Your shore excursion from Cochin begins with pickup from the cruise boat, where you board a tour vehicle for the drive to Alleppey (also known as Alapuzha). Depending on the date you travel, experience one of three itineraries.
Step aboard a houseboat for a leisurely sail through the inland waterways of Kerala. Relax as you glide past scenes of riverfront life, such as paddy fields, coconut palms, and traditional wooden houseboats. Enjoy attention from the onboard staff, who serve a traditional Keralan lunch of rice, fish, chicken, and vegetable dishes should you travel on the first itinerary.
At the end of your houseboat tour, go ashore near Fort Kochi to tour the area with a guide. See St. Francis Church, the Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, and the Chinese fishing nets near Fort Kochi Beach before drop-off back at the cruise port.
The second itinerary you could follow encompasses the houseboat tour in the itinerary above, however, lunch is replaced by traditional snacks and tea and coffee. Fort Kochi is not visited on this itinerary.
Finally, if traveling on the third itinerary you receive a comprehensive tour of Cochin and Mattancherry. Visit the Dutch Palace built by Portuguese settlers and famous for its stunning murals depicting tales from Hinduism. Then, visit the Jewish Synagogue and stroll the Jewish quarter. Later, transfer to Fort Kochi for a short walking tour and visit St. Francis Church before being returned to the cruise ship terminal where your tour concludes.
