India · BOAT TOURS IN KOCHI
This is the shortlist to send a friend: 15 boat tours in Kochi worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Quiet, non-motor backwater cruise from Fort Cochin with coconut and coir weaving, plus a Kerala vegetarian lunch on a half-day eco trip.
“The tour was well organised and thr guide Greeshma was very knowledgeable providing information and answering questions”
Glide through the Kerala backwaters on a non-motorized punting boat, with village crafts, banana-leaf veg lunch, and a calm canoe tea ride.
“We opted for the punting along the back-waters for the day. Pick-up at Kochi was prompt and we arrived ready to board just before 10am. Beautiful river, very quiet and pleasant surroundings. Guide [Meena] was very good at explaining the deRead more”
Kochi tuk-tuk tour with cruise pickup: Fort Kochi sights, Chinese fishing nets, Dutch cemeteries, synagogues, spice market, laundry. Private.
“We had a great experience with Aslam. Picking us up at the cruise terminal (very easy) and taking us to a lot of great spots while explaining local culture. We got to see a lot of the “real” Kochi and understand how history has shaped the city. The trip to the laundry was especially memorable. Overall I cannot recommend this tour highly enough.”
Cruise-friendly Kochi tuk-tuk tour with Chinese nets, Fort Kochi sights, temples, palaces, synagogues, and spice shopping in 4 to 5 hours.
“Although the driver was a pleasant and helpful man we didn't always understand his English. Also he wasn't a guide as we thought, more of a driver who simply told us when this church or mosque were built. All in all a little dissapointing.”
Private tuk-tuk Kochi shore trip with cruise pickup, 3 to 4 hours in Fort Kochi, churches, palace, synagogue, spice market.
“We paid for things that were not included such as water and entry to the Dutch Palace. It seemed to be a blatant money grab, just taking us to stores where he got kickbacks for taking us there. Only a couple of highlights, we would steer well clear next time.”
Private Kochi tuk-tuk shore tour with cruise pickup, free-entry stops in Fort Kochi, and a flexible 3 to 4 hour circuit for $15.
“Noah was waiting for us when we finally made it through immigration and was very patient with the delays. We stopped off at all the main locations around Kochi and Noah was very informative.”
Private tuk tuk tour of Kochi with cruise-ship pickup. See Chinese nets, churches, synagogues, spice market, and more. Mobile ticket.
“Very good tour. Our Tuk tuk is clean and quite comfortable. They have a compartment at the back of tuk tuk to store our belongings to keep them safe. Our guide, Joself Koshy, took us to a local fishing pond and even show us his house to meet his beautiful wife! Very nice of him.”
Half-day group cruise from Fort Cochin through Kerala backwaters on a non-mechanized boat, with Vaikom village stop and veg lunch.
“Great experience, lovely guide and in addition to the boat tour we could meet locals, learn more about rural women and their work as well as local plants and herbs. Absolutely recommend it!”
Private Kochi tuk-tuk shore excursion with cruise pickup, Fort Kochi sights, synagogues, churches, nets, temples, and spice market.
“Our driver, Najeeb was right at the gates of the cruise terminal to pick us up. He was a fantastic driver in the busy traffic. We felt safe and comfortable in the tuk tuk. He drove us to the places we wanted and made some recommendations. If Read more”
A small Shikara cruise from Cochin into Aleppey backwaters, paddy fields, coconut palms, and village life, with pickup and AC transport.
“Really enjoyable day. Both driver and shikira driver were lovely. Would def recommend to anyone wanting to see the allepy backwaters.”
A cruise-ship shore trip combining Alapuzha backwaters by houseboat, a Keralan lunch, and Fort Kochi sights including Chinese fishing nets.
“The guide Babu was really informative and he worked hard to make the trip great for all of us. The houseboat experience was great and we might come back to India and stay for a couple of nights on the houseboat. The Chinese Nets were interesting and I bought some gifts from the shop that we visited. We had a great day and it was well worth the money. Thank you Babu for giving us a great experience.”
Kochi shore excursion from your cruise port with Fort Kochi sights plus Kerala backwaters by houseboat or shikara, lunch included.
“Extremely well-organised. Like the official cruise line excursion we expected to be on a large motor boat, with lunch at some hotel somewhere, but no! There were 2 groups of us - 14 and 16 - on 2 houseboats lazily sailing round the idyllic backwaters while two chefs prepared our delicious, Keralan-style lunch. Our houseboat had 2 en-suite bedrooms, a galley, and lounge/dining area. The whole was spotless, and our guide was friendly and informative. We couldn't believe that not only was the whole trip almost half the price of the official Celebrity Constellation excursion, but listening to Celebrity excursionists, twice as enjoyable!”
Private Kochi tuk-tuk cruise shore tour with pickup and an English guide, visiting Fort Kochi Beach, nets, Dutch Cemetery, and Mattancherry Palace.
“Our driver was Nisha. He made the whole trip fun and was really knowledgeable. I’d recommend asking for him if you get the opportunity as he’s really prepared to tailor the tour to what you want to do though you’ll still get the obligatory spice shops etc.”
2-night private Taj Mahal and Agra tour with sunrise and sunset visits, hotel stays, guides, and flights, made easy for cruise passengers.
“Overall great experience. My tour guide was amazing. Highly recommend this for cruise passengers who want to visit the Taj Mahal during their cruise. Every issue was quickly solved and the itinerary was perfect. My guide chose amazing hotels, great restaurants, and was indispensable in New Delhi and Agra.”
Kochi 3 to 4 hour tuk-tuk tour from cruise ship ports through Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, with major sights, water, and photo stops.
“Anoob was fantastic- caring, professional, and knowledgeable. When he learned there would be elephants at a temple, he maneuvered his tuk-tuk to anticipate their arrival and we got a perfect view. Once he learned that we were looking for a specific purchase, he made it his mission to get us to a right place, trying several locations. Highly recommended!”
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