Tours of Cochin's Mattancherry Palace, Synagogue, Port and performance of Kathakali dance

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Kochi, better known as Cochin, is Kerala’s most cosmopolitan city and also the main trading centre for spices and seafood. Built around a saltwater lagoon of the Arabian Sea, Cochin is a collection of narrow islands and peninsulas. While the mainland boasts of concrete shopping malls and fancy apartment buildings, the Fort area has an old world charm with its blend of Dutch, Portuguese and English bungalows and quaint narrow streets. The result if these cultural influences is seen in the many examples if Indo European architecture. A leisurely walk through the city is the best way to discover historic Fort Kochi.

Gateway Program for Cochin (Kochi):

Day 1: Arrive Cochin

Meals Included: None

Arrive Cochin. Meet & Greet at the International Airport by our representative and then transfer to your hotel. Overnight.

Day 2: Cochin

Meals Included: Breakfast

In the start city tour with a visit to the Mattancherry Palace. Built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to the Raja of Kochi, the palace was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch. On display here are beautiful murals depicting scenes from the epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata and some of the Puranic Hindu Legends. The Palace also houses Dutch maps of old Kochi, royal Palanquins, coronation robes of former Maharajas of Kochi as well as period furniture.

This would be followed by St Francis Church established in the early 1500s by the Portuguese.  This is one of India’s earliest European churches with a simple facade which became the model for later churches.

Thereafter proceed to the Synagogue. Constructed in 1568, this is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth. Destroyed by shelling during the Portuguese raid in 1662, it was rebuilt two years later by the Dutch. Jew Town - The area around the synagogue is a center of spice trade and curio shops.( Closed on Friday & Saturday )
Free for Lunch.

Later you have an option of either visit to witness a show of Kathakali, the popular art form of Kerala, referred to as the first theatre imagination of the world, owing to its elaborate costumes, ornaments and facial make-up. Witness the make-up session.

Or Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Cochin Harbor, passing through Wellington Island, Bolgatty Islands, fishing boats and ending up at the Chinese Fishing Nets. These huge cantilevered fishing nets are the legacy of one of the first visitors to the Malabar Coast. The best place to watch the nets being lowered into the sea and the catch being brought in is the Vasco da Gama Square, a narrow promenade that runs along the beach.

Day 3: Cochin / Next Destination

Meals Included: Breakfast

Transfer to Airport for your flight to next destination.

Cochin Hotel Suggestions:

Standard : 

Hotel Arches ( www.hotelarches.com )

Hotel Tea Bunglow ( www.teabungalow.in )

Deluxe :

Old Light House Bristow ( www.oldlighthousehotel.com )

Old Harbour (www.oldharbourhotel.com)

Malabar House Residency ( www.malabarhouse.com )

Luxury :

Brunton Boatyard ( www.cghearth.com )

Taj Malabar ( www.tajhotels.com )

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OPTIONAL TOURING in Cochin:
Kerala Folklore Theatre & Museum :
Built in Kerala’s Temple architectural style. The carved stone basement coupled with two stone elephants of the 15th century, stone frame and wooden doors adds charm to the structure. The ground floor housing the museum is done in Malabar style, the first floor with its arched windows is in colonial style and the top floor with its fabulous ceiling and mural panels is in the rich Travancore style. The place is treasure trove of South Indian art and craft.

Hill Palace Museum :
Hill Palace is the largest archaeological museum in Kerala. It was built in 1865, the Palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style, spreading across in 54 acres. The complex has an archaeological museum, a heritage museum, a deer park, a pre-historic park and a children’s park. The museum displays 14 categories of exhibits including murals, paintings, sculptures in stone and plaster of paris, manuscripts, inscriptions, carvings etc. It has a gold crown embedded with precious stones and many valuable coins, ornaments, majestic beds and samples of epigraphy.
 
Cullinary Experience with Nimmy & Paul:
Nimmy & Paul have been involved in “At Home Hospitality”. Nimmy is a professional cookery instructor for more than 20 Years and her stockbroker husband Paul, offers food & hospitality to their guests. The couple belongs to the Syrian Christian community in Kerala. Nimmy teaches guests the nuances of traditional Kerala recipes. You can have the meal ( Lunch or Dinner) along with the cooking demo conducted by Nimmy.

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Add Cochin tour to your Kerala tour