Top Kerala Shore Excursions

No one should visit Kerala without exploring its backwaters—and while a boat is indispensable for getting around, it can be tough to organize one independently. Take the hassle out of sightseeing on this full-day tour from Cochin, which includes a village walk, canal cruise, and local craft demonstrations, plus a tasty Keralan lunch.

Sailing through the palm-fringed backwaters on a houseboat is a must-do activity in Kerala, and this half-day tour is ideal for travelers who don't want to spend a night on a boat. Relax on board your renovated rice barge as you watch the countryside of Kerala slide past. Enjoy the sun or retreat to the shade, and indulge in some delicious local food for lunch, served on a banana leaf. We also have other options like 3-hour backwater tour as well as an Overnight Stay in the Houseboat.

There’s a lot to see and do in Kochi, but Kerala’s tropical climate can make touring on foot uncomfortable. Spend half a day visiting the highlights by air-conditioned private vehicle. Learn about the city’s diverse history and culture at sites including the Chinese fishing nets, Mattancherry Palace, beaches, churches, and specialist museums. The itinerary can be customized to your interests, for a personalized experience, and hotel pickup is included.

Discover Kochi’s charm with an exciting tuk-tuk sightseeing tour, specially designed for cruise ship travelers. Explore iconic landmarks like the Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church, and Mattancherry Palace. Wander through spice-scented lanes, bustling markets, and hidden gems known only to locals. Enjoy authentic Kerala flavors, vibrant art scenes, and scenic streets from the comfort of an eco-friendly tuk-tuk. Perfect for travelers with limited time, this tour guarantees an unforgettable journey through the vibrant heart of Kochi! What Sets Our Tour Apart? Cruise-Friendly Convenience: Seamless pick-up and drop-off directly from the cruise terminal. Hidden Gems: Visit lesser-known spots alongside iconic landmarks for a complete Kochi experience. Eco-friendly and Comfortable tuk-tuks. Personalized Itinerary: Tailored to your interests—history, culture, food, or shopping. Experience Kochi like never before—up close, personal, and unforgettable!

The coastal town of Mahabalipuram makes an ideal day trip from bustling Chennai, but organizing admission fees and transportation to explore independently takes up valuable sightseeing time. On this tour, reach Mahabalipuram in comfort by private vehicle—with entry fees and round-trip transportation from your Chennai hotel included. Explore the cave temples and rock sculptures with your guide to lead the way, and gain insight into Mahabalipuram’s fascinating 7th-century history.

Make the most of your limited time ashore in Kochi with a shore excursion designed specifically for cruise travelers. Depart directly from Kochi Cruise Port—and avoid the hassle of arranging transport—as you head into the city and surrounding waterways. Cruise through the peaceful backwaters by houseboat or shikara (wooden canoe), taking in Kerala’s lush scenery and everyday riverside life. Back on land, visit Kochi’s best-known sights, including the Chinese fishing nets, and explore historic neighborhoods that reflect the city’s layered colonial past.

Enjoy a houseboat tour on the inland waterways of Kochi when your cruise ship pulls into the Kochi port. Travel to Alleppey (Alappuzha) to board a traditional houseboat that takes you on a 2-hour cruise through scenic waterways lined with villages, rice paddies and coconut palms. Sample the delicious cuisine of Kerala during a lunch served on board your vessel. Afterward, transfer to an air-conditioned coach to see the highlights of Fort Kochi, including the Chinese fishing nets.

Pondicherry and Mahabalipuram are located an easy drive from Chennai, but sights are spread out and public transportation options are limited, so it’s hard to get around without your own vehicle. Ideal for time-pressed travelers looking to avoid an overnight stay, this private full-day tour ticks off highlights such as the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and French Quarter, utopian Auroville, and Krishna’s Butterball, and whisks you back to Chennai by dinnertime.

See Chennai’s major sights over the course of a few hours in this private tour. Enjoy a mix of local culture, history, and nature with visits to Marina Beach, Fort St. George, and multiple temples, including the Kapaleeshwarar Temple. You’ll also dine at a local restaurant for a traditional meal and can get recommendations from your guide.

Experience the so-called "Venice of the East," AKA the Kerala Backwaters, on a private cruise. Your driver will pick you up in Kochi and take you to Alleppey, where you'll board your personal vessel. You'll then head out on the backwaters, passing villages and natural areas while your on-board crew prepares an included lunch. At the end of your cruise, your driver will take you back to your Kochi hotel.

With its palm-fringed waterways, Alleppey—Venice of the East—is one of South India’s most scenic spots. But the most stunning locations are only accessible to boats. During this exclusive backwater tour, you’ll hop a traditional Shikara, or Indian canoe, to cruise past coconut palms, picturesque villages, and lush rice paddies. Get a peek at rural life in Kerala while you relax and glide down Alleppey’s iconic canals.

While your cruise ship is docked in the Kochi port, explore the city easily on this worry-free shore excursion. Slightly different tours are provided depending on the date: Either take a houseboat tour of Kerala’s backwaters, or combine a cruise with a visit to the giant Chinese fishing nets that line the shore at Kochi. There’s no need to catch taxis as transfers are provided directly from the port.

Make the most of a short time on land on a private day tour of Fort Kochi by tuk tuk. Unlike riding in a car, from a tuk tuk you’ll get an intimate perspective of the city. Visit a number of cultural and natural attractions around Fort Kochi, including the Chinese fishing nets, the beach, various churches and cathedrals, Mattancherry Palace, spice markets, and more.

Explore Kochi with a guide and a small group of fellow passengers with this half-day shore excursion, which includes round-trip transportation from the cruise port. . You'll visit local highlights including the Dutch Palace, a historic Jewish Synagogue, the 16th-century St. Francis Church, and Fort Kochi's famous Chinese fishing nets.

This is a great choice for travelers with limited time in Cochin. Enjoy a hassle-free day trip around the highlights of Cochin with a guide to accompany you. Save time booking transport by having port pickup and drop-off included. Sights you’ll visit include St. Francis Church, the Chinese Fishing Nets area, Santa Cruz Basilica, Mattancherry Palace, and Paradesi Synagogue.

See Kochi’s top attractions independently, in your own private tuk-tuk, with this private shore excursion, which includes round-trip transfers from the cruise ship dock. You'll have plenty of flexibility to explore at your leisure, with time to stop at key attractions such as Fort Kochi Beach and its Chinese Fishing Nets, the Dutch Cemetery, the Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, and Mattancherry Palace, to name a few. Our tuk-tuk driver will be waiting outside the port with your name placard to receive you on time.

Cool off on a private full-day trip from Kochi to the hill station of Munnar, 5,575 feet (1,700 meters) above sea level. Visit the Tea Museum in Munnar, as well as tea and spice plantations with views of the Western Ghats mountains and lush valleys. Ride in your own private air-conditioned vehicle and tour the town with an informative local guide.

Visit a handful of northern Kerala’s most celebrated natural attractions during this full-day private tour. Explore a butterfly garden and hanging bridge in Thumboormuzhi, spot local flora and fauna at Athirappilly, Charpa, and Vazhachal waterfalls, and enjoy free time to swim, fish, or rent a boat at Cherai Beach. Admission tickets and round-trip, door-to-door transportation from Kochi are included.

Combine a tuk-tuk (autorickshaw) tour of Kochi with a cruise through the backwaters on this easy-paced tour, which includes round-trip transportation from Kochi's cruise terminal. You'll start with a visit to historic Kochi, where your autorickshaw driver will show you highlights such as the Chinese Fishing Nets, Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, Mattancherry Palace, and the Paradesi Synagogue. After your tour, you'll board a boat for an hour-long cruise through the backwaters.

Poovar Backwater boating and Trivandrum Day Trip is a delicate mixture of fun and history. It is sure to showcase the rich natural beauty and the cultural significance of Travancore. Our tour is planned in a way that tourist can enjoy both the natural beauty as well as get to know the culture and local traditions of Travancore. It is suitable for kids and people of all age groups. We guarantee that tourist will have fun as well as get to know a lot about the culture and local traditions of south Indian as well as Travancore.

When your cruise ship drops anchor in Kochi, don’t spend precious time planning visits to nearby attractions. Instead, let someone take care of planning and driving and quickly set off to see what the area has to offer. Take a trip on a traditional houseboat on Kerala’s backwaters, then tour the city’s colonial-era forts and churches. A buffet lunch and round-trip transportation from your ship are included.

With its history and laid-back atmosphere, Cochin tops the list of must-see cities in Southern India—but sights are spread out, and getting around can be a challenge. Specially designed for cruise ship passengers, this private half-day tour shows you Cochin’s highlights by tuk-tuk, covering more stops than you possibly could on foot or in a larger vehicle. Plus, a guide is on hand to tell stories along the way.

If you have a Cruise ship coming up and are looking for a shore excursion, here are some options. Three different tours are offered depending on your dates. One will take you out into Kerala's famous backwaters by houseboat, complete with a local lunch. A second itinerary involves a houseboat cruise and a trip to Fort Kochin, known for its Chinese Fishing Nets. The third is land-based, with visits to the Dutch Palace and historic Fort Kochi.