Explora Journeys in Kochi

Kochi is the historic spice port of Kerala on India's southwest coast, where Portuguese, Dutch, Arab, Chinese, and Jewish trading layers all left something standing. The day centers on Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, a low-rise peninsula of colonial churches, a synagogue lane, a palace of Hindu murals, and the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets on the waterfront. It is a walking-and-rickshaw history port, not a beach call.

What to do on a day in Kochi

• The Chinese fishing nets on the Fort Kochi waterfront, large shore-operated cantilever nets worked by teams of fishermen
• St Francis Church, one of the oldest European-built churches in India, where Vasco da Gama was first buried before his remains were moved to Portugal
• Mattancherry Palace, the Dutch Palace, with well-preserved Hindu murals across its walls
• The Paradesi Synagogue and the Jew Town lane of spice traders and antique shops in Mattancherry
• A Kathakali dance performance, where you can arrive early to watch the performers apply the elaborate makeup
• A backwater houseboat cruise near Alappuzha, the canal country south of the city, on a longer transfer

Getting ashore

Ships dock at the Cochin cruise terminal on Willingdon Island, about 6 miles and 20 to 30 minutes by taxi or auto-rickshaw from Fort Kochi, with a passenger ferry as an alternative. One day covers Fort Kochi and Mattancherry comfortably on foot and rickshaw, but the Alappuzha backwaters are a real drive each way and force a choice between them and the old town.

When to book the ship's excursion vs your own →

Weather and when to visit

• December to February (typical cruise season, dry season). Typically hot and humid but dry, highs around 88 to 90F/31 to 32C, lows near 73 to 75F/23 to 24C, January the driest month with very little rain. Humidity stays high even in the dry season.
• March (late dry season). Typically the hottest stretch before the monsoon, highs around 90F/32C and rising humidity, still largely dry.