Hire a licensed guide for Cochin sightseeing with own transport

This tour is ideal for those who have their own transport and just need professional guiding service to visit Cochin in a day. You will be accompanied by a Govt. licensed Guide. The visits mentioned in this product can be revised to suit the tastes of the customers. The guide will also suggest an appropriate place to stop for lunch as per your convenience. He can also suggest nice places for shopping since Cochin is a haven for handicrafts and antiquities. Overall, he will ensure a wholesome experience taking into account Visitors interests. Also please note the following on this tour: The guide will join you at the first visit and leave you at the last visit; One place in your vehicle to be made available to him; Dresses covering legs and shoulders are preferred to visit the Synagogue. Shoes have to removed before visiting both St. Francis Church and the Synagogue.

St. Francis church was initially built by the Portuguese in 1503 as a Catholic church dedicated to St. Bartholomew. Later the Dutch converted this into a Protestant Church rededicating it ot St. Francis. Subsequently the British made it an Anglican Church and it remains so to this day. This Church stands mute testimony to the Eurpoean colonization and its effects on this region. Vasco da gama, the discoverer of Sea Route to India, was buried here when he died during his third visit in 1524. But later his remains were moved to Lisbon. Apart from all the tombstones gathered over centuries, the church also still retains the old hand-operated pankhas (fans) that were used earlier.

The Chinese Fishing Nets, suspended in mid air and standing on the beach, is perhaps the most photographed sights in Cochin. Especially during sunrise and sunset, silhouetted against the sky. This techniques of fishing is believed to have been introduced in Cochin by Chinese explorer Zheng He, from the court of the Kubla Khan sometime during 14th Century.

A visit to a local ‘Laundromat’ can be very interesting. Its called a Dhobi Khana where one can watch the washermen work on the clothes of their customers, dry them and iron them. This facility is provided by the Government which charges the Washermen a fee for using the utilities available.

The Mattancherry Palace, also known as Dutch Palace, is one of the finest examples of the Kerala style of architecture interspersed with colonial influences. It was built around 1545 C.E. by the Portuguese as a present to King Veera Kerala Verma of Kochi dynasty. It came to be known as the Dutch Palace as it underwent major repairs at the hands of the Dutch. It is famous for its long and spacious halls along with its central courtyard. It is also the home of the deity of the royal family, Pazhayannur Bhagavathy.

The Jewish synagogue was built in 1568, almost 1500 years after the beginning of the Jewish connection with Kerala. It was built on the land, adjacent to the Mattancherry Palace, given by the erstwhile king of Cochin. The synagogue, the oldest in the Commonwealth, was built by the Jewish community of Cochin. In 1662, it was destroyed by the Portguese and then reconstructed, two years later, by the Dutch.

The Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica in Fort Kochi is one of the eight Basilicas in India. This heritage edifice of Kerala is also one of the finest and imposing churches in India. The history of Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica dates back to the sixteenth century and begins with the arrival of Portuguese missionaries in 1500 CE. The construction works started when the first Portuguese Viceroy Dom Francisco de Almeida got permission from the Cochin Raja to build a church. The foundation stone was laid on May 3, 1505, the feast day of the ‘Invention of the Holy Cross’, hence the church was named Santa Cruz. Meanwhile the church had undergone some serious demolition and re-erection. The present day structure was consecrated on 19 November 1905. In 1984 Pope John Paul II raised the status of Santa Cruz Cathedral to Basilica for its antiquity, artistic dignity and historical importance.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

• Hire a licensed Guide for Coch
  Add
  Just guiding
  Duration: 8 hours

• Guiding service
• All entry fee

• Tip/gratuity to the guide

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Please be advised..

• This Tour is Provided by Bangalore and Beyond.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at Asia/Kolkata.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 15 Travelers is accepted for booking.