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COLORS, SCENTS & SENSES A 5-Star Deluxe Tour of
INDIA & NEPAL
Tour Code IND15
Tour Start Date October 26, 2015
Tour End Date November 9, 2015
Price Land Only $6500
Single Supplement $1800
Tour Leader Rabbi Menahem Fogel
India has been described as "an assault on the senses." It is spicy and scented, raucous and
vivid, colorful and loud and everything in between. It's more a continent than a country.
Nepal, on the other hand, the only Hindu kingdom in the world, is a modest neighbor. On our
tour we'll feel the pulse of the big cities of Delhi & Mumbai, marvel at the splendor of the Taj
Mahal in Agra, be awed by the magnificence of Mount Everest, observe the religious rites on
the Ganges River in Varanasi, wander the streets of the pink city of Jaipur, and last but by no
means least, imbibe Indian Jewish traditions in the historic city of Cochin. A trip to India is not
for the faint-hearted. But once you have visited it, you will never be free of its enchantment.
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Day 1: Monday: 26 October, 2015: Arrival to Delhi (Taj Mahal Hotel)
Upon arrival to Delhi, you will be met and escorted to our hotel, the deluxe 5* Taj Mahal Hotel
http://www.tajhotels.com/luxury/city-hotels/the-taj-mahal-hotel-new-delhi/overview.html
Lunch will be at the Evergreen pure vegetarian restaurant and sweet factory where we’ll enjoy
our first taste of local cuisine.
In the afternoon we’ll visit Old Delhi, a part of the city that dates back
to the 17th Century. We’ll pass the Jama Masjid, the biggest Mosque in
India as we make our way to the Rajghat Memorial, site of the
cremation of Mohandas Ghandi, father of the modern Indian nation.
In the evening we’ll go out to the city’s premier modern shopping mall
for dinner at one of Delhi’s upscale pure vegetarian restaurants.
Afterwards it’s back to the hotel for some much needed sleep.
Day 2: Tuesday: 27 October, 2015: Delhi (Taj Mahal Hotel)
Day tour of Delhi: Delhi has been considered a
Phoenix, rising time and again out of its own ruins.
In fact, Delhi is made up of seven cities, the first
dating back to the 11th century. We’ll visit both the
new city and the old city, starting with the 12th
century tower of Qutab Minar, the tomb of
Humayun dating to 1265 and the Lotus Temple of
the Bahain peoples of India. Our day will end at the
Rajpath and India Gate, symbol of India’s democracy
and independence.
The day’s events will end with a walk through Delhi’s
famous Grand Bazaar as we make our way to dinner
at Chabad of New Delhi, where – depending on his
availability - we will host a lecture by Prof. Navras
Jaat Afreedi, one of the world’s leading Indo-Judaica
authorities.
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Day 3: Wednesday: 28 October, 2015: Delhi – Agra – Delhi (Taj Mahal Hotel)
A very early start today sees us taking the Shatabdi
Express train from Delhi to Agra, with our breakfast
boxes in hand. We’ll visit the singular, most iconic
place in all of India, the Taj Mahal. Built in the 17th
century, this colossal and perfectly proportioned
edifice was created of white marble over 20 years by
hundreds of craftsmen and over 20,000 laborers –
and they got it right! At dusk, it looks as if it’s a
floating mirage on the Yamuna River. Amazing!
Then, we’ll go on to Agra Fort, once the flourishing
center of the Mughal Dynasty. Four successive
emperors helped to create its massive walls, within which both Hindu and Muslim styles merge
into a splendid fusion of military might and lavish beauty.
After visiting these two sites we’ll head back to Delhi where we’ll try to visit Delhi’s single
synagogue before we take some time off for a little local shopping.
Day 4: Thursday: 29 October, 2015: Delhi - Kathmandu (Hotel Yak & Yeti)
After breakfast we’ll head to the airport for our
flight to Kathmandu, capital of Nepal. Upon
arrival we’ll spend the morning in Kathmandu
City. Also known as “Kantipur” and situated at
a reasonable 1400m above sea level,
Kathmandu is surrounded by mountains and
snow-capped peaks (it is the Himalaya, after
all). The city’s architecture displays and
interesting blend of Hindu and Buddhist
influences on its design. We’ll visit Hanuman
Dhoka, a complex of structures with the Royal Palace of the Malla kings and also of the Shah
dynasty in the Durbar Square of central Kathmandu. Afterwards we’ll go on to Swayambunath,
an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city. It is
also known as the Monkey Temple as there are holy monkeys living in the north-west parts of
the temple.
In the afternoon, we’ll make our way to Patan, officially Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City, located
in the south-central part of the Kathmandu Valley. Also known as Manigal, its ancient streets are
filled with gateways, guardian deities and endless carvings. Noted for its craftsmen, it is called a
“city of artists.” If time is available. We’ll make a stop at a nearby Tibetan refugee camp. We’ll
then head to the hotel to check in, freshen up, and dinner. (www.yakandyeti.com)
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Day 5: Friday: 30 October, 2015: Kathmandu (Hotel Yak & Yeti)
This day brings us another one of the spectacular highlights of our tour – the Himalaya and
Mount Everest; undoubtedly the most spectacular natural sight on our planet. We’ll travel to
Kathmandu’s domestic airport where we’ll board our flight to the mountain of mountains.
Afterwards we’ll return to the hotel for Shacharit & breakfast.
After breakfast we’ll take in two more sights, Pashupathinath Temple situated on the banks of
the sacred Bagmati River. This is considered one of the holiest temples in the entire Hindu
world, and it can be viewed from the Eastern side of the river. From here we’ll continue to
Bodnath, 8km from Kathmandu to visit the largest Stupa in the world.
In the afternoon, we’ll take some time off for shopping and wandering about in Kathmandu’s
famous Thamel market, before returning to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat.
Day 6: Shabbat: 31 October, 2015: Kathmandu (Hotel Yak & Yeti)
We’ll daven this morning with Chabad of
Kathmandu, after which we’ll join with them for
Kiddush and lunch. After Shabbat Lunch &
Mincha, we’ll take a walk through Kathmandu’s
Thamel market and visit the amazing botanical
“Garden of Dreams” on our way back to the
hotel. Late afternoon lecture by Israel’s
Ambassador to Nepal (to be confirmed) followed
by Maariv, Havdalah and Melaveh Malka.
Day 7: Sunday: 1 November, 2015: Kathmandu – Varanasi (Taj Gateway Ganges)
After an early breakfast, we’ll make our way to Kathmandu’s International Airport for our flight
to Varanasi. Upon landing we’ll proceed directly to Sarnath, where the Buddha preached his
very first sermon, and from where he began the search for meaning that would last his entire
life. Here we’ll see the ruins of monasteries dating back 2000 years. The Dhamek Stupa and the
Mani Shrine draw Buddhist pilgrims to Sarnath from all over the world. Here we will see the
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famous polished sandstone Ashoka Pillar upon which is the famous lion, adopted as India’s State
Emblem. Then we’ll head to our hotel to check in, freshen up and rest.
(http://www.thegatewayhotels.com/gangesvara
nasi/overview.aspx)
After lunch, we’ll take a tour of the city, starting
with Benares Hindu University and then on to as
many sites as time will comfortably allow.
Varanasi is also known for its silk, and we’ll
make special time to visit a place where silk is
still hand-woven according to ancient tradition.
Here we will be assured of good quality and a
good price. In the evening we’ll take a rickshaw
ride to the ghats on the banks of the Ganges
River to witness the Deepmala ceremony where Aarti is performed by many worshipping priests
chanting hymns to the sounds of ringing bells and beating drums. We’ll return to the hotel for a
sumptuous dinner on the veranda.
Day 8: Monday: 2 November, 2015: Varanasi – Delhi – Jaipur (Trident Hotel Jaipur)
We’ll start the day with a very early morning
boat cruise on the Ganges River where we will
witness the burning ghats, the religious Hindu
way of life, holy men chanting mantras,
cremations, prayers to the sun gods, and the
like. This is a very moving experience and one
that gives understanding to Varanasi as one of
India’s holy cities. Afterwards we’ll return to
the hotel for breakfast. Then we’ll continue our
city tour of Varanasi, after which we’ll transfer
to the airport for our flight to Delhi, where we’ll connect to Jaipur.
(http://www.tridenthotels.com/hotels-in-jaipur)
Day 9: Tuesday: 3 November, 2015: Jaipur (Trident Hotel Jaipur)
After breakfast we’ll make our way to Amber Fort, a
17th century palace built on a hill overlooking the city.
The ride up is by … elephant! The towers and domes
of the Amber Palace are reminiscent of some fairy
tale. Its halls of victory are richly decorated with
panels of alabaster with fine, colorful inlay work.
In the afternoon we’ll take in two more of Jaipur’s
amazing sights: City palace and the Palace of Winds.
Jaipur became known as the “Pink City” because of the rose colored sandstone used in its
construction. The Maharajah’s Palace, built in the center of the city and surrounded by high
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walls, gives off a medieval air, while the Palace of Winds (Hawa Mahal,) is a five-storey structure
with tiers of overhanging balconies of pink sandstone. If time permits, we will visit the Jantar
Mantar an ancient astronomical observatory built by Maharajah Jai Singh (after whom the city
is named), containing huge masonry instruments of remarkable size.
In the evening we’ll all go out to a movie at the Raj Mandir Cinema, the largest of its kind in
India. You may not understand the language, but you won’t be able to resist the mood of the
foot tapping music of the movie. India’s “Bollywood” is the world’s largest film-making industry.
Day 10: Wednesday: 4 November, 2015: Jaipur – Cochin (Taj Malabar Hotel)
After breakfast we’ll make our way to Jaipur airport for our
flight to Cochin, once the “Jerusalem” of India. Cochin’s
Jewish community made aliyah in the early 1960’s en
masse. Few remained behind, and today they are fewer
still. We’ll visit some of the Jewish sites in the new city and
the old city, as well as Jew Town, and the world-famous
Paradesi synagogue. Cochin is also famous for its
Portuguese heritage, and we’ll see how that plays out on
the architecture and culture here.
(http://www.vivantabytaj.com/malabar-cochin/overview.html)
Day 11: Thursday: 5 November, 2015: Cochin
Today we’ll start with a relaxing few hours on the
backwaters of Kerala. We’ll drive down to Kumarakom or
Allepey and there we’ll board a luxury houseboat for a few
hours of silent sailing on the backwaters. Here we’ll see
how the local inhabitants have adapted to life in, on and
alongside the water. We’ll pass the mangroves and the
coconut plantations, see how sisal is harvested and
converted into furniture and all sorts of other products, and
just chill out in this tropical paradise that is southern India.
Afterwards we’ll return to Cochin to complete our tour of the city.
Day 12: Friday: 6 November, 2015: Cochin - Mumbai (Oberoi Mumbai Hotel)
After breakfast we’ll head to the
airport for our flight to Mumbai,
India’s largest city. Mumbai is a
built on a series of islands
connected to the mainland by
bridges and low swampy areas that
were gradually reclaimed. We will
visit the Gateway to India, a 262ft
high gate overlooking the sea, built
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to welcome the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911. We’ll visit the Dhobi Ghat, the
world’s largest hand-powered laundry and other sites as time permits. Afterwards we’ll return
to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat, which we will enjoy at the Knesset Eliyahoo synagogue
together with the local Jewish community.
(http://www.oberoihotels.com/oberoi_mumbai/)
Day 13: Shabbat: 7 November, 2015: Mumbai (Oberoi Mumbai Hotel)
After services at the Knesset Eliyahoo synagogue and Kiddush/lunch at Chabad of Mumbai, we’ll
stroll along Mumbai’s famous Apollo Bunder on our way back to the Hotel. We may even be
lucky enough to watch some cricket along the way!
Day 14: Sunday: 8 November, 2015: Mumbai (Oberoi Mumbai Hotel)
After breakfast we’ll take an excursion to Elephanta
Caves. Mumbai’s harbor is studded with beautiful little
islands, the largest of which is the Elephanta. The
island’s hills are wooded with tamarind and mango
trees and are full of caves with intricate sculptures.
After returning to the mainland, we’ll take a tour of
Mumbai’s other synagogues and Jewish institutions.
Day 15: Monday: 9 November, 2015: Mumbai – Home Gateway
After breakfast, we’ll bid one another farewell as we prepare to fly home with our memories,
and our hopes for another tour with Eddie’s Kosher Travel!
List of Hotels (or similar):
Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi (http://www.tajhotels.com/luxury/city-hotels/the-taj-mahal-hotel-
new-delhi/overview.html)
Yak and Yeti Hotel, Kathmandu (www.yakandyeti.com)
Gateway Hotel, Varanasi (http://www.thegatewayhotels.com/gangesvaranasi/overview.aspx) Trident Hotel, Jaipur (http://www.tridenthotels.com/hotels-in-jaipur) Taj Malabar Hotel, Cochin (http://www.vivantabytaj.com/malabar-cochin/overview.html) Oberoi Hotel, Mumbai (http://www.oberoihotels.com/oberoi_mumbai/)
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PRICE INCLUDES
Domestic/Regional flights as per itinerary
DEL-KTM; KTM-VNS; VNS-DEL-JAI; JAI-BOM-COK; COK-BOM
5* Deluxe Hotels wherever available
Entrance fees as per the itinerary
A/C Comfortable touring coach with mineral water
Kosher half board: Breakfast & Dinner daily unless otherwise stated
Professional experienced English-speaking Tour Manager
Local English-speaking Guide as required
PRICE EXCLUDES
Travel & Health Insurance
International flights
Personal expenses
Tips for local service providers $200 (to be collected upon arrival)
Shows and evening entertainment not included in the itinerary
Tip for our Indian Tour Manager (Recommended: $5 per person per day)
Miscellaneous expenses such as entrance and departure fees, visas, security surcharges etc.
Indian Visa – MUST be Double or Multiple Entry
Nepalese Visa: $30 – to be paid in US$ cash upon arrival to Nepal
Important to Know:
There may be changes to the order of places visited. We will make every effort to visit every
place mentioned in the itinerary.
The tour organizers have no control over airline services such as seating, special meal requests,
changes in departure times or delays. These remain the sole responsibility of the airline
company.
Kashrut: The tour will be accompanied by Rabbi Menahem Fogel of Efrat, Israel who is an international
tour guide and has much experience travelling kosher in the east (this is his
24th trip to India!). A graduate of the hesder program at Yeshivat Kerem
B’Yavneh, he received semicha from his Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi C. Y.
Goldwicht and also from Rabbi R. K. Tzaban (Sefardi semicha), and Rabbi Y.
Grossman of Batei Ungarn in Meah Shearim. A native of Ramat Pinkas near
Tel Aviv, Rabbi Fogel served in pulpits in Cape Town and Vancouver before
returning to Israel in 1984. He will act as our Rav Machshir & Mashgiach
throughout the tour, and especially in cases where we eat in Pure
Vegetarian restaurants. We will only be eating in such establishments that
have been pre-checked and approved by Rabbi Fogel.
Further details about Kashrut in India see page 10. Any questions about Kashrut please submit to
[email protected] and Rabbi Fogel will respond directly.
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Deposit, Cancellation Fees & Policy:
A $500 USD Deposit per person must be received at the time of booking in order to confirm your reservation. Payment in full is due 90 days before departure. A minimum number of participants are required to operate tour dates. If a minimum number has not been reached prior to tour departure and the tour is cancelled you will receive a FULL refund.
• 90 days before departure bookings are refundable less a $100 administration fee • 60-90 days prior to departure: $500 + $100 per passenger • 30-60 days prior to departure: $1,000 + $100 per passenger • Less than 30 working days prior to departure: 100% of total - no refund • We strongly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance.
Flights
If you are joining us for the Land Tour package only (from outside Israel) you can get an obligation free quote for your flights from us
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance encompassing both cancellation and medical insurance is very important and we cannot stress that enough. We strongly recommend that our clients are adequately insured when travelling. It is crucial to purchase the travel insurance within 14 days from the 1st payment that you make for this trip (flights/cruise/tour etc). Your payment is made directly to the insurance company. We highly recommend the 'cancel for any reason' upgrade option. Our preferred policies are Travel Safe (USA & Canadian residents), Travel Select (USA residents) and Global Trip Protection Elite (All other Nationalities).
Bookings: To reserve your space on this tour, please complete the attached booking form and return it to us by fax as soon as possible.
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Traveling Kosher in India By Rabbi Menahem Fogel
India is probably the easiest of all Eastern countries in which to travel kosher. While the availability of
hechsherim is almost non-existent, basic local beliefs enable us to enjoy the local cuisine, if we keep our
wits about us and abide by some basic rules of hilchot kashrut.
Much of Indian cuisine is guided by the concept of Sattvic (pure food), which according to some has its
origins in the ancient holy city of Varanasi. For an object or food to be sattvic, it must be
uncontaminated and should not spread evil or disease in the world. On the contrary its presence must
purify the surroundings. Thus when an individual consumes such a food, he must feel that he is eating
pure food. The food should be healthy, nutritious and clean. It should also not weaken the power or
equilibrium of mind
What is a sattvic diet? A sattvic diet, also referred to as a yoga diet or sentient diet is a diet based on
foods that—according to Ayurveda and Yoga, are strong in the sattva guna, and lead to clarity and
upeksa (equanimity) of mind while also being beneficial to the body. Such foods include water, cereal
grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits and nuts, fresh milk derivatives [mostly ghee, butter, cream, paneer
(a home-made cottage cheese), lassi (yogurt)], and raw honey.
Foods that this system considers neither positive nor negative are called rajasic, while those that harm
the mind or body are termed tamasic. Foods that are kept overnight (leftovers) are considered tamasic,
as they lose their vital essences and may have grown microorganisms. Any foods that involve the harm
of another being are also considered tamasic, and overly-sweet foods are considered rajasic. Too much
spice, sugar, or salt may render what was a sattvic food to become rajasic or tamasic.
Foods that are considered the most sattvic of all are fresh milk from a happy cow, and fruit fallen from a
tree. This is because there is absolutely no harm done to the organism from which the nutrients came,
but the organism gave the food willingly and with blessings.
From all the above it is understandable why in India, food is prepared fresh and without additives, which
also makes for easier hashgacha. However, at the same time it is important to be aware that most
places that advertize themselves as “Pure Veg” are, in fact, lacto-friendly. In other words, they are to be
considered Milchik. Even places that claim to be totally vegan should be considered Milchik.
Therefore, while there is no fear of eating anything that is forbidden from a kashrut point of view, it is
very important not to take anything for granted. That’s why on this tour, over and above the kitchens in
all the hotels at which we stay, every “Pure Veg” restaurant at which we will be eating, and every
kitchen that will serve us “Pure Veg” food, will be under my watchful supervision.
So please sit back and enjoy your meals. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
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