Frequently Asked Questions

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No, The Kochi Heritage Project is a social enterprise operating under Timeless Experiences LLP. While we are not a non-profit, our work is mission-driven, focusing on cultural preservation, community engagement, and responsible tourism. Revenue from our experiences supports research, storytelling initiatives, and efforts to promote Kochi’s heritage in meaningful ways.

We offer private, group and public heritage experiences in Kochi. Please visit our Events page to know about our the public events we are hosting or visit the Experiences page to know about our private and group experiences.

Our tours go beyond sightseeing — they’re immersive, story-driven experiences designed to help you feel the soul of Fort Kochi. Every route is carefully curated with deep research, lived experience, and local voices. Whether you're walking through centuries-old streets, sharing a Fort Kochi-inspired meal, or exploring art with coffee in hand, our guides don’t just show you the place — they make you part of its living story. No two tours are alike, and no scripts are rigid — we adapt to your interests, questions, and pace.

For Private Bookings, feel free to reach out to us through our Contact Us page, social media inboxes, or our official WhatsApp number (+91 8547846858). We’d love to help you find the perfect date, time, and experience! You can also request a tour by emailing us at kochiheritageproject@gmail.com.

For Small Group Tours, we recommend contacting us via our official WhatsApp number (+91 8547846858), social media pages, or email (kochiheritageproject@gmail.com) so we can secure a spot for you on our available tours for the day.

Public Tours & Walks are announced on our website’s Events page and across our social media platforms. A direct registration link will be provided along with the announcement.

Private Tours are personalized experiences designed exclusively for an individual or group at a date and time of their choosing (we recommend the most suitable timings for the experience). The tour is conducted solely for the person or group making the booking. However, confirmation is subject to the availability of both the preferred date and a host to lead the tour.

Recommended for groups of two or more, but also available for solo participants.

Small Group Tours are semi-private tours that run on a fixed schedule and are available daily at a set price. A minimum of two participants are required for the tour to take place, and group size is capped at 8 people to keep the experience personal and engaging. Please get in touch with us to find out if any group tours are scheduled on the dates you're interested in.

Ideal for solo travelers and couples looking to join a group experience.

Public Tours are larger scheduled events open to the general public, typically held on weekends and holidays. These tours will be announced in advance on our website and social media platforms. The tours are capped to a maximum of 12 participants.
Open to all, especially local residents.

Then simply book our tours as a Private tour. Whether as a couple, family, friends, or group – we cater specifically to your wishes. If you have more than 12 participants or book multiple tours with us, you will also benefit from our group discounts.

You can visit our Events page or social media pages on Facebook and Instagram to know about any announcements regarding upcoming public tours and events.

All tours are experiences, however not all experiences are tours.

Signature Storytelling Tours – storytelling walking tours we offer to learn about the heritage of the city.

Flavour Trails – Immersive experiences that let you discover the city through its culinary delights and the stories behind them.

Culinary Conversations – Unique, thoughtfully curated dining experiences that blend food, culture, and storytelling.

Bicycle Trails – Explore the city on two wheels with our exclusive tours that blend cycling with captivating local stories.

Beyond the Ordinary are curated experiences that go beyond the usual and in areas that are usually not part of the tourist circuit.

On-Demand Tours – Special storytelling experiences led by guest storytellers, offered based on their availability.

Heritage for Kids Curated heritage experience for kids.

Indoor Storytelling – Our one-of-a-kind storytelling experience set in an intimate indoor setting.

For private tours, you can book as a solo traveller or upto a maximum of 12 participants.

For small group tours, we open a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 8 participants. The cost will be the same for all participants with limited flexibility of timings.

For public tours and events, we open upto a maximum of 15 slots varying according to the event.

If you want to schedule a tour for more than 12 participants, please drop us a message through our contact page with your requirements.

The cost of a tour includes the services of a knowledgeable storyteller, and local taxes (unless specifically excluded). Some tours may include a tasting of local cuisine and refreshments as part of the experience, bicycle fee for a bicycle tour, and any kind of entrance fees, etc. Apart from these, all food and beverages, shopping, and other incidental expenses are excluded in the cost and must be borne by the participant.

The charges vary depending on the experience you select and the number of participants. For detailed pricing, please reach out to us via our contact page, and we'll be happy to assist you! 

Children 12 and under may be charged 50% of the adult rate. Teenagers aged 13 and above will be charged the full adult rate unless otherwise stated.

Our experiences typically last 2-3 hours, with the duration varying based on the area, the stories covered, and the type of tour. For private tours, we can adjust the timing and distance to suit your preferences, but please note that the charges may vary accordingly.

You will be provided with a booking link where all payment modes will be available through a payment gateway. For direct transfers and bank details, kindly call / WhatsApp us on +91 854 785 6858 or email bookings@kochiheritageproject.in. We also accept Paypal in case of international payments.

You will be served refreshments / meals (if applicable) in places that follow hygiene and sanitary guidelines approved by The Kochi Heritage Project.

All payments are accepted online or through bank transfer. We DON'T accept cash.

We DO NOT arrange transportation, pickups and drops for our experiences.

All our tours begin at centrally located meeting points, carefully chosen to set the tone for the experience and immerse you in the story from the very start. We’re unable to accommodate hotel meet-ups for either small group or private tours unless the tour is specifically designed that way. This helps us maintain the integrity, flow, and timing of each experience.

We will do our best to accommodate requests for changes to the date and time, provided they are communicated in advance and subject to the availability of a storyteller and the minimum booking requirements.

A minimum lead time of 72 hours (3 days) is required before your planned dates for a private tour. Small Group tours may be booked 12-24 hours before a time slot depending on availability. Spot bookings may be available for public tours but not guaranteed.

Yes, while we allow our guests to choose a convenient time of their choice for a private tour, we will suggest the best times according to various factors like the location, weather, traffic,. etc to have the best experience.

Once you have completed the booking for a tour through our booking link, you will receive an automated confirmation of the tour booking along with the important details to the Email address provided in the booking link. In rare cases, the email may end up in your spam / junk folder.

Our experiences are available only through select travel partners, homestays and boutique heritage hotels as private experiences. You would have to reach out to us directly for customized tours.

Yes, you can book a tour or gift a tour for someone else.

The Kochi Heritage Project tours occur rain or shine! Our storytellers are trained and prepared to lead tours in inclement weather. However, if a major weather event is predicted by the authorities, we may cancel tours in advance or in the last minute. If you have purchased spots for a tour that is cancelled, you will be notified and offered an exchange or refund. In the rare event your storyteller feels it is necessary to cancel a tour due to a storm, you will be offered a refund or exchange. Please note that we do not offer refunds if your tour proceeds despite bad weather.

We try to make our tours accessible whenever we can, but unfortunately, some destinations may be challenging for those with wheelchairs or other assistive devices. Check with our team before you place your booking.

Yes. We curate experiences only in safe areas with well-trained storytellers. You can also find reviews from other solo women travellers on our Tripadvisor page.

Of course. Everyone should feel comfortable on a tour with us and we know that many of our travellers are part of the LGBTQI community. Just remember to be mindful of local laws and customs.

Yes, we have lots of tours that allow children! The minimum age and child policy will be included in the tour description, and children under five are typically free of charge.

We can cater for dietary requirements on most tours, provided you advise us in advance. When you book your trip, please ensure to fill in the dietary requirements option. Our storytellers will do everything in their power to ensure your needs are met. Please note, though, that in some tours there may be limited or no options for dietary needs.

We recommend you allow plenty of time to arrive early for your tour, especially when you are in a new destination where transport can take longer than expected. Because we want to ensure our other guests can still enjoy their tour, all our tours start on time. If you know you are going to be late, please contact The Kochi Heritage Project at the number on your booking confirmation. Unfortunately, if you are late and do not notify us, the tour will start without you and you will not be entitled to a refund, as per our terms and conditions.

Please talk to your storyteller. Our storytellers are well trained in running all tours in a safe manner. If you have any safety or other personal concerns, your storyteller will be able to provide assistance. If for any reason you are not happy with the outcome, please contact us at kochiheritageproject@gmail.com to lodge your complaint.

Yes, tipping is commonplace in most parts of the world, particularly in the service industry (that includes storytellers!). Although our trips are inclusive of all costs and we ensure our storytellers are paid fairly, tips are always welcome but not obligatory.

Absolutely — we’re flexible, and we’ll do our best to accommodate changes based on availability. If you’d like to add another tour, include a meal experience, or bring more people along, just let us know as early as possible. Last-minute additions are subject to space and schedule, but we’ll always try to make it work!

Because our storytellers are often busy teaching, researching, or working—and to respect their privacy—we don’t share their personal contact information ahead of time. However, we’re always happy to talk with you directly and can relay any special requests or questions to them before your tour. Feel free to reach us at bookings@kochiheritageproject.in or our WhatsApp +918547856858.

Your storyteller will get in touch with you within 24 hours of your tour. This ensures you can easily connect in case any last-minute questions or urgent issues arise.

At the Time of Booking
Right after booking, you’ll receive an email receipt confirming your purchase from our payment gateway. From there, our team gets to work crafting a thoughtful and personalized experience — so if there’s anything we should know in advance, please share it with us early.

Within 24 Hours After Booking
You’ll receive a detailed confirmation email that includes everything you need to know about your tour: the meeting point, timing, and what to expect.

Within 24 Hours of Your Tour
We’ll send you a reminder email with all the key details — your tour name, date, start time, and meeting location.

You’ll also receive a WhatsApp message connecting you with your storyteller for day-of coordination. If something unexpected comes up on the day of your tour — like getting lost, running late, or needing to cancel — you can:

• Text your storyteller directly
• Or contact our support team for help
   

Day of Your Tour
Arrive at your meeting point on time, meet your storyteller, and enjoy an unforgettable experience!

After Your Tour
We’ll send you a quick follow-up email asking for feedback. Your thoughts mean a lot to us — and help us keep improving. You may also receive a gentle reminder via text or email if you haven’t had a chance to respond yet.

To cancel a tour, please call / WhatsApp us on +91 8547856858 or email us at bookings@kochiheritageproject.in a week before the booked date and time for a full refund.

Please note, 50% cancellation charge will be applicable from seven days upto 72 hours before the booked date and 100% cancellation charges will be applicable if requesting to cancel within 72 hours before the booked date and time.

The amount minus the cancellation and convenience charges if any, based on our cancellation policy will be refunded to the same account you paid from within 7-14 working days.