SHORE EXCURSIONS AND ONE DAY TOURS

A very popular excursion that will give you an insight to local Kochi life as you are taken through the points of interest in this amazing city accompanied by a local English speaking Official Guide.

SPECIAL OFFER
Individual bookings NOW : $65US per person
… and for a single request for 5 or more individual bookings we will give
an additional 3.5% discount = $62,70US per person

OFTEN FULL : We strongly recommend that you book well ahead in order to ensure to do Kochi Local Life excursion with the experts of Shore Excursions India.

HIGHLIGHTS

Dhobi Khana
Tuk tuk ride
Typical Kerala lunch
Kochi Old Town
Streets and markets
Jewtown
Paradesi Synagogue
Saint Francis Church
Chinese fishing nets
Fish market

PICK UP and DROP OFF

Shore Excursions : Our vehicle will enter the protected Cruise Ship Port to pick you up as you leave your ship and to return you there at the end of your excursion before your ship’s sailing time.

One day tours : We will collect you at the location defined in your booking agreement (hotel, airport, train station, …) and return you there or to a different predefined place.

ITINERARY

Dhobi khana

Dhobi Khana at Veli in Fort Kochi is where the Tamil-speaking Vannan community carry out laundry works using traditional methods.
This practice of the Vannan community has been traced back to the colonial period when they washed the army uniforms of the Portuguese or the Dutch. Families have cubicles each with a pool of water. Grey-haired men can be seen washing clothes in the cubicles using the traditional method of soaking the clothes in bleach and detergent water. Soaked clothes are washed by beating on a laundry stone. Starching the clothes is also done by dipping the clothes in starch obtained from boiled rice. Men and women do the ironing, some still using the traditional charcoal iron.

Tuk tuk ride

Known by some as a rickshaw, the tuk tuk is an exciting way to visit some of the smaller streets of Kochi and to ride like the richer locals through the colourful hustle and bustle.

Typical Kerala lunch

You will have lunch in a typical Kerala restaurant.

Saint Francis Church

Originally built in 1503, Saint Francis Church is the oldest European church in India and has great historical significance as a mute witness to the European colonial struggle. The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama died in Kochi in 1524 when he was on his third visit to India. His body was originally buried in this church, but after fourteen years his remains were removed to Lisbon by his only son. But the tombstone is still in the church.

Chinese fishing nets and fish market

Streets and markets

You will pass through different parts of Kochi to see how we live and shop. There is a persistent old-world charm with a blend of Dutch, Portuguese and English style bungalows, quaint narrow streets and local markets.

Jewtown and its synagogue*
*Not available on Friday afternoons and Saturdays or on all Jewish holidays

Jewtown in Mattancherry is famous for the antique shops all along its sides. The colonial buildings lining the street add to its old-world charm. Here you can breathe antiquity with curio and antique shops along the street capable of enchanting visitors with their variety and rarity.

The Paradesi Synagogue, in a corner of Jewtown, is more than a hundred years old and houses many rare antiques. The Jewish synagogue was built in 1568, almost 1500 years after the beginning of the Jewish connection with Kerala, on land given by the king of Cochin. It is the oldest in the Commonwealth. In 1662, it was destroyed by the Portuguese and then reconstructed, two years later, by the Dutch.

The Real Marigold Hotel : Le Colonial

You will see the hotel used for the BBC1 television series. The celebrities stayed in a boutique hotel in the centre of Kochi: Le Colonial.

Le Colonial dates back to 1506 and is one of India’s oldest colonial houses, possibly the oldest. For its first 150 years, it was home of the Portuguese Governor and it was one of the few houses not to be destroyed when the Dutch conquered Kochi. After that, it was the home of the Dutch governors for another century and a half before it was sold to the British in 1795. It ended up being owned by English tea trader J. Thomas. Nowadays its eight rooms are kitted out with private bathrooms, air-conditioning, four-poster beds and wifi.

UPCOMING CRUISE SHIP ARRIVALS IN KOCHI /COCHIN-2013- 2024

THE PRICE

You can choose from the following options :

SPECIAL OFFER
Individual bookings NOW : $65US per person
… and for a single request for 5 or more individual bookings we will give
an additional 3.5% discount = $62,70US per person

The price includes

• Pick up and drop off at your ship in Kochi Port or at your hotel
• Fully air conditioned vehicle, recent and in excellent condition
• Escort by a friendly professional English speaking guide
• Tuk tuk ride
• Typical Kerala lunch
• Entrance fees to the selected sites and camera fees where applicable
• A bottle of water per person in the vehicle

BOOK NOW

Please use the form below to book your trip with Shore Excursions India. We have a policy of replying within 48 hours.
If you are a Cruise Ship Guest booking a Shore Excursion, please indicate the excursion you require and the name of your ship.
Otherwise, please indicate the tour you have selected and the points of pick up and drop off.

More Kochi Excursions

You can use the following links to offers on our other Kochi Excursions
Each page gives the itinerary of the excursion, its price and a booking facility.

• The Real Marigold Hotel Tour
• Kochi Backwaters And Old Town
• Jewish Heritage In Kerala

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR SATISFACTION

WE ARE are a Government Approved Tours and Travel Company and a Government Approved Cruise Liner Transporter.
WE HOLD the Government Permit allowing entrance to the protected Cruise Ship Ports.
WE PICK YOU UP as you leave your ship and to return you there at the end of your excursion before your ship’s sailing time.
WE PROVIDE excursions for Cruise Ship travellers wishing to discover the incredible sites of India in and around our wonderful city.
WE SERVE cruise ships regularly and know how to meet their requirements.
OUR EXCURSIONS are all-included no-hassle excursions with no add-ons and no unwanted commercial visits. Obviously you will support any personal expenses you might decide to incur.
OUR VEHICLES are recent, fully air conditioned, comfortable, safe, clean and perfectly serviced.
OUR SMALL GROUP POLICY enables you to enjoy a private tour in a convivial atmosphere, ideal for communicating with your guide and visiting the sites together.
OUR GUIDES are English Speaking Official Guides who will accompany you during the whole of the excursion, guide you round the sites, and explain local culture and history. They will be delighted to give you any additional information you might request (if you prefer another language, please consult us for a quote).
OUR DRIVERS are Government Registered Tourist Drivers who furthermore have signed our Drivers’ Charter.
OUR EMPLOYEES are professional, experienced and trustworthy local people who will look after you at all times.
WE CARE FOR YOU AS OUR GUEST to ensure you enjoy your excursion in comfort and security. We will take you only to safe areas and to places of proven quality.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS can be found on this website and on the links to TripAdvisor. We encourage you to add your own review after your excursion to help Cruise Ship travellers choose us.
OUR REPUTATION depends on YOUR SATISFACTION and we are organised to achieve your satisfaction during your excursion.

… IF YOU ARE HAPPY, WE ARE HAPPY.

© 2017 South India by Car and Driver