Tourism in Kochi

KOCHI / COCHIN - A CITY OF PENINSULAS AND ISLANDS
One of the finest natural harbours on the Arabian Sea coast, Kochi, earlier known as Cochin has been a port of call for foreign traders from early times. Its cosmopolitan character is reflected in the buildings and structures representing different regions of the world. A city of peninsulas and islands, today it is Kerala's commercial hub.

Kochi, the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala, has one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Ancient mariners from Arabia, China, Holland, Britain and Portugal have all left their mark on this beautiful island city.

Kerala's prime tourist destination, it spreads across islands and promontories in a stunning location between the Arabian Sea and Backwaters. Its main sections: modern Ernakulam in the east and the old districts of Mattancherry and Fort Cochin on a peninsula in the west are linked by a complex system of ferries.

QUEEN OF THE ARABIAN SEA

More popular as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Cochin is a cluster of islands on the vast expanse of the Vembanad Lake. Some of these picturesque islands are Bolgatty, Vypeen, Gundu and Vallarpadam.The lake opens out into the Arabian Sea here to form one of the finest natural harbours in the world. It is this natural advantage that has made Cochin a fascinating blend of the cultures and influences of the explorers and traders who visited this wealthy land.

PRIME ATTRACTIONS IN KOCHI ( TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN KOCHI)

CHURCHES
Santa Cruz Basilica: This monumental church dates back to 1558 and has beautiful paintings on the ceiling. more...

St. Francis Church: Built in 1503 by Portuguese Francisan Friars, this is the India's oldest European church. It was restored in 1779 by the protestant Dutch, converted to an Anglican Church by the British in 1795, and is presently used by the church of South India. Vasco da Gama's remains were buried here in 1524 and later moved to Lisbon, Portugal but his tombstone still remains. more...

FORTS & PALACES

Mattancherry Palace ( Dutch Palace): Built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma 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. Them palace is open for public viewing from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. all week days except Fridays.

Bolghatty Palace: A Scenic island near the city of Ernakulam, Bolghatty is famous for the Bolghatty Palace built by the Dutch in 1744 AD. This palace, once the residence of the British resident of Kochi, is now a KTDC (Kerala Tourism Development Corporation) hotel.


CITIES

Jew Town: The area around the Synagogue is a centre of spice trade and curio shops.
BEACHES

Cherai Beach: This lovely beach bordering Vypeen Island is ideal for swimming. Dolphins are occasionally seen here. A typical Kerala village with paddy fields and coconut groves nearby is an added attraction of this beach.
MUSEUMS

Hill Palace Museum, Thripunithra: 10 km from Kochi, Hill Palace, the official residence of the Kochi royal family, was built in 1865 AD. The palace complex consists of 49 buildings built in the Traditional Architectural Style of Kerala and is surrounded by 52 acres of terraced land with a Deer Park and facilities for horse riding.

The palace museum is open all days except Mondays from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm. A full-fledged ethno-archaeological museum and Kerala's first every heritage museum are the main attractions.

Displayed inside the thirteen galleries are oil paintings, 19th century paintings, Murals, sculpture in stone and plaster of paris, manuscripts, inscriptions and coins belonging to the Kochi royal family. more...

Pareekshith Thampuran Museum: This sprawling, traditional Kerala style building previously called the Durbar Hall, houses 19th century oil paintings, a collection of old coins, sculptures and Mughal paintings. The museum remains open from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm. all weekdays except Mondays.

OTHER SIGHTSEEING IN KOCHI

Chinese Fishing Nets: These huge cantilevered fishing nets were brought here by traders from the court of Kublai Khan.

Willingdon Island: Named after Lord Willingdon, a British viceroy to India, this man-made island is surrounded by beautiful backwaters. The island is the site of the city's best hotels, customs and trading centres, the port trust and the headquarters of the Southern Naval Command.

Jewish Synagogue: Constructed in 1568, this is the oldest synagogue in the commonwealth. Destroyed in a shelling during the Portuguese raid in 1662, it was rebuilt two years later by the Dutch. Known for mid 18th century hand printed, willow pattern floor tiles from Canton in China, a dock tower, Hebrew inscriptions on stone slabs, ancient scripts on copper plates etc., the Synagogue is open from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon and 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. It is closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. more...
Vypeen Island: There is a magnificent lighthouse at Ochanthuruth, which remains open from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm daily.

Gundu Island: Here is the magnificent 16th century Pallipuram Fort that is open only on Thursdays.


HOW TO GET THERE KOCHI - KOCHI TRAVEL INFORMATION

Air: Kochi is connected by excellent air network to all major cities in India.
Rail: Kochi has three main railway stations, namely, Ernakulam Junction, Ernakulam Town and Harbour Terminus on Willingdon Island.

Road: Kochi, an important commercial centre of the South India is very well serviced by a network of national and state highways, connecting it to all major centres of the area.

BEAUTY OF WAYANAD

The wonderful Wayanad is a hill resort of Kerala that offers nature at its best. There are the mist-clad mountains, spice plantations and the stretches of greens as far as the sight goes. The majestic mountains of the Western Ghats add to the charm of Wayanad.




LOCATION

The hill resort of Wayanad is situated in the northeastern part of Kerala.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Wayanad experiences tropical monsoons and rather hot summer. Thus the best time to visit Wayanad is between the months of August and May

TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS

Amongst the major tourist attractions in Wayanad are the two rock caves of Edakkal Caves. Situated in the Ambukuthy Hills the caves are famous for the ancient carvings and pictorial writings dating back to the new Stone Age.

The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is a must visit for the nature as well as the animal lovers. The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is an element of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Close by are the Nagarhole and Bandipur National Parks. The fabulous flora and fauna of the sanctuary are a major tourist attraction at Wayanad.

You may check out the coffee, tea, cardamom, pepper and rubber plantations that dot the hills of Wayanad

Pookat Lake is another spot to chill out in Wayanad. You may visit the fresh water aquarium or the children's park, enjoying boating or even shop for handicraft items and spices at the fresh water Pookat Lake that is wrapped in high hills and gorgeous greens.

The Varambetta Mosque and the Ambalavayal Heritage Museum are the other places worth visiting on your trip to Wayanad

PLACES AROUND WAYANAD

The uninhabited Kuruvadweep Island is an excellent excursion option from Wayanad. The birds, orchids and herbs at the island catch everyone's interest.

On the banks of the Papanasini river is the Thirunelly Temple. The Thirunelly Temple reveals the temple architecture and is worth more than a visit.

For the adventure seekers there is the Chembra Peak situated at an altitude of 2100 m. Trekking in the Chembra Peak of Wayanad is a popular adventure sport activity.

Then there is Pakshipathalam situated in the Bramha Giri hills. Pakshipathalam is a tourist spot that you may reach after trekking. Pakshipathalam is renowned for the bird sanctuary that is home to several rare species of birds.

Further ahead from Wayanad you may travel to the other hill resorts in close proximity like Ooty, Mysore, Coorg, Kozhikode and Connor. The Begur Wildlife Sanctuary and the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary are other excursion options from Wayanad for the animal lovers.

HOW TO REACH

BY AIR - The airport and the railway station at Kozhikode are the nearest to Wayanad, Kozhikode is approximately 100 km from Wayanad.

BY ROAD - The excellent road network links Wayanad with other important places like Kozhikode, Kannur, Ooty and Mysore.

WHERE TO STAY

Accommodation is easily available at Wayanad. There are several hotels, resorts and tourist lodges that cater to the needs of the tourists to Wayanad.