The Spice Trail in Kochi

Overview

From the 1400s, as a magnet for merchants from Europe, West Asia and China, Kochi was able to snag an important place on the map of the international spice trade. The history and heritage of Kochi’s spice trade have long been the stuff of legends. This tour is beautifully curated to showcase some of the reasons why this port city made such compelling narratives for visitors to enjoy. A leisurely walk across Fort Kochi holds the promise of wonderful discoveries of the many beautiful facets of this port city and its huge attraction for travelers from around the world. You will encounter enthralling stories about the explorers and the fascinating journeys that they undertook to reach this coastline. You will learn how trade influenced not just the culture of Kochi but much of the local cuisine as well.

Why you will love it

• Reviving the memories of Kochi as an important port city on the man of international spice trade since the 1400s
• Encounters with symbols of legendary traders from the international community
• Discovering the influences of international traders on Kochi’s culinary world

What you will experience

Our walking tour in Fort Kochi begins from Vasco House, a 500-year-old structure that served as a home for the legendary Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama. Along the way, we will stop at the Parade Ground and enjoy some photops of the locals playing cricket, football or baseball. Wandering down to the shoreline, in proximity to Kochi famous Chinese fishing nets, we will enjoy the action at the local fish auction as the fishermen bring in the fresh catch of the day. Stopping by at café, located in what was, back in the day, a bustling pepper warehouse, we will enjoy a glass of iced tea and discover the backstory of the restoration of this heritage building. Our walk next brings us to a local shrine which triggers off fresh learnings on Kochi’s multiple religions and communities and how they have all lived with each other for over two millennia. Our tour winds up at a popular local joint at Mattancherry with some light eats and chai.