Jew Pilgrimage Tour

Destinations Covered: Mumbai - Cochin - Kolkata - Mumbai
Duration: 11 Nights/12 Days

Day 01: Arrival in Mumbai
Upon reaching Mumbai, our representative will meet and assist you with the airport formalities. Later, they would transfer you to a lavish hotel. Mumbai is truly a city with a combination of contemporary exquisiteness and traditional culture. Tagged as 'the city that never sleeps', Mumbai is among the most important metropolitan cities of India. It is an island city, situated on Salsette Island, besides the Arabian Sea. Apart from sharing shoulders with globalization and modernization, Mumbai has a special dwelling for divine spirituality. It is a home of numerous pilgrim sites of almost all the religions. Since it is day one of the trip, get familiar with the city and its ambience. Overnight stay would be at the hotel.

Day 02: Mumbai
In the morning after breakfast, we head towards a walking trip of Mumbai. In the afternoon, we visit divine Tifereth Synagogue. After worshiping with great devotion and faith, we head towards Magen David Synagogue, which is one of most important churches for Jews, for the evening service. It was constructed by David Sassoon in 1861 in Byculla on marvelous and huge ground on the lines that depicts the impeccable Victorian architecture. The interiors of Magen David Synagogue are cultured completely in Baghdadi style. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 03: Mumbai
For those who observe Shabbat would perform service at holy Gate of Mercy Synagogue. For the rest, the morning is free for self excursion and afterwards everyone would be taken for a day trip. To start off with, you would be visiting the Prince of Wales Museum, built by George Wittet in early 20th century. It is an ultimate example of Indo-Saracenic architecture in keeping with the Gateway but the dome is furnished with tiles displaying a Persian and Central Asian touch. The museum also is a habitat of magnificent collection featuring jade and silver jewelry, ancient Indus Valley artifacts and Indian miniature paintings. Later you would be taken to Hanging Gardens, crossing the city's Victorian Gothic buildings en route. Upon reaching the Hanging Gardens, you will be enthralled seeing the harbor's panoramic view and an excellent vista of the Towers of Silence, a mystic crematorium of the Parsi community. Later in the day you would be taken to rare and unique sights of Mumbai.

Day 04: In Mumbai
On this day, begins sightseeing tour of south of Mumbai to the rocky outcrop, the place where the legend of the Bnei Yisrael commenced. It is believed that seven men and seven women endured a shipwreck in the reign of Solomon. Afterwards they emerged out as oil pressers and stayed in the area. There are some shuls still there and even today few Jews perform oil pressing. The area is also regarded in high esteem and the holiest shrine for the Bene Israelies of Mumbai. Also this is the place where it is strongly considered that Saint Elijah came on his chariot; the mark being visible on the rock till date.

Day 05: In Mumbai
On day five, you would be visiting the Mazgaon School. A tour of the school would leave you impressed with the excellent working style of the school. You would also get a chance to meet the administrator of the school. You can discuss with him various questions which might arise in your mind. Later, you would be taken to ORT school in Worli. By the evening, you would be returning to the hotel. Relax and pack your bags as next day you would be heading towards the next destination, Cochin.

Day 06: Mumbai - Cochin
Day six you would be transferred to Mumbai domestic airport to catch a flight for Cochin. Upon reaching Cochin, you would be transferred to a comfortable hotel. After taking some rest, you would be taken on a walking tour of Cochin. The places that you would be visiting include the heritage zone and the stunning St Francis Church. While the former has very well conserved the rich and original architecture of Cochin, the latter was the first European Church to be built in India. The church also holds great historical significance. Continuing with the excursion you would encounter incredible Chinese fishing nets, lining in the front of Cochin harbor. They were set up in between 1350 - 1450. Later in the evening, get enthralled for you would be watching incredible, dramatic, one-of-its-kind classical dance Kathakali.

Day 07: In Cochin
This morning, you would be exploring the Jewish Community and the alluring Pardesi Synagogue. Constructed by Samuel Castiel, David Belila and Ephrahim Sala in 1568 in the quarter of Old Cochin named Jew Town, it is an amazing structure with rusted iron gates and tiled roof. This would be followed by a walk up till the Mattancherry Palace. In the past it was commissioned by the Portuguese for the Kochi's Raja in order to grab rights of trading. The palace has two floors and is constructed in the traditional Kerala style called as nalukattu. In the afternoon, get one with nature as you are sure to have a great time at the sunset cruise on the Kerala's backwaters. A mesmerizing experience indeed!

Day 08: Cochin - Kolkata
The tour moves on to its next destination, i.e. Kolkata on day eighth of the trip. From Cochin Airport, you take a flight for Mumbai. From thereon, you would have a connecting flight for Kolkata. Upon reaching Kolkata, you would be transferred to a good and comfortable hotel. You are free for the remaining day - you can either relax or check out the city on your own. Overnight stay would be at the hotel.

Day 09: Kolkata
In the morning, you would be taken to the enticing Neveh Shalome Synagogue which was built in 1825 and was the very first synagogue in Kolkata. Next, the spiritual journey leads to Magen David Synagogue, established by Mr. Elias David Joseph Esra in remembrance of his father Mr. David Joseph Esra. It is a gorgeous walk up to this synagogue. Later, satiate your taste buds at the Nahoum Bakery. Owned by a Jewish family, the bakery provides mouth watering food. In the evening, you would be touring the divine Magen David Synagogue.

Day 10: Kolkata
Those who want to perform services at synagogue can wake up early in the morning. Afterwards you would get a chance to explore a famous Indian cultural sight, the Dakshineswar Kali temple, constructed in 1847. Next, you would be taken to Kumartuli which is the home of the kumars or potters. These potters make clay images for pujas and festivals all around the year. Next on line is a visit to the angelic and grand Victoria Memorial which is a pleasing white marble structure dedicated to Queen Victoria made on the lines of Italian Renaissance Mughal style; St Paul's Cathedral the original metropolitan church of British India finished in 1847 and Sishu Bhavan which shelters underprivileged.

Day 11: Kolkata
This morning brings the second last day of this spiritual and sacred tour. To start off with, you would be visiting the Marble Palace which showcases a blasting 99 different varieties of marble. The palace houses an exceptionally awesome collection of paintings, out of which some are quite expensive. Next, you would also be visiting University of Performing Art. The University has a small but impressive museum dedicated to the poet laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, Bengal's most favorite son.

Day 12: Depart Kolkata
Post performing Sabbath prayers in Kolkata, you would indulge in a walking tour of the city. Check out the lifestyle and culture prevalent in the city of joy, as it is popularly tagged as. In the evening, after a delightful dinner at the hotel, you would be transferred to the airport, from where you can catch a flight for your onward destination.

Also Mapped to: • Mumbai Tours • Kolkata Tours • Cochin Tours