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Highlights of Cochin Harbor
Cochin Shore Trips - Highlights of Cochin Harbor


 



This 4.5 Hour Private Shore Excursion Includes:
  • Pick up from your Ship in Cochin
  • Private English Speaking Guide
  • Round Trip Transportation in Private Vehicle
  • Boat Cruise
  • Bottled Water
  • Included Interior Visits- Based on your interests on the day of the tour you will choose to visit two of the following: St Francis Church, Matanchery Synagogue, Santa Cruz Basilica or Matanchery Palace
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Tour Number:
ICOCH-01

Contact us for larger groups



Group Size (Prices in USD)*:
2 People - $212 Per Person (Private Tour)
3 People - $190 Per Person (Private Tour)
4 People - $146 Per Person (Private Tour)
5 People - $162 Per Person (Private Tour)
6 People - $136 Per Person (Private Tour)
7 People - $118 Per Person (Private Tour)
8 People - $105 Per Person (Private Tour)



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TOUR DESCRIPTION
 
Type: Culture, Boat Cruise, History, Walking
Length: 4.5 Hours
Walking: Difficult - uneven surfaces
Mobility: Folding wheelchair OK, some sites may be inaccessible (advance notice required)
Guide: Licensed Guide
Language: English

Cochin, India - This tour provides the visitor a glimpse into the local culture of the port city of Cochin. You enjoy a slow boat cruise including the famous Chinese nets, a walking tour of the old streets and the chance to enter a couple sites based on your interests.

After meeting your guide at the pier you will enjoy a slow cruise through the waterways of the Kerala region. These waterways connect rivers, lakes and inlets to form the backwaters which have served as major transportation route for centuries. You will cruise though numerous beautiful lush coconut groves and some local fishing villages. On Bolgatty Island, you will find a striking Dutch colonial mansion dating back to 18th century. Today this house is a grand hotel run by the government.

Before finishing your cruise you'll approach the famous Chinese fishing nets introduced hundreds of years ago, and still used today. This style of net is the only evidence of Chinese contact in ancient times and are not found anywhere else in the world outside of China.

After your boat cruise you enjoy a walk through the oldest streets of Cochin. During your walk you will see several important sites and will have the chance to visit the interior of some based on your interests. You will walk along Bishop�۪s House Road with its beautiful old-style homes. You will see St Francis Church, the oldest European Church in India built by Portuguese Franciscan Friars.

You'll also see the Santa Cruz Basilica located in Fort Kochi. The original church was built by the Portuguese in 1505 but British colonists destroyed the original cathedral in 1795. The current structure was built in 1905 and was raised to the status of a basilica by Pope John Paul II.

Finally you walk through the so-called "Jew town" where you see old homes of the Jewish community and the synagogue at Matanchery. Cochin is home to the oldest Jewish community east of Persia. At the synagogue the history of the Jewish community is illustrated (closed on Fridays and Saturdays). Located nearby is the Matanchery Palace, also called Dutch Palace (closed on Fridays). This is the coronation palace for the Raja of Kochi.


If you cannot find what you are looking for, our Cochin tours and Cochin Shore Excursions can also be customized to fit your needs. If you have a larger group, we can offer you a private Cochin tour using a mid-size bus or full size coach. Please contact us with any questions or to receive a customized quote.
Shore Trip Timing is approximate based on your interests & traffic
  • Boat Tour of Harbor and Fishing Nets - 2 Hours
  • Walking Old Streets - 1 Hour
  • Interior visits of two sites - 1 Hour and 15 Minutes
  • Return to Pier - 15 Minutes