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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Cochin Spice Market - Down-to-earth shop with polished displays & a variety of exotic spices sold in bulk.
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Jain Temple - Prominent Jain place of worship, known for its pigeon show & feeding, held every day at noon.
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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.
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- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- Hidden gems and secret places
- Assistance with taking photos
- Parking fees
- Use of Tuk-Tuk for photos
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.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.