5 Best Day Trips From Kochi, Kerala - Updated 2024

best day trips from kerala
Nishit
Nishit 
Updated
| 3 min read

Kochi, which is also known as Cochin, is one of the major port cities of Kerala in India. Often called Ernakulam by locals, Kochi is metropolitan region and was a vital trading center on the west coast in ancient times. Kochi has a beautiful architecture with ancient mosques and Portuguese and English type villages. It is one of the most famous hubs for tourists from all across the world. Kochi is connected with many islands with a vast network of ferries and bridges.

Thus, here we are presenting the top five day trips to take from Kochi. Let us explore:

1. Private Tour Kerala Backwaters Houseboat Day Trip including Lunch (from 63 USD)

Houseboat
Source: Viator

The tour is a must-do if you want to gain insight into the world of Kerala. In this tour, you will cruise on an eco-friendly houseboat. You will have access to local fishing villages and dive into the rural life there. During your sightseeing and relaxing on the boat, the private guide and chef will prepare a tasty south Indian meal onboard.

Beautiful vistas of coconut palms and paddy fields will surely take your breath away. Enjoy the two-hour boat cruise through the famous canals of Alleppey. The tour provides hotel pick-up and drop-off with lunch, evening tea, and snacks. This trip is a must-do for experiencing the most natural habitat of Kerala! Book your trip for an amazing day in Kochi Backwaters here:

Private Tour Kerala Backwaters Houseboat Day Trip Including Lunch

Price: from 63 USD

Website:

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2. Celebrity Shore Excursion (from USD 27.0)

This is a stunning 6.5 hours tour from Kochi port. Cruising through the inland waterways of Kerala on a houseboat, this celebrity shore excursion will definitely make your day special. The cruise tour explores the local villages and Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi.

The private guide and chef will cook delicious and rich, fish, chicken and vegetable dishes. Relax and enjoy the surreal views of vast paddy fields and lush vegetation in the waters. The trip will end in the evening at around 4 pm with a drop-off at Kochi port. With this trip, you can voyage and dive into the surreal water world of Kochi! You can book this beautiful tour at an amazing price here:

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Kochi Shore Excursions

Duration: 4 to 7 hours

21 reviews

3. Private Day Trip from Kochi to Munnar (from USD 110.0)

The beautiful view en route the trip.
Source: Viator

This private day trip from Kochi to Munnar starts with a pick up from your hotel in your own private air-conditioned vehicle. This is a 13-hour tour with your own private local guide. The journey to Munnar hill station is 4 hours. While en route to Munnar you will stop and experience Cheeyappara, Valara waterfalls, a beautiful tea museum and Mattupetty Dam. The entire journey features visuals of beautiful mountains, valleys, and rich vegetation.

This trip offers hotel pickup and drop-off and you can have lunch at your own place of interest. The walking experience in the spice plantation will take your breath away. This is a must-do trip to experience the native Kochi’s dreamlike scenery. Book this tour and experience a dreamlike vista of the beautiful Kerala here:

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Private Day Trip to Munnar from Kochi (Cochin)

Duration: 13 hours

28 reviews

4. Athirappilly Falls and Vazhachal Falls Adventure from Kochi including lunch (from USD 126.0)


This full day tour will give you a look into the most scenic part of Kochi in Kerala. The famous Athirappilly Falls near Chalakudy River is surrounded by spectacular green forest. Next on the destination will be Valparai hill station. It is famous for elephants and tea! The lunch break will be at this stop too. And then the next spot on the destination list will be adventurous Vazhachal Falls. With huge floral and herbal plantations, this place offers amazing scenic views! This tour is a must to experience the native Kochi wildlife in the beautiful natural environment.

The trip includes entrance fees, hotel pickup, and drop-off, lunch, a local guide and a private air-conditioned minivan with a driver. The trip starts with a pickup from the hotel at 8.30 am in the morning, and drop-off to the hotel will be in the evening.

Traveler's tips

Good Tip

While driving up to Athirapilly Waterfall, you'll notice scenic date palm plantations lining the street, and at some spots, you can even see the river right beside the plantations. Just stop by the plantations and trek inside and you'll be on the Chalakudy River, just downhill from the waterfalls. In the summer or late winter, when the rains are far gone, you can cross across the rocky outcrops of the river and settle down in the middle.

Be very careful while trekking along the river and the plantations as they are very much part of the wilderness, and it is not unusual to see snakes slithering across the undergrowth. If you can brave the crossing, you can lounge in one of the rock pools and experience the natural equivalent of a jetted tub as the rapids pass by you.

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Kochi Athirappilly and Vazhachal Falls Private Tour with Lunch

Duration: 8 hours

5 reviews

5. Full-Day Kochi Tour including Chinese fishing nets, Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace, and Folklore Museum (from USD 96.0)


This 8-hour private tour gives you a detailed look and experience of the historical and cultural highlights of Kochi in Kerala. You will get insight into Hindu murals at Dutch Palace and local artistic features at the Folklore Museum. You will also explore Kochi’s colonial and religious heritage in Paradesi Synagogue and 16th-century St. Francis Church.

The trip includes hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, entrance fees and a private tour guide. In your own air-conditioned vehicle, you will start the tour with the famous Chinese Fishing Nets. You will get good views of hammock structures on the way. The famous church St. Francis which was built in 1503 will be next on the destination list. The oldest Jewish quarter, also known as Paradesi Synagogue, will relax your mind. The lunch will take place at Killians Boutique Hotel. The beautiful Kerala Folklore Museum visit will give you insight into ancient art and artefacts of Kerala. Book this tour to experience the ancient Kochi art and architecture.

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Kochi Private Day Tour with Chinese Fishing Nets, Dutch Palace

Duration: 8 hours

Rich and exotic trips in Kochi!

As we have seen there are numerous options to explore and dive into the most beautiful scenic world of Kochi. Whether it is water world excursions or road trips, these tours will fulfill all of your desires to experience the most natural habitat and famous tourist places in India.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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A traveler and a writer, Nishit possesses a penchant for daydreaming, cinema, music, and the art of silent writing. Reading voraciously, taking notes, and embarking on journeys fuel their vivid...Read more

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