cycle and helmet, a map of Pondicherry, and a water bottle and snack during the tour.
What should I bring?
Comfortable clothes, a cap or hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and your camera.
Can the tour be customised?
Yes. It can be adapted to your group’s needs and to the weather. Tell us when you request your ride.
Give time a break.
Two hours, one guide, a lot of Pondicherry. Tell us your date and we will do the rest.