Kochi · Kerala, India
Kochi Tours, Excursions & Things to Do
Discover the best Kochi tours and things to do in the gateway to Kerala, "God’s Own Country": wander Fort Kochi past the iconic Chinese fishing nets, cruise the palm-fringed Alleppey backwaters on a houseboat, climb to the tea-clad hills of Munnar, watch a mesmerising Kathakali performance, and savour fragrant Keralan spice and seafood. Compare top-rated experiences and plan your perfect Kerala trip.
539 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Sunset tours in Kochi
Departures that are under way when the sun sets in the coming weeks — start times checked against the local sunset.
Good for families in Kochi
Children can join from a young age and pay less than adults — taken from each operator’s price list.
Browse
Explore Kochi by interest
Whatever brings you to Kochi — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
What to see
Top attractions in Kochi
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Chinese Fishing Nets
Fort Kochi icon.
120+ toursView tours
Backwaters
Alleppey houseboats.
160 toursView tours
Munnar Tea Hills
Emerald estates.
70 toursView tours
Mattancherry Palace
Dutch Palace.
100 toursView tours
Kathakali
Classical dance.
50 toursView tours
Spice Plantation
Aromatic gardens.
60 toursView tours
Athirappilly Falls
Kerala’s largest.
40 toursView tours
Keralan Cuisine
Seafood & spice.
60 toursView tours
1 day
Kochi in 1 day
- 1Fort Kochi walk
- 2Chinese fishing nets
- 3Mattancherry Palace
- 4Kathakali show
3 days
Kochi in 3 days
- 1Day 1: Fort Kochi
- 2Day 2: backwaters
- 3Day 3: Munnar
- 4Kathakali & food
Backwaters
Kerala backwaters trip
- 1Drive to Alleppey
- 2Houseboat cruise
- 3Village life
- 4Sunset on the water
With kids
Kochi with kids
- 1Fishing nets
- 2Shikara boat ride
- 3Spice market
- 4Kathakali make-up
~1.5 hrs awayAlleppey Backwaters
Houseboat cruise.
from €40View trips
~4 hrs awayMunnar
Tea hills.
from €60View trips
In city awayFort Kochi
Heritage walk.
from €25View trips
~2 hrs awayAthirappilly Falls
Kerala’s largest.
from €50View trips
Hills awaySpice Plantation
Aromatic gardens.
from €45View trips
Fort Kochi awayKathakali Show
Classical dance.
from €20View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Kochi visitor asks before booking.
Winter (Oct–Mar)
The best time to visit, with warm, dry, pleasant weather ideal for sightseeing, backwaters and the hills.
Post-monsoon (Sep–Oct)
Lush and green after the rains, with fewer crowds and good conditions as the dry season begins.
Summer (Apr–May)
Hot and humid before the monsoon; the cool Munnar hills offer welcome relief.
Monsoon (Jun–Aug)
Heavy rains bring spectacular green landscapes and Ayurveda season, but some boating may be limited.
Backwater season
The backwaters are most pleasant in the cooler, drier months from October to March.
Festival time
The Kochi-Muziris Biennale and local festivals add colour in season — check dates when planning.
Cruise day
A Fort Kochi heritage tour.
One day
Fort Kochi and a Kathakali show.
Three days
Add the backwaters and Munnar.
Nature lovers
More backwaters, hills and waterfalls.
Foodies
Add spice tours and a cooking class.
A week
A full Kerala tour with Thekkady and Kovalam.
Ferries
Local ferries link Fort Kochi, Ernakulam and the islands, a cheap and scenic way to travel.
Tours & transfers
Tours with pickup are the easiest way to reach the backwaters, Munnar and the falls.
Tuk-tuks & taxis
Auto-rickshaws (tuk-tuks) and taxis are handy around Fort Kochi and the city; agree fares first.
Kochi Metro
The modern Kochi Metro serves the mainland city, though tours are easier for the main sights.
Where to stay
Atmospheric Fort Kochi suits sightseeing; Ernakulam is the busier mainland hub.
Getting there
Cochin International Airport connects widely, and the city is a popular cruise port.
Indian rupees
India uses the rupee (INR); cards work in hotels and bigger shops, but carry cash for markets and tuk-tuks.
Book houseboats ahead
Popular Alleppey houseboats, especially overnight, sell out in season — reserve in advance.
Dress modestly
Light, modest clothing is respectful and comfortable; cover up at temples and religious sites.
Munnar needs time
Munnar is about 4 hours away, so plan an overnight rather than rushing it as a day trip.
Try the seafood
Don’t miss fresh Keralan seafood, appam and coconut curries, ideally on a food tour.
Stay hydrated
The tropical heat and humidity can be strong — drink bottled water and pace yourself.
Houseboat cruises
Overnight Alleppey houseboats sell out in season — book ahead.
Munnar trips
Multi-day hill trips need planning — reserve early.
Kathakali shows
Popular performances have limited seats — book ahead.
Cooking classes
Small-group classes fill up — reserve early.
Heritage tours
Guided Fort Kochi tours are popular — book ahead.
Kerala tours
Multi-day private tours need arranging — reserve early.
Fort Kochi tour
Around $25–60 for a half- or full-day heritage tour.
Backwater cruise
About $40–100 for a day houseboat or shikara cruise.
Munnar trip
Roughly $60–150 for a guided Munnar hill trip.
Kathakali show
Around $15–30 for a cultural performance.
Cooking class
About $30–60 for a hands-on Keralan cooking class.
How to save
Join group tours, use ferries and travel in the dry season.
When to visit
Kochi through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Winter (Oct–Mar)
Oct–Mar
- Best for
- Best weather.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Ideal time.
Summer (Apr–May)
Apr–May
- Best for
- Hill escapes.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Hot & humid.
Monsoon (Jun–Aug)
Jun–Aug
- Best for
- Lush, Ayurveda.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Heavy rains.
Post-monsoon (Sep)
Sep
- Best for
- Green, quiet.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Season starts.
People also ask
Kochi travel FAQ
What are the best tours in Kochi?
The highest-rated experiences are a Fort Kochi heritage tour, an Alleppey backwater houseboat cruise, a Munnar tea-hills trip, a Kathakali performance, and a Keralan spice or cooking tour.
What should I book in advance in Kochi?
Reserve Alleppey houseboats, Munnar trips, Kathakali shows and cooking classes ahead, especially in the October–March season.
How many days do I need in Kochi?
A cruise day suits a Fort Kochi tour, one day covers the city, and three days let you add the backwaters and Munnar.
Is Kochi worth visiting?
Yes — Kochi blends centuries of colonial and trading heritage, the iconic Chinese fishing nets and a lively port city with easy access to Kerala’s famous Alleppey backwaters, the tea hills of Munnar, classical Kathakali and superb spice-rich cuisine.
When is the best time to visit Kochi?
The cooler, drier months from October to March are best for sightseeing, backwaters and the hills, while the monsoon brings lush green landscapes.
How far are the backwaters from Kochi?
The popular Alleppey backwaters are about 1.5 hours from Kochi, an easy trip for a day or overnight houseboat cruise.
Is Kochi a good cruise port?
Yes — Kochi is a popular cruise port, with Fort Kochi’s heritage sights and backwater trips easily reached on shore excursions.
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