INDIA · DESTINATION
India’s standout days.
Our pick of the 15 best kochi & cochin tours in India: what you actually see, how long each one runs, and what you can expect to pay.
Quiet non-mechanized Cochin backwaters cruise with a coir village stop and vegetarian banana-leaf lunch, plus pickup options from Fort Cochin.
Most Popular“I really enjoyed everything! The food was delicious off the banana leaf as well. Excellent guide, and a very peaceful time on the water.”
Private 4-hour tuk-tuk tour of Kochi’s Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, with colonial landmarks, spice markets, Jewish Town, and hotel pickup.
“Great tour guide with lots of local knowledge, even included a trip to his home where we could have henna done for an upcoming wedding we are attending. Was happy to help in any way he could.”
See Kathakali makeup, Kalaripayattu combat, and Theyyam ritual dance in Kochi with hotel round-trip transfers around $11.
“The show was great. I appreciated the Theyyam dance and seeing someone embody the demi-God they were representing in earth. The host was also very good at giving an explanation about what we were watching and its history.”
Cochin to Alleppey shikara cruise: 3 hours gliding through Kerala backwaters with villages, palms, and paddy fields, with port pickup.
“The tour was great. The only concern was that the ride was too long but we survived. Both the car driver and the boat driver/guide were great.”
Cruise Fort Kochi by tuk-tuk with an English-speaking driver, Chinese fishing nets, palaces, synagogue, spice markets, and flexible stops.
“Had a great tour with Zakki who quickly understood what I was interested in - arts and culture and showed me really interesting places; Biennalle exhibitions, galleries and museums in Kochi. Highly recommend”
A 4-hour Fort Kochi port tour packed with Chinese Fishing Nets, Portuguese churches, Dhobi Khanna, Jew Town, and Paradesi Synagogue.
“Really nice Tourguide, you get a good overview about old town!”
Private overnight houseboat cruise from Kochi to Alappuzha backwaters, with AC cabin, 3 Kerala meals, scenic village cruising, and easy transfers.
“The whole experience was well planned and organised . A small shuttle boat took us and our luggage to the houseboat. We were greeted by the 3 crew member and our belongings taken on board . A nice refreshing welcome drink was given to us. We were shown our AC room which was a good…”
A 2-hour Kochi street-food walk with vetted tastings, sweet-making stops, and chai in a clay pot with strong local context.
“Our guide Satish was wonderful. Walking around town with him was like being with a local celebrity. Everyone knew and liked him. We started at a local restaurant for tastes of 5-10 items. Then we walked around town. We tried numerous fruits and vegetables at a local produce market. Custard Apples were the best. We…”
A private Fort Kochi tuk-tuk day tour with an English local guide, 10+ stops, skip-the-line entry, and flexible pacing for $10.
Private Cochin–Alleppey houseboat cruise with a slow backwater ride, Keralan lunch, pickup service, and a $85 per person price.
“Everything starting pickup from the hotel, the ambiance, cleanliness, the behavior and services in boat , specially the food has been exceptional. I have not seen such an extraordinary service in recent past. Thanks a lot once again all the parties involved here.”
Pedal through Fort Kochi on a 3-hour heritage route with Chinese Fishing Nets, forts, palace murals, Dhobi Khana laundry, and more for $27.
Kochi backwaters by bamboo-pole shikara, village craft stops, and a traditional Kerala Sadya lunch with hotel pickup and drop.
“Beautiful back-water view, very authentic and relaxed. We also had a chance to see a clams-to-calcium powder small factory, weaving and rope making. Also explanation about plants and village life. The lunch was also very good, tasted many Kerala dishes. Overall a very interesting and enjoyable day! Very recommended.”
Fort Kochi & Mattanchery walking tour with Chinese fishing nets, St Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, Dutch Palace, Paradesi Synagogue.
2-hour guided walk in Kochi’s Jewish Town: churches, Royal Mattancherry Palace, cemetery, Paradesi Synagogue, plus markets.
“I was disappointed. When I leaned about the Jewish heritage in Kochi, I was excited to learn more. The tour was two hours and the first hour was at the Dutch Palace learning more about Kochi, than the Jewish migration. We then went to the Synagogue and the guide had very little knowledge on the…”
Private Kochi tuk-tuk shore tour with cruise pickup to Fort Kochi and Mattancherry highlights, led by an English guide.
“We liked exploring the city via tuktuk. The driver took us to shops he had arranged deals with, for example we went to a spice shop and on the opposite side of the road a different spice shop offered the same wares at half price. In one instant the shop owner wanted to kick out…”
Every region, and every way to travel it.
