Fort Kochi Local Sightseeing Tour
5.0
40 Ratings
Kochi
Explore Fort Kochi's rich history on a tuk-tuk tour. Visit Chinese fishing nets, Vasco Da Gama church, Dutch Palace, and more. Discover local stories and culture.
Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Chinese Fishing Nets - Chinese fishing nets (Cheena vala) are a type of stationary lift net in India. They are fishing nets that are fixed land installations for fishing. While commonly known as “Chinese fishing nets” in India, the more formal name for such nets is “shore operated lift nets”. Huge mechanical contrivances hold out horizontal nets of 20 m or more across. Each structure is at least 10 m high and comprises a cantilever with an outstretched net suspended over the sea and large stones suspended from ropes as counterweights at the other end. Each installation is operated by a team of up to six fishermen. While such nets are used throughout coastal southern China and Indochina, in India they are mostly found in the Indian cities of Kochi and Kollam, where they have become a tourist attraction. This way of fishing is unusual in India and almost unique to the area, as it was introduced by Chinese explorers who landed there in the 14th century.

  • Fort Kochi Beach - Fort Kochi beach is a beach along the Arabian Sea situated in Fort Kochi in the city of Kochi in South India, Kerala state.

  • Dutch Cemetery - The Dutch cemetery is among the visited sites in Fort Kochi, famous for its imperial inhabitants during the olden days who left their homelands centuries ago to propagate and expand their own empire. The cemetery was consecrated in 1724 and is today managed by the Church of South India and it contains some interesting stories around it.

  • Church of Saint Francis - St. Francis Church, in Fort Kochi (Fort Cochin), Kochi, originally built in 1503, is one of the oldest European churches in India and has great historical significance as a mute witness to the European colonial struggle in the subcontinent. The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama died in Kochi in 1524 when he was on his third visit to India. His body was originally buried in this church, but after fourteen years his remains were removed to Lisbon.

  • Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica - The Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica at Fort Kochi is one of the eight Basilicas in Kerala. Counted as one of the heritage edifices of Kerala, this church is one of the finest and most impressive churches in India and visited by tourists the whole year round.

  • Dhoby Khana Public Laundry - The Dhoby Khana Public Laundry in Kochi India was founded in the early 1700’s for purpose of cleaning laundry at a central community location. At this Laundry facility, the washing of clothes is performed in the old traditional way - manually by hand. This manual method of cleaning clothes has not changed for centuries at Dhoby Khana. The place is a coop laundry with a building set for ironing laundry, another with “cells” containing a concrete wash basin and a slab to slap the fabric during cleaning, and then a field of clothe lines. Each worker gets to set his own clothe line made of braided coir fiber. The strands are opened to set the clothes on the line without using pins. Everything is done by hand here and it is hard work. The establishment started in the 18th century during the Dutch rule for their military in order to wash military uniforms. The ancestors of the workmen belongs to Tamilnadu. Friendly community that was more than happy to let you try using their hot iron press.

  • Bastion Bunglow - Bastion Bunglow is a famous tourist site in the city of Kochi, located near Vasco da Gama square in Fort Kochi, India. Bastion Bungalow, is a sea-facing Dutch heritage structure built in 1667. Bastian Bunglow had been used as a residential building during the British period. Colonel Macaulay, the resident of Cochin during the early decade of the 19th century stayed in this building.

  • Mattancherry Palace - The Mattancherry Palace is a Portuguese palace popularly known as the Dutch Palace, in Mattancherry, Kochi, in the Indian state of Kerala which features Kerala murals depicting portraits and exhibits of the Rajas of Kochi. The palace was included in the “tentative list” of UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • Paradesi Synagogue - The Paradesi Synagogue is the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations, located in Kochi, Kerala, in South India. Constructed in 1568, it is one of seven synagogues of the Malabar Yehudan or Yehudan Mappila people or Cochin Jewish community in the Kingdom of Cochin.

  • Cochin Spice Market - Down-to-earth shop with polished displays & a variety of exotic spices sold in bulk.

  • Jain Temple - Prominent Jain place of worship, known for its pigeon show & feeding, held every day at noon.

  • Cochin Thirumala Devaswom Temple - Cochin Tirumala Devaswom, also called Gosripuram is the biggest and most important socio-religious institution of Gowda Saraswat Brahmins of Kerala, India. The temple is situated at Cherlai in the heart of Mattancherry town in Cochin area which is one of the earliest settlements of GSBs in Kerala. The temple was established in the later half of the 16th century. The history of GSBs in Kerala is inter-woven with that of this temple and its Venkateswara idol.

What's Included
  • Private transportation
  • Bottled water
  • Hidden gems and secret places
  • Assistance with taking photos
  • Parking fees
  • Use of Tuk-Tuk for photos
Additional Information

During this tour in Fort Kochi, we will discover the traditional landmarks of historical Kochi, which include ancient Chinese fishing nets, and the historical European settlements like Vasco Da Gama church and Dutch Cemetery. Move towards the Dutch/Mattancherry Palace, a museum under ASI. Spend time walking through the historical Jew Street towards the Jewish Synagogue. Explore the historic streets of Cochin on an exciting tuk-tuk tour around the city Feel like a local as you make your way to the city’s important sights and attractions Take in and admire the lively streets of the city and the impressive architecture of each landmark you visit. Discover the rich history and culture of the area as you interact with the locals and hear fascinating stories of the city.

Location
Fort Kochi
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(40 Ratings)
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Departure67954466970
Jun 9, 2024
Fort Kochi day trip - Shahir was a fantastic driver. He was great company, informative, helpful and took me to the variety of sights around Fort Kochi that I wanted to see. His English was good and he also identified some great places for me to eat in the evenings. It was a really enjoyable day and a great way to familiarise myself with the area having just landed in the City. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Miketizzel
May 20, 2024
Tour with Forte Kochi Tuk-Tuk, You won't regret it. - Was in Kochi for a wedding that ended earlier than we thought. Me and friends were looking for things to do in the areas and luckily came across the guys from Forte Kochi Tuk-Tuk tour. Our plan was just to ask them for suggestions. They were so helpful and kind that we ended up booking a tour with them on the spot. Very professional, friendly and knowledgeable. There were 3 of us and we each had a different request of what we wanted to see or do. They accommodated all of our request. I highly recommend them if you want a local's perspective of Kochi.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Helendl7579ik
May 18, 2024
Amazing tour with Shibu! - My husband and I had an amazing tour with Shibu! We can highly recommend taking a trip with him! He took us to all the sites in Fort Kochi and was happy to take us to visit anywhere that we wanted. We stopped for Lassis at the best local lassi shop too! Shibu's great knowledge of Fort Kochi and his friendly, humourous personality meant that we had a fabulous trip with him which we will never forget! Thank you Shibu and very best wishes to you and your family.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alastairm531
May 15, 2024
Local knowledge, friendly service - The best tours are with knowledgeable, friendly, locals! This is exactly what you get with Fort Kochi tours, can't wait to go back to this beautiful and interesting city!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
B3482hegabrielev
Apr 4, 2024
Tuc tuc tour with Shibu - we had a great tour with Shibu, we called him the next day for a second tour and he was nice and very kind. The tour helps you see many of the attractions at a good pace.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Eva
Mar 17, 2024
The best sightseeing one can get in Kerala - Perfect service, Shahir was very helpful, always arrived on time. Shahir told me about Kerala and showed me interesting places. It was safe to ride with him.
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Y6134wvsuem
Mar 17, 2024
Fantastic tour - I had a fabulous tour with Shahir today. He was great fun and knew so much about Fort Kochi. I had a lovely time on my tour and learnt a lot I would very much recommend Shahir as a guide Thank you Shahir
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Doriaf2024
Mar 16, 2024
Fort Kochi at a glance - I had a lovely sightseeing today with Shibu. He took me to all the list seen places and chatting with him was delightful. Highly recommend him!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Samsp7054xi
Mar 16, 2024
Best way to see fort kochi - Amazing tour… we saw all the amazing architecture in fort kochi. guide very friendly and very knowledgeable about the local area.
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E1636hiannah
Mar 16, 2024
Sightseeing in Kochi - Shihab took us on an amazing tour of Kochi, he is very knowledgeable on the area and he is a lovely person. Would highly recommend to anyone who comes to visit. Thank you very much!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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