Dharamshala to Kochi

About the city:

About kochi

Kochi, or Cochin as it was until recently known as officially, came into existence in 1340 AD, after a massive flood in the Periyar River, which destroyed the world-renowned port of Cranganore. The flooding caused the formation of a natural harbour at Kochi. Kochi always had the strategic advantage over other sea towns on the Western Ghats due to the international seafaring route between Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific Rim. Owing to foreign and domestic rules, Kochi gradually developed into a major centre for trade, trading in high-quality spices like pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. The Portuguese ruled the land, which was called Cochin back then, from 1503, and the city was the first European Colony in India. The rulers built the Fort Emmanuel. In 1653, the Dutch invaded Cochin and took over the reins of the city from the Portuguese in 1663 and built the Fort Williams. However, the Dutch were soon defeated by the Mysore rulers, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. It wasn’t until 1814, much after the British annexed most of India, that Cochin became a part of the East India Co. and the British Empire in general. Its spices made Cochin the baseline for British interest in this port. In 1956, after independence, the state of Kerala was formed by uniting the provinces of Cochin, Malabar, and Travancore. Cochin, or now Kochi, is a part of the Ernakulam District, which is a merger of various places including Fort Kochi, Mattanchery, Kanayannur Taluk, and other nearby villages.

How to reach Kochi

• Kochi By Air

– The Cochin International Airport is the main airport serving the city of Kochi, which is 29 kilometres from the main city centre. All major domestic and International carriers operate flights to Kochi on a daily basis. One of the first in the world to operate completely on solar energy, the Cochin International Airport is also one of the busiest airports in the country in terms of international traffic.

• Kochi By Rail

– The Southern Railways, a regional branch of the Indian Railways, connects Kochi to all major cities across India by means of superfast and fast trains. There are two major railway stations in Cochin – Ernakulam Town Station and Ernakulam Junction; most inbound trains halt at either of these stations.

• Kochi By Road

– Kerala has a very strong network of buses run by the state transportation board, the Kerala State Run Transport Corporation (KSRTC), as well as private buses for connectivity within the state. The states connected through KSRTC bus services include Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Karnataka. Air-conditioned deluxe Volvos ply regularly from Kochi to cities such as Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, and Trivandrum.

What to do in Kochi

Kochi is a vibrant shoreline city in the Indian coastal state of Kerala, with the Arabian Sea on the west and the Western Ghats on the east. It was initially known as Cochin under the colonial rule. Kochi lies on the south-western coastline of the Indian Peninsula, with a breath-taking sea view and natural beauty. The establishment of this city dates back to the 1500s when the Portuguese landed here; further colonization of the city resulted in a diverse set of culture and traditions for the city that have been thriving even in the current era. Kochi has been under the influence of various cultures such as the Portuguese, the Dutch, the Chinese, the Arabs, and ultimately the British, and the remnants of the cultures show from the Dutch cemetery and Portuguese and British architecture in the city to the famous Chinese fishing nets in Fort Kochi. Kochi has always had strategic importance as a port, which gave the city the name “Queen of the Arabian Sea”. Casually, Kochi is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala. This port city has been given many other names such as “Mini England” (British), “Homely Holland” (Dutch) and “Little Lisbon” (Portuguese). Geographically, Kochi lies in proximity to the equator; but the seas and the nearby mountains make it a place where one can enjoy moderate, equatorial weather conditions. Kochi is not a very big town; however, this is a great place to start exploring the beauty that is the state of Kerala. Here are some of the top things to do when in Kochi:
1. Sri Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple
2. Kerala Kathakali Centre
3. LuLu Mall
4. Kerala Folklore Museum
5. Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica
6. Edappally Church Complex
7. Mattancherry Town and Palace
8. Jew Town
9. Paradesi Synagogue
10. Cherai Beach
11. Marine Drive
12. Church of Saint Francis
13. Chinese Fishing Nets
14. Vallarpadam Church
15. Hill Palace, Tripunithura
16. Ernakulatthappan Temple
17. Princess Street
18. Fort Kochi Beach
19. David Hall Gallery & Cafe
20. Subhash Park
21. Bhoothathankettu Dam & Reserve Forest

Major Airports in and near Kochi

Cochin International Airport is the main airport serving people taking flights to Kochi or from Kochi. Major domestic and international fliers de-board here to travel to Kochi and other nearby cities. MakeMyTrip offers a wide range of flights to Kochi. One can easily use the website to book a flight to Kochi or from Kochi. MakeMyTrip flights to Kochi can be availed at highly discounted rates during festivals and off seasons.

About the city:

About Dharamshala

Dharamshala, locally spelled as Dharamsala, is a winter wonderland and home to the 14th Dalai Lama of the Tibetan Buddhism. Recently, on 19th January 2017, the city was named the second state capital of Himachal Pradesh. The Tibetan settlement in Dharamshala started in 1959, when His Holiness the Dalai Lama fled Tibet; the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, gave him and his followers permission to settle in the upper part of Dharamshala, known as McLeod Ganj, which was a former colonial summer vacation spot. The refugees readily established their “Government in Exile” in 1960. The famous Namgyal Monastery was also constructed later during the year. This hill station is the epitome of peace, religious secularism and natural beauty.

How to reach Dharamshala

• Dharamshala By Air

– One can get to Dharamshala either by flying to Chandigarh and then taking the road, or flying directly to the Kangra Airport, which is in Gaggal. Gaggal is 8 km from Kangra and 12 km from Dharamshala. The Kangra Airport is one of India’s highest constructed airports. The take-offs and landings here are as good as curated flying experiences, with high rolling hills and snow covered peaks around. Certain domestic carriers operate direct flights to Dharamshala, although from Dharamshala, they fly only to Delhi.

• Dharamshala By Rail

– The nearest major railway station to Dharamshala is at Pathankot, 85 kilometres away from the city, where numerous trains towards Jammu and Kashmir halt. Once at Pathankot, one can find regular buses and taxies towards Dharamshala. Kangra Mandir Railway Station is the closest to Dharamshala, about 22 kilometres from the town, although none of the important trains halt here.

• Dharamshala By Road

– Dharamshala is well linked to adjacent states through a network of national highways and expressways. One can easily drive or take a bus from Delhi via Chandigarh, Kiratpur and Bilaspur, which should take around 12–13 hours. Delhi and Shimla offer luxury bus services that ply regularly to Dharamshala. This is also a great option for solo travellers.

What to do in Dharamshala

In Dharamshala, walk among thick Deodar Cedar forests, with the beautiful Dhauladhar Ranges in the backdrop. Do the Triund trek or go parasailing at Bir Billing. Given the Tibetan settlement in these parts of the state, the food and culture have a lot of Tibetan influence, which is a stark contrast to any other hill station in India. The city receives both domestic and foreign tourists. Dharamshala also has a Vipassana Centre, often visited by those who seek inner peace and enlightenment. The Buddhist Losar Festival takes place in February or March, which is one of the more festive and lively periods to visit Dharamshala. From March to mid-July, the summers are in full swing at Dharamshala. And as hard as it may seem to believe, the temperatures at the hill station go up to anywhere between 22°C and 35°C. But the summers are also the perfect time to trek up to Triund, or hike up the surrounding scenic trails. However, as it is a tourist season, the place will be crowded. During the monsoons, from mid-July to mid-September, one can enjoy the lush greenery of the hills, with the rainfall making everything all the more beautiful. This is also, however, a peak time for landslides; hence, one can expect regular roadblocks. From September onwards, the weather becomes clear and pleasant; however, the evenings become chilly. But this is also off-season, and a great time to explore the place without the thronging crowds. Winters make Dharamshala look white-washed. From December until February, one can enjoy freezing temperatures and the sights of snow-white mountains. The temperatures then tend to go below -1 °C; it is advisable to carry lots of woollens and enough protection against chilly winds. Dharamshala, known for its characteristic mix of the Kangra and Tibetan culture, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in India. The place is also nicknamed “Little Lhasa” because of the huge number of Tibetan settlement in the area. The following places are a must-see in this area.
• Tsuglagkhang Complex
• Namgyal Monastery
• Masrur Temples
• McLeod Ganj
• Kareri Lake
• Gyuto Monastery
• Dal Lake, Kangra
• Other attractions include Bhagsunag Temple, Jwalamukhi Devi Temple, Norbulingka Institute, and Tea gardens.

Major Airports in and near Dharamshala

The main airport in Dharamshala is the Kangra Airport, where all flights to Dharamshala and from Dharamshala operate; it is located in Gaggal, which is near the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. MakeMyTrip offers a wide range of flights to Dharamshala. One can easily use the website to book a flight to Dharamshala or from Dharamshala, with the major airport being a hub to domestic and international airlines. MakeMyTrip flights to Dharamshala can be availed at highly discounted rates during festivals and off seasons.