Cochin (Kochi), India

Kochi (formerly Cochin) is a major port city on the west coast of India by the Arabian Sea. It is a multicultural city with densely populated town areas.

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.

Attractons in Kochi include the Chinese Fishing Nets at Fort Kochi Beach, the Hill Palace Museum, Santacruz Basiclica and many other churches, forts and palaces. There are also many temples, shrines and mosques which are open to the public. The Kodanadu Elephant Training Village is extremely famous for its unique elephant training college, elephant orphanage and a mini zoo with deer and peacocks.

Things to See & Do

* Chinese Fishing Nets
* Hill Palace Museum
* Forts & churches
* Museums & galleries
* Kodanadu Elephant Training College

General Information
Cruise Season - Jan - Dec
Currency - Indian Rupee (INR)
Language - Hindi, English
Population - 601,600 approx
Land Area - 94.88 km²
Electricity - 2 round pins European style or with a round pin below
Time - GMT plus five and a half hours
International Country Telephone Code - + 91

Port Location - The cruise port of Kochi is located at Kerala, within close proximity to heritage sites and scenic locations of Kerala.

Travel Links - Cochin International Airport offers regular flights to the Middle East and elsewhere in Asia. There are regular direct chartered services from Europe and the USA during tourist season.
Kochi is well connected by train from all parts of India. Most Kerala-bound trains have a major stop here. There are two major rail terminals inside the city limits.

Kochi is accessible from all southern parts of the country as well as other parts of the state, through the extensive state run Kerala Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus services and services of neighboring state transport corporations.

Kochi can be reached by sea in yachts or the occasional cruise ship from Goa, Mumbai, Lakshadweep, Colombo and Male.