INDIA · DESTINATION
India’s standout days.
Our pick of the 15 best kochi 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“Fantastic relaxing tour of the backwaters. we saw a few birds on the cruise, before getting to the village where we saw many ways in which coconut leaves and fibre are traditionally used. The lunch was delicious and generous too.”
Private 4-hour tuk-tuk tour of Kochi’s Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, with colonial landmarks, spice markets, Jewish Town, and hotel pickup.
“Sudheer was my Driver and he was very knowledgeable and pleasant company. I am solo traveler and I felt very relaxed and comfortable with him. He took me into the laundry and introduced me to the people working there. He was patient and very helpful taking photos for me and explaining everything. I really enjoyed…”
See Kathakali makeup, Kalaripayattu combat, and Theyyam ritual dance in Kochi with hotel round-trip transfers around $11.
“It was great, I liked the dance most, then the Kathakali. The make up session is 5-6 pm, then the actual performance is 6-8 pm. It helped a lot that explanations to what we saw were provided in English. Definitely worth seeing.”
Cochin to Alleppey shikara cruise: 3 hours gliding through Kerala backwaters with villages, palms, and paddy fields, with port pickup.
“Excellent trip! Best boat to go by as wasn’t too big and could go down the smaller backwaters. Also being a private tour it was the best value for money! Guide was very informative Definitely recommend this trip!!”
Cruise Fort Kochi by tuk-tuk with an English-speaking driver, Chinese fishing nets, palaces, synagogue, spice markets, and flexible stops.
“Our tour with Zakki was amazing. We wanted an intro to the city and great overview on our first day and it was much better than expected. He was very interesting and informative; he is very good in English and easy to understand. We saw all the top spots we wanted to see and then…”
A 4-hour Fort Kochi port tour packed with Chinese Fishing Nets, Portuguese churches, Dhobi Khanna, Jew Town, and Paradesi Synagogue.
“Tour was excellent. Shehab our guide was knowledgeable and amusing, he even sang us a few songs. We really enjoyed the walk to the Chinese fishing nets and seeing the fishermen selling their fresh fish.”
Private overnight houseboat cruise from Kochi to Alappuzha backwaters, with AC cabin, 3 Kerala meals, scenic village cruising, and easy transfers.
“Fantastic trip through the serene backwaters of Kochi. The entirety of our team (taxi driver Bipin and boat crew Manu, Anil and Vinodh) were all incredibly hospitable and really made the journey what it was - wonderful. The boat was clean and very comfortable. A lot of beautiful fauna around, particularly for bird watchers (not…”
A 2-hour Kochi street-food walk with vetted tastings, sweet-making stops, and chai in a clay pot with strong local context.
“satish was an excellent guide, very knowledgeable and helpful told us a lot of the history, took us to see longest canoe, longest incense stick and biggest perfume bottle,this tour is not just food,it covers a lot. we eat local food in a lovely restaurant and onto a different one for dessert. I would recommend…”
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.
“one of the best tours we have experienced in Asia. fantastic boat, lovely crew, delicious lunch, a genuine look at life in Kerala. highly recommend this tour!!”
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.
“Our tour was wonderful!! The tour guide Arya was very knowledgeable about the history and explained well. Also the mens that moved the boat they are hard workers you all need to provide them with proper shoes I really feel sorry for them on the hot sun and no shoe on they feet. Overall all…”
2-hour guided walk in Kochi’s Jewish Town: churches, Royal Mattancherry Palace, cemetery, Paradesi Synagogue, plus markets.
“Satish was a very knowledgeable guide who was able to give information about culture, plants, local customs plus many other interesting facts.”
Private Kochi tuk-tuk shore tour with cruise pickup to Fort Kochi and Mattancherry highlights, led by an English guide.
“Excellent, wonderful guide”
Fort Kochi heritage walk with Biju: spice trade stories, ginger warehouses, papadam and candle-making, Chinese nets, Jew Town and more.
“It was a great tour and Biju took the time to explain the history and stories at each of the places visited . It was great to see the Chinese fishing nets in action at such close range . The Jew town visit was really eye opening . Weather was pleasant and we did have…”
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