Your boat will meander through the peaceful Backwaters. It will take you leisurely through the canals, sighting birds and nature, as well as plantations. You will enjoy the surprises of the colourful and friendly village life that you pass along the way. You can relax and enjoy the wonderful sights or capture them on your photographic equipment. Whichever your approach, they will become outstanding memories.

Lunch onboard the Backwaters boat

You will have a typical Backwaters lunch onboard before being taken back to the boat jetty where your driver will be waiting for you.

DRIVE TO KOCHI OLD TOWN

Again, you will see some of Kerala on your way to Kochi.

It might be possible to stop to witness unusual or unexpected things that might well come up as they sometimes do in Kerala.

KOCHI OLD TOWN

You will guided through the sites of Kochi Old Town where you will have time to take in the atmosphere whilst visiting the best places

Kochi is Kerala’s most cosmopolitan city. It is also its main trading centre for spices and seafood. Built around a salt water lagoon of the Arabian Sea, Kochi is in fact a collection of narrow islands and peninsulas. While mainland Eranakulam boasts of concrete shopping malls and glitzy apartment buildings, Mattancherry and Fort Kochi have an old-world charm, with their blend of Dutch, Portuguese and English bungalows and quaint narrow streets. The scenic location of Kochi’s natural harbour, surrounded by palm groves, green fields, inland lakes and backwaters, has enchanted visitors from across the globe for centuries.

JEWTOWN AND ITS SYNAGOGUE*
*Not available on Friday afternoons and Saturdays or on all Jewish holidays

Jewtown in Mattancherry is famous for the antique shops all along its sides.  The colonial buildings lining the street add to its old-world charm. Here you can breathe antiquity with curio and antique shops along the street capable of enchanting visitors with their variety and rarity.

The Paradesi Synagogue, in a corner of Jewtown, is more than a hundred years old and houses many rare antiques. The Jewish synagogue was built in 1568, almost 1500 years after the beginning of the Jewish connection with Kerala, on land given by the king of Cochin. It is the oldest in the Commonwealth. In 1662, it was destroyed by the Portuguese and then reconstructed, two years later, by the Dutch.

SAINT FRANCIS CHURCH

Originally built in 1503, Saint Francis Church is the oldest European church in India and has great historical significance as a mute witness to the European colonial struggle. The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama died in Kochi in 1524 when he was on his third visit to India. His body was originally buried in this church, but after fourteen years his remains were removed to Lisbon by his only son. But the tombstone is still in the church.

CHINESE FISHING NETS AND FISH MARKET

The peaceful activities of the harbour include the Chinese fishing nets and the fish market. This world famous area has enchanted visitors for centuries. In this traditional method of fishing, nets are strung from huge curved bamboo and teak poles that are operated from the shore. Legend has it that they were introduced by the Chinese explorer Zheng He in the 14th century.

UPCOMING CRUISE SHIP ARRIVALS IN KOCHI /COCHIN-2013- 2024

You can choose from the following options :

THE PRICE;

SPECIAL OFFER
Individual bookings now : $105US per person
… and for a single request for 5 or more individual bookings we will give
an additional 5% discount = $99,75US per person

Our prices include

• Pick up and drop off near your ship at Kochi Port or at your hotel
• Fully air conditioned vehicle, recent and in excellent condition
• English Speaking Professional Guide
• Boat trip on the Backwaters
• Lunch onboard the Backwater boat
• Entrance fees to the selected sites and camera fees where applicable
• A bottle of water per person in the vehicle

BOOK NOW

THIS UNFORGETTABLE EXCURSION IS OFTEN FULL : We strongly recommend that you book well ahead in order to ensure to do this popular excursion with the experts of Shore Excursions India.

Please use the form below to book your trip with Shore Excursions India. We have a policy of replying within 48 hours.
If you are a Cruise Ship Guest booking a Shore Excursion, please indicate the excursion you require and the name of your ship.
Otherwise, please indicate the tour you have selected and the points of pick up and drop off.

More Kochi Excursions

You can link to the following pages for our current offers.
Each page gives the itinerary of the excursion, its price and a booking facility.

The Real Marigold Hotel Tour
Kochi Local Life
Jewish Heritage in Kerala

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR SATISFACTION

WE ARE are a Government Approved Tours and Travel Company and a Government Approved Cruise Liner Transporter.
WE HOLD the Government Permit allowing entrance to the protected Cruise Ship Port.
WE PICK YOU UP as you leave your ship and to return you there at the end of your excursion before your ship’s sailing time.
WE PROVIDE excursions for Cruise Ship travellers wishing to discover the incredible sites of India in and around our wonderful city.
WE SERVE cruise ships regularly and know how to meet their requirements.
OUR EXCURSIONS are all-included no-hassle excursions with no add-ons and no unwanted commercial visits. Obviously you will support any personal expenses you might decide to incur.
OUR VEHICLES are recent, fully air conditioned, comfortable, safe, clean and perfectly serviced.
OUR SMALL GROUP POLICY enables you to enjoy a private tour in a convivial atmosphere, ideal for communicating with your guide and visiting the sites together.
OUR GUIDES are English Speaking Official Guides who will accompany you during the whole of the excursion, guide you round the sites, and explain local culture and history. They will be delighted to give you any additional information you might request (if you prefer another language, please consult us for a quote).
OUR DRIVERS are Government Registered Tourist Drivers who furthermore have signed our Drivers’ Charter.
OUR EMPLOYEES are professional, experienced and trustworthy local people who will look after you at all times.
WE CARE FOR YOU AS OUR GUEST to ensure you enjoy your excursion in comfort and security. We will take you only to safe areas and to places of proven quality.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS can be found on this website and on the links to TripAdvisor. We encourage you to add your own review after your excursion to help Cruise Ship travellers choose us.
OUR REPUTATION depends on YOUR SATISFACTION and we are organised to achieve your satisfaction during your excursion.

… IF YOU ARE HAPPY, WE ARE HAPPY.