Travel Guide
KERALA
Travel
The closest airport to the wedding venue is Cochin International Airport. There are multiple flight options through Europe and the Middle East as well as a direct flight to New Delhi from major cities in the US and Canada, which serves as a connection to Cochin. We recommend booking your tickets as early as possible to get the best fares!
Arrive: Tuesday, Feb 21 preferably late morning or afternoon.
Depart: Thursday, Feb 23 after breakfast.
Entry to India: All non-Indian citizens require a visa to enter India. For most nationalities, you can obtain an e-Visa online on the Indian government website. The visa should be processed within a week. For others, you can apply at any Indian embassy or consulate.
The visa application may require an address and phone number in India. You can use:
Ramada by Wyndham Kochi,
P V Sreedharan Road, Kumbalam, Ernakulam, Kerala, 682506
Phone: +91 484 715 1100
Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your travel dates!
STAY
All the wedding events will take place at the Ramada by Wyndham resort on the outskirts of Cochin. We are happy to host our guests and have blocked rooms at the same resort and at Crowne Plaza Kochi, which is 15 minutes from Ramada. As there are only 60 rooms available at the Ramada, some guests will be accommodated at Crowne Plaza and a shuttle service between the hotels will be provided for easy transportation.
Once we receive your RSVP, we will share more details about your room allocations, hotel amenities, and transportation to and from the airport.
Health & Safety
All guests must be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 prior to travel. As of Sep 2022, COVID tests before departure are not required to travel to India. We will share updated travel regulations in late January.
If this is your first trip to India, we recommend visiting a travel clinic or asking your family doctor about any immunizations you may need. February is the dry season in Kerala so risks of any tropical diseases are minimal.
All the food and drink provided at the hotel will be safe and sanitary - we recommend avoiding street food at all costs!
Travel Guide
Commonly known as "God's Own Country", Kerala is a coastal state in South India that boasts palm-lined beaches, backwater canals, sprawling tea estates, and pristine wildlife sanctuaries. Kochi (also known as Cochin) is located in the backwaters of Kerala and during your time here, we hope you will have a chance to explore this region. If you have an extra day or two, we recommend the following activities to enrich your time in Kerala.
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A houseboat tour from Allepey or further south in Kerala
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Relax by the beaches in South Kerala leading into the Arabian Sea
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Visit the tea estates in the hill station of Munnar
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An Ayurvedic massage is a must-try while you are here (Kerala is world-renowned for its Ayurvedic spa and healing treatments)
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Visit the heritage Jew Town in Cochin, which was once home to many thousands of Jews and still carries an old-world charm
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Shop for spices and tea to take back as souvenirs (Kerala is rich in spices which made it an early stop on Colonial trade routes)
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Enjoy tropical fruits and some of the finest seafood dishes
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Taste a traditional Kerala meal (Sadya): a platter of assorted curries, rice, and bread, all served on a banana leaf
KERALA
India
If this is your first trip to India or you have some extra time off, we highly recommend adding a tour of North India. You could visit:
New Delhi: the capital city of India for centuries, the city is vibrant with culture and history from ancient times, the Mughal era, and from the British Raj.
Jaipur: just a few hours from Delhi, Jaipur is also known as the "Pink City" for the distinct hue of its buildings. Many of its courtyards and palaces are still part of a royal residence. Jaipur is in the state of Rajasthan, which is home to some of the most beautiful and well-preserved forts and palaces in the country - if you have time, consider visiting Udaipur or Jaisalmer.
Agra: home of the Taj Mahal and a short drive from New Delhi. While you are there make sure to visit Agra Fort.
You can stop in Delhi on your way to or from Kochi - it's about a 3-hour flight. The climate will be dramatically different in the North where February is much cooler- temperatures range from 10 to 24 C (50 to 75 F) so make sure to pack layers.
Bonus tip: If you are interested in a tropical beach vacation, the Maldives is only an hour by flight from Kochi.