Itineraries for Your Trip to Kochi
3 Days in Kochi for First Timers
Many years ago, on my first backpacking trip around India, I arrived in Kochi by train after weeks of roaming around North India at the start of winter. Kochi’s tropical climate and laid-back atmosphere was just what I needed.
The mix of cultures in Kochi is different from anything I had experienced elsewhere in the huge country—and I bought the largest avocado I’d ever seen at a market. Since then, I’ve visited Kochi a few more times, going beyond the most common sights and activities for first-time visitors and getting to know the city more intimately. Here’s how I recommend first-timers spend three days in Kochi.
Heavy rain and flooding is more likely in hot, humid Kochi in June–August.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a tour of Fort Kochi.
Start your first day in Kochi with a walking, cycling, or auto-rickshaw (tuk-tuk) tour of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, two atmospheric old neighborhoods. If you’ve come from mainland Ernakulam (the modern part of Kochi) you’ll appreciate the relative lack of traffic and slower pace. Highlights include the Chinese fishing nets, Mattancherry Palace, Santa Cruz Cathedral, Jew Town, and more.
In the afternoon, visit a nearby village in the backwaters to learn more about rural life in Kerala. You won't need to go far beyond the city for village life to emerge.
While some stay overnight on a houseboat to experience Kerala’s backwaters, you can get the same experience on a day cruise via a gorgeous houseboat. Eat delicious, freshly prepared local food while admiring the views of swaying palms and village life.
In the evening, see a Kathakali performance at the Kerala Kathakali Centre. This traditional dance form tells stories through movement, music, and elaborate, colorful costumes and makeup. You can see the actors having their makeup applied beforehand.
Spend time at the beach on your last day. Take a day trip to Vypin Island, north of Fort Kochi, and beeline to Cherai Beach. This gorgeous stretch of golden sand is less developed than other popular Kerala beaches. See more Chinese fishing nets and fishers at work, and dip in the warm Arabian Sea.
End the day in Fort Kochi with an Ayurvedic massage. While this ancient science of holistic health is followed in many parts of South Asia, it's especially prominent in Kerala, and a nice way to wind down after a busy three days.
