Cochin and Cochin Tours
Cochin or Kochi
is a vibrant city situated in the northern part of India in the beautiful and
scenic state of Kerala, also known as the God's Own Country. Lying on the shores
of the Arabian Sea, the gateway to Kerala has over time seen people coming here
from far away places including the Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, and
Portuguese who left indelible marks on the culture and history of the place. One
of the most favoured leisure destinations in the world, Cochin, the commercial
capital of Kerala, boasts of an international airport which connects it to many
major cities around the world.
The perfect location of the place,
with the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea lying on the west, gives
the city its moderate equatorial climate. The city is an ideal starting point
for your journey through charismatic Kerala and Cochin tours starts are the right headstart for a wonderful travel package.
Tourist Spots in Cochin
» Chinese Fishing Nets : Among the tourist spots in Cochin, The Chinese Fishing Nets are a unique attraction of the place and found only
at this place, outside China. It is believed that these nets were introduced by
the Chinese traders who visited the place in the ancient times. A large area of
the Kochi coast is dotted with these uniquely made nets.
»
St. Francis Church : The oldest church built by the Europeans in India, is
also known as the burial place of the Portuguese trader, Vasco Da Gama, who died
in Kochi while on a trip to Kerala. His remains were later dug out and taken
back to Portugal but the burial place can still be seen inside the
church.
» Santa Cruz Basilica :
This is the next most predominant tourist spot in Cochin. The structure was built in 1905 on the spot where an old
church stood hundreds of years back. It was given the status of a basilica by
Pope John Paul II in 1984.
» Bolghatty Palace : A short
boat ride from the city takes you to the tiny island of Bolghatty which houses
the magnificent Bolghatty Palace. The picturesque island has a tiny golf course
and incredible views of the surroundings. The place has been converted into a
luxury hotel.
» Mattancherry Palace : The ancient
Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace, was built by the
Portuguese, who later presented it to the king of Kochi. The munificent palace
contains a rare collection of murals and artefacts from the past.
» Backwaters in Cochin : The backwaters in cochin are a major attraction of the city.
Hire a houseboat and set out on an amazing journey through the serene backwaters
of Cochin. Experience the city in a unique way and get to know the inwardness of Kerala.
Things To Do
A perfect leisure destination in India, Kochi
offers unending opportunities of recreation for the tourists. A boat ride
through the tranquil backwaters in Cochin is of the place is an unforgettable experience.
Watch a traditional dance performance in one of the many cultural centres or
take a leisurely stroll on the beach and see the amazing sight of the sun going
down behind the blue sea water with ships sailing in the background. A visit to
the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (190 km) and the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is a
must for the wildlife enthusiasts. The place also offers opportunities for
pilgrimage with a number of temples, churches and gurudwaras adorning the
city.
Accommodation in this leisure destinations in India
There is no shortage of quality hotels
in Cochin which provide luxury facilities to the tourists. Some of the best
hotels in the city include Taj Malabar Hotel (5 Star), Le Meridien (5 Star),
Casino Hotel (5 Star), The Avenue Regent (4 Star), Quality Inn Presidency (4
Star), Hotel Renaissances (4 Star), Abad Atrium (3 Star), Abad Fort (3 Star),
Brunton Boatyard (3 Star) and many others.
Getting There
» By Air : Cochin has an
international airport located at just 30 km from the city. It connects the city
to all major cities in India and also to Singapore, Colombo and all major cities
in the middle-east including Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Jeddah,
Muscat and Riyadh.
» By Rail : The three railway
stations in Cochin- Ernakulam Junction, Ernakulam Town and Cochin Harbour
Terminus connect it to all the major cities across the country.
» By Road : A well built road network connects Kochi to other
cities in the state and outside. Three national highways NH 47, NH 17 and NH 49
pass through the city besides many state highways.
» By Sea :
Travelling by sea is a unique and exciting experience. Being a coastal city,
Kochi is well connected with many other neighbouring cities including Kottayam,
Kumarakom and Alleppey through the sea route.
