A Day in Cochin (Cochin Must-See’s by car)

Tour Description: This is a private 4-hour car tour that covers the major attractions in Fort Kochi. The tour involves some walking as well as driving around, and is suitable for people of all fitness levels. It is a custom tour, and while the broad coverage is described below, the guides will gladly tailor it to your interests.

Cochin (Kochi) was the centre of Indian spice trade for many centuries, and was known to the Greeks as well as Romans, Jews, Arabs, and Chinese since ancient times.

The port of Cochin rose into prominence in the mid-1300’s, when the nearby large port of Cranganore was flooded. The Portuguese arrived in 1500 AD, followed by Saint Francis Xavier, who opened a Christian mission in 1530. The Dutch overthrew the Portuguese in 1663, and eventually ceded Cochin to the British in 1814. In 1947, when India gained independence from the British, Kochi joined the Indian Union.

Cochin’s population reflects its diverse history, and is a mix of Hindus, Christians, Muslims and Jews. During the tour, you can visit the following places:

  • You can do a walking tour of the old quarter of Fort Kochi, exploring the quaint streets of this city on foot.
  • You can visit the Jewish synagogue at Matanchery, and walk through ‘Jew Town’ where the old homes of the Jewish community can be seen. At the synagogue, the history of the Jewish community is illustrated.
  • You can visit important monuments in Fort Kochi such as:
    • Matanchery Palace (also called Dutch Palace)
    • St Francis Church
    • Santa Cruz Basilica
  • You can see Cochin’s famous Chinese Fishing Nets in action
  • If you are interested in museums, then the Maritime Museum and the Indo-Portuguese Museum are interesting to visit.

Fort Kochi offers excellent opportunities for shopping for curios and handicrafts. There are also some nice cafes, art galleries, etc where you can spend time over a cup of coffee, soaking up the local atmosphere.

Duration: 4 hours (needs extra travel time if you are in Ernakulam)

Cost: The price depends on the number of people sharing the tour and the date of the tour. Please write to us to enquire. The price usually includes air-conditioned transport from/to your hotel in Ernakulam/Fort Kochi, English-speaking driver with cell phone, illustrated handouts, all entrances, bottled water, and all taxes. We can also pick up/drop from/to other nearby locations, or the airport. When you write in, please tell us which hotel you are at, so that we can advise you on travel time and price the tour correctly.