KOCHI · KERALA
Kochi’s best days out.
The 15 most popular backwater boat & shikara cruises in Kochi. The pick of what travellers actually book, with prices, run times and who runs each one.
Quiet, non-motor backwater cruise from Fort Cochin with a village craft stop for coir weaving and a vegetarian banana-leaf lunch.
Most Popular“Great calming tour of the backwaters in a none touristy area! hosts are so nice!”
Glide Kerala backwaters from Kochi on a non-motorized punting boat, with Vaikom villages, banana-leaf veg lunch, and tea.
“Absolutely wonderful experience! The canoe tour was incredibly relaxing and peaceful. The ride was slow and quiet, perfect for enjoying the scenery and seeing local life along the canals. My guide, Meeta, was very friendly and knowledgeable, and made the experience even better. The lunch was delicious and freshly prepared. Highly recommended.”
Glide through Kerala backwaters on a non-mechanized country boat from Fort Cochin, with a village stop and vegetarian lunch included.
“really nice boat ride in a quiet part of the backwaters north of alleppey with great food at the end! guide was also very nice”
A low-impact backwaters day from Kochi with a quiet non-motor boat, village walk, craft demos, and an included vegetarian lunch.
“Really not a good experience. For us backwater first. Very interesting are the first and second boat rides and the demonstration on coconut processing. The fact that they were Non-motor boats is definitely a plusAuto-translated”
A budget-friendly Shikara boat cruise through Alleppey backwaters, with flexible hours, narrow canals, and optional temple, massage, and food stops.
“Wonderful and relaxing 2 hour Shikara boat cruise through the Alleppey Backwaters. We were able to experience real village life with families fishing and farming rice paddies. Highly recommended to take shikara instead of Houseboat to experience the narrow canals and backwaters of Alleppey.”
Shikara canoe cruise from Cochin to Alleppey backwaters for paddy fields, village life, and calm canals, with easy 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!!”
Hourly shikara cruise through Alleppey backwaters from Rajiv Boat Jetty, with canals, villages, lake views, and optional photo help.
“Me and wife had a shikara ride with Mr. Sauran. This was one of the best experience we ever had. He was very polite, helpful and guided us a to what we need. The driver was polite, knowledgable. The experience was very beautiful. The best part was the driver not asking for any tip and…”
Experience Kochi’s backwaters by bamboo-pole shikara, visit village workshops for coir and weaving, and enjoy a traditional vegetarian Sadya lunch.
“Very beautiful and natural landscapes in a remote area highly traditional, the team was smiling and close to us at all time”
Private Kochi tuk-tuk plus a one-hour backwaters cruise from the cruise terminal, with key sights, included entry fees, and pickup.
“Amazing tuktuk driver - friendly,knowledgeable, helpful & went out of his way to make some wonderful memories for us. Followed by a lazy meander around the backwaters for an hour - just us & the captain of his boat. Amazing day, and well spent.”
Houseboat backwaters from Kochi with Chinese fishing nets, cruise-port pickup, lunch and bottled water. Calm Kerala shore day.
“The lunch on the houseboat was fabulous. Such a lovely setting and freshly prepared Keralan food. The journey to the houseboats was approx 2 hours each way. Our visit to the fishing nets was short but interesting.”
Fort Kochi harbor cruise to Mattancherry: Chinese fishing nets, palace and synagogue views, dolphin chances, plus a short heritage walk.
“The guide was really impressive with his knowledge and likeable personality.”
Quiet Cochin backwaters tour with no-motor canoe time, banana-leaf vegetarian lunch, village crafts, and chai with snacks from Fort Kochi.
“Op de boot was het heel rustig en zenn aangenaam mooie natuur , eten krijgen bij hun thuis op een bananenblad zeer leuk en lekker je voelt je op je gemak. De backwaters was niet speciaal maar ook wel leuk om een kort tochtje te doen en hoe de mevrouw toont hoe ze van een…”
Backwater cruise from Cochin Port by shikara or houseboat, plus Fort Kochi Chinese fishing nets and a Keralan lunch or snacks.
“We enjoyed our trip very much. The boat trip was very good, and the Chinese Fisherman’s nets were interesting.”
Full-day canoe and shikkara cruise from Kumarakom at sunrise, with bird sanctuary, Kerala meals, village life, and optional toddy.
“This is an extraordinary tour of the backwaters that takes you in the opposite direction of all the other tours. Indeed, I didn’t see another tourist for the first 8 hours of the excursion. Sanu was very kind and adjusted the tour to fit my interestRead more”
Private 2-day Alappuzha houseboat cruise from Cochin, with Kerala meals onboard, backwater views, and a quiet night at sea.
“Excellent service with a lovely captain George. We had amazing food and a relaxing cruise on the private houseboat. We had AC at night which was very needed and slept very well, with private toilet and shower on board. Option to do an extra boat tour around the smalls canals which I recommend doing! We…”
From the Fort Kochi lanes to the backwaters and the tea hills, every way in.
