Kochi Food and Culture Tour
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
Treat your tastebuds to an eclectic mix of cuisines on this whistle-stop Kochi food tour through the Muslim, Hindu, and Christian areas of this diverse Indian port city. Nibble on snacks like biryani, thali, and pollichathu curry, stroll through the markets, and wash your experience down with a drink at a toddy bar as you brush shoulders with the locals.
-
Highlights
- Get to know the local culture of India through its food
- Sample tasty treats from the Muslim, Hindu, and Christian areas of Kochi
- Taste traditional dishes such as biryani, dosa, and thengapal
- Sip on palm wine and nibble on bar food with locals at a toddy bar
- Wander through the local spice and fruit and vegetable markets of Kochi
-
Schedule details
- Duration: 3 hours
- Meeting point:
Outside No. 18 Hotel, near Fort Kochi main bus station, opposite the police station.
- Starting time: 9.00 AM
- Ending point:
Outside No. 18 Hotel, near Fort Kochi main bus station, opposite the police station.
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, transport, biryani, dosa, tea, and snacks
Exclusions: Toddy Bar drinks, market spending, items of a personal nature, tips / gratuities for guide.
Dive deeper into the captivating culture of India on this Kochi food tour that takes you on a flavourful journey through the Muslim, Hindu, and Christian areas of this fascinating city.
Your Kochi tour will begin at No. 18 Hotel, where you’ll meet your local guide, take a walk down the road through a bazaar, and glimpse into the life of the spice traders we’ll find here. We’ll stop for a tea or coffee and snacks at a local tea shop, easing you nicely into the culture of Kochi. We continue this Kochi day tour into the heart of Mattancherry, where we’ll find a treasure trove of Muslim culture and food.
As we continue onwards to the Hindu areas of Kochi, you’ll notice a chance in scenery. The store fronts will change from butchers to fruit and vegetable vendors. The Hindu community is strictly vegetarian, so as we enter their neighbourhood you’ll notice that you’re surrounded by fresh fruit and veg, and here you’ll get to try Hindu dishes like dosa, appam, and a vegetarian thali. If you’ve got a bit of a sweet tooth, we’ll also find some Indian sweets along the way, too. Your local guide will explain everything you need to know about these dishes, and make recommendations for which you might like depending on your tastes.
Your next stop on this Kochi tour will take you into the Christian area of the city. Your local guide will lead you to a local toddy bar, where you can enjoy a dash if fisherman’s culture and kick back with the locals. Here you’ll get to try toddy, which is a local palm wine, and nibble on traditional bar food such as tapioca, fish, crab, mussels, clam, sardines, mackerel, and much more. These are served up in various forms of curry, such as pollichathu or thengapal, and are very popular with the locals, so you know what you’re having is authentic. Usually, you’ll only find local men sitting at a toddy bar, as it’s not custom for women to drink here. However, it is perfectly acceptable for foreigners, both men and women, to join in, so you will not de frowned upon for raising a glass with the locals.
This cultural Kochi tour is like a food tour and lesson on the religious groups of Kochi all rolled into one. Getting to know the different ways in which people prepare their food here is one of the best ways to get in touch with the rich and diverse city of Kochi. From the freshest seafood (it is a port town, after all!) to the vast array of spices you can take home with you, there’s never a dull moment with Kochi food.
Psssst! If you love the food of Kochi, take a cooking lesson from a local in their home on our Kochi Home Cooked tour.
-
Additional information
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, transport, biryani, dosa, tea, and snacks
Exclusions: Toddy Bar drinks, market spending, items of a personal nature, tips / gratuities for guide.
Dress standard: It is customary for women to dress modestly in India. This means that all female guests should cover their knees and shoulders when they are out in public.
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