Guided Tour of Kochi Latin America & Asia Holidays

Discover Kochi's fascinating history with our expert local guide.

Kochi, the last port of Vasco Da Gama, where you will find synagogues, mosques, churches and temples side by side, is a place with a fascinating history. It 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'. Heralded as the Queen of Arabian Sea, Kochi was an important spice trading centre on the Arabian Sea coast from the 14th century.

On your guided tour you will see the huge cantilevered fishing net, known as the Chinese fishing nets, are a legacy of their spellbinding past. The nets, set up on teak and bamboo poles, were brought by one of the first visitors to the Malabar Coast. An ideal place to watch fishermen use these nets is the Vasco da Gama square, a narrow promenade along the beach.

Continue to Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) originally built by the Portuguese. Later, in 17th century, the Dutch modified it and presented it to the Raja of Kochi. Coronation of many Rajas of Kochi was held here. The palace has a fine collection of mythological mural painting and has traditional Keralite flooring.

St Frances Church is the oldest church built by Europeans in India. On his 3rd visit to Kerala, Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese trader who reached India from Europe by sea, fell ill and died in Kochi. He was buried in the St. Francis Church. Later his remains were taken back to Portugal. In spite of that, his burial spot inside the church has been clearly marked out.

Hill Palace, built in the 19th century by the Raja of Kochi, has been converted into a museum displaying a fine collection of articles showing the wealth and splendour of the Rajas of Kochi, including the throne and the crown. The museum also houses a large collection of archaeological findings. 

The Jewish synagogue, built in 1568, is magnificently decorated by Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers. Giant scrolls of the Old Testament can be found here. It is the oldest synagogue in all the Commonwealth of Nations. 

Do not take the Museum of Kerala History in the Cochin city of Kerala as any ordinary museum. The significance of this 'live' museum lies in the fact that it recounts the history of the land through magnificent and informative light and sound shows. Here, one can see the depiction of stories based on the lives of 87 prominent personalities who were instrumental in shaping the course of Kerala's future. A popular haunt for tourists, locals, students and intellectuals, the Museum of Kerala History highlights everything, spanning from the time of the early people of Kerala to the modern age.

The Kerala folklore museum and theatre is a treasure trove that showcases the rich heritage that Kerala exudes through its numerous art and dance forms. Artefacts that bear the scent of bygone era like masks, sculptures, in wood, stone and bronze, costumes of traditional and ritual art forms, musical instruments, traditional jewellery, manuscripts of rare medicinal and astrological secrets, and stone-age utensils are all preserved in this museum with utmost care. The building itself is a piece of wonder with its three floors following the architectural styles of Malabar, Cochin and Travancore. The entrance to this marvellous structure is constructed from the remnants of a 16th century temple in Tamil Nadu and wooden carvings collected from across Kerala.

Fort Cochin, where the Portuguese flag was first hoisted is also believed to be the oldest settlement in India. At each and every nook of this island steeped in history, there is something amusing awaiting you. It is a world of its own, retaining the specimens of a bygone era and still proud of those days. If you can smell the past, nothing can stop you from walking through these streets.

The Indo-Portuguese Museum, located within the premises of the Bishop’s House, displays various artefacts collected from different churches. The museum, preserves the rich heritage of Indo-Portuguese culture, art and architecture in Kerala, owes its origin to Dr Joseph Kureethra, the erstwhile Bishop of Kochi. The museum houses an invaluable collection of artefacts that reveal the Portuguese legacy in Fort Kochi and the surrounding areas. The collection is divided into the five main sections - Altar, Treasure, Procession, Civil Life and Cathedral.