Discover the highlights of Kochi from a local’s perspective as you ride around in a traditional tuk-tuk. See the city’s historical monuments, learn about its colonial past, and benefit from a convenient hotel pickup and drop-off. Travel to the spice markets and learn about Kochi’s central role in the Indian spice trade for many centuries and its popularity by foreign traders.  See the old buildings that most clearly reveal this deep-rooted colonial influence. Kochi was the first European colony for Portugal in India from the year 1500-1663, followed by the Dutch and later the British.  Explore the fishing village’s ancient Chinese fishing nets, historical European settlements like the Vasco de Gama church, and the Dutch cemetery and towards the Dutch palace. Stop by a museum under ASI and spend time walking through the historical Jewish district and visit the Jewish synagogue.

Your sightseeing at Fort Kochi will take you on a tour of the center of Old Cochin, an area that now the city’s heritage zone. See the Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, and the many preserved heritage houses. During this 4-hour activity, you’ll see these sites on a walking tour. At the end of the tour you’ll head to the Kathakali center, where you’ll enjoy a performance of traditional Kathakali dance. Before the performance you’ll see the preparation and dressing of the artists, which is an experience in itself. Kathakali is one of the most complex and highly stylized Indian art forms. It is basically a dance drama, noted for its heavy and attractive larger-than-life make up, elaborate costumes, detailed body movements, synchronized eye-hand movements, and thematic presentation of stories. Kathakali’s popularity traditionally was confined to palace dance halls, the courtyards of Nair noble households, and temple festivals.