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Day 1 - Tuesday
Bombay, Jaipur
Meeting at the international airport in Bombay with the Ofakim representative, and going for a tour of this enormous city, the commercial center of India and the most populous city in India with over 10 million inhabitants. Bombay is, in fact, an island linked to the land by bridges, and the city has grown and expanded through the drying up of the sea.
We will visit the Gateway of India, a triumphal arch built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay in 1911.
We will also go and see the Gothic style Clock Tower and High Court of Justice.
We will continue touring the beautiful sights of Bombay and, in the afternoon, we will drive back to the airport for the flight to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan.
Transfer to the hotel. |
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Day 2 - Wednesday
Jaipur
Jaipur, the pink capital of Rajasthan, sits in a beautiful, wild landscape, surrounded by fortresses and strongholds.
We will get to the magnificent, picturesque Amber Fort in the Aravali Hills astride elephants. Amber Fort was the ancient capital of the princely state of Jaipur.
After a guided tour inside the Fort, we will go for a tour of Jaipur during which we will see the Palace of the Winds, one of the most acclaimed attractions of the city and a perfect example of Rajput art and architecture.
We will also go to see the ‘strange looking’ Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory complex built by Jai Singh II who was a lover of astronomy and after whom Jaipur is named.
If time remains, we will go for a tour of the markets renowned to be the most colorful in India.
In the evening we will all go out together and join the crowd of enthusiastic locals to watch an Indian movie at the famous Raj Mandir movie house... an interesting experience indeed! |
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Day 3 - Thursday
Jaipur, Agra
This morning our bus will take us to Agra, 250 kilometers away.
On the way, we will visit Fatehpur Sikri, the abandoned city that was once the site of the Mughal ruler Akhbar’s court. Akhbar is fondly remembered for his benevolence and tolerance and the city has been beautifully preserved.
We will tour this red sandstone city and appreciate the opulence of Mughal culture and architecture that is evident in the wonderful red sandstone carvings.
Transfer to the hotel. |
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Day 4 - Friday
Agra
Today we will get to know Agra, the city that became famous because of the Taj Mahal (meaning the Crown Palace), which we will, of course visit. The Taj Mahal is an impressive mausoleum, considered to be the most magnificent in the world, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his favorite wife. It took thousands of people dozens of years to build it and the end result is a monument that is a symbol of India. The moment we arrive we will feel the majesty of this place and we will have an opportunity to see it from close up.
We will also go to Agra Fort, the most important fort in India that alternated between being a palace and an army camp. The events that brought about the building of the Taj Mahal took place within the walls of this fort.
We will look across at the Taj Mahal from the fort, go beyond the great walls and walk around the jewel-encrusted marble halls and hear the story of the fort that was so significant to the Mughal period in India.
Afternoon free to wander around Agra’s authentic markets. |
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Day 5 - Saturday
Agra, Delhi, Varanasi
We will get up early for our transfer to the airport for the flight to Delhi.
From there we will fly to Varanasi, the holy city on the banks of the Ganges, a city of spirituality and mysticism where thousands of believers send candles out onto the river as an offering to the gods and pray that all their wishes be fulfilled. |
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Day 6 - Sunday
Varanasi, Sarnath
Varanasi, the city of Shiva, is the most sacred city of all for Hindis and we will absorb its magically mystical atmosphere as we walk along its activity-filled narrow, twisty lanes and the ghats (steps leading down to the river) that the Hindis use when they bathe in the holy waters of the Ganges.
This morning we will get up early and watch the sun rise on a boat trip on the Ganges, where thousands of people already crowd the river and go about their daily lives as they perform rituals. We will sail past burning ghats and see how the Hindis burn their dead.
We will pass by Varanasi’s important temples (entrance is forbidden to non-Hindis) and we will see the worshipers arriving for their morning rituals.
After the boat trip we will go back to the hotel for breakfast and then we will wander around the city’s lanes and go to see the different activities taking place on the ghats depending on the time of day.
We will drive 10 kilometers north of Varanasi to Sarnath where, according to Buddhist tradition, Buddha delivered his first sermon after he attained enlightenment.
We will visit the ruins of 2000-year-old monasteries and the deer park. |
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Day 7 - Monday
Varanasi, Delhi
We will conclude our visit to the fascinating sites and markets of Varanasi and fly to Delhi, the capital of India.
Upon arrival, we will do a tour of the city. We will go to the administrative area and see, amongst other things, the Parliament, Delhi Gate and Raj Gath, the memorial where Gandhi was cremated after his assassination.
We will go for a visit to a typical Indian household and be the guests of a local family who will tell us a bit about traditional Indian lifestyle and will serve us light refreshments with soft and alcoholic drinks whilst showing the women how to put on a sari and the men how to put on the dhoti kurta.
We will learn a lot and this personal encounter will make for an exciting, unforgettable experience.
Transfer to the hotel. |
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Day 8 - Tuesday
Delhi, Chanay (Madras)
Today, we will continue our visit to Delhi and see both the old city and the new one.
We will go to Kutub Minar, the first place in India where a mosque was erected, with its minaret that is build in the form of a victory tower and is decorated with passages from the Koran. The mosque is built out of materials taken from the ruins of Hindu temples that were destroyed by the new conqueror: Islam.
During the time that remains, we will visit Delhi’s markets.
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Chanay (Madras).
Transfer to the hotel. |
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Day 9 - Wednesday
Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram
After breakfast, we will go to Kanchipuram, capital of the Pallava dynasty, and visit the Kamkashi Amman Temple, one of the three holy places of Sakthi worship in India, that dates back to the first millennium.
We will visit this fascinating complex and see the hall of the 100 pillars, the golden cupola and the holy areas of the temple.
From there we will go to Mahabalipuram, also known as the City of Seven Pagodas. This town, 85 kilometers from Madras, is a quiet holiday town with the magnificent 16th century architecture of the Pallava dynasty.
We will see the amazing stone statues and some of the many gods from the Indian pantheon. |
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Day 10 - Thursday
Chanay (Madras), Madurai
Today we will do a comprehensive tour of Madras.
We will go Fort St. George and St. Mary’s Church, both built in 1653 under British rule. We will see a plethora of different architectural styles, a combination of East and West that works together very well.
We will go on to St. Thomas Cathedral, named after Thomas who asked to be buried here on the shores of the city considered to be the most beautiful in the area.
In the evening, we will fly to Madurai.
Transfer to the hotel. |
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Day 11 - Friday
Madurai
Today we will tour Madurai, also known as the City of Festivals.
In the past, this city was a center of culture and of Dravidian architecture. The city was built around the Meenakshi Temple, a fantastic piece of art built in 1560 and dedicated to the God Shiva and his wife Meenakshi. 15.000 people visit here daily! The temple is filled with statues, engravings, hundreds of pillars and countless stories and legends...
Afternoon free. |
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Day 12 - Saturday
Madurai, Periyar
After breakfast our bus will take us to Periyar. We will arrive around midday.
We will check into the hotel and then go out to a spice shop which will tantalize our senses and leave us open-mouthed at the abundance, enormous choice, and display of colors. Spices are the speciality of this part of India and we will come across them all along. We will be given an explanation about their origins and their main properties and be advised how and where to use them (when cooking rice for example).
Later, those who wish to can go for a boat ride on the lake and, if they are lucky, they will catch a glimpse of some of the wildlife that lives in the area. We are likely to see elephants, bison, tigers and monkeys (let’s keep our fingers crossed that we see as many as possible...) in this wonderful nature reserve with an enchanting atmosphere. |
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Day 13 - Sunday
Periyar, Kumarakom
Today we leave fabulous Periyar and make our way to Kumarakom, about 185 kilometers away. The Kumarakom area is also a famous wildlife center with a Bird Sanctuary that is a favorite haunt of migratory birds on their way south from the steppes of frozen Siberia between November and March.
We will go in for a comprehensive tour of the sanctuary and observe the birds.
Transfer to the hotel. |
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Day 14 - Monday
Kumarakom, Kottayam, Backwaters, Cochin
After breakfast we will drive to Kottayam where we will give our bus a rest for a few hours while we go for a boat trip along the canals known as Backwaters.
We will ride past fishermen’s villages and will be able to get a close-up view of how the people in the houses along the canals live and of thefishermen’s unique fishing techniques.
We will end our trip at Alleppey where our bus will be waiting to take us to Cochin, a port city in the state of Kerala in southwestern India.
Transfer to the hotel.
In the evening we will go to the city theater to see a folkloric show typical of this part of India. Part of the performance is a performance of martial arts with swords and shields, developed 1000 years ago because of the local peopld’s need for a way of defending themselves. |
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Day 15 - Tuesday
Cochin, Bombay
This morning we will go for a tour of Cochin after packing our suitcases. We will go to see the port and the fishing system with Chinese fishing nets.
From there we will continue to the Dutch Palace, and to the synagogue and the Jewish quarter.
Some Jews came to Cochin from Spain and Portugal in the 16th century to escape the Inquisition, and others came from Iraq, Yemen and Germany. They were nicknamed Paradesi, which means foreigners’ in the local Malayalam dialect.
The first synagogue in Cochin was built in 1568 next to the Maharajah’s Palace.
We will also visit Fort Kochi, St. Francis Church and the Ernakulam public park. Of course, we cannot miss out on the Broadway shopping center...
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Bombay.
END OF SERVICES. |
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Bombay, Jaipur, Agra, Delhi, Varanasi, Sarnath, Chanay (Madras),
Madurai, Kumarakom, Periyar, The Backwaters, Cochin
Guided tours in:
- Bombay, Jaipur, Agra, Varanasi, Delhi, Madras, Cochin
Special visits:
- Bombay: Gateway of India, Dhobi Ghat, the outdoor 'laundry'.
- Jaipur: Elephant ride to Amber Fort, Jai Singh Observatory, Palace at Fatehpur Sikri Indian movie at Jaipur’s biggest movie house - Raj Mandir.
- Agra: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort.
- Varanasi: Boat trip on the Ganges.
- Delhi: Raj Gath, Kutub Minar. Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram: The Temples.
- Madras: Fort St. George, St Mary’s Church, St Thomas Cathedral.
- Madurai: Meenakshi Temple. Periyar: Visit to a spice shop.
- Kumarakom: Bird Sanctuary.
- Kottayam Backwaters Boat Trip to Alleppey.
- Cochin: Port, Dutch Palace, Synagogue, Jewish quarter,
Fort, St Francis Church, Ernakulam Park.
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Domestic flights abroad |
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Hotels: First class and good tourist class. Double rooms with adjoining bathrooms. |
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Meals: Buffet breakfast throughout the tour |
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Air-conditioned bus for all touring and transfers |
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Experienced, professional guide |
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Visa: Please check with your travel agent |
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Visits: Entrance fees included as per the itinerary |
The price also includes: local airport
taxes, fuel tax as per 6/1/07, tips for
services rendered. The price does not
include: international air, optional
tours, travel insurance. We recommend
that you read the chapter at the end of
the brochure devoted to general
information and general terms. |
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| TOUR CODE: OINS |
Arrival date to
destination |
Land only - per person in USD |
| 2007 |
| Sep 11,25 |
$2,950 |
| Oct 30 |
$2,950 |
| Nov 20 |
$2,950 |
| Dec 4 |
$2,950 |
| 2008 |
| Jan 8,29 |
$2,950 |
| Mar 11 |
$2,950 |
| Aug 15 |
$2,950 |
| Sep 9, 23 |
$2,950 |
| Oct 7 |
$2,950 |
| Nov 4, 18 |
$2,950 |
| Dec 16 |
$2,950 |
| 2009 |
| Jan 20 |
$2,950 |
| Mar 3, 17 |
$2,950 |
| Apr 7, 21 |
$2,950 |
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