Tour Itinerary

Tour Duration: 11 Nights/ 12 Days  |  Tour Period : December 17th - 28th 2009

Same itinerary is also available for FITs on the same dates as well as different dates with same prices. Customized tours are also available.

Day 1
Arrival : Mumbai by International flight.

Welcome to India – One nation, countless destinations. A land of rich heritage that’s ancient. The mystique of India, its history of 5000 years, philosophy, religions, fabulous historical monuments all add to its bewildering diversity to create a unique and colorful mosaic. This is the wonder that is, India, come enjoy and experience it.

Reception upon arrival at the International Airport and transfer to: Hotel Taj Mahal

Mumbai: India’s western gateway is Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra. The island of Mumbai defines itself straight from the dictionary – vibrant, vivid and electrifying. The city’s rise from the dowry of a Portuguese queen (when Catherine of braganza married England’s charles II in 1661) to the country’s foremost sea port, commercial center and home to the worlds largest film industry. Mumbai is the economic powerhouse of India.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2, Mumbai
Breakfast at the hotel (Box lunch from the hotel)
Morning excursion to Elephanta Island (Closed on Mondays):  Just 10 kms north east of Apollo Bundur, Mumbai’s major tourist attraction famous for its four rock cut temples. These temples were cut out between 450 and 750 A.D. and at that time the island was known as Gharapuri, the Fortress city. This was renamed “Elephanta”  by the Portuguese. The most renowned of the caves’ sculptures is a Trimurthi, a 3 headed, 20 ft tall figure of Lord Shiva.

Afternoon at leisure
Shabbat services and dinner at the Fort Synagogue.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3, Mumbai
Breakfast at the hotel
(Shabbat) – Shabbat services at Synagogue.
Lunch at hotel
Day at leisure (Optional visit Museum)

Dinner with a Hindu family
Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 4, Mumbai
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning excursion by surface or catamaran to ALIBAG.
Alibag and the surrounding village, Navgaon, about 22 miles southwest across a gray-green harbor from Mumbai — were home to what was once a thriving and vibrant Jewish community known as the Bene Israel. So many Jews once lived here, in fact, that this dirt road is called Israel Lane. The facades of many of the houses along it still bear Stars of David and Hebrew lettering.

Lunch at Alibag with Jewish family.

Evening  Dinner at Synagogue.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5, Mumbai - Cochin
Breakfast at the hotel (Box lunch from hotel)
Morning visit city tour: 'The Gateway of India' Mumbai’s foremost landmark overlooking the harbor, was conceived following the visit of King George V in 1911 and officially opened in 1924. A drive up to the Malabar Hill, to the hanging gardens, gives a panoramic view of the city and the Queens Necklace – the Marine Drive. The tour concludes with a drive through the Flora Fountain and Fort area and view the Gothic and Victorian style buildings. Visit the Victoria Terminus (now known as Chartapati Shivaji Terminus) India’s finest Gothic building and a bustling Railway Station.

After lunch transfer from hotel to airport in time flight for:

Reception upon arrival at the airport and transfer to: HOTEL TAJ MALABAR

Kochi (Cochin) : Now known as Kochi, is one of India’s largest ports where the misty silhouettes of huge merchant ships can be seen anchored off the point of Fort Cochin waiting for a berth in the docks of Ernakulam or Willingdon island. With its wealth of historical associations – since the times it was visited by the Portuguese, the Dutch and British, this city is a magical blend.  Here you can see the oldest church in India, a 500 years old Portuguese house, the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, a Jewish synagogue and the palace built by the Portuguese.
Dinner & Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 6, Cochin
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning proceed for the sightseeing tour of Cochin. The tour begins from “The Dutch Palace
(closed on Fridays)” also known as Mattancherry Palace, built by Portuguese in 1555, which is famous for its murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana and the puranic legends. Adjacent to the palace is the Jewish Synagogue (closed on Fridays & Saturdays) built in 1568. Also visit the St. Francis Church (closed on Sundays), established by the Portuguese Franciscan friars in 1503. Vasco Da Gama was buried in the courtyard of this European church built in India. Other attractions include the traditional fishing hamlets and the fisher folk in their colorful costumes. The tour also includes a visit to the seaside where one can still see the, nearly a century old Chinese fishing nets, which, are still in use. 

Lunch at Bharat Restaurant 
Evening witness Kathakali dance show at local theater
Dinner & Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 7, Cochin - Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning enjoy motor launch cruise on the backwaters of Cochin, around the harbor, witnessing the Bolghatty Palace (the beautiful Dutch colonial mansion).  You will pass islands and view the traditional fishing hamlets, and the fisher folk in their colorful costumes.

Lunch at hotel

Later transfer from hotel to airport in time flight for:

Reception upon arrival at the airport and transfer to: HOTEL TAJ MAHAL

Day 8, Delhi - Agra
Packed breakfast from the hotel
Early morning transfer from hotel to railway station in time train for:

Reception upon arrival at the railway station and direct proceeds for excursion tour to Fatehpur Sikri.

Fatehpur Sikri : This deserted, red sandstone city, built by Emperor Akbar, between 1570 and 1585, now glows in its magnificent past. This was once the capital of the Moghul Empire for a short period but later abandoned due to scarcity of water. Here you will visit the Bulund Darwaza (The Gate of Victory), which is said to be the tallest gateway in the world. In the northern part of the courtyard is the superb white marble tomb of the famous Sufi saint - Shaik Salim Chishti. This tomb was built in 1570 and legend says that the Moghul Emperor Akbar was without a male heir because of which he made a barefoot pilgrimage from Agra to seek the blessings of this saint. The saint foretold the birth of a son, and in gratitude Akbar named his son Salim, who later went to be called by the title Jehangir.      

Early lunch at Zorba The Buddha

Later check – in at: HOTEL JAY PEE PALACE.

Late afternoon proceed for a city tour where you will experience the TAJ MAHAL by sunset (closed on Fridays). An extravagant marble monument of love, built by Shah Jahan in 1653 as a memorial to his queen Mumtaz Mahal. This beautiful mausoleum in pure white marble took 22 years and 22000 craftsmen to build.

Dinner at Dasha Prakash.
Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 9, Agra - Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning visit Agra Fort : the original red sandstone fort built by Moghul Emperor Akbar in 1565. The Forts maze of courtyards, its marble mosque and lavish private chambers reflect the grandeur of the Moghul Empire.

Later drive from Agra to Delhi (206 kms/5 hrs).
En-route lunch at midway restaurant OR Box Lunch

Upon arrival check-in at HOTEL TAJ MAHAL
 
Dinner at Judah Hyam Synagogue (just walking distance from hotel)
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10, Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel
(Shabbat) Day at leisure
Lunch at hotel.
Evening Cultural show followed by Dinner at India Habitat Centre
Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 11, Delhi

Breakfast at the hotel (Box lunch from hotel)

Morning sightseeing tour of New Delhi, begins with a drive past Safdarjang’s Tomb (1753 AD) while we are on the way to the Qutab Minar (1193 A.D.). This striking medieval tower of victory, build by the slave dynasty, is 73 m high. Within the Qutab complex, amidst the ruins of Quwat-ul-Islam mosque, stands the Iron pillar which has stood the vagaries of weather and has not rusted for over 1500 years. Continue your tour to visit the Humayun’s Tombs – Later drive through the New Delhi area – through the Embassy area (Diplomatic enclave), Government buildings - Parliament House, Presidents House and India Gate.

Afternoon Old Delhi - the tour begins with a visit to the Jama Mosque built in 1650 AD, which is also known as the largest Mosque in India. This is followed by a drive past the breathtaking Red Fort (1639-48), which was also built by Shah Jahan, creator of The Taj Mahal. Later, proceed on to Raj Ghat - the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi and Shanti Vana – the memorial of Independent India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

Dinner at the Hotel
Later transfer from hotel to International airport to fly to onward destination

Day 12, Delhi - Abroad
Depart Delhi for your home country.

Note:
1) Services of a tour escort provided from 8 pax onwards.
2) Special meals with Jewis/Hindu families, meals in Synagogue and cultural evening can
only be arranged from 15 pax onwards.

BON VOYAGE & HAPPY LANDING