Exotic India Kosher 5* VIP tour:
February 13-22, 2012
Cochin and the Golden Triangle
Once
again, we are proud to offer a new and exciting destination, largely in response
to several requests received. The inaugural tour, at the very best time of the
year weather-wise, staying and dining in a number of the finest hotels in India,
will combine some of the classic Rajasthan and Delhi destinations in the North
of the country with the fascinating and unique ancient Jewish community of
Cochin in the south, for Shabbat.
Once again we will be seeking to offer our discerning Kosher clientele the opportunity to enjoy India in a way similar to that enjoyed by upscale non-kosher visitors – eating local cuisine prepared by local chefs in the most elegant surroundings. To this end we have engaged the services of Rabbi Menachem Fogel, now of Efrat, who is well acquainted with India, to act as the Rav Machshir and the Mashgiach tmidi.
India has been described as "an assault on the senses." It is spicy and scented, raucous and vivid, colorful and loud and everything in between. It's more a continent than a country and the north is so very different from the south. In the north we'll wander the streets of the pink city of Jaipur, marvel at the splendor of the Taj Mahal in Agra, observe the religious rites on the Ganges River in Varanasi, and feel the pulse of the big city in Delhi.
A trip to India is not for the faint-hearted – it is closer to a marathon than a vacation. We have attempted to create an itinerary which covers many different atmospheres with as few hotel moves as possible. That said, we have no less than 6 internal flights during the tour, but we have left time for you to enjoy the hotel facilities too, not to mention shopping in the markets.
They say that once you have visited India, you will never be free of its magic. We hope to give you the best possible introduction to this unbelievable sub-continent.
Day 1:(Monday): Delhi Arrival 13 February
Arrival Delhi airport
You‟ll be collected and transferred to our hotel, the
Taj Palace Delhi, 5* DLX - one of the top 10 hotels in Delhi, close to the airport – to relax and enjoy the hotel‟s facilities until dinner.http://www.tajhotels.com/Luxury/City-
Hotels/Taj-Palace-Hotel-New-Delhi/Overview.html
Day 2: (Tuesday) : Varanasi 14 February
After breakfast at our hotel, we‟ll fly to the holy city of
Varanasi / Benares, on the banks of the sacred Ganges River. It's an ancient city that serves as a major attraction to many pilgrims from all over the world. Upon arrival we‟ll walk the winding alleyways to the temple of "Mother India." In the evening, we‟ll hop into a rickshaw to the Ganges River where we'll watch the Deempala ceremony, a loud, colorful and most impressive religious ritual that takes place at the end of each day on the banks of the river.Overnight: 5* Taj / Gateway Ganges Hotel, Varanasi
Day 3: (Wednesday) : Varanasi – Jaipur 15 February
At sunrise (!!), we'll take a cruise down the Ganges River from where we'll watch the multitudes coming down to the river for their morning purification rituals.
After breakfast in the hotel we‟ll visit an ashram; from there it's onwards to Saranat where Buddha gave his first sermon regarding the middle path to Nirvana.
Then off to the airport for our flight to
Jaipur.Overnight: Jaipur Rajputana Sheraton Hotel
5* DLX, a Starwood property
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/ sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=492
Day 4: (Thursday): Jaipur 16 February
Breakfast at hotelVisit to the pink city of Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan, and the colorful markets. We‟ll take in the Amber Fortress (riding on elephants!!), the Maharajah‟s Palace the Palace of Winds (Hawa Mahal), a uniquely designed five-storey structure with tiers of overhanging balconies, and Mantar Jantar – a 300 year old planetarium.
After dinner, let‟s go see a Bollywood Movie at Raj Mandir Cinema.
Overnight: Jaipur Rajputana Sheraton
Day 5: (Friday): Jaipur – Cochin (via Delhi) 17 February
Breakfast at hotel. Early transfer to airport for flight to Cochin via Delhi.Upon arrival, we‟ll visit the Jewish cemetery & ancient synagogue. Transfer to Hotel to prepare for Shabbat. Services at Pardesi Synagogue.
Day 6: (Shabbat): Cochin 18 February Breakfast at hotel. Shabbat services & Shabbat lunch at the hotel. After lunch, walking tour of the Jewish quarter of Fort Cochin. Saturday night: Kathakali dance performance. Overnight: Cochin
Day 7: (Sunday): Cochin 19 February
Today we„ll visit the old city of Cochin/ Mattancherry. Mattancherry Dutch Palace and Fort Cochin. Jewish market & spice market. In Ernakulam we„ll visit two other old Synagogues: the Kadavumbhagham and the Kumbhagham.
Overnight: Cochin
Day 8: ( Monday): Cochin – Delhi 20 February Breakfast at hotel.
Drive to Alleppey where we„ll
board a Kettuvallam (houseboat) outfitted with a large and comfortable sundeck
where we„ll be able to relax in wicker chairs as we watch the world go by. We„ll
cruise the enchanting ba
ckwaters
of Kerala through the coconut groves and quiet lagoons.
Evening flight to Delhi.
Overnight: Delhi Taj Mahal Hotel 5* DLX, one of the city‟s top 3 hotels
http://www.tajhotels.com/Luxury/City-Hotels/The-Taj-Mahal-Hotel-New-Delhi/Overview.html
Day 9: (Tuesday) : Delhi – Agra / Taj Mahal - DelhiBreakfast at hotel.
The highlight of everyone’s first visit to India!!
We‟ll take the morning express train to Agra to visit Fatehpur Sikri,
Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Return by express train to Delhi.Overnight: Delhi Taj Mahal Hotel
Day 10: (Tuesday) : Delhi , 21 February
Breakfast at hotel.
City tour of Delhi. Visit Judah Hyan Synagogue, India Gate, Main Bazaar.
Free time to enjoy the magnificent hotel facilities.
Evening: Rickshaw tour of Old City, followed by Indian Home Visit with cocktail.
Dinner at hotel.
Overnight: Delhi Taj Mahal Hotel
Day 11: (Wednesday) : Delhi and Departure 22 February
Breakfast at hotel.
Visit Lotus Temple, Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, and then some leisure time. Lunch at the hotel and transfer to the airport for departures
Guests on Air India departing at night will also receive dinner
END OF SERVICES
Superb introductory price for this absolutely top-of-the line trip:
$8250 per person sharing: single room supplement: $2195
Recommended International Flights: (international flights NOT included)
From Israel: ElAl via MUMBAI
Dep Sunday 12 Feb 2100h (ElAl) arr Delhi 1315h (Kingfisher)
Rtn Thursday 23 Feb 18.10 (Kingfisher) arr TLV 0335 Friday morning
From New York JFK: Air India
Dep Sunday 12 Feb 1600h arr 13 Feb 1650h (non-stop)
Rtn Friday 24 Feb 0045h arr JFK 24 Feb 0545h Friday morning (non-stop)
Kashrut:
Full board – all meals (local chefs , hashgacha Rabbi Menachem Fogel, a highly respected Rabbi from Efrat with extensive experience in the East)
We will be using (where possible) chicken and lamb from Chabad (no beef will be served as the cow is holy in India), fish and fresh produce. Some of the meals will be vegetarian. Any basic processed products (eg oil) will be as approved by Chabad of India.
All food will be cooked fresh in the hotels where we are staying by the hotel chefs with Rabbi Fogel in attendance.
Only in Cochin, for logistical reasons. all food will be provided by "India Glatt Kosher"
Tour Cost includes:
Accommodation (double/ sharing room) in top hotels as shown
6 internal flights
Full transportations as tour program indicated by a/c luxury busLocal English speaking guides
Train to/from Agra
All entrance fees
Airport transfers
English speaking guide
All entertainments, activities as shown
Tour Cost excludes:
International airfare – both from Israel and NY , from approximate $1700 at today's rates - please inquire
Visas and airport taxes
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Emergency transfers
Tips ($150 pp recommended)
Please note – program can change for any reason at any time
Toll-free 877-466-2934. Phone 727-254-4373
email:
info@JewishTravelAgency.com
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