Kochi Local Sightseeing

Day 1: Day 1: Fort Kochi, Mattancherry and Jew TownYour driver arrives at your hotel at 8:00 am. After breakfast, you reach Fort Kochi around 9:00 am, when the streets are quiet and the light is soft. Start at the Chinese Fishing Nets, then walk to St. Francis Church and the nearby Santa Cruz Basilica. Around 10:30 am you visit the Dutch Cemetery, a calm spot with old colonial graves, and wander through the lanes with their cafes and art spaces. At 11:30 am your cab takes you to Mattancherry Palace, known for its traditional Kerala murals, and the Paradesi Synagogue nearby. Both have fixed visiting hours and weekly closing days, so your driver plans the order accordingly. Walk through Jew Town, where antique shops, spice sellers and handicraft stores line the lanes. Lunch is at 1:30 pm at a local restaurant, with Kerala meals, appam and stew or fresh seafood. At 3:00 pm you take a short rest or visit a museum such as the Indo-Portuguese Museum, if open. Around 4:30 pm you return to the Fort Kochi waterfront for a seaside walk and sunset, with street snacks and the evening crowd. At 5:30 pm you can attend an optional Kathakali performance, with timings and tickets varying by venue, or head back early for rest. Your driver drops you at your hotel by 6:00 to 6:30 pm. Overnight in Kochi.

Day 2: Day 2: Hill Palace, Kumbalangi and Cherai BeachAfter breakfast, you leave at 8:00 am for Hill Palace Museum in Tripunithura, about 12 km from Ernakulam. You arrive by 9:00 am, and spend around 90 minutes in the campus, viewing royal artefacts, paintings and ancient objects. The museum has a weekly closing day, and photography rules apply inside. At 11:00 am you drive to Kumbalangi, a quiet backwater village known for its calm waterways and Chinese nets. Walk along the edge of the water, watch local fishing and, if you like, take a short canoe or boat ride, subject to local operators. Lunch is at 1:00 pm at a local restaurant or homestay, where fresh fish and Kerala dishes are the highlight. At 2:45 pm you head to Cherai Beach, a long, clean stretch where the backwaters meet the Arabian Sea. Walk along the shore, enjoy a coconut water and watch the afternoon light change. Swimming conditions vary by season and tide, so follow lifeguard advice. By 5:00 pm you begin the return to Ernakulam, with an optional stop at a market or mall for souvenirs, spices and snacks. Your driver drops you at your hotel, airport or railway station by 6:00 pm. If you are leaving Kochi the next morning, tell us in advance, and we will adjust the schedule.