What‘s Included

What To Expect

Reviews

• A Beautifully Relaxing Day

  GB40,

  Nov 23, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  From beginning to end this trip was a joy. Our main guide, Sunil, was so knowledgeable about all things backwater, Kerala and India and he was extremely engaging. The boat trip was fabulous, so calming with a stop at a local’s home where she demonstrated the arts of coir rope-making and construction of items from palm tree branches and leaves. We also stopped to watch another local ‘toddy-tapping’ which we were able to sample. Our assistant guide in the boat -sadly I can’t remember name- was also superb. Finally, we had a fabulous homemade lunch which rounded off the day perfectly. The trip was advertised as 5 hours and it was pleasing that that didn’t include the 1 hour each way transit.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Definitely recommend this tour

  davidqQ1388GZ,

  Nov 21, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We chose the private tour option which meant we had a private car pick us up and a boat for just the two of us. It was a lovely trip and we had a very informative local guide called Greeshma. We were shown traditional rope making and palm leaf plaiting. Finished with a meal at a local house. All people involved in the tour were very friendly. The boat trip was very peaceful as it is punted, no motor.

  

• The most relaxing and calming experience we loved every minute!

  michaelc276,

  Nov 11, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  The most relaxing few hours being shown the backwaters and canals in a handmade boat. It was quiet and so calm and our lovely guide pointed out many birds and plants along the way . The trip was completed by a sumptious lunch by the owner served on banana leaves the food did not stop ! All this was such amazing value we would highly reccommend you try it.

• Lovely tour

  Anusha1007,

  Nov 10, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  4.00

  Well organised, lovely tour guide, interesting village experience and nice lunch. Only negative was we didn’t spend an awful amount of time in the actual backwaters, it was mainly just a larger lake.

• A wonderful tour! Highly recommend.

  575avia,

  Oct 29, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Carla’s excursion in the quarter canals was one of the highlights of our visit to India! The traditional boat (kettuvallam) was charming and well-maintained. We were even given the opportunity to try to dig ourselves - a special experience! The sailing was quiet and relaxing, with amazing views of tropical vegetation, coconut trees and rice fields. The food: The meal served to us on a banana leaf was completely authentic and excellent! Full rice with a number of traditional Carla vegetable spices, papadam and rich flavors. The landscapes: The pastorality of the bucket with water roses, birds and villages along the way - just magical! Staff: Guide Ardie and staff were friendly and patient professionals. Ardie explained the local life, flora and culture of Carla. It’s an experience you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Make sure to book at least half a day (or a full day if possible). Thanks for this special experience!

• Very relaxing

  Cherie A,

  Oct 11, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  This was a fabulous trip and the guide Greeshma, was a lovely woman who shared tales of life in these parts. It was about an hrs drive south followed by 3 hrs on the boat where we saw lots of bird life, a water snake, visited a woman who made rope and mats from parts of the coconut plant and also saw down one of the narrow waterway channels that we traversed, a local scaling a coco palm to set up a pot to collect toddy. This was all followed by a delicious vegetarian thali lunch served on a banana leaf and dessert, and then a safe drive back to Kochi. I highly recommend this trip to see the beautiful backwaters in Kerala.

• Fun to try out the paddling on our backwater tour

  Jennifer K,

  Aug 19, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Nice little tour of brackish waters that heads into narrow canals. Our boat driver let us try out the paddling which was fun and gave me a demo of how to put on, fold and tie up his Mundu (the adorable “skirts” many of the older men in Kerala wear). The village demonstrations were neat: banana leaf weaving and rope making. We did have lunch at a regular restaurant rather than in a traditional village type setting. It did include traditional dishes served on a banana leaf though. Our guide and car driver were very friendly.

• Honestly boring. The...

  Mihir P,

  Jul 28, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  2.00

  Honestly boring. The guide and the boatman wouldn't stop talking. Don't understand why this has high reviews. There were no backwaters explored, we were just on the main river. Highly don't recommend

• Fantastic boat cruise

  Audra D,

  Jun 24, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Fantastic boat cruise. It is very quiet and peacful. The half day tour is a great option, if you don't have a full day to dedicate. My guide, Arathy, was very knowledge about the trees, animals, plants and history. Neat to have a little excursioun to meet a local artisan and have tea. The lunch provided was delicious!

  

• Great tour !

  Brooke C,

  Apr 26, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  This backwater boat tour was pure serenity. The no-motor boat made the ride incredibly peaceful, with only the sounds of nature around us. Gliding through lush canals felt like a dream. At the end, we enjoyed a delicious traditional meal served on banana leaves—simple, flavorful, and unforgettable. A perfect escape into nature and local culture.

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