Cochin Royal Heritage Trail Day Tour
Kochi, India
Trip Type: Half-day Tours
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
This special half-day tour will take you to Tripunithura (pronounced as Thri-pooni-thoora), the erstwhile royal capital of the Kingdom of Cochin, located in this part of Kochi that is rarely visited by travellers. We start the tour with a visit to the royal palace that is now converted to a heritage museum, followed by a walk through of the residential quarters of the royal family which is lined with handsome heritage structures and then we finally meet with present day members of the royal family over high-tea at their residence. This will be a very informal meeting, the royal family today are very much a part of mainstream society. Join us on this fascinating tour with a unique royal experience and discover Kerala through its royal patrons.
More About This Activity All Half-day Tours →
This special half-day tour will take you to Tripunithura (pronounced as Thri-pooni-thoora), the erstwhile royal capital of the Kingdom of Cochin, located in this part of Kochi that is rarely visited by travellers. We start the tour with a visit to the royal palace that is now converted to a heritage museum, followed by a walk through of the residential quarters of the royal family which is lined with handsome heritage structures and then we finally meet with present day members of the royal family over high-tea at their residence. This will be a very informal meeting, the royal family today are very much a part of mainstream society. Join us on this fascinating tour with a unique royal experience and discover Kerala through its royal patrons.The 15th century Venetian traveler Nicolo Conti described the city of Kochi “A place prosperous enough to spend the money one makes in China”. Kochi continues to be a prosperous city and welcome travelers from all over the world. It is believed that the prosperity of Kochi can be attributed to the actions and policies of the Kochi royal family.
We will meet at Hill Palace Museum in Tripunithura and start with a visit to the nearly 150-year-old Hill Palace, a grand structure built on 52 acres of land from where nine Rajah’s ruled over the princely state of Kochi. The palace today has been converted into a museum with great collections of artefacts, antiques and portraits belonging to the royal family. Your guide will bring these inanimate art to life through some interesting stories and anecdotes, such as why none of the Cochin Maharajah’s ever wore the gold crown, studded with precious stones that was gifted to them by King Immanuel of Portugal? You will find out the answer during the tour.
From the Hill Palace we move to the residential quarters of the royal family (approx. 5 minutes ride). Many members of the royal family still reside there and most of the architecture are over 100 years old. You will take a walk around the area while listening to the stories behind the family temple including how they sold the treasures to build the local railway line that almost cost the Rajah his throne, the clock tower built by the Dutch and other heritage structures in the area.
Then we proceed to meet one of the families belonging to the royal dynasty at their private residence. The residence is a modest, traditional Kerala home, very different from the palatial homes of the royal houses of Rajasthan or Mysore. The family might share their personal stories and experiences with you. The tour ends with high-tea with the royal hosts, a jovial group picture and warm good byes with unforgettable memories of Kochi. The tour ends outside the Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple in Tripunithura.
We will meet at Hill Palace Museum in Tripunithura and start with a visit to the nearly 150-year-old Hill Palace, a grand structure built on 52 acres of land from where nine Rajah’s ruled over the princely state of Kochi. The palace today has been converted into a museum with great collections of artefacts, antiques and portraits belonging to the royal family. Your guide will bring these inanimate art to life through some interesting stories and anecdotes, such as why none of the Cochin Maharajah’s ever wore the gold crown, studded with precious stones that was gifted to them by King Immanuel of Portugal? You will find out the answer during the tour.
From the Hill Palace we move to the residential quarters of the royal family (approx. 5 minutes ride). Many members of the royal family still reside there and most of the architecture are over 100 years old. You will take a walk around the area while listening to the stories behind the family temple including how they sold the treasures to build the local railway line that almost cost the Rajah his throne, the clock tower built by the Dutch and other heritage structures in the area.
Then we proceed to meet one of the families belonging to the royal dynasty at their private residence. The residence is a modest, traditional Kerala home, very different from the palatial homes of the royal houses of Rajasthan or Mysore. The family might share their personal stories and experiences with you. The tour ends with high-tea with the royal hosts, a jovial group picture and warm good byes with unforgettable memories of Kochi. The tour ends outside the Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple in Tripunithura.
« Go Back