Kochi

Experience the serene beauty and incredible calm of Kerala on this Kochi Backwater day tour. Cruise along the waters in an eco-friendly houseboat and get an up close look at local fishing villages and rural life. Your private guide and chef will prepare a savory Southern Indian meal onboard that you can enjoy while sightseeing and relaxing.

The Chinese fishing nets which symbolises Kochi can be seen only in Fort Kochi which may be the only place in the world where the Chinese fishing nets are unique outside China for which the credit goes to the traders from the court of Chinese emperor Kubla Khan. Presently, there are 11 Chinese fishing nets dotting the Fort Kochi shoreline while it was 20 about ten years ago.

Mattancherry is another fascinating area in Kochi. An eclectic mix of spices, handicrafts, culture, and food, Mattancherry is one of the most vibrant Kochi tourist places. The name mattancherry originated from the house name “Ancherry Mattam”, a Brahmin house that was pronounced by foreign traders as Matt-Ancherry. Mattancherry is a tourist spot in Kochi where Portuguese influence can be seen and in particular the Dutch Palace. Jew Town is another tourist attraction of Mattancherry with the synagogue dating from 1568 which is India’s oldest functioning synagogue along with other tourist spots like Mattancherry Palace.

Don’t forget to explore the tourist places outside Kochi too. There are tourist sports around Ernakulam which are very interesting such as the Church at Malayattoor. he name `Malayattoor’ is an amalgamation of three small words. Mala (Mountain) Arr (River) Oore (Place). This is to say, Malayattoor is a meeting place of mountain, river, and land. The most famous tourist attraction in Malayattoor is the Malayatoor Church is situated atop the 609 m high Malayatoor Hill. The church on top of the hill is dedicated to St. Thomas, who is believed to have prayed at this shrine when he came to India. This church is one of the most important Christian pilgrim centers in India.

Kodanad Elephant Training Center which is a rural riverside village located near Periyar river is another must visit place if you are travelling to Kerala with children as kids may enjoy bathing elephants in the river . Watching elephants at an arms length is a wonderful experience and all part of coming to a beautiful place like Kerala. Kodanad is among the Ecotourism destination projects of Govt of India and currently is an Elephant rescue center for captured Elephants from the forests in the adjoining mountains.

Marine Drive as its name suggests in not a drive way through which vehicles can be driven , but a scenic promenade in Ernakulam which has the rainbow bridge that has become a symbol of Ernakulam as among the best places to visit in Kochi. The Marine Drive was built on the land reclaimed from backwaters and the initial plan was to build a beautiful road along the coast line but the coastline rules prohibited it because of which the road was converted to a walkway which also has a Chinese Fishing net bridge as well. Private Boat operators offers hourly cruises starting from Marine Drive that goes through Cochin Harbour , Bolgatty and other places around.