“Kochi is a town of enormous charm that reminds some visitors of the Caribbean more than India.”

Gary Weiss (American journalist)

Kochi (formerly Cochin) is a cosmopolitan city in the state of Kerala with a bustling commercial port. Kochi is the financial capital of Kerala and, with a population of more than 2 million, the biggest urban agglomeration in the state. It is one of the major tourist destinations in India.

Kochi, the last port of Vasco Da Gama, where you will find synagogues, mosques, churches and temples side by side, is a place with a fascinating history. It is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as 'God's Own Country'. Heralded as the Queen of Arabian Sea, Kochi was an important spice trading centre on the Arabian Sea coast from the 14th century.

History

Kochi merchants began trading in spices such as black pepper and cardamom with the Arabs, Dutch, Phoenicians, Portuguese, and Chinese more than 600 years ago. This helped Kochi to prosper and to become the gateway to old India. It was from Kochi that the colonization of India started.

The foundations of modern Kochi city started when Sir Robert Bristow, a senior Royal Navy Engineer felt the need of a modern large port after the opening of Suez Canal. This made the creation of the largest man-made island in the country, the Willingdon Island to house new Kochi Port.

Culture

Kochi was traditionally a potpourri of various Indian and international communities. Syrian Christians started the first wave of immigration, followed by Jews between the 7th and 10th centuries. Arab merchants also made a strong settlement in Kochi. In the 15th century, Gujaratis settled in Kochi, especially on Mattencherry Island, where they played a strong role in spice trading and other areas. Apart from that, nearly 31 trading communities across India call Kochi as their home.

Generally, Kochinites are modern and fashionable. Being a city that has a tradition of various cultures being given equal respect, a high level of tolerance exists. The city has a modern attitude, but some basic social modesty still prevails, especially in villages and rural areas.

5 Interesting Facts

  1. Cochin Is The Colonial Name Of Kochi

  2. India’s 1st Church “St. Francis Church” Is Located In Kochi

  3. Vembanad Lake Is The Longest Lake And Largest Wetland System In India

  4. Pallipuram Fort In Cochin Is The Oldest Fort Built By Europeans In India

  5. Kochi’s Spice Exchange Handles Over 90% Of The Pepper And Spice Trade Of India

Climate

Kochi has a typical tropical climate. It is one of the first places to experience the heavy Monsoon showers starting by mid-May. Best time to visit Kochi is said to be from the months of October to March which comprises of the winter season for the city.

Best Time
  • October - March

Suggested trips for Kochi

Handcrafted tours by experts.

Kerala: Rain Forest Trek At Munnar with Kerala Cruise

16 Days
  • 7 days adventure with a trek through Kerala’s tropical rain forest, spice plantation, semi alpine grasslands lakes and climb 4 peaks on the trail. Experience animal sighting of elephants, deer’s and civet cats on the trail
  • Visit Kochi & the tea plantations of Munnar along with the visit to the Eravikulam National Park to see the Nilgiri Tahr
  • Sleep in tents on four days trek and hotels in Munnar & Kochi
  • Season is from November till February
  • Grade is Easy Trek
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Mahabalipuram The Shore Temple

Tamilnadu Trail with Kerala Backwater Cruise

18 Days
  • Visit the Government Museum Chennai, one of the oldest museums in the world
  • Explore the UNESCO World heritage site in Mahabalipuram and visit famous city of Kanchipuram
  • Visit the World famous Meenakshi Temple and a special evening ritual ceremony
  • Enjoy the nature walk and Bamboo Rafting in Periyar
  • Guided walking tour of Fort Kochi
  • Witness the Kalaripaiyattu, the ancient martial art of Kerala
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Golden Chariot Glimpses of Karnataka with Kerala Cruise

15 Days

A very exciting and relaxing rail with river two centre combination of chugging through the beautiful hills and plains of Karnataka in the comfort of the luxurious Golden Chariot train. Visit a tiger reserve national park which is also home to elephants, bison and deer. Explore the amazing palaces and temples of Mysore, a city where an erstwhile Maharaja still resides. Come to one of the most beautiful ancient ruins of South India at Hampi which was earlier called Vijaynagra, which was one of the most powerful empires of South India before the colonial period.

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Two River Cruising - Brahmaputra with Kerala

19 Days

Starting the journey in Kolkata a city seeped in history of the colonial period of India, we fly into the North Eastern parts of India across to Assam: The land that gave the world the English Breakfast Tea, where the world’s largest population of rhinos share the forests with tigers, elephants, wild buffaloes, leopards and deers. Set along the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River and under the shadows of the towering Himalayan mountains, this paradise of nature and cultures takes your breath away!

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Experiences !!

Be not just a Spectator but a Participant

Jew Town

Kochi

Jew Town, a narrow street between Mattancherry Palace and the Synagogue, is a favourite haunt of antique hunters. Some of the most pristine and historically relevant artefacts of our times have been unearthed by our visitors here. While a huge bronze vessel catches your eye first, each of the shops here contains beautiful items with quirky and interesting stories.

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Kalaripayattu (Martial Arts)

Kochi

This is an ancient traditional fighting system that originated in Kerala. The word “kalari” means battlefield and “payattu” refers to “become trained” or “to practice”. Thus traditionally people practising this art form were those who were trained for the battlefield.  It is considered by some to be the oldest martial art still in existence.

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16276365836 by Elroy Serrao /

Kochi by cycle

Kochi

An early morning cycle ride in Fort Kochi where you get to see the city wake up. Join the locals for a hot brimming cup of tea as they start the day. Catch all the action with the hustle bustle in the fish market. Get a peek to the varied and diverse communities from faraway lands who have made Fort Kochi their home.

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The Spice Trails

Kochi

A walk across Fort Kochi where you will discover the real beauty of this place and get to know why for millennia this place has attracted travelers from around the world. Get to know about the explorers and their fascinating journeys that they undertook to reach this coastline. Understand how trade has influenced not just the culture of this place but also the local cuisine.

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Walking/ cycling tour of Mattancherry

Kochi

Mattancherry, the western part of Kochi, was once a bustling centre of trade. Invasions from across the sea were frequent and the invaders left unforgettable marks on the landscape, culture, art and social history of the place. Mattancherry has welcomed every migrant community that came to her shore with warmth and provided them with abundant opportunities to thrive.

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What would you like to see?

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Chinese Fishing Nets

Kochi
The huge cantilevered fishing net, the Chinese fishing nets, are a legacy of their spellbinding past. The nets, set up on teak and bamboo poles, were brought by one of the first visitors to the Malabar Coast. An ideal place to watch fishermen use these nets is the Vasco da Gama...
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Fort Kochi

Kochi
Fort Cochin, where the Portuguese flag was first hoisted is also believed to be the oldest settlement in India. In each and every nook of this island steeped in history, there is something interesting awaiting you. It is a world of its own, retaining the air of a bygone era it is still proud of.
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Mattancherry Palace

Kochi
The Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) was originally built by the Portuguese. Later, in the 17th century, the Dutch modified it and presented it to the Raja of Kochi. The coronations of many Rajas of Kochi were held here. The palace has a fine collection of mythological mural...
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St. Francis’ Church

Kochi
It is the oldest church built by Europeans in India. On his third visit to Kerala, Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese trader who reached India from Europe by sea, fell ill and died in Kochi. He was buried in the St. Francis Church. Later, his remains were taken back to Portugal...
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Street Art

Kochi
Every two years, Kochi celebrates the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, the largest art exhibition in India and the first of its kind held in the country. The Biennale contemporary art from around the world, and has resulted in some great pieces of street art in Fort Kochi, particularly...
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