We will meet you at St. Francis Church - Fort Kochi, the oldest European Church of India. After a short safety brief by our guide, we will start our cycling through the narrow lanes and Spice market towards Mattancherry. The architecture of the busy street in this enclave is very definitely European, with fine houses built by wealthy British traders, and Dutch cottages with split farm house doors. After we reach Mattancherry, we will head for the local visits at Mattancherry. Mattancherry Palace popularly known as the Dutch Palace, features Kerala murals depicting Hindu temple art, portraits and exhibits of the Rajas of Kochi. It is a blend of colonial and Kerala architecture. After visiting the Palace we will stroll through the Jew Street and visit the oldest active Synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations. Then we will continue our cycling towards The Santa Cruz Basilica. This is a very attractive church made in gothic style, which was originally built by Portuguese. From there proceed towards the Princes Street, Chinese Fishing nets and St. Francis Church
Enjoy a private cooking demonstration and meal in the home of local family. Discover the secrets of delicious spice mixtures and uncover the wonderful world of Kerala cooking during your hands on lesson. Recipe sheets are provided
Kumbalangi, a small village, west of Cochin, is surrounded by backwaters and lush green paddy fields. A ring of Chinese fishing nets literally encircle the island village bearing witness to the rich aquatic life. Start your tour this morning with a drive to the Kumbalangi bridge. On arrival walk across to the jetty where country boats await to take you on the second part of your journey through the backwaters. This is where your experience of village life begins – you will see fishermen at work – casting nets and preparing to catch their ‘catch of the day’. Disembark your boat at the island where a refreshing welcome drink will be served before you set off on a further exploration into village life .Start perhaps with weavers at work on coir, or maybe watch local ladies weave coconut leaves – various other activities will be taking place which you can witness and even take part in. Fisherman will show you how to catch fish with their nets. A crab farm is also part of the village where you can try your hand at catching a crab! Another unique art is that of a group of ladies "groping" for fish. This is an interesting skill whereby ladies move in a row and catch fish using only their hands! Later you have lunch with a local family.
This tour offers an introduction to the many faiths and cultures of the Malabar Coast. Muziris is the name of an ancient port city on the Kerala coast, an hour’s drive north of Cochin. The city traded in spices, silk, and precious stones; with exports to Rome, Greece, Egypt, etc. Enriched by trade contacts, Muziris became a melting pot of world cultures. The earliest Jewish settlers in India landed on the Malabar Coast and flourished in Muziris. Muziris is where St. Thomas the Apostle is said to have first landed in 52AD, bringing Christianity to India. The first ever mosque in India was also built here.After nearly 1000 years of thriving trade, the port of Muziris was damaged in a major flood, and Cochin took its place as the most important trading port in Kerala. However, the Muziris area – covering Kodungallur and Paravoor – continues to be as multi-cultural as ever. Old churches, synagogues, mosques and temples attest to the great confluence of cultures that Muziris was. In a world full of strife, the monuments and bazaars of Muziris stand as beacons even today, a testament to the harmonious co-existence of multiple faiths on the Malabar Coast
Enjoy a cruise in the waters around Cochin Harbour and watch the sunset over the city known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. The 2 hours motorboat cruise passes by some of the islands around Kochi, glides through the main harbour, and finishes at the Chinese fishing nets. This cruise will give you the chance to view the sunset at Kochi Lagoon. The rest of the tour will be enjoyed as the setting sun casts a pink-orange hue on everything. Since Kochi is regarded as a breath-taking retreat because of its lagoons, Chinese fishing nets and coconut plantations, this Kochi sunset Harbour Cruise is the ideal way to admire the beauty that surrounds the coast of Kochi.
