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| PACKAGE OVERVIEW |
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| Trace the steps of some enterprising ancestors who came to India's western shores way back in the 11th century. Explore some of the most ancient and multifaceted Jewish communities that, tradition relates, are as old as the Diaspora. This is a chance to savor some of the most stunning sights of India while also visit the earliest synagogues that still stand well-preserved by the Jews in India. There are 1600-years old copper plates, gold and silver decorated Torah-scrolls and paintings and other relics from the fascinating Jewish past in magnificent synagogues. Tour through the ancient and modern parts of cosmopolitan Mumbai, the calm colonies of Pune and the alluring backwaters of Kerala. Experience the lives of Jews settled in this part of the world - the Bene Israelis, the Jews of Cochin and the Baghdadis.
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| INCLUSIONS: |
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 Accommodation for 11 nights on twin sharing room basis
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Daily buffet breakfast
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All transport services by an air-conditioned car
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Local English speaking guide for sightseeing
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Co-ordination services with local synagogues for visits / prayer services
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Boat ride from Alleppey to Kumarakom through the backwaters
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Kathakali dance show in Cochin
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| ITINERARY |
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DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN MUMBAI
Upon your arrival at the Mumbai airport, you will be escorted to the hotel. In the afternoon, leave for a sight-seeing tour. Visit the best of British Mumbai and it's Gothic architecture. Start with the Gateway of India, the city's emblem, constructed to welcome King George V in 1911. Move on to the Prince of Wales Museum that boasts of sculptures, terracotta figurines, weaponry etc. from India's ancient and fascinating past. Drive by the Marine Drive for a sweeping view of Mumbai's skyscrapers by the sea. Stop at the Victoria Terminus, a Victorian giant of a building that is now a transportation hub but looks like a grand cathedral with carvings and stained-glass windows. Pick some unique curios at the colorful Crawford market. Have a relaxing dinner at the hotel. Stay overnight at the hotel.
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DAY 2: MUMBAI
Start with the Israeli mohalla where the Bene Israelis first settled. Move to Byculla where the Baghdadi Jews established their colony. The Sassoon Docks here were constructed by the most well-known Jew in India, David Sassoon, a Baghdadi Jew who foresaw the growth of shipping here and built the first dock in Mumbai. The Jacob Sassoon School was originally built only for the Baghdadis. Today, with non-Jewish students as well, it is the only school in Mumbai where Hebrew is taught as the second language. Drop by at the Elphinstone High School built with the generous donations made by Sir Albert Sassoon. The Jewish Synagogue here is one of the 35 synagogues that were maintained by the community earlier. Stay overnight at the hotel.
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DAY 3: MUMBAI
Today you will visit Navagaon, the site where Bene Israeli ancestors first arrived after they were shipwrecked off the cost, about 20 miles south of the island of Mumbai. Supposed to belong to the lost ten tribes of Israel, only seven men and women survived the tragedy and the present Bene Israelis are the descendants of these 7 couples. Visit the Cemetary with two mounds believed to be the collective graves of those who drowned in the legendary shipwreck. Stay overnight at the hotel.
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DAY 4: MUMBAI - PUNE (BY FLIGHT)
Board the flight to Pune. Upon arrival, transfer and check into the hotel and rest for a while. Later, visit the National Defence Academy, a training ground for the 3 defence services, the Bund Gardens on the banks of the Mula River and the Snake Park with its fair collection of reptiles. A must-see is the Raja Kelkar Museum with its impressive assortment of about 17,000 artworks, bizarre musical instruments, strange locks, carved wooden doors etc. A delight for everyone. You will also visit the most important attraction of Pune, the Osho International Commune. The precincts of the Ashram houses a beautiful landscaped garden and a spacious prayer and meditation hall. Stay overnight at the hotel.
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DAY 5: PUNE
Today you will visit some ancient Jewish sites in the city. In the early 19th century, Bene Israel military pensioners settled in Thane and Pune. Gradually, Baghdadi Jews shifted to Pune in small numbers including the well-known philanthropist David Sassoon. He built the Magnificent Synagogue with tall, red spires that rise high above the surrounding buildings. He passed away in 1864 and lies buried in the Tomb here. Attend the prayer session and chat with the locals. Visit the Sassoon Hospital built in 1867 that still stands in its Gothic splendor. Stay overnight at the hotel.
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DAY 6: PUNE - MUMBAI - COCHIN (BY FLIGHT)
We help you transfer to the airport for the flight to Mumbai from where you will board the plane to Cochin. On arrival in Cochin, check into the hotel. Cochin or Kochi is an interesting and picturesque town with a long history and quaint red-tiled roof houses. It retains most of its relaxed and quiet atmosphere with Dutch, Jewish and British houses. By swaying coconut palms, start the sightseeing with the Dutch Palace built by the Portuguese and gifted to the King of Cochin in 1555. It has lavish interiors and a great collection of exhibits. In the evening, witness an enchanting Kathakali Dance performance. Stay overnight at the hotel.
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DAY 7: COCHIN
This day is dedicated to the Jewish places. Of the 7 Synagogues here, the Pardeshi Synagogue is still functional. This is the oldest in India. White-walled and tile-roofed, it has an inner courtyard lined with ancient Hebrew-inscribed gravestones. Past it's ornate, wrought iron gates, watch for the silver and gold decorated Torah Scrolls, an orient carpet and lots of other such interesting relics. The Synagogue is a protected monument and is guarded by an Indian Government guard. Trip down to Cochin's twin town, Ernakulam, that also once had a thriving Jewish community. Visit the Thekumbagum Synagogue on the Jew Street and the Kadavumbagham Synagogue. Stay overnight at the hotel.
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DAY 8: COCHIN - KUMARAKOM
Visit Kumarakom, one of the prettiest places in Kerala and the heart of the scenic backwaters. Drive via Alleppey, the point from where you take a backwater trip to Kumarakom. Visit the network of canals, inland lakes and lagoons that link remote villages and islands with the main land. Cruise through these and get a taste of the peaceful life of the village folk here. Green paddy fields, tall coconut trees and the shimmering waters make for a breathtaking view. Stay overnight at the hotel.
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DAY 9: KUMARAKOM - PERIYAR
Leave for Periyar in the Thekkady district of Kerala. On arrival, check into the hotel tucked away amidst sprawling spice plantations and dense forests. In these mountains is the stunning Periyar Lake and forest that shelters many an animal in its wildlife sanctuary. A habitat for elephants, bison, spotted deer, sambar, bear etc., there are a number of birds that you can spot too. Take jeep safari in to the Jungle. Stay overnight at the hotel.
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DAY 10: PERIYAR - KOVALAM
Leave for the rolling lands of Kovalam. Check into the hotel, an Ayurvedic beach resort. For the next 2 days, stay in cozy huts (all with modern amenities) that face the tranquil and breezy sea. Experience ayurveda, a traditional science of healthy living that was practiced by ancient physicians for sound health. Treat your body with relaxing massages done with therapeutic oils that drain toxic waste and re-balance bio-energies. Choose from various kinds of massages and elaborate rejuvenations therapies. Simply, just unwind with good, long massages by the sea-shore. Stay overnight at the hotel.
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DAY 11: KOVALAM
Full day at leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel.
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DAY 12: TRIVANDRUM DEPARTURE
Depart for Trivandrum Airport for your journey back home.
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| HOTEL DETAILS |
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TAJ MALABAR
City: Cochin
The Taj Malabar, situated on the Wellingdon Island combines old-world elegance with modern day convenience. In its heritage wing, built in 1935, graceful Victorian interiors aptly reflect the inherent beauty of Cochin. Its tower wing houses guestroom suites, each a delicate mix of the classic with the contemporary.
Rooms
The rooms offer distinctive elegance with comfort. The Tower Wing Rooms are inspired by local architecture but infused with European elegance. The rooms offer a breathtaking view of the Chinese fishing nets or the harbour. Heritage Wing Rooms have graceful Victorian interiors with arched pillars. The newly renovated Executive Suites incorporate a separate living room and bedroom with traditionally carved ceiling. The suite offers a grand 4-poster bed, marble-clad bathroom, a breakfast table in the balcony and a breathtaking view of the waters and the islands beyond. The Deluxe Suite has graceful Victorian interiors and generous spaces appointed with ethnic artifacts. The suite includes a separate living room and bedroom, large king size bed, study area, dressing room, spacious bathroom, and a private terrace garden with a balcony overlooking the backwaters. All rooms have wireless Internet connectivity, international direct dialing facility, electronic safe, mini bar, hair dryer and television with satellite programs. All rooms also offer mineral water, tea/coffee maker, and a fruit platter.
Dining
From casual, all-day eateries to formal, fine dining, you can sample from a wide selection of delectable dishes and refreshing drinks at the Taj. The dining culture at Taj explores the nuances of the finest Indian and international cuisines, serving traditional and contemporary favourites. Dolphin's Point is a seasonal open-air restaurant by the bayside that offers outstanding barbeques and grills. The Pepper is an all-day diner that offers a variety of cuisines as well as soothing views of the backwaters and lush gardens. If you love seafood, hit the The Rice Boat which is seafood specialty restaurant that offers a layout and decor inspired by a traditional 'kettuvalam' rice boat; the garden entrance takes the form of a full-scale prow with an authentic cane roof and lanterns adding to the ambience. And if you want to sample some of the most authentic Thai food in Kerela, The Thai Pavilion is where you should go. Mattancherry Bar is a relaxing lobby lounge bar that offers plenty of fine spirits from around the world.
Facilities
At Taj Malabar, you are offered quality facilities and distinctive services. Business services include copier, laptop computers on hire, mobile phones on hire, multimedia computers, portable printers on hire, secretarial services, wireless Internet access and workstations. The meeting-cum-banquet rooms can seat 30-300 persons or 25-250 persons for cocktails/receptions. The hotel also provides a business centre with a boardroom. Boat cruises with cocktails/lunch/dinner on board can also be arranged. A range of theme options are also available. Leisure and other services include babysitting, beauty parlour/salon, car hire service, currency exchange, doctor-on-call, express laundry/dry cleaning, florist and travel assistance.
Fitness and fun facilities include backwater cruises, chill shower, fitness centre, Jacuzzi, souvenir shop, bookshop, speed boat rides, stam room, swimming pool and Taj Cinnamon Coast Luxury Yatch. For kids, there are board games, fishing, kite making, playstation and movies, pool games, story telling and table tennis. Taj Spa's abode is a separate Spa villa that has double treatment rooms and four Ayurveda rooms which allow you to experience this age-old, holistic therapy in quiet.
Location
Situated on Willingdon Island with a magnificent view of Cochin harbour, the Taj Malabar is strategically placed to explore the beaches as well as the city of Cochin.
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SPICE VILLAGE
City: Thekkady
On entering the Spice Village you will be struck first by the resort's serene settings, the homey, spacious, impeccably kept thatched roof cottages nestled amidst a lush leafy garden of pepper vines, cardamom plants, lemon grass and much more. The mesmerizing fragrance of the place assaults your nostrils as you step into an alternate world which proves to be the essence of eco - friendly.
It is a CGH Earth Property and has been in the running since its inception in December 1992. The entire resort spreads over an area of 14 acres and all amidst a bed of green. The hotel is certified Organic by Larcon GMBH, Germany under the European Union Regulation.
Lobby
A warm welcome awaits you as you enter the hotel premises and are well taken care off on your arrival. A welcome drink, your luggage taken care of and a quick look at the smart, elegant and charming lobby space will prove quickly, that you're in the right place. Comfort and service and not compromised on here. The lobby has brown terracotta tiled flooring and two levels. The upper level holds the reception table, a display of all possible spices in sacks and on trays to a corner and a travel desk. The lower space is the seating area with low rise wooden benches and patterned white ethnic cushions. Light wood contrasts with dark wooden benches and side tables attached to the benches sport smart earthen lamps with beige lampshades. Paintings embellish the walls and add to the ever eminent class present. The lobby leads out into the rest of the resort from the back.
Rooms
The resort has a total of 52 rooms which are all housed in individual cottages. 47 Standard Cottages with elephant grass thatched roofs are present amidst spice gardens and 5 Deluxe Cottages hold their own with private gardens and large spaces. They look like full fledged bungalows from the exterior. These cottages and rooms seem like they belong on this hotels premises with their understated elegance and tasteful furnishings. The rooms have a terracotta tiled flooring and the facilities common to all the rooms are direct dial STD telephones with ISD through the reception, minibar with beer, soft drinks, tonic water, mineral water and soda, tea/coffee maker, electronic safes, hairdryers and 1 bottles of complimentary mineral water per day. The Deluxe Cottages are huge spaces with complete attention to detail. The rooms have in room libraries, 4 poster beds, study table, magnificent seating arrangements and the washrooms are delightful with rain showers.
Services & Facilities
Other services offered by the hotel are The Shop which is the gift shop that is open from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm. It provides a selling experience with see, learn and enjoy and offers handicrafts, linen, khadi and cotton garments. There is a half basketball court, tennis court, badminton court, lawns, swimming pool, an interpretation room which gives information about flora and fauna, Ayurvedic Centre, guided tours of the spice plantation on the property, conference hall, live entertainment floor for Kathakali and other dance performances, Yoga, cooking demonstrations, sightseeing, billiards table, bar, laundry and dry cleaning, house keeping, doctor on call, currency exchange, parking space, car rental and acceptance of major credit cards. Literally, everything is taken care of; what more could you ask for?
Dining
The dining facilities are plenty and very desirable. There is the main multi cuisine restaurant which can accommodate 108 persons and has an indoor and outdoor area by the poolside. It offers a buffet depending on occupancy and an a la carte menu for breakfast (7:30 am to 9:30 am), lunch (12:30 pm to 2:30 pm) and dinner (7:30 pm to 9:30 pm). Live instrumental music is played here in the evenings. It is a tastefully furnished space with intricate masks and other embellishments on the walls. Woodhouse Bar is the bar named after the first ranger of Periyar. It is open from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm and sports a perfectly maintained billiards table which can be used at a charge they are completely laden with pictures from the olden times; of AW Wood, his family and the people he met. Board games and books are stacked up in wooden cabinet in the corners of the room. B>The Grill is the moonlight dining experience - it being an al fresco dining choice. It is open from 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm and is a delightful place to dine in.
With all these choice and a list of delicious dishes, the food lovers will enjoy a lasting treat.
The conference hall is located above the Ayurvedic centre and offers a perfect place amidst nature, for a formal or informal gathering. All conferencing facilities can be provided at an extra charge. This is used as a recreation hall when not required for formal gatherings.
Leisure, Health & Entertainment
Tiger Club is the hotel's interpretation room which provides educational and basic information about nature, animals and the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. A naturalist sits here to provide you with any direction you may need and daily slide shows are screened from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Cooking demonstrations are done by a chef from 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm everyday. Yoga is organized with a professional instructor and this is all only for in house guests. The hotel's Ayurvedic centre has a Green Leaf certification, proving its authenticity. It has a doctor and 4 massage rooms; 2 for ladies and 2 for gents. The centre has 3 types of massage beds to offer a choice to the guests; rosewood beds, teakwood beds and rexin sheets. Ayurvedic plants and spices are on sale here. The pool is oxidated with any use of harmful chemicals like chlorine. It can only be used by in house guests free of charge and has a maximum depth of 7.5 feet. White wood sun beds surround the area around the pool, along with a canopy of trees beyond. The hotel also has an organic farm where they recycle their waste ma
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SOMA PALM SHORE
City: Kovalam and Poovar
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COCONUT LAGOON RESORTS
City: Kumarakom
Coconut Lagoon Resort, an authentic experience of Kerala and its backwaters and is nicely set on an abandoned coconut plantation in the very heart of the fascinating backwaters. The hotel has been designed to provide visitors with an authentic insight into Kuttanad life. It offers three basic types of accommodation, Heritage Mansions, Heritage Bungalows and Private Pool Villas, all accommodations well furnished in wood with attached open roof bathrooms.
Dining
Fort Cochin is the speciality seafood restaurant, where, among other delights, a variety of shellfish, sea and river fish are served in local and international styles. The extensive buffet includes delicious vegetarian spreads. The restaurant building is built in the old 'ettukettu' style, two roomy courtyards with dozens of slender supporting pillars. The space has been designed such that a constant, playful breeze dances attendance on diners. As is expected, most ingredients are fresh here. Fish jumps practically straight from the lagoon to the frying pan, paddy is local and the same goes for the poultry. The menu also features Ayurvedic drinks and foods that have specific restorative, digestive or cooling effects. Theyam, the bar, is well stocked and offers the choicest of liquor brands.
Hotel Facilities
The resort has an Ayurveda Centre that offers special treatments and therapies to rejuvenate the body. Recreational facilities and activities include a swimming pool, recreation centre, sunset cruise, backwater cruise, bird watching and farm visit.
Location
The hotel is situated at about 78 kms from Cochin, hidden among the palm trees on the eastern shore of Lake Vembanad.
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| DESTINATION INFORMATION |
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| MUMBAI |
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India has always been fixated with Bombay. The dream factory is glitzy, home to Bollywood, a thriving commerce industry, the moneyed swish set and some of the country's best educational institutions, and yet it has a convoluted underbelly comprising gangsters, dirt cheap prostitutes, street children and the world's largest slums. Bombay escapes definition. Everything exaggerated, impossible or unimaginable you might have heard about Bombay is in fact true, and more. Look beyond its glaring disparities and you will discover its seductive spirit that keeps the city going.
Don't Miss
There is so much to do in this bustling city. There is much to eat, much to see, and much to treasure for the rest of your life. However, some places must be given importance, and are listed as follows: Elephanta Caves (exquisite temple caves), Old Bombay with its quaint Victorian architecture, as well as Marine Drive, Chowpatty Beach, and Juhu Beach. There are also plenty nearby places to explore, such as Alibag, Gokarna, Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, and the famous Lonavala & Khandala.
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Mumbai Gateway of India
Mumbai Haji Ali Dargah
Mumbai Heritage Wing of the Taj Mahal Hotel
Mumbai Skyline
Mumbai Victoria Terminus at Night
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| PUNE |
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Mostly a corporate stopover, Pune has its mix of potpourri and culture. Whether it is the Lal Deval or Vishram Baug Wada, which now functions as a post office, the list is endless! Shaniwar Wada, Aga Khan Palace and the Parvati temple are the other few attractions without which a visit to the city would be incomplete!
Don't Miss
You cannot go to Pune and not visit the Osho Ashram, the world famous meditation centre. The Ashram is enveloped in green and is a quiet retreat to relax and unwind. Another must see is the Pashan Lake, a man made lake built by bending the Ram River. Pune has quite a few religious places as well - Pataleshwar Cave Temple, Parvati Hill Temple, Kartikeya Temple, Ganapati Temple, Chaturshrungi Temple, Omkareshwar Temple and the Lal Deval Synagogue are some if the revered placed in Pune. Lonavala and Khandala about 70 kilometres away is an excellent getaway from Pune. Mahabaleshwar (120 km away) and Panchghani (101 km away) are beautiful hill stations within a few hours drive away from Pune.
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The Temple of Puning Chengde Pune
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| PHOTO GALLERY |
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Mumbai Gateway of India
The famous Gateway of India on a beautiful day in Mumbai
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42 Photos
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