Sunday, March 18, 2012
Today we depart for Delhi, India.
Monday, March 19, 2012 Delhi
Today we arrive in India and will be met at the airport and transferred to The Park Hotel for our brief sojourn in Delhi. Deluxe Kosher Tours will provide our ground transportation throughout India in comfortable, air-conditioned coaches, and all of our carefully-selected, English-speaking tour guides throughout the nation, will enthrall us with the significance of the attractions we will visit in this wonderful nation.
Delhi– boom town metropolis, capital city, home to millions of people and centuries of history– embodies modern India. Some of the nation’s most majestic, architectural wonders dot its cityscape, including the centrally-located, sprawling Red Fort and the neighboring Jama Masjid Mosque. Between these prestigious landmarks lies the market Chandni Chowk, where the spice-scented air perfumes the narrow lanes. After New Delhi became the British Imperial capital in 1911, construction of wide streets and the incorporation of colonial architecture radically transformed the cityscape. The grand boulevards, parks and colonial buildings both contrast and complement Delhi’s ancient past.
Depending upon our time of arrival, our whirlwind tour of illustrious Delhi will involve a full day of sightseeing. We will begin at Judah Hyan, Delhi’s only synagogue. Jews have lived in India since ancient times, and their communities are mentioned in the Talmud (and hinted at in the Bible, itself). The beauty of the Judah Hyan synagogue mirrors the ancient legacy of Indian Jewry. We will then visit the India Gate, the grand arch and monument to the fallen soldiers of the British Raj who fought in World War I. Next we will visit the President House, the ornate, home of India’s leader. Next we will each sit back and enjoy a cozy rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, as we absorb the energy of Delhi’s preeminent market. After leaving the bustle of the market, we will step into a quieter and more tranquil setting as we visit Raj Ghat: a memorial to one of history’s most memorable figures, Mahatma Gandhi. Our next stop will be the humbling Qutab Minar, a towering, red minaret and the world’s largest made of brick. Our final stop will be at Delhi’s Main Bazaar.
We will then return to our hotel for dinner.
NOTE: If we arrive in Delhi in the evening the sightseeing will be done on our return to Delhi on March 27th
Tuesday, March 20, 2012 Kochi
We begin our day with breakfast at the hotel, and then transfer to the airport where we will fly to Kochi via Hyderabad. We will be met and assisted at the airport and taken to our hotel.
Kochi, formerly known as Cochin, sits on a natural harbor in the Indian state of Kerala. In the evening we will watch a Kathakali show, known for stylistic dance, inherent drama and elaborate costumes. Afterward we will visit the market on MG Road, which offers handicrafts, food, clothing and more.
After our leisurely evening, we will return to the hotel for the night.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012 Kochi
Today begins with breakfast at the hotel, followed by a grand tour of the Fort Kochi area. We will first visit the Pardesi Synagogue, home to one of Jewry’s most exotic communities. Kochi Jewry dates back to the destruction of the Temple. They first lived in the fabled kingdom of Shingly, whose king had two copper plates inscribed with a charter for the community. The copper plates are stored in the ark of Cochin Synagogue. Next we will venture to the coast to see the intricate Chinese fishing nets. We will then visit the Dutch Cemetery, final resting place of many and eternal home to hauntingly beautiful graves and tombs. Finally, we will absorb Kochi’s charming spirit by taking a walking tour of the Fort Kochi area, ending our stroll at the spice market.
This afternoon we will take in vistas of the city from the surrounding sapphire waters as we embark upon a short boat cruise. Our final night in Kochi will be spent watching an impressive martial arts demonstration, followed by dinner at the hotel.
Thursday, March 22, 2012 Pushkar
We begin our day with breakfast at the hotel, after which we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Jaipur via Mumbai. We will be met at Jaipur’s airport and driven about three hours to our next destination: Pushkar.
Located in the State of Rajasthan, Pushkar is a small desert town with beautiful surrounding mountains and is known for its camel festival in November, to which thousands of people flock. Upon arrival, we will arrive at Green House, our hotel in Pushkar.
Friday, March 23, 2012 Pushkar
Our day begins with a visit to Pushkar Lake, an oasis, sacred to Hindus. We will visit the local market before returning to the hotel for the night.
Shabbat, March 24, 2012 Pushkar
Spend Shabbat at leisure. We will be hosted by the Chabad community in Pushkar. Enjoy a camel cart ride in the evening.
Sunday, March 25, 2012 Jaipur
After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive back to Jaipur. There, we will check into our hotel, Country Inn & Suites.
Founded in 1727, Jaipur is a bustling Rajasthani metropolis affectionately known as the Pink City. Some of Jaipur’s most noted attractions include the Jantar Mantar, an observatory constructed nearly three centuries ago; the City Palace, former seat of the Maharajahs and now a museum; and the Amber Fort on the outskirts of Jaipur, an elegant building with beautifully decorated rooms, built on the hilltops.
In the early afternoon we will begin a tour of Jaipur. We will first take an exciting jeep ride to the Amber Fort, beautifully appointed rooms, adorned with marble, mirrors and mosaics. We will then visit the stately, regal City Palace. Next comes the Hawa Mahal, which forms a portion of City Palace and boasts an intricate red sandstone facade. Our next stop will be the Jantar Mantar observatory, which is astronomically accurate since its construction centuries ago. The final stop today will be at the famed Raj Mandir cinema, where we will enjoy an Indian movie for the evening.
Monday, March 26, 2012 Agra
After breakfast, we will be driven to Agra. Along the way we will stop at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Fatehpur Sikri. Once the former court of Emperor Akbar, the grounds now feature the Royal Palace, Hall of Private Audience, a mosque and more, providing us with an intimate look at India’s past. We will proceed to Agra and check in to our hotel.
Agra is home to one of the world’s most magnificent and recognizable landmarks: the Taj Mahal. As a tomb to the Mughal emperor’s late wife, Agra’s humbling mausoleum is perhaps the world’s greatest testament to love between two people. The Taj Mahal features numerous painstaking details, including the entire script of the Koran inscribed on the main dome’s exterior, intricate carvings and incised painting.
We will visit the Taj Mahal, Agra’s most precious jewel. We will then visit one of Agra’s lesser-known, yet historically important attractions: Agra Fort. A walled city, Agra Fort bears a multitude of attractions within its boundaries and plenteous examples of Mughal aesthetics. We will then visit a local market before returning to our hotel for the night.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012 Delhi
We will have breakfast at our hotel before being driven back to Delhi, where we will first check in to our hotel. This evening we will visit the eclectic Janpath Market near the city’s business district Connaught Place.
After the market, we will return to our hotel for the night.
Wednesday, March 28, 2011
On our last day in India, we will have tea and coffee at the hotel. In the evening, we will be transferred to the airport to return home.
Thursday, March 29, 2011
Arrival back home.
COST PER PERSON
$6,295 based on double occupancy (two to a room)
Single Supplement — $ 1,195
Includes air fare from: New York, London or Tel Aviv. Call for other cities.
LAND ONLY (no air fare included – even domestics – should be purchased as part of your international tickets – Delhi-Koshi-Japiur) – $5,395
ADDITIONAL COSTS
- Visa fees as required
- Snacks or items of a personal nature
HOTELS
Delhi Mapple Hotel
Cochin Ramada or Le Meridian
Agra JP Palace
Jaipur Country Inn & Suites
Pushkar Pushkar Palace
ITINERARY & HOTELS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
RATES MAY BE ADJUSTED IF THERE’S A FLUCTUATION IN CURRENCY OF MORE THAN 4% FROM AUGUST 1, 2011
Testimonial
Thank You For A Wonderful Trip!
The food was more than anyone could have anticipated even without the difficulties of Kashrut in India. We particularly enjoyed the intimate atmosphere that the small group provided. Hotels were all top notch. Achia, Our English speaking Israeli guide was very knowledgeable, warm, and friendly.
I would highly recommend Deluxe Kosher Tours to my friends.
Abe and Debbie Z.
I found the India trip vey enjoyable and worth while. It was certainly enhanced by the fact that our guide was very knowledgeable, friendly and attentive to our needs.
Sandy L.
The touring itself was very special. The sites we visited were beautiful and interesting – the Taj is easily the most beautiful building I’ve ever seen, the trip was worth it for that alone. Achiya was an excellent guide. His Israeli background gave us shared contextual referents; his academic grounding in Indian art allowed him to add considerable depth to his explanations, far beyond that of the local guides, and provided us with fascinating insights on the development of and interaction between Islamic and Hindu architecture. He was considerate of our needs and limitations and consulted with us when options were available.
Rachel Y – Chicago
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