India 2007

India’s history of Jewish settlement dates back to the 1st century with the arrival of those fleeing persecution after the destruction of the Second Temple. Today’s 5,000 Jews are as diverse and polyglot a population as that of India itself. A visit to India is a revealing and intriguing immersion into the more exotic aspects of Jewish life and culture and the more mysterious recesses of the human soul. It is a truly illuminating journey- and we add Nepal, as an option, to complete the adventure.

ITINERARY
DAY 1- WED - EN ROUTE
Evening departure from New York aboard your AIR INDIA flight to Delhi.

DAY 2- THU-DELHI
arrive 2230, late evening arrival in Delhi. Meet your Tour Manager and transfer to your hotel..

DAY 3 – FRI – DELHI-JAIPUR
Morning city orientation tour of New Delhi, including a visit to the synagogue and meeting with some of its members for a briefing on Indian Jewry. Then, depart for Jaipur. En route visit Amber Fort, just 11kilometers from Jaipur, a marvelous example of Rajput architecture with its terraces and ramparts reflected in the Maoto Lake below. The ascent to the Fort is on gally-caparisoned elephants (not to worry-you won’t go solo!) The Fort interior has various royal halls decorated with intricate ivory work, exquisite wall paintings and tiny mirror chips, creating a tantalizing effect. Late afternoon arrival in Jaipur, the Pink City, in time for Shabbat dinner together. BD

DAY 4 – SAT –JAIPUR
Full day at leisure in this beautiful city where your Tour Manager will provide a variety of options. B

DAY 5- SUN- JAIPUR-AGRA
Morning tour of Jaipur visits the City Palace Museum, an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal Art. Resplendent with its collections of princely robes and carpets, the museum is an armory of old weapons, miniature paintings portraying court and battle scenes and processions. Depart for Agra, stopping in Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sand stone city that was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital. A veritable fairy tale of a city, its ruins are still in pristine conditions, evoking the wealth and grandeur of its past court life. Late afternoon arrival in Agra. Dinner. BD

DAY 6- MON – AGRA
This morning’s touring includes its impressive Agra Fort, whose forbidding walls pro-tectively enclose white marble palaces and mosques, the local bazaar, and, of course,the highlight of the city – the incredible lacy-white grandeur and loveliness of the Taj Mahal, perhaps the most perfect example of Mogul construction and epic power of love, set to architectural poetry. Built by Shah Jehan in tribute to his beloved Queen Tonight, dinner together, and overnight in Agra. BD

DAY 7- TUES – AGRA-KHAJURAHO
Morning express train to Jhansi then drive by car to Khajuraho, stopping for lunch en route. Late afternoon arrival in Khajurho.Dinner. BLD

DAY 8- WED – KHAJURAHO-VARANASI
Morning visit the world-famous Khajuraho Temples built by the Chandela Kings between 950 and 1050. Marvels of three-dimensional sculpture, they are wildly sensual in a land noted for its spiritual consciousness, and believed to be influenced by the Kama Sutra, the famous treatise on erotic arts written by Vatsyayana in the time of the Guptas. Today’s touring includes the Eastern and Western Temples. Afternoon flight to Varanasi. Dinner and overnight. BD

DAY 9-THUR - -VARANASI
Rise before dawn for a boat ride on the Ganges. Here you will observe devout Hindus performing their early morning rituals. Sunrise on the Ganges is a soul lifting experience.
Tour of the city includes the Durga Temple, better known as the “monkey temple” due to its large number of monkeys residing in its walls and the Temple of Vishwanath (Visherwar-Lord of the Universe), both the most sacred spots in the ckty. Walk along the narrow lanes of the bazaar whose shops display their famous Benares silk, brocades and brassware. Afternoon flight to Delhi for overnight. B

DAY 10 – FRIDAY – DELHI-COCHIN
Morning flight to Cochin, India’s most important Jewish city and the heart of the State of Kerala, India’s remote and tropical paradise – a land of mountain ranges, rushing rivers, lowlands studded with blue lagoons – surrounded by the Arabian Sea. Boat Cruise on backwater and through lush greenery for which the area is famous. Our tour of Cochin, known as Queen of the Arabian Sea because of its beautiful and natural harbor includes the Portuguese Fort founded in 1503, the Mattanchery Palace and the Synagogue. Meet with members of the Cochin’s Jewish Community whose origins date to the 5th century BCE when Jews fled biblical Israel after Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem. Shabbat Dinner together. BD

SATURDAY, DAY 11- COCHIN
Shabbat at leisure B

SUNDAY, DAY 12- COCHIN – BOMBAY
Fly to Bombay. Today’s tour of the city includes a visit to the Gateway of India Statue, the Prince of Wales Museum, Jehangir Art Gallery, Marine Drive, Chowpatty Beach, Hanging Garden and the Crawford Market. A special visit has been arranged at the Synagogue to meet with its members and tonight, our Gala Farewell Dinner caps an enchanting and magnificent tour. BD

MONDAY, DAY 13 – EN ROUTE
Transfer to the airport for the flight back to the U.S. or continue to Khatmandu in Nepal.

Extension:
MONDAY – DAY 13 – BOMBAY-KHATMANDU
Morning flight via Delhi to Khatmandu, the kingdom of Nepal’s fabled capital situated in the mighty Himalayas. Nepal is the only country on the Indian subcontinent that officially recognizes Israel. A visit to Nepal is like taking a trip in a time-machine – back to a land which in so many ways has yet to emerge from the Middle Ages. It is one of the few unique travel experiences left in the world. Tonight, Dinner. BD

TUESDAY, DAY 14- KATHMANDU
Awake to the breathtaking view of the Himalayas. Visit Dakshin Kali Temples. Kali is considered to be one of the most important Hindu Godesses. Pilgrims visit the temple with sacrificial offerings (but only on Tuesdays and Saturdays). Continue to Kirtipur, just outside Khatmandu where you will marvel at the old shrines, temples and where local people continue to wear their traditional costumes... B

WEDNESDAY, DAY 15 –KHATMANDU-DELHI
This morning visit Patan, known as the “city of grace and fine arts” to admire the beautiful art and architecture of the city’s palaces. Returning to the hotel, you will pause at the 2,000-year-old stupa or Swayambunath. Visit Hanuman Dhoka, a historic palace and temple complex. Afternoon flight to Delhi for overnight. B

THURSDAY, DAY 16, DELHI
Today, our tour includes a tour of Old Delhi – see the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi and to Jam Masjid, India’s largest mosque. View the ramparts of the Red Fort, symbol of Mughal elegance. Balance of the day is at leisure. B

FRIDAY, DAY 17- ENROUTE
Transfer to the airport for the return flight to New York, arriving later the same day. B

THIS IS A SAMPLE ITINERARY – DISTRIBUTION OF SITES & LEISURE TIMES IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.