Forte Kochi

Leisure experiences at Forte Kochi Heritage Hotel are thoughtfully curated to immerse guests in the cultural, historical, and natural richness of Fort Kochi and its surroundings. Set within one of Kerala’s most storied coastal towns, the hotel serves as a refined base from which guests may explore centuries of maritime heritage through guided Fort Kochi Heritage Walking Tours. These walks trace the town’s layered past as a trading hub shaped by Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences, with visits to landmarks such as St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, the Dutch Cemetery, Jew Town, the Jewish Synagogue, and the iconic Chinese fishing nets along the waterfront.

Wellness-led leisure includes private yoga sessions for two, offering a calm and personalised practice within the hotel’s serene heritage ambience. For deeper cultural immersion, curated village experiences in Kumbalangi introduce guests to the rhythms of coastal life through canoe rides, village walks, traditional fishing methods, coir making, visits to spice and herbal gardens, and a locally prepared Kerala lunch featuring fresh fish. Nature-focused activities extend to kayaking through mangrove waterways, wetland bird-watching tours amid flourishing mangroves and wetlands, and electric bicycle rides along Fort Kochi’s narrow, winding streets.

Water-based experiences include private harbour and sunset cruises for small groups, revealing Fort Kochi’s maritime character through views of the Arabian Sea, bustling harbours, Chinese fishing nets, and the daily life of local fishermen. A houseboat day cruise at Kumarakom Lake Resort offers a tranquil journey across the backwaters of Vembanad Lake, complete with lunch aboard a traditional houseboat and return transfers included.

Beyond Fort Kochi, curated excursions allow guests to explore Kerala’s diverse landscapes. Sightseeing trips include Munnar, known for tea plantations and mountain scenery; Thekkady, home to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and spice plantations; Athirappilly Waterfalls, surrounded by forested landscapes; and the Kodanad Elephant Training Centre along the Periyar River. Coastal and cultural highlights include Cherai Beach, with its long golden shoreline, and Hill Palace in Thrippunithura, Kerala’s largest archaeological museum complex.

Culinary-focused leisure is offered through guided Fort Kochi Culinary Tours, exploring the town’s diverse food traditions shaped by Indian, Portuguese, Dutch, and Arabian influences, as well as interactive cooking demonstrations for two, where guests engage with traditional Kerala recipes under the guidance of experienced chefs. Together, these leisure experiences reflect Forte Kochi’s commitment to meaningful exploration, seamlessly blending heritage, nature, culture, and gentle activity.

Ayurmana at Forte Kochi presents a heritage-focused Ayurvedic retreat rooted in one of the world’s oldest healing sciences. Set within the refined ambience of the heritage hotel, the Ayurveda centre is dedicated to preserving classical Ayurvedic wisdom while offering carefully curated therapies that address the balance of mind, body, and soul. Drawing from Kerala’s long-standing Ayurvedic legacy, Ayurmana reflects a philosophy that views wellness as a harmonious alignment of physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

The Ayurveda centre offers a selection of traditional therapies performed using medicated herbal oils and preparations, administered in accordance with classical principles. Treatments include Rejuvenation Massage (Abhyangam), a 60-minute full-body therapy designed to ease joint pain, muscle stiffness, and support skin health by balancing Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Sirodhara (Taila Dhara), a 30-minute therapy involving a continuous flow of lukewarm medicated oil over the forehead, is offered as a deeply calming practice traditionally associated with stress relief.

Specialised treatments such as Pathrapotala Swedam, a 60-minute therapy using herbal leaves or powders bundled in muslin cloth and warmed in medicated oil, are provided for inflammatory conditions including myalgia, arthritis, spondylosis, and lower back pain. Complementary therapies include Head Massage to support scalp circulation and restful sleep, Face Massage using Aloe Vera cream for skin-related concerns, Feet Massage for relief from fatigue, Back Massage to reduce muscular strain, and Steam Bath to encourage circulation and detoxification. Each of these therapies follows specified durations of 30 minutes, maintaining traditional treatment protocols.

Ayurmana also features Soundarya signature therapies inspired by classical beauty rituals once practised in Kerala’s royal traditions. These include Ayurveda Facial treatments using herbal face packs to cleanse pores, remove toxins, and enhance skin texture, along with Papaya Facial and Honey and Milk Facial therapies focused on complexion balance, moisturisation, and skin vitality. The Nalpalmaram Scrub Massage combines herbal paste application with oil therapy over 30 minutes, traditionally recommended for exfoliation, tissue strengthening, and addressing hyperpigmentation.

Underpinning all treatments is the classical Ayurvedic understanding of the three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—and the seven Dhatus: Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa, Meda, Asthi, Majja, and Shukra. Ayurmana’s approach remains deeply rooted in these foundational concepts, emphasising balance as essential to overall health. This medicinal legacy, carefully integrated within Forte Kochi Heritage Hotel, offers guests an authentic Ayurvedic experience that remains faithful to tradition while being seamlessly aligned with the serene heritage setting.

Forte Kochi Heritage Hotel is regarded as one of the finest heritage hotels in India, recognised for its sensitive restoration and preservation of a historic mansion originally built during the Portuguese era. The property’s careful integration of Portuguese, Dutch, and British architectural influences, combined with its cultural significance as part of Fort Kochi’s layered history, has established it as a distinguished heritage address within the region.

Its reputation is further shaped by its location within Fort Kochi’s cultural district and its role in offering guests an immersive connection to the town’s cosmopolitan past. Through the preservation of architectural details, interiors, and historical character, Forte Kochi continues to be acknowledged for sustaining the legacy of a bygone era while presenting it in a refined hospitality setting.