India /Kerala /Ernakulam /Kochi

Kochi (colonial name Cochin) is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as ‘God’s Own Country’. Its strategic importance over the centuries is underlined by the sobriquet Queen of the Arabian Sea. Informally, Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala. Rightfully sobriquet as ‘Queen of Arabian Sea’, it is one of the most popular beach destinations that offers stupendous monumental heritage, sandy beaches and stunning sunsets and sunrises. Kochi comprises gaggle of islands that are inter-linked by ferry. This lovely seaside city is flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. Its proximity to the equator, the sea and the mountains provide a rich experience of a moderate equatorial climate. Strictly speaking, Cochin is a small town. But, Cochin has outgrown its original bounds and is now the general name given to much of the region adjoining the original town, which now includes Cochin, Fort Kochi, Mattanchery, Ernakulam and many other nearby towns and villages. Cochin is situated in Ernakulam district in the state of Kerala. Ernakulam is also the name of a town – the administrative capital of Ernakulam district – but, for all practical purposes Ernakulam and Cochin, generally, refer to the same place. Kochi is the arguably the ideal starting point for exploring the unfathomable diversity and beauty of Kerala, rated in the top three tourist destinations by the World Travel & Tourism Council and featured in National Geographic Traveler’s ’50 greatest places of a lifetime’.

Quick Facts-Edit

Category : Beaches

Time Zone: UTC + 5:30 Hours

Pincode: 6820xx

STD Code: 484

Info Website: cochin.org

Best Time to Visit:  October to March

HistoryEdit

Kochi has a very long and illustrious history. But, the origin of the name is still shrouded in mystery. Many theories exist, but none are strong enough to be conclusive. Some historians believe that Kochi is a modified form of the word ‘Cochazhi’ which in Malayalam means ‘small sea’. Others are of the opinion that ‘Kochi’ was named so by the Chinese. According to them, traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan, gave Kochi the name of their homeland. The peculiar Chinese fishing nets found here, the only place outside China where it has been spotted, can possibly be attributed to the heavy Chinese influence the city has had in the past. Still another theory is that Kochi is derived from the word ‘Kaci’ meaning ‘harbour’.

Places to VisitAdd

Kochi Sightseeing

How to ReachEdit

By Air : Airport at Kochi is Nedumbassery International airport which is about 20 km away from Kochi. Taxi charge from Nedumbassery to Kochi is about Rs 300. This airport is well connected to all airports in India and also to many cities in abroad, including gulf countries and Singapore. Cochin International Airport: 0484 261 0115.

By Train : Kochi has three important railheads, namely, Harbour Terminus on Willingdon Island, Ernakulam town and Ernakulam Junction. Ernakulam Junction is well connected to all cities in India. There are frequent rail services between Harbor Terminus to Junction. Ernakulam Junction Railway Station: O484-2390920.

By BUS : Kochi is well connected by bus services. KSRTC connects Koch with all major cities in Kerala and with many cities in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Deluxe Volvo buses are available in plenty at any time to Chennai, Bangalore, Trivandrum, Hyderabad and Mumbai from Kochi. These buses charge about Rs 3 – Rs 4 per km.

By Taxi : Kochi is well connected by a road network and national highways. The tourist can reach to Kochi by taxi. The normal Indian taxi charges of Rupees 8 to 20 will be charged for each km.

By Other : Kochi can be reached by sea in yachts as well as cruise ship from Goa, Mumbai, Lakshadweep, Colombo and Male. Almost all leading international cruises on global voyages operate to Kochi from the US and Europe at Wellingdon Island Cruise Berth. Yachts can be anchored at Kochi International Marina or Yacht Club Marina. There is a direct ferry service between Kochi and Lakshadweep.

Top HotelsAdd

Budget  – Up to Rs. 800

• A V Residency ; St Benedict Road, Near North Railway Station, Ernakulam, Kochi 682018. ; Ph – 9846465543 ; Facilities – Travel Desk, 24-hour front desk, Air conditioning, Conference facilities, Laundry , Parking, 24-Hour Security.

Economy – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• Beechboro Home Stay ; 1/278 – A, Napier Street, Fort Cochin, Kochi 682001. ; Ph – 91-484-2216062, 2215682. ; Facilities – Air conditioning, Laundry, Doctor on call.

Deluxe – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• Anns Residency ; 1/307 A Bishop Joseph Kureethara Road ,Fort Kochi, Ernakulam, Kochi 682001. ; Ph – 0484 221 8024 ; Facilities – Travel Desk, Air conditioning, Laundry, Parking, Doctor on call.

Luxury – Rs. 2501 and above

• Abad Atrium ; M.G Road, Kochi 682035. ; Ph – 91 484 2364102 ; Facilities – Travel Desk, 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Air conditioning, Baby sitting, Conference facilities, Elevators, Laundry, Parking, Wheel chair access, 24-Hour Security, Body Treatments, Catering Services, Concierge, Massage Services, Wedding Services, Banquet facilities, Doctor on call.

Top RestaurantsAdd

• Thai bbq house ;  Njaliparambu Junction, Fortkochi , Kochi-682001. ; M –  098 47 059529 ; Food Serve :  Kerala , Chinnese.

• The Malabar House;  1/268 – 1/269, Parade Road, Kochi, KL 682001. ; M –  0484 221 6666 ; Food Serve :  Multi-cuisine.

• ChicKing Fried Chicken ;  LG Towers, P T Jacob Rd, Thopumpady, Kochi, KL 682005. ; M –  0484 319 8383 ; Food Serve :  Multi-cuisine.

• Dal Roti ;  Church Road, Near Fort, Kochi. ; M –  91 484 2217655 ; Food Serve :  Indian.

Must Eat FoodAdd

• Cochin cuisines. –  Sri Krishna Café ; Palace Road, Mattancherry, Kochi, KL 682002. ; Ph/M –  084 82 224610 ; Cost –  N.A. ; Famous for – Pachadi,Thoran, Kaalan. Kallappams or Vellayappams .

Must Do ActivitiesAdd

Must ShopAdd

• Beautiful Kashmiri Arts & Crafts ; Kashmir Gift Emporium. ;  Shanmughom Road, Kochi. ; Ph/M:  4842363834.
• Spices ; Getcommodity ;  6/207,Jew Town, Mattancherri, Kochi, KL 682002. ; Ph/M:  0484 222 0115.
• Perfumes ; Body Shop Collections ;  Ernakulam Bazar, Kochi, KL 682031. ; Ph/M:  0484 238 1235.

Nightlife (Pub / Disc / BAR)Add

• Ava Lounge ; Dream Hotel, Sahodaran Ayyappan Road, Elamkulam junction, Kadavanthara, Kochi – 682020. ; Ph/M: 0484-4129999 ; Cost:  Rs. 750 per person. ; Food Serve : Multi-Cuisine.
• Glow Disco Bar ; Harbour view Residency, Opp. Cochin Shipyard, M.G.Road, Ravipuram, Cochin – 682015. ; Ph/M: 0484-4090000, 9995804154 ; Cost:  cover chargeRs. 500 , stag entry Rs. 1000 with cover charge Rs. 500. ; Food Serve : Multi-Cuisine.
• Tandav ; Le Meridien, Opp. Nippon Toyota, Maradu, Cochin – 682304. ; Ph/M: 0484-2705777 ; Cost:  Rs. 500 /- ; Food Serve : Multi-Cuisine.

SpaAdd

• Spa gurukulam ;  Periyar Gardence ,Varapuzha ,Ernakulam ,Kochi.; Ph/M – 094 47 923631 ; Cost:  N.A. ; Services –  Back Massage , Bleaching , Body Polish , Body Wrap, Deep Tissue Massage , Face Massage , Facial, Hand & Feet Massage.
• Cloud9 beauty spa & beauty carin ;  Azad Tower, Amman Kovil Cross Road, Kochi. ; Ph/M – 0484 403 7878 ; Cost:  N.A. ; Services –  Feet Massage, Head Massage,Acupressure, Body Polishing, Body Wrap, Hand and Feet Spa, Reflexology, Rejuvenation, Stress Relieving Treatment.
• Soorya Panchakarma Ayurveda Clinic ;  Opp, Karthikeya Temple, Pattalom Road , Cherattappalam , Fort Kochi, Kochi.; Ph/M – 086 06 121819 ; Cost:  N.A. ; Services –  Aeropause Ritual Massage , Back Massage , Baliness Massage , Bleaching , Body Polish , Body Wrap , Deep Tissue Massage , Face Massage , Facial , Foot Reflexology.

FestivalAdd

Cochin Carnival ; Venue:  N.A. ; Period :  December ; Details:  If there is one festival the whole of Kochi impatiently awaits every year, then it’s the Cochin Carnival held in the last week of December. Fort Kochi is decked up like a bride and tourists, not only from within the country, but also outside, flock to this lovely port city to participate in the revelry.

Indira Gandhi Boat Race ; Venue:  N.A. ; Period :  December ; Details:  Indira Gandhi Boat Race happens to be very colorful water sport-cum-festival held every year. It is organized during the last week of December in the backwaters of the Cochin city of Kerala. Infact, the tradition of holding boat races is not just confined to Kochi.

Onam Festival ; Venue:  N.A. ; Period :  August or September ; Details:  This exciting festival commemorating the visit of King of Mahabali each year, is among the most important to take place annually in either August or September according to the lunar calendar. In addition, it is also a celebration of the harves

Yosakoi Festival ; Venue:  N.A. ; Period :  August ; Details:  The streets of Cochin come alive for this Japanese festival held each year. The festival is opened on the 9th with a large fireworks display, while the Yasakoi Dance Festival, held on the 12th, is one of the festivity’s most colourful and lively days. Games, performance and fireworks are a big part of this festival, ideal for children and adults alike.

Safety / WarningEdit

•  Beware of pickpockets as Kochi is a major tourist city in India.
•  Beware of fake items, especially the marble souvenirs. If you buy from roadside sellers, most likely the items are fake  and  made of chalk instead of marble. Better to buy from reputable shops even though you have to pay more.

HelplineEdit

• Ambulance : 102
• Fire Brigade : 101
• Police : 100

ItineraryEdit

Day-1
7:12 am – Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium ;Approx. time spent : 4 hrs
12:30 pm – Cochin Jewish Synagogue ;Approx. time spent : 4 hrs
2:30 pm – Mattancherry Palace ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
4:30 pm – Cherai ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
Day-2
8:30 am – Backwaters of Kochi ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
11:30 am – Marine Drive ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
2:30 pm – Fort Kochi beach;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
4:30 pm – Hill Palace ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
Day-3
7:12 am – Bolgatty Palace ;Approx. time spent : 45 min.
1:00 pm – Kochi International Marina ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
3:00 pm – Willingdon Island ;Approx. time spent : 4 hrs
5:30 pm – Museum of Kerala History ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs

Gallery