Kochi
Optional Private Excursions
Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!
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HALF DAY EXPLORING OLD KOCHI
<span><span><span>Leave from pier for a panoramic drive along Mahatma Gandhi Road ending with a stop at the local market, known as the Broadway. A walk through, this local market in the new town of Ernakulum, is an enriching experience. A surprise lurks at every corner and whether you like it or not, you are propelled forward in a sea of people, brightly coloured baubles and warm, comforting smells.</span></span></span><br />
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<span><span><span>Photo stop at <strong>Shiva Temple.</strong></span></span></span><br />
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<span><span><span>St. George's Forane Church, locally known as Edapally Church is a Catholic pilgrimage church in </span></span></span><span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edapally" title="Edapally"><span><span><span>Edapally</span></span></span></a></span> <span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kochi" title="Kochi"><span><span><span>Kochi</span></span></span></a></span><span><span><span>, </span></span></span><span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India" title="India"><span><span><span>India</span></span></span></a></span><span><span><span>. Asia's largest shrine to </span></span></span><span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_George" title="Saint George"><span><span><span>Saint George</span></span></span></a></span><span><span><span>, about five million people visit it every year. </span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span>The church is thought to have been founded in 593 AD. It is regarded as one of the oldest churches in </span></span></span><span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerala" title="Kerala"><span><span><span>Kerala</span></span></span></a></span><span><span><span>, after the </span></span></span><span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezharappallikal" title="Ezharappallikal"><span><span><span>seven churches</span></span></span></a></span><span><span><span> founded by </span></span></span><span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_the_Apostle" title="Thomas the Apostle"><span><span><span>Thomas the Apostle</span></span></span></a></span><span><span><span> in the first century AD. The church was originally dedicated to the </span></span></span><span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_Mary" title="Virgin Mary"><span><span><span>Virgin Mary</span></span></span></a></span><span><span><span> (Marth Mariam). In 1080, a new church was built adjacent to the old church. A nine-day festival is celebrated annually as part of the </span></span></span><span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_George%27s_Day" title="Saint George's Day"><span><span><span>Feast of Saint George</span></span></span></a></span><span><span><span>. The church, also a destination for non-Christians, attracts offerings of gold, chicken, and eggs. </span></span></span><br />
<span><span><span><span>Gaze at the ancient Chinese fishing nets that line the shores of Fort Cochin.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span><span><span><span>You’ll be fascinated by the Dhobi Khana, your next stop. Each morning washing from all over Kochi is brought here to be soaped, soaked, boiled, beaten, and thrashed. Stop here for photos that you’ll never be able to duplicate anywhere else.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<td><strong><span><span>TIMING</span></span></strong></td>
<td><strong><span><span>ITINERARY & POINTS OF INTEREST</span></span></strong></td>
<td><strong><span><span>TERRAIN</span></span></strong></td>
<td><strong><span><span>W/C FRIENDLY</span></span></strong></td>
</tr>
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<td><span><span><span>00h00 – 00h30</span></span></span></td>
<td><span><span><span>Depart the pier for panoramic tour of Ernakulum</span></span></span></td>
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<td rowspan="7"><span><span>This tour is not suitable for guests in wheelchairs; and those with mobility issues</span></span></td>
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<td><span><span><span>00h30 – 00h55</span></span></span></td>
<td><span><span>Photo Stop at Shiva Temple</span></span></td>
<td><span><span>10 meters / Flat </span></span></td>
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<td><span><span><span>00h55 – 02h10</span></span></span></td>
<td><span><span>Drive through Marine drive and stop for a walk through the Broadway Market </span></span></td>
<td><span><span>300 meters / Flat </span></span></td>
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<td><span><span><span>02h10 – 02h30</span></span></span></td>
<td><span><span><span>Depart for Edappally Church</span></span></span></td>
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<td><span><span><span>02h30 – 03h10</span></span></span></td>
<td><span><span><span>Visit Edappally Church</span></span></span></td>
<td><span><span>50 meters / Flat / 02 steps</span></span></td>
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<td><span><span><span>03h10 – 04h20</span></span></span></td>
<td><span><span><span>Proceed to Chinese fishing net and visit</span></span></span></td>
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<td><span><span><span>04h20 – 05h30</span></span></span></td>
<td><span><span><span>Later drive to Drive to Dhobi Khana and visit. Back to port</span></span></span></td>
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HALF DAY HERITAGE TRAIL - A WALK THROUGH KOCHI
<span><span><span><span>The best way to discover a new place is on foot; explore the streets of historic Fort Cochin and learn more about this town that is brimming with tales of maritime traders, who made Cochin the first European township in India. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span><span><span><span>A brief stop will be made at the Chinese fishing nets & St. Francis Church one of the area’s famous landmarks. These nets are set up on bamboo poles and held horizontally by huge mechanisms, which lower them into the sea. This is a unique symbol of the centuries-old influence on this coastline. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span><span><span><span>Princess Street is one of the oldest streets in Fort Kochi. The bungalows built in the European style and the other buildings of colonial architecture lining both sides of the street make it pretty as a picture.</span></span></span></span><br />
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The buildings here, with bronze stucco walls and peeling plaster, house antique stores, cigar shops, provisional stores, curio shops, kiosks, cafes, restaurants, art galleries and so on. Some are being used as homestays for tourists.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span><span><span><span>For the best view of the street, head for the Loafer’s Corner, a popular meeting place at the confluence of Princess Street, Peter Celli Street and Bastion Street.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span><span><span><span>The plain, squat walls that surround the two-storey Mattancherry or “Dutch Palace”, do not offer a particularly appealing invitation, but you will be delighted once inside. Its wooden interior is decorated with a remarkable series of murals. In the royal bedroom alone are 45 paintings illustrating the Ramayana every inch of space covered with rich colour, and painstaking detail. There is also an interesting collection of Dutch maps of old Kochi, coronation robes belonging to the maharajas, royal palanquins, weapons and furniture.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span><span><span><span>Next. The Jew Town surrounding area called Jew Town is a fascinating mix of antique shops, warehouses, and spice auction rooms. Signs for N.X. Jacob’s tailor shop, and the offices of J.E. Cohen serve as reminders of a once thriving community now consisting of about seven families. You’ll have a chance to stroll here before returning to your ship.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span><span><span><span>Return back to pier</span></span></span></span><br />

<table border="" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong><span><span>TIMING</span></span></strong></td>
<td><strong><span><span>ITINERARY & POINTS OF INTEREST</span></span></strong></td>
<td><strong><span><span>TERRAIN</span></span></strong></td>
<td><strong><span><span>W/C FRIENDLY</span></span></strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span><span><span>00h00 – 00h30</span></span></span></td>
<td><span><span>Depart the pier to Fort Cochin</span></span></td>
<td></td>
<td rowspan="7"><span><span>This tour is not suitable for guests in wheelchairs; and those with mobility issues</span></span></td>
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<td><span><span><span>00h30 – 02h00</span></span></span></td>
<td><span><span>Visit Chinese fishing nets and St. Francis Church</span></span><br />
</td>
<td><span><span>695 meters / Flat/4</span></span></td>
</tr>
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<td><span><span><span>02h00 – 02h30</span></span></span></td>
<td><span><span>Walk through princess street and loafer’s corner</span></span></td>
<td><span><span>300 meters / Uneven </span></span></td>
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<td><span><span><span>02h30 – 03h00</span></span></span></td>
<td><span><span>Drive to Mattancherry </span></span></td>
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</tr>
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<td><span><span><span>03h00 – 03h30</span></span></span></td>
<td><span><span>Visit Dutch Palace</span></span></td>
<td><span><span>200 meter/20 steps</span></span></td>
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<td><span><span><span>03h30 – 04h00</span></span></span></td>
<td><span><span>Leisure time in Jew town </span></span></td>
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<td><span><span><span>04h00 – 04h30</span></span></span></td>
<td><span><span>Return back to pier</span></span></td>
<td><span><span>50 meters / Flat </span></span></td>
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04/05/2024 08:00 AM |
04/05/2024 06:00 PM |