INDIA · DESTINATION
India’s best tours and day trips.
The 15 best Kerala backwater cruises, from a converted-rice-barge houseboat overnight to a morning village paddle through the palm-lined canals.
Sail Kerala’s backwaters on a non-motorized country boat, stop for coconut/coir crafts, then enjoy a hearty vegetarian lunch in 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.”
Cochin to Alappuzha private shikara canoe cruise: paddy fields, coconut palms, village life, and AC transfer in 6 hours.
“Good communication. Pickup on time. Both Simon (driver) and Manu (boatman) were a pleasure to spend the day with. We loved both the beauty of the backwaters and the insight into the very different way of life there. Simon also gave us a tour of the highlights of Kochi city area on the way back…”
Private Shikara boat ride in Alleppey with village stop, canal cruising, and sunset views, plus English guidance for great value.
“Lovely boat trip. Anazudheen was great. Organised at last minute and communicated really well. Stopped for lovely lunch. Top day!!”
Fort Kochi sights in 4 hours from Cochin Port: nets, Portuguese churches, palace murals, and a real taste of spice-filled Jew Town.
“Informative and knowledgeable guide. Sunil went out of his way to accommodate variations in our itinerary. We were early off the ship and he was already waiting as arranged. Our group of 6 have a much better understanding of Cochin and its history as a result of a great tour”
Private houseboat cruise from Cochin to Alleppey backwaters with a 2.5-hour ride, Keralan lunch, AC transfer, and a small crew onboard.
“Too costly, not worth the money.”
A 5-hour private Shikara cruise through Alappuzha/Alleppey backwaters, with villages, birds, and Chinese fishing nets, plus comfort and photo stops.
“Quiet and relax”
Private 4-day tour from Cochin to Munnar and Alleppey with Eravikulam views, tea stops, and an overnight houseboat on the backwaters.
“The variety of activities was excellent our driver Nissam was just wonderful ,he took us to fabulous places.He was flexible , always there on time and gave us great advice. we particularly enjoyed the national park, the mountain jeep tour and the boat trip . wonderful tour .highly recommend it.”
A 5-day Cochin tour pairing Munnar tea country, Periyar wildlife, and an Alleppey houseboat stay, with key Fort Kochi sights.
“This experience of Kerala tour was very special and fun. Our tour guide and driver was a very intelligent or very knowledgeable person. We saw tea gardens in Kerala. Munnar is really a very beautiful place. We enjoyed it on the house boat in Alleppey. It was a very good experience.”
Motor-free Kerala backwaters from Kochi with banana-leaf lunch, village demos, open-canoe canals, and chai tea snacks.
“Bardzo relaksująca i pełna rozmaitych atrakcji wycieczka. Rozlewiska to piękne miejsce i aż żal było schodzić z łódki na ląd. Lunch przyrządzony i podany przez lokalnych mieszkańców był pyszny, wszyscy bardzo życzliwi. Wycieczka była dobrze zorganizowana a organizator był w stałym kontakcie. Jedyny zarzut mam do przewodnika. Mówił bardzo szybko, bardzo niewyraźnie i miałem wrażenie…”
Private Alleppey backwaters houseboat day from Kochi with AC pickup, 4-hour cruise, and authentic Kerala lunch onboard.
“Very relaxing. Lovely boat. Great staff who made us feel very welcome. The food we had on the boat was some of the best in kerala! Would definitely recommend.”
Half-day Cochin backwaters eco boat ride from Fort Cochin with a covered traditional boat, village coir making, and vegetarian lunch.
“This was a great trip. There was only our group of 4 on the boat and our guide, Kuldeep, could not have been better. The scenery and wildlife were just wonderful; spotting eagles and kingfishers was just amazing. Visiting the home of a local family was a privilege, they showed us their livelihoods, took us…”
A 4-hour guided Cochin loop through Mattancherry, Jew Town, spice sights, Fort Kochi Chinese Nets, and landmark churches with an English guide.
“Our Guide, Tommy, was very knowledgeable and articulate. We enjoyed his running commentary very much. The only suggestion would be to spend less time (about half) at the Dhoby / Laundry.”
Private 5-day Kerala tour from Cochin: tea country in Munnar, Periyar wildlife, and an Alleppey backwater houseboat cruise with an English guide.
“It was fine. my driver cum guide Super freindly”
5-day private Kerala tour from Cochin: Munnar tea hills, Periyar wildlife by boat, and a classic Alleppey houseboat cruise.
“The entire package was well coordinated and showed us many wonderful and beautifull places. The Houseboat Cruise Tour was well worth it. All is good,very good memorable trip.”
A private 8-hour Munnar day tour with a Pothamedu hill trek, old-town culture, tea museum tasting, Kerala sadya lunch, and Vattapara waterfalls.
“This was an amazing experience! our guide Raj was very knowledgeable about all there is to know about Munar and answered all our questions about all the history, flora and fauna! The variety of places and activities was fantastic, we enjoyed a beautiful walk through the tea plantations, a home made tea, a personalised tour…”
Every city, every region, and the great circuits in between.
