Kochi Bike and Backwaters
Kochi, India
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
-
Tour snapshot
Embrace both pedal and paddle on this Kochi bike tour that cruises down to the beautiful backwaters of India, stops at a local’s house for lunch, and glides through the picturesque rivers of Ezhupunna. Not to mention the beaches, fisherman’s farms, and villages we’ll check out on the way. We couldn’t fit more into this tour even if we wanted to!
-
Highlights
- Cycle through the villages of rural Kochi
- Connect with local fisherman and learn about their practices
- Take a boat ride down the gorgeous backwaters of India
- Enjoy a delicious, fresh lunch in the home of a local
- Explore rural village life in India
-
Schedule details
- Duration: 7-8 hours
- Meeting point:
No 18 Hotel, KB Jacob Road, Near Fort Kochi Police Station or Fort Kochi main bus station.
- Starting time: 8.00 AM
- Ending point:
Fort Kochi.
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, lunch, water, bike
Exclusions: Personal expenses, tip / gratuities for your guide
What could be more perfect than spending the day breezing through rural India on a bike, taking in the sights and sounds, stopping along the way for some authentic local food? We know, sounds pretty great to us too. This Kochi tour is just that and more - let’s ride!
We’ll kick off this Kochi bike tour in Fort Kochi, a port town filled with fascinating sights such as the Santa Cruz Basilica and Vasco da Gama church. We’ll breeze past these spots at the beginning of the tour, and your local guide will stop along the way to give you the lowdown on Kochi and what makes it tick. We’ll also pay a visit to the fishermen who use traditional nets for their craft, and take a break at the beaches most popular with the locals.
We’ll continue to tour Kochi and head towards Ezhupunna backwaters. En route we’ll stop by sea shore fish auction centres, and onwards to prawn peeling centres. These places are the backbone of the fishing industry in Kochi, making them the perfect place for you to get a real feel for the people who live and work here. We’ll cruise down coconut tree-lined streets, and if we have enough time we may even stop at a local toddy bar for a drink.
Upon reaching the backwaters, it’ll be time to take a break and have some lunch. But not just any lunch! You’ll be treated to a traditional fisherman’s lunch with a local family, which will consist of fresh fried fish and tasty curry dishes. During this time in the villages you’ll have the unique chance to interact with locals and experience Kerala village life, an opportunity you’re sure to remember for a long time.
In the afternoon, we’ll give the bikes a break for a couple of hours and hop on a canoe or shikara boat ride through the narrow canals. This relaxing part of the tour will get you right up close to the beautiful waters, the veins that run through this part of India, making it so naturally stunning.
After your scenic boat ride, we’ll hop back on our bikes and return to Kochi, stopping off along the way to check out some prawn culturing farms and Kumbalanghi model tourism village. We’ll also have plenty of opportunity to stop and take pictures, and once you see this gorgeous scenery, you’ll definitely want to - trust us!
The total distance covered on this Kochi tour is around 34km, and we’ll be riding at a leisurely pace with plenty of stops. This tour is suited to cyclists of all levels, so don’t worry if you’re not a pro! We won’t be taking on any devilish hills – the terrain is fairly easy and gentle.
-
Additional information
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, lunch, water, bike
Exclusions: Personal expenses, tip / gratuities for your guide
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: Children must be 6 years of age to 11 years inclusively. Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour.
-
Local contact
BACK TO TOP