Cochin Half Day Tour

The guided tour begins at the port of Kochi where we climb into a minibus which will take us to the oldest part of the city, Fort Kochi. On the shores of Fort Kochi, we will see the traditional 'chinese fishing nets'. These ancient techniques for capturing a high volume of fish date back many centuries. You will learn all about how they are used and the history of the practice which was imported to India from China in the 14th century. Our tour of Kochi continues at St. Francis Church, one of the oldest European churches in India. The remains of the famous Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, laid here until 1539 when they were transferred to Lisbon. Nearby to the church, you will encounter the Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica which contains some beautiful stained glass windows, fresco paintings, and wall paintings. From Fort Kochi, we then head to the neighborhood of Dhobi Khana to visit two important historical monuments, the Mattancherry Palace (popularly referred to as the Dutch Palace), and the Paradesi Synagogue. The latter is one of the principal Jewish shrines in the south of India, and here you will discover the history of this community in Asia. Finally, we return to the port in Kochi where we drop you off and the tour finishes.