Excursion Fort cochin with dinner and mohiniyattam performance tour at Cochin

Explore Cochin, a spice-filled port city of southern India located in the state of Kerala. Because of the location between China and Europe and the spice trade the port and town with the easy access to the sea used to be called "Queen of the Arabian Sea."

Depart ship on foot and after a short walk reach the jetty and board a local cruise boats to reach the Mattancherry Palace, built by the Raja of Kochi. Walk to the Jewish Synagogue and Dutch Palace and with some time on your own, wander around Jew Town, looking at souvenir and antique shops.

Take a local Tuk-Tuks (open 2-seater taxis) to Fort Cochin for a heritage walking tour. Walk through this ancient city to see the wonderful array of architectural styles dating back to the Portuguese, British and Dutch periods, before the East India Company took over in 1814. During the walk visit the Indo-Portuguese Museum and see the St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India and the original location of Vasco da Gama's grave.

Continue to the Indo-Portuguese Museum and take a walk through the Heritage city. The architectural style of the buildings and the town layout makes Fort Cochin distinct from other cities and towns of Kerala. Since it was under the control of the Portuguese, Dutch and British at different points of time, the region still bears a strong influence of European design.

Walk down tree- lined streets to the Chinese fishing nets, brought from the court of Kublai Khan by a Chinese explorer. These cantilevered fishing nets are the symbol of the Cochin sea trade, and are not found anywhere else in India.

Boats will be waiting at the nearby Fort Cochin jetty, to take you to the Taj Malabar in Willington Island, for a Gala dinner. Here enjoy an exclusive Mohiniyattam performance by Keralan women in traditional attire, followed by a special Syrian Christian dinner, mixing Indian and European influences. All too soon it is time to return back to the ship after your first glorious day in Cochin.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Cochin, heritage walking tour, Indo-Portuguese Museum, St. Francis Church, Mattancherry Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace, Jew Town, Syrian Christian dinner

Note

Please note: There is approximately 90 minutes of walking during the Fort Cochin tour over flat terrain, making this portion of the tour unsuitable for those with walking difficulties. There are only a few steps at the Indo-Portuguese Museum. As this tour includes a stop at a place of worship, guests are advised to cover from shoulders to knees.