Jewish Heritage Tour of India

On arrival at Delhi International Airport you will be met by our representative who will meet and assist in providing transfer to your hotel (Hotel Check-in time is 1400hrs). The rest of the day/ evening is free for you to relax at the hotel and get accustomed to Indian weather and timing. Tonight you’ll sleep in Delhi.

After an early breakfast, we’ll leave for a day trip by train. You’ll enjoy a guided tour of the glorious Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, later returning to Delhi by train. Overnight in Delhi.

After breakfast you’ll leave for a sightseeing tour of Old Delhi including a visit to Raj Ghat (cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi), a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi, Jama Mosque (subject to day of the week) and a drive past the Red Fort. Later, a tour of New Delhi will include Humayun’s Tomb, Qutab Minar and the India Gate. A highlight of the day is a visit to the Judah Hyam Hall. Established in 1956, the hall serves as a centre for Jewish and interfaith studies. An evening transfer to the airport will take you to your flight to Pune. On arrival at Pune you will be met by our representative who will meet you and assist in providing transfer to your hotel for the night.

After breakfast at hotel we’ll visit Succath Shelomo Synagogue – established in 1921 and open for visits throughout the day. Later we’ll visit Ohel David Synagogue – established in 1867 and open for visits in the evening only. Well overnight in Pune.

After breakfast, you’ll transfer to the airport and your flight to Mumbai. On arrival in Mumbai you will be met by our representative who will meet and assist with transfer to your hotel. Tonight you’ll sleep in Mumbai.

After breakfast at the hotel we’ll head to Churchgate Station and interact with Dabbawallas. A ‘dabbawala’ (literally meaning “box person) collects freshly-cooked food in lunch boxes from the residences of the office workers (mostly in the suburbs), delivering it to their respective workplaces and returning the empty boxes back to the customer’s residencey using varied modes of transport. We’ll continue our city tour with visits to the Gateway of India, Kamla Nehru Park, Mani Bhawan, Victoria Terminus, the Hanging Gardens, Dhobi Ghat –here you will see hundreds of ‘dhobis’ (washer-men) and their families busy with chores. Overnight in Mumbai.

After breakfast at hotel you might enjoy shopping at Colaba Causeway and exploring on your own. In the evening, walk down to the Kenneth Eliyahoo Synagogue for the evening service. Tonight we’re in Mumbai.

Depending on the day of week, walk to the synagogue for Shabbat services. After Brunch (Kosher) with the community in the synagogue, we’ll tour the city in afternoon – a visit to the Prince of Wales Museum is a highlight. Again, tonight you’ll sleep in Mumbai.

Today we’ll embark on a full-day excursion south of Mumbai to the rocky outcrop where the legend of the Bene Israel or “Shabbat Oil Pressers” started. The story is that 7 men and 7 women survived a shipwreck in the time of Solomon. They became oil pressers and remained in the area. There remain shuls and Jews continue pressing oil today. The area is considered to be the holiest shrine for the Bene Israelis of Mumbai. This is where they believe Elijah ascended on his chariot and the marks of his horses can be seen in the rocks. You will visit the original site at Navgaon, see the historic monument, visit a Bene Israel village and meet the remaining Bene Israel Jews. Lunch today will be packed or vegetarian – after our return to the hotel we’ll have dinner at the JDC – Jewish Community Centre. Overnight in Mumbai.

After breakfast you’ll transfer to the airport in time for your flight to Cochin. On arrival at Cochin Airport you will be met by our representative who will meet and assist you in transfering to your hotel. Today we’ll visit the Jewish Town and the Pardesi Synagogue – built by Samuel Castiel, David Belila, Ephrahim Sala and Joseph Levi on the grounds of the Maharaja of Cochin’s residence. The first Synagogue of the commonwealth, it is among the oldest in the world. Overnight in Cochin.

visit Paravur Jewish Synagogue and Chendamangalam Jewish Synagogue. Upon our return you’ll enjoy a guided city tour including Mattancherry Palace (built in 1555 and renovated by the Dutch in 1663, it contains 17th century murals of the Ramayana), St. Francis Church, the oldest in India, and the famous Chinese fishing nets (introduced by a trader from Kubla Khan’s China). Later in the afternoon we’ll visit a Charitable Trust and its associated school and shop. We’ll spend this last night in Cochin.

After breakfast you’ll transfer to Cochin airport in time to connect with your flight home.