• Excel India Tours - The team from Excel India Tours will greet travelers at the ship. Look for the staff member holding a sign with the lead traveler’s name. They will guide you to the waiting Van/Car/Coach.

Then, various tours commence.

Tour # 1. Backwater & Houseboat Tour.

This tour is crafted to introduce travelers to Kerala and its enchanting backwaters.

In the morning, the tour begins with a drive from Kochi harbor to the Alleppey/Kumarakom Backwaters. (1 hour 45 minutes)

The tour arrives at the houseboat jetty.

Board a pre-arranged houseboat and embark on a backwater cruise (3 hours).

The houseboats, once spice boats of Kerala, have been transformed into tourist houseboats with bedrooms, a kitchen, and a spacious lobby. The houseboat’s kitchen, led by an enthusiastic chef, will prepare traditional food to your liking.

Cruising along the backwaters, palm-fringed rice paddies, and quaint villages offers a unique experience.

After the cruise, the tour returns to Kochi (1 hour 45 minutes drive).

An orientation drive to Fort Kochi includes stops at the Chinese Fishing Nets and Jewish Town for photos. (30 minutes)

Returns to the pier.

Tour # 2. Glimpses of Cochin

The group travels to Fort Kochi (30 minutes).

At Fort Kochi, the group transfers to waiting Tuk Tuks (two people per Tuk Tuk).

Ride in a Tuk Tuk to the Church of St. Francis. Visit the church and pay respects to Vasco de Gama, who was initially buried here before being taken to Portugal. (30 minutes)

Then, take a short walk (5 minutes) to the Chinese Fishing Nets. Observe their operation, interact with the fishermen, and try operating the nets. (20 minutes)

Return to the waiting Tuk Tuks and ride to Jewish Town.

Stroll through Jewish Town along the historic streets of the Jewish community, featuring fascinating Jewish houses once occupied by European Jews before they moved to Israel after its establishment. (30 minutes)

At the end of Jewish Town, visit the Paradeshi Synagogue, used by European Jews on the Sabbath. (Three resident Jews and visiting Jews from other countries form a minyan.)

Explore the area for gift shopping in the local shops. (30 minutes)

Walk to the Dutch Palace (10 minutes),

the former seat of the Kochi Royalty, now a museum showcasing beautiful murals.

Dutch Palace (30 minutes)

Return to the ship in the waiting Van/Car/Coach.

Tour # 3. Glimpses of Cochin and Fishing Village Tour

The tour proceeds to Chellanam fishing village by road (1-hour drive), passing fish and rice fields.

Upon reaching the Chellanam fishing harbor, observe the bustling morning activity of fishermen and vendors engaged in buying and selling fresh fish brought ashore after overnight fishing. The tour spends (1 hour here).

The tour continues from the fishing harbor to Fort Kochi. (30 minutes).

Stop at the beach where the Chinese Fishing Nets are operated. Watch fishermen operating these nets. (15 minutes)

Walk to the Church of St. Francis (5 minutes).

Visit this first European church in India, where Vasco da Gama was initially buried before being taken to Portugal. (15 minutes)

Proceed to the Santa Cruz Basilica. (10 minutes drive)

Santa Cruz is one of Kochi’s heritage edifices. Capture wonderful photos of the church, both inside and outside. (15 minutes)

From Santa Cruz Basilica, the tour travels to Jewish Town. (20 minutes)

Stroll through Jewish Town along the historic streets of the Jewish community, featuring fascinating Jewish houses once occupied by European Jews before they moved to Israel after its establishment. (30 minutes)

At the end of Jewish Town, visit the Paradeshi Synagogue, used by European Jews on the Sabbath. (Three resident Jews and visiting Jews from other countries form a minyan.)

Explore the area for gift shopping in the local shops. (30 minutes)

Walk to the Dutch Palace (10 minutes),

the former seat of the Kochi Royalty, now a museum showcasing beautiful murals.

Dutch Palace (30 minutes)

Return to the ship in the waiting Van/Car/Coach.

End of the tour and return to the ship. (30 minutes drive).

Tour # 4. Backwater Ride in Water Taxi.

This 6-hour tour takes you to the backwaters (2 hours in a backwater ride).

This tour is crafted to introduce travelers to Kerala and its enchanting backwaters.

In the morning, the tour begins with a drive from Kochi harbor to the Alleppey/Kumarakom Backwaters. (1 hour 45 minutes)

The tour arrives at the Water Taxi jetty.

The group will board a pre-arranged water taxi and embark on a backwater cruise (2 hours).

The water taxis, once traveling boats of Kerala’s landlords, have been transformed into tourist boats with separate passenger cabins featuring elegant teak panels and a driver’s room. If desired, you can sit outside on top of the boat, which is covered with a canopy.

Cruising along the backwaters, palm-fringed rice paddies, and quaint villages offers a unique experience.

After the cruise, the tour returns to Kochi (1 hour 45 minutes drive).

• Aluva - Aluva is a prominent town on the banks of the Periyar River in Kerala, on the way to the Athirappally Waterfalls. The tour will cross this river, and if preferred, stop near the river for photos.
• Angamaly - Angamaly is the town following Aluva on the way to Athirapally Waterfalls. Here, the tour will stop for coffee and a rest.
• Chalakudy - Chalakudy is the next town after Aluva on the way to Athirapally Waterfalls. It is a town of wealthy planters, timber merchants, and Non-Resident Indians.

• Port pickup and drop-off
• English speaking Guide Driver
• Transport by air-conditioned Sedan

• Food and Drinks
• Gratuity.

Greetings to all travelers visiting Kerala, the lush paradise of India. Athirappilly, known as the ‘Niagara of South India,’ can be explored in a day and is located 60 km from Kochi. This stunning destination remains largely undiscovered by international tourists. The waterfall is sure to invigorate and refresh you.

Guests will be picked up from their hotel, and a guide who also serves as a driver will accompany them to the Athirappilly waterfalls, situated 60 km from Kochi. The journey is made in an air-conditioned sedan, traveling 30 km along the main highway, with the remainder of the trip winding through untouched forests, villages, and plantations of rubber (latex), spices, herbs, and oil palm. Along the way, travelers will encounter small, bustling towns featuring beautiful and luxurious homes and superstores built by non-resident Indians with their petro dollars. These towns are a testament to the locals’ pursuit of a luxurious lifestyle.

Kerala’s full beauty is revealed on the way to the waterfalls, and visitors will be captivated by the unique countryside of Kerala.

• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking,1. Docking time, 2. Disembarkation time and3. Re-boarding time

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.