All tourists end up restricting themselves only to Fort Kochi, Chinese fishing nets, and Marine Drive – leaving aside all the other great places Kerala holds just an hour or two away from there.

 In case you’re traveling with your family members, friends, or even colleagues, planning for two or three different cars will quickly become a hassle. Hiring a tempo traveller in kochi is the solution here, where everyone can travel together in one vehicle with all costs equally divided amongst the travelers.

Here are the details about 12 unique locations near Kochi which deserve a detour from your way and the typical expenses involved with such a mode of hire, along with tips to make your trip enjoyable.

Table of Contents

• Why Renting One Vehicle Beats Multiple Cars
• 12 Hidden Places Near Kochi Worth the Drive
• What the Rental Costs
• Number of Days You Will Require
• Group Trip Tips
• Reasons for Choosing Kalinka Travels
• FAQs

Why Renting One Vehicle Beats Multiple Cars

While splitting up a large number of travelers, that is, twelve people or more into two or three taxis may seem like an easy task, what could take place is any one person running out of battery, taking the wrong route, getting left alone and losing track of how to find everyone else again.The arrangement of just one car would result in everybody being grouped together, moving with the same plan and under the supervision of just one driver.

• Carrying 12, 17, 20 or 26 people at a time, making sure that booking just once is enough for everybody
• One driver who knows rural routes, hill roads, and viewpoints most map apps miss
• Shared costs work out cheaper per person than individual cabs
• No convoy to track, no separate pickup times to coordinate

If more than four or five people are heading anywhere outside the city, a single vehicle booking is almost always the simpler, cheaper option.

12 Hidden Places Near Kochi Worth the Drive

1. Iringol Kavu (25 km) – A sanctuary with old trees and temple that is free of chaos, and best visited between October and March. 

2. Arookutty Boat Jetty (40 km) – An excellent backwaters jetty where one can indulge in island hopping to Pathiramanal and enjoy local seafood at numerous food stalls. 

3. Chalakuddy (45 km) – A relaxed town situated in the vicinity of Athirappilly falls and Vazhachal Forest and lush green during monsoons. It is complemented by the butterfly garden at Thumboormuzhy Dam. 

4. Snehateeram Beach (60 km) – An untainted beach located near Vypeen, which is a good place to watch sunsets rather than other crowded beaches. 

5. Kumbalangi Island (10 km) – India's first model tourism village and boat cruises around canoes and coir making demonstrations at the edge of the city.

6. Munroe Island (120 km) – Paddy fields and canals of the district of Kollam that appear to be beautiful when you take an early morning shikara ride in mist.

7. Gavi (180 km) - This ecotourism destination can be reached in Periyar Tiger Reserve. Activities included are trekking, bamboorafting etc. Booking is mandatory priorly.

8. Ranipuram (190 km) – Often referred to as the Ooty of Kerala, featuring cool climate and trails through tea gardens.

9. Malakkappara (160 kms) – A wildlife sanctuary near Shendurney sanctuary which comprises many rare waterfalls along with different rare wildlife including lion tailed monkeys.

10. Aryankavu (180 kms) – A perfect hideaway near Thenmala which offers you caves, Palaruvi falls, and entrance to Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary.

11. Vazhachal Forest (60 kms) – A good alternative to the famous Athirappilly falls where one can go on nature walks and enjoy bird watching.

12. Nadukkara Mana (30 kms) – This is a heritage museum made from an ancient Nair tharavadu.

Irigoal Kavu, Kumbalangi, and Chalakudy can be visited within a single day, but places such as Gavi, Munroe Island, and Ranipuram will take two or three days to visit with a night halt.

What the Rental Costs

12-seater, non-AC      -  Around ₹2,300/day (80 km included)

17-seater, AC              -   Around ₹3,000–3,500/day

Extra kilometres          -   ₹20–27/km

Driver allowance         -   Around ₹500/day

Pricing varies with seasons, routes, and the condition of the vehicle, so it makes sense to check out the latest tempo traveller in Kochi packages beforehand. Live pricing and inclusions of Kalinka Travels' tempo traveller rental packages and luxury tempo travellers are available here and here.

Number of Days You Will Require

• For Half day / Full day trip – Iringol Kavu – Kumbalangi Island – Snehateeram Beach .
• Nadukkara Mana For Full day tour – Chalakudy - Vazhachal forest - Arookutty boat jetty.
• Two / three days trip with overnight stay – Gavi - Ranipuram - Munroe Island - Malakkappara - Aryankavu.

Group Trip Tips

• Book in advance especially around weekends and holidays
• Take some cash as most rural food joints and entrance points to these places do not accept cards
• Travel light as storage space is smaller in a tempo traveler than in a bus 
• Set off early to avoid traffic and enjoy more of the daytime
• Ask your driver for any secret viewpoints and local food joints on your route

Reasons for Choosing Kalinka Travels

Booking the right tempo traveller in Kochi comes down to trusting the vehicle and the driver, not just the price. Kalinka Travels has built its reputation on that reliability, with over 1,815 happy customers, a fleet of 77+ vehicles, 33,000+ kilometres covered, and 24/7 customer support for groups heading out at any hour.

Pickup is available from Kochi city, Ernakulam, major railway stations, hotels, and Cochin International Airport, so there is no extra hassle before the trip even begins. The full range of options — from a 12-seater tempo traveller to premium Urbania and mini bus rentals — is listed on the Kalinka Travels vehicles page.

Conclusion

Surrounding areas of Kochi feature sacred groves, backwater islands, forest tracks, and hill stations that are not usually visited by many tourists — and a tempo traveller in kochi is what helps you access them. Whatever your travel plans, whether for a family trip, a group of friends or a corporate retreat, the right kind of vehicle helps you convert an otherwise complex logistics task into an enjoyable trip. Kalinka Travels sorts out this aspect of traveling for you, from selecting the right vehicle to deciding the right routes. Visit Kalinka Travels to find out more about your options.

FAQs

Q: Can this type of vehicle reach all 12 of these places?

 A: Yes. Most services cover both local and outstation routes, including narrow village roads and hill sections... Prior to booking such a vehicle, it should be ensured whether it is feasible for large vehicles through your service provider, especially in cases where the path is hilly like Ranipuram and Gavi.

Q: What number of guests can the model accommodate?

A: This depends on the kind of tempo that would be used to travel along with as it can offer sitting arrangement to as low as 12 to as many as 17, 20 or 26 persons, depending on the type you choose.

Q: Is it safe for elderly and women?

A: Yes, particularly when you decide to book a car with a professional driver who is familiar with the path.