Things to Do in Kochi
Fort Kochi in Kerala India offers heritage, history, culture, attractions and sights for every visitor.
On this walking tour, we will meet at fort kochi No. 18 Hotel, KB Jacob Road, .Meet and greet and then walk from local streets to fort kochi where we witness St. Francis Church where Vasco da Gama was buried. The 15th century church has witnessed Portuguese, Dutch and British.
As we walk towards the Bastion Bungalow, which is a Dutch infrastructure built on one of the bastions of the fort , we will witness a museum inside that has old maps, pictures, a Dutch kitchen and offers a striking view of the sea.
Our eyes will see colonial buildings built by Dutch and British and then we will go to Chinese fishing nets . Observing fisherman life, fishing, fish sellers and fish market will give a perfect idea of local life and style.
Walking towards the beach you will witness remarks about the fortress, monuments, sunset, Dutch Cemetery and David Hall. Crossing Princess Street, Rose Street and Petrocelli Street we will go to the Santa Cruz Basilica and the local market.
I welcome you at Hans Cosmos Yoga and Meditation. Wash room available here.We start walk and kochi story from here.
I show you local neighborhood and explain entrance of Muslim Syrian,catholic christianity with local life. Witnessing Fort Boundary and it's area we observe local churches ,mosque,1st mosque of kochi,and then reach to St. George orthodox Syrian Church which was built in 1st century and after destruction rebuilt in Egyptian architecture with mud.
On this walking tour after this church ,we have two directions ,one goes to Jew Town and other goes Mattanchery to fort kochi. As per your preference we can continue walk in the desired direction.
1st Direction: Kochi to Jew Town: Moving towards Jew town we will witness ware houses,spices storage art exhibition,view of harbour and bridge,view of willington island., Ginger House pepper house, Mattanchery Dutch palace,Jew Town,police museum,jew colonial area with remarks,Jewish pardesi synagogue and Jews cemetery .
We will enter in few warehouses some are still in use for spices,some converted into art gallery,some converted into hotel, restaurant and handicrafts shops and some are non functional but worthy to see the architecture. Fishing harbour colorful boats with fisherman on water front is a special attraction of this walk. Narrow streets of Jew Town lining with decorated shops makes walk more joyous.
Dutch palace open 9am,close at 4.50pm,Friday closed. Entry fee Rs 5 only. You can visit inside,visit required 10minutes only.
Jewish synagogue is open 10am to 6pm except saturday,Friday 2pm closed. Entry fee Inr 10.need to remove footwear if entering.
In Jew town shops bargain is recommended.
From here if you desire to visit fort kochi we can take a tuktuk and again restart walk from Hotel Bronton Boatyard.
2nd Direction: Mattanchery to Fort kochi area : after church we enter back in fort direction and start Fort kochi heritage walk.
we walk from local streets to fort kochi where we witness St. Francis Church where Vasco da Gama was buried.
Our eyes will see colonial buildings built by Dutch and British.
we will go to Chinese fishing nets . Observing fisherman life, fishing, fish sellers and fish market will give a perfect idea of local life and style.
Walking towards the beach you will witness remarks about the fortress, monuments, sunset, Dutch Cemetery and David Hall. Crossing Princess Street, Rose Street and Petrocelli Street we will go to the Santa Cruz Basilica and the local market.
Fort kochi fort boundary,Bastions location and size with the story of portughese era,Dutch era and British era i will explain while walking. It is interesting to know and hear.
Princess Street,peterceli street,rose Street bastion street,lily street offer best walk with late evening and night view, princess Street, loafer corner and bastion street is shopping area,cafe,book shops, antiques, jewellery,hotels are both sides.
Local market is only 200 meter far from princess Street known as Kunumpuram junction,sim card Phone services easily available at this Kunumpuram junction.
I play harmonium and healing music Raag with tabla (my daughter plays tabla,it is Indian drum) we can come by walk to Hans Cosmos Yoga and you may enjoy music too if you like or visit to my house with tea/coffee or lime.
I can assist you for kathakali ticket,martial art, theyyam show tickets I can recommend Restaurants, Backwaters trips, village trip and ayurveda treatments.I assure you my best service with warm welcome and hospitality. May you enjoy your and it turn memorable experience with peace and happiness for each other.
If you write me time preference with prepone or postpone time of trip,subject to availability,changes of time is possible. If coming by water metro, meeting point can be fixed up outside fort kochi water metro station.
