Cochin or Kochi

Kochi is  possibly the ideal starting point for exploring the unfathomable diversity and beauty of Kerala,

The august city of KOCHI also known as Cochin, Kerala's prime tourist destination, spreads across islands and promontories between the Arabian Sea and the backwaters. Its main sections – modern Ernakulam and the old peninsular districts of Mattancherry and Fort Cochin to the west – are linked by ferries, and less idealistic bridges. Although some visitors stay in the more convenient Ernakulam, the overwhelming majority base themselves in Fort Cochin itself, where spice markets, Chinese fishing nets, a synagogue, a Portuguese palace, India's first European church and seventeenth-century Dutch homes can all be found within an easy walk. Kochi also offers traditional dance performances, both in authentic and condensed tourist versions.

Old Kochi, the thumb-shaped peninsula whose northern tip presides over the entrance to the harbor, formed the focus of European trading activities. With high-rise development constrained to Ernakulam across the water, its twin districts of Fort Cochin, in the west, and Mattancherry, on the headland's eastern side, have conserved an astonishing wealth of early colonial architecture, spanning the Portuguese, Dutch and British eras – a harvest unmatched in India. Approaching by ferry, the waterfront, with its sloping red-tiled roofs and ranks of peeling, pastel-colored warehouses, offers a view that can have changed little in centuries.

Four places you must visit

• Willingdon Island — large man-made island made from sand dredged from the backwaters to deepen the Kochi Port. Named after Long Willingdon, then-the reigning Viceroy of India, it houses the Kochi Port, Southern Naval Command Headquarters of Indian Navy and many five star hotels.

• Mattancherry and Fort Kochi (Old Kochi) — primarily a tourist enclave. Fort Kochi forms the upper part of the Peninsula with neatly arranged colonial buildings, narrow well-paved roads, Anglo-Dutch influenced structures and large antiques shops. Mattancherry is primarily a trading city, famous for its thriving Gujarati settlement brought to the city in the 16th and 17th centuries by the spice trade.

• Bolgatty Island — the island where the British established a Royal Residency, which is now converted into a five star hotel. Famous for its large golf course, horse riding tracks, marina and boatyards.

• Vypin Island — one of the most densely populated islands in world with numerous fishing villages, tourist villages and the popular Cherai Beach.

The tourist season is normally from August to February. December being the most tourist rush month has many festival and special attractions to welcome along with the famous Cochin Carnival and Christmas celebrations. Onam season (mid Aug-mid Sept) is also a busy tourist season considering traditional line up of various festivities. Recently monsoon is being promoted heavily by tourism dept as a rejuvenation season which also slowly becoming a popular season to visit to experience the heavy rain falls. However it is always advisable to avoid March and April, considering the harsh summer, though it is primarily Indian domestic tourist season.

Tourist information

Free information and city maps are available at state run Kerala Tourism Development Corp (KTDC) offices at:

• Tourist Reception office in Marine Drive, ☎+91 484 2353534 from where KTDC city tours starts/ends.
• Railway Tourist Office at Ernakulam South Railway Station, ☎+91 484 2378723.
• Airport Tourist Counter in Arrival hall of both terminals, ☎+91 484 2611308, +91 484 2611309.
• City Tourist Information Center at Old Collectorate in Park Ave, ☎+91 484 2381743.
• Central Toll Free Number, ☎ 1 800 4254747

The India Tourism also has its office at Willingdon Island ☎ +91 484 2668352. The District Tourist Promotion Council (DTPC) also helps in providing information to tourists about other parts of Kochi District, which can be reached at ☎ +91 484 2367334, +91 484 2383988.