Cochin Heritage Tour with Alleppey Houseboat Cruise

Walk colonial ruins and Dutch palaces, then drift through palm-lined backwaters on a traditional houseboat.

A private tour combining Fort Cochin and Mattancherry's colonial architecture with an Alleppey houseboat cruise on the Kerala backwaters. The day moves between land-based sightseeing: the Dutch Palace, Jewish synagogue, St. Francis Church and Chinese fishing nets, and a full afternoon afloat on a traditional houseboat with Kerala lunch. Pickup from your hotel and air-conditioned transport are included. The tour runs 7 to 8 hours total.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Cochin and Alleppey backwaters

• Visit Fort Cochin and Mattancherry
• See Dutch Palace and Jewish Synagogue
• Visit St Francis Church
• Observe Chinese fishing nets
• Enjoy Kerala lunch on houseboat
• Cruise Alleppey backwaters

The experience

The tour opens in Fort Cochin and Mattancherry, the colonial twin towns where Dutch, Portuguese, British and Jewish architecture still stands. You'll see the Dutch Palace (closed Fridays), the Jewish synagogue (closed Friday afternoons and Saturdays), and St. Francis Church. At the harbor entrance, watch local fishermen operate the Chinese fishing nets. A mechanical method that has worked the same way for centuries. A private guide in English narrates throughout, and your air-conditioned vehicle moves between stops.

After the colonial sites, the tour shifts to the backwaters. The Kerala backwaters are a chain of brackish lagoons and lakes running parallel to the Arabian Sea, formed by waves and shore currents that created barrier islands across river mouths. Five large lakes link through canals (both man-made and natural) fed by 38 rivers and extending nearly half the length of Kerala state. You board a traditional houseboat at Alleppey and spend the afternoon drifting through this network, watching the landscape change from town to palm-fringed waterways. Kerala lunch is served on board.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• pickup from your hotel.
• a live English-speaking guide throughout the day.
• entry to Fort Cochin and Mattancherry sites.
• the Alleppey houseboat cruise.
• Kerala lunch on board the houseboat.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (13 to 90 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Globes Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you want colonial history and backwater scenery in one day with a private guide and vehicle, rather than piecing together separate tours or navigating between sites yourself.

Traveler reviews

4.56★★★★★★★★★★

9 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What exactly is the Dutch Palace in Fort Cochin?

The Dutch Palace is a colonial mansion built by the Dutch in the 16th century and later modified by the British. It stands in Fort Cochin as one of the area's most recognizable heritage structures and is closed on Fridays.

Can I visit the Jewish synagogue on any day of the week?

The Jewish synagogue in Mattancherry is closed on Friday afternoons and all day Saturday, so plan your visit for another day if those times don't work for you.

How do the Chinese fishing nets work?

The Chinese fishing nets at the harbor entrance use a mechanical system of weights and pulleys operated by local fishermen to lower and raise large nets in the water. You'll see them in action during the tour.

What are the Kerala backwaters exactly?

The backwaters are a network of five large brackish lagoons and lakes connected by canals and fed by 38 rivers, running parallel to the coast and extending across much of Kerala state. They were formed naturally by waves and currents creating barrier islands.

Is the houseboat ride included in the tour price?

Yes, the houseboat cruise on the Alleppey backwaters is part of the tour, and Kerala lunch is served on board during the afternoon on the water.