Kochi Travel
City Information
Covering a part of Central Kerala, Kochi echoes the collective voice of travellers set in this laid-back city. Luring wanderers and traders for over 600 years, Kochi is the living landmark where spice trade began. An entry point for Portuguese, Dutch, French, Englishmen, Arabs, Chinese and many more, the port city served as a battling ground for European empires over many years. Known as Queen of Arabian Sea, Kochi is the commercial capital of Kerala. Formerly known as Cochin, Kochi is also the Gateway city to Kerala with major international airport. The city is also a base for many excursions to Kerala i.e. backwaters, ayurveda, beaches, pilgrim centres and many more.
Major Tourist Attractions
Fort Kochi
A jewel in the crown of Kerala, Fort Kochi forms the part of Old city, with its European heritage and true cosmopolitan character. Taking back to time, every corner at Fort Kochi makes you feel something amazing and amusing. Retaining the specimens of bygone era, Fort Kochi complex consists of Chinese Fishing Nets, St. Francis Church and Santa Cruz Basilica.
The symbol of Kochi, Chinese Fishing Nets takes a traveler to the 15th century when traders from the court of Chinese ruler Kublai Khan, used them for fishing. Apart from China, these fishing nets are found in Kochi only. A whole stretch of the coast along the Fort is dotted with these nets. One of the oldest churches built by Europeans in India, St. Francis Church is also famous as the burial place of Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer of route to India. His tombstone can be seen inside the church.
Believed to have been the residence of Vasco da Gama, Vasco House showcases the oldest Portuguese residences in Fort Kochi. Not only one of the oldest churches in Fort Kochi, Santa Cruz Basilica is one of the eight Basilicas in the country.
Mattancherry
On the western side of Kochi, Mattancherry was once a prime site for spice trade. Famous for Jewish Synagogue, Jew Town and Dutch Palace or Mattancherry Palace, the site provided various cultures to thrive and flourish. Even Indian communities like Konkanis, Gujaratis, Jains and Marathis made this place their permanent settlement. The Jewish Synagogue in Jew Town at Mattancherry is the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations.
Islands at Kochi
Kochi’s Islands are very small. The city is naturally bestowed by islands like Bolgatty, Vypeen whereas islands like Willingdon form the artificial line of islands. Presently, it is the home of Cochin Port and the headquarters of the Sourthern Naval Command.
Cherai Beach
Lined by beautiful coconut groves and paddy fields, Cherai Beach is a part of Vypeen Island, and is ideal for swimming.
Marine Drive
A stroll along the long tree-lined coastal pathway that lines the backwater is well worth the time spent, especially late afternoon or dusk. The bustling backwaters, dotted with fishing boats, speedboats, ships, tankers and passenger boats, can be observed from this walkway that lines the coast.
Best time to travel – June to April
How to reach there
By Air - International Airport at Kochi is the largest in Kerala and connects the state to all major cities in India and the world By
Train - Kochi is well connected by train from all parts of India. Most Kerala-bound trains have a major stop here. There are two major rail terminals inside the city limits.Ernakulam Town Station (North Station) is mainly for Inter City trains and a few long distance trains. Ernakulam Junction Station (South Station), service inquiries is a major Indian railways station. Most of the long distance trains to and from Kerala pass through here.
By Road - Being the gateway city to Kerala, Kochi is well connected by road from all parts of the state as well as other major cities. NH 17, the seventh longest highway in India, connects Kochi with Mumbai via most of major towns in Malabar, Mangalore, Goa. Other highways link Kochi with Thiruvananthapuram, Coimbatore, Salem, Thrissur, Rameswaram, Madurai and many more….
By Sea - A major sea port of its times, Kochi can be reached by yachts or the occasional cruise ship from Goa, Mumbai, Lakshadweep, Colombo and Male. Major International Cruises also connect the sea route to Kochi. Yachts can be anchored at Kochi International Marina or Yacht Club Marina. There is a direct ferry service between Kochi and Lakshadweep.
Excursions
Alleppey (Alapuzha)
Known popularly as the Venice of the East, Alleppey or Alapuzha is famed for its house boats, backwaters, rivers, extensive maze of lagoons and canals created by nature. The city receives a lot of tourist footfall who want to travel back slowly into time. Traditionally one of the main transportation alleys in the interiors of Kerala, backwaters and houseboats offer a rejuvenating experience for tourists visiting the state. The famous snake boat race during Onam harvesting festival is also held here.
Cheruthuruthy
For performing arts and purveyors of classical dance forms like Kathakali, Mohiniattam, Thullal, Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam and many more, Cheruthuruthy is the base destination. Famous for Kerala Kalamandalam - the world famous art and dance academy, the place is known for imparting training in such art forms.
Kodanad
Located in the lower ranges of the Western Ghats, rural Kodanad alongside River Periyar is famous for its adult and baby elephant training activities.
Guruvayoor
The sacred town of Guruvayoor is known for it’s much revered for its Sree Krishna Temple, the fourth biggest temple in India in terms of the devotees visiting per day. Also the site is a base camp for 65 large elephants. Known as the property of Lord Guruvayurappan, these domesticated elephants stay at the nearby fort known as Punathur Elephant Palace exclusive to them. Watching elephants having their bath, eating food, playing with other inmates is a sight to see. During their annual Gajapooja, (elephant worship), one can witness the splendour of these elephants in Guruvayoor.
Munnar
Refreshing tea gardens and cardamom plantations at misty Munnar give a new identity to Kerala which is known worldwide for Backwaters. The highest peak in South India, Anai Mudi is also in Munnar.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thekkady
Located in the East of Kochi, Thekkady is famous for Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary featuring exotic species of elephants, bisons, antelopes, samburs, monkeys and bears in their natural habitat. A boat ride through the manmade lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam offers a unique way to observe these animals in their natural surroundings. Also, spice gardens featuring cardamom, cinnamon, clove and black pepper can also be explored in Thekkady.
Athirapally
Giant milky waterfalls define the immaculate beauty of Athirapally, known with a sobriquet of Indian Niagra Falls. The site also served as a backdrop for some hindi feature films with its giant waterfalls and small rapids.
Kumarakom
Famous for its backwaters, Kumarakom is set amidst the backdrop of Vembanad Lake which is the largest freshwater lake in the state of Kerala.
Thiruvananthapuram
The capital city of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum came into limelight recently with the excavation of riches in the secret treasures at Padmanabha Swami temple offers sneak-peak into the royalty of Travancore Kings. The city is also a base point for Kovalam beach, one of the best beaches in Kerala.
Lakshadweep
An archipelago of thousand islands, Lakshadweep is famous for underwater adventure for scuba diving through its three reefs. It can be directly explored in through sea links to Cochin. Miles and miles of sandy beaches, coral reefs and coconut groves form the backdrop of laid-back Lakshadweep.
Nearby Cities - Allepey (70 km), Athirapally (18 km), Thekkady (90 km), Kumarakom (40 km), Thiruvananthapuram (181 km), Kumarakom (40 km), Munnar (140 km),
Where to Stay
- Taj Residency (5 star)
- Taj Malabar (5 star)
- The Trident (5 star)
- The Le Meridien (5 star)
- Dream Cochin (5 star)
- The Mercy (5 star)
- The Woods Manor (5 star)
- Casino Hotel (5 star)
- Hotel Brunton Boatyard (5 star)
- Lotus8 A’part Hotel (4 star)
- Abad Fort (4 star)s
- The Avenue Regent (4 star)
- Poovath Hotel (4 star)
- The Renaissance (4 star)
- Presidency Hotel (4 star)
- Hotel Gokulam Park Inn (4 star)
- Hotel Abad Metro (4 star)
- Mermaid Hotel (4 star)
- The Avenue Center (4 star)
- Travancore Court (4 star)
- Hotel Cochin Durbar (4 star)
- Hotel Times Square (3 star)
- M.V. Vrinda (Luxury Cruise) (3 star)
- Cherai Beach Resort hotel (3 star)
- Abad Airport Hotel (3 star)
- The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda (3 star)
- Hornbill Camp - Thattekkad (3 star)
- Hotel Fort Queen (3 star)
- Harbour View Residency (3 star)
- Hotel Abad Plaza - a City Hotel (3 star)
- Hotel Arches in Fort (3 star)
- Kalari Kovilakom Palace (3 star)
- Kamyakam Haven Resort (3 star)
- Quality Airport Hotel (3 star)
- Yuvarani Residency (3 star)
- The Metropolitan (3 star)
- Koder House (2 star)
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