![Taj Mahal - iStock](/images/jch-optimize/ng/images_travel_India-iStock-1146517111-1-500.webp)
Uncovering Jewish India
Prices: $8,700 double occupancy; $2,100 Single Supplement
Prices are listed in US dollars.
Embark on a journey to explore Judaism's role as the cradle of diverse spiritual traditions in India, alongside the intriguing presence of Jewish communities nestled within its embrace. Together, we'll delve into India's religious tapestry through a Jewish lens, reflecting on themes of resilience and diaspora, while contemplating Judaism's significance among global religions. As we visit India's revered religious sites, we'll immerse ourselves in learning and celebration alongside the vibrant Jewish communities we encounter. This inaugural trip is bound to be an unforgettable Melton journey!
Highlights:
- Visit breathtaking historic synagogues and meet with local community members.
- Marvel at the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, as well as other World Heritage sites.
- Immerse yourself in India’s intriguing and distinctive Jewish heritage that dates to the time of the Bible.
- Discover India’s legacy of tolerance, welcome, and acceptance of Jews from around the world.
- Explore India’s other religions by visiting Hindu, Sikh, and Jain temples.
- Enjoy India’s arts and culture through a Kathakali dance drama in Kerala and an exploration of many architectural gems.
- Savor India’s cuisine, from a bountiful Baghdadi Shabbat feast in Mumbai to a superb dinner and cooking demonstration at the home of a chef in Jaipur.
Additions available:
- 3-Day Pre-Trip extension in Varanasi (Feb. 10-13, 2025)
- 5-Day Post-Trip extension in Rajasthan (Feb. 26-March 3, 2025)
From Kolkata’s Alleys to Kerala’s Coasts: Uncovering Jewish India
February 13 – 26, 2025(Itinerary subject to change)
Day 1 – Thursday, February 13
Welcome to India!
- Arrive in Mumbai
- Welcome Dinner
Overnight: Taj Mahal Tower Hotel
Day 2 – Friday, February 14
Mumbai: From an Ancient Shipwreck to a Vibrant Community
- Breakfast at hotel
- Visit synagogues that reflect the thriving presence of the Bene Israel and Baghdadi Jews: Magen David and Tipheret Israel.
- Tour the city of Mumbai: Marvel at the Dhobi Ghat, an immense, colorful outdoor laundry. Learn about India’s multifaceted religious heritage at a Hindu temple.
- Group Lunch at a local restaurant.
- Visit Chabad House to remember the victims of the 2008 terrorist attack.
- Enjoy Shabbat services and a sumptuous kosher dinner with the community at the Knesseth Eliyahoo Synagogue.
- Walk back to hotel
Overnight: Taj Mahal Tower Hotel
Day 3 – Saturday, February 15 – Mumbai
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Walk to the Knesseth Eliyahoo Synagogue for Shabbat services and lunch.
- Optional heritage walk featuring the David Sassoon Library and Prince of Wales Museum with their huge collections of art, archaeology, and natural history.
- Group dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Taj Mahal Tower Hotel
Day 4 – Sunday, February 16 – Mumbai
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Depart by ferry to visit the villages along the coast of Bombay where, according to Bene Israel tradition, seven couples were shipwrecked over 2,000 years ago. Visit the original landing site and monument at Navgaon, as well as the Magen Aboth Synagogue.
- Group Lunch provided.
- Dinner at leisure.
Overnight: Taj Mahal Tower Hotel
Day 5 – Monday, February 17 - Mumbai-Cochin
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Fly to Cochin, on the southern tip of the Indian peninsula. Cochin was once home to another flourishing Jewish community. Today only 21 Jews remain. Visit the dramatic Chinese fishing nets and walk along Jew Street to the exquisite 450-year-old Paradesi Synagogue in Mattancherry.
- Check-in and lunch at the hotel.
- Explore the area’s antique shops and spice markets and visit the Dutch Palace.
- Return to the hotel and enjoy dinner at leisure.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Kochi
Day 6 – Tuesday, February 18
Cochin: Of Spices, Maharajas, and Copper Plates
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Visit the 19th-century Chennamangalam Synagogue and museum. Its proximity to a Hindu temple, church and mosque highlights India’s religious tolerance.
- Stop at the Parur Synagogue, an architectural gem dating from 1616.
- All aboard for a lush backwater tour along Kerala’s local canals.
- Lunch overlooking the Arabian Sea and enjoy a Kathakali dance drama.
- Dinner at leisure.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Kochi
Day 7 – Wednesday, February 19 - Cochin-Jaipur
- Breakfast in the hotel.
- Visit the amazing synagogue in
- Fly to Jaipur, the “Pink City of India.” The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is nestled in India’s mountains.
- Group dinner in a local restaurant.
Overnight: Hilton, Jaipur
Day 8 – Thursday, February 20 - Jaipur: Engaging in Cultural Encounters
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Prepare to be awed by the Amber Fort, the ancient citadel of Jaipur’s rulers. Ride an elephant.
- Lunch provided.
- Stop at the city palace and the Jantar Mantar observatory.
- Time to shop in this beautiful city, known for textiles, jewelry and carpets.
- Home hospitality dinner at the home of a local chef.
Overnight: Hilton Jaipur
Day 9 – Friday, February 21 - Calcutta: Embracing Tradition and Shabbat
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Fly to Calcutta, once the capital of the British Raj and—Rahel’s birthplace! Visit the dazzling and peaceful Jain Temple. Enjoy British-era architectural masterpieces including the Raj Bhavan (Governor’s House) and Writers’ Buildings.
- Packed lunch provided.
- Check in to the hotel and prepare for Shabbat.
- Walk to the Maghen David Synagogue, enjoy a Shabbat service that Rahel will lead, and savor a bountiful Baghdadi Shabbat meal with members of the local community.
Overnight: The Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata
Day 10 – Saturday, February 22 - Calcutta
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Rahel will lead Shabbat services.
- After lunch at the synagogue, enjoy a walking tour of local sites, including the flower market and the ghats (steps) that lead down to the holy Ganges River.
- A festive dinner follows Shabbat.
Overnight: Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata
Day 11 – Sunday, February 23 - Calcutta-Delhi
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Fly to Delhi, the second most populous city in the world, and the seat of the Indian government. Drive by India Gate; Parliament and President’s Houses, and visit Qutab Minar, a 13th-century Muslim monument marking victory over Delhi’s last Hindu kingdom. Learn about Delhi’s Jewish history.
- Dinner at leisure.
Overnight: Le Meridien
Day 12 – Monday, February 24 - Delhi: Immersing in India’s History and Modernity
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Visit Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.
- Experience an unforgettable bicycle rickshaw ride through the narrow, bustling lanes of Old Delhi. Stop at the tomb of Sarmad, a Persian mystic, poet, and saint, who was born a Jew.
- Group lunch in a local restaurant.
- Stop at the Sikh Temple. Shopping at Khan Market, where you can find fashion, crafts, jewellery, and more.
- Dinner at leisure.
Overnight: Le Meridien
Day 13 – Tuesday, February 25 - Agra: Journey into the Mughal Era
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Travel to Agra by bus.
- Group lunch in a local restaurant.
- Visit the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, built by the emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th
- Final festive dinner.
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott
Day 14 – Wednesday, February 26 - Agra-Delhi
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Visit Agra’s amazing Red Fort.
- Packed lunch provided.
- Bus transport back to Delhi and arrive at the Novotel Aerocity hotel near the airport.
- Optional overnight stay at an additional cost.
- Transfer to the Delhi International Airport for those flying home.
Pre-Trip Addition (February 10-13, 2025)
Monday, February 10 - Delhi
- Arrive Delhi and transfer to Novotel Aerocity
Overnight: Novotel Aerocity
Tuesday, February 11 - Delhi-Varanasi
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Fly to Varanasi, one of the holiest cities of Hindus, has a fascinating array of shrines, temples and palaces rising in several tiers from the water's edge. It is also a city of fairs and festivals, celebrating about 400 of them during the year.
- Evening tour of Ganges ghats to witness the Aarti ceremony.
Overnight: The Madin
Wednesday, February 12 - Varanasi
- Early morning boat excursion on the holy river Ganges to see the bathing ghats and cremation site. Watch people bathing and worshipping at the Ghats—one of the most extraordinary experiences of a visit to India.
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Half-day sightseeing tour of the city including the Bharat Mata Temple with a marble relief map of India; Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Banaras Hindu University and art gallery, and the mosque of Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb.
- Afternoon excursion to Sarnath, the buried Buddhist city where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from the 6th century BCE to the 12th century.
Overnight: The Madin
Thursday, February 13 - Varanasi – Mumbai
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Transfer to airport to connect to flight for Mumbai.
- Arrive and transfer to the hotel to meet the group.
Post-Tour Addition (February 26 – March 3, 2025)
Wednesday, February 26 – Delhi
Overnight: Novotel Aerocity in Delhi
Thursday, February 27 - Delhi – Udaipur
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Fly to Udaipur, the city of lakes, is admired for its fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, and gardens. Built in 1559 CE by Maharaja Udai Singh, the city has been described as the most romantic spot in India.
- Afternoon city sightseeing tour including the City Palace, Zenana Mahal, Fateh Prakash, Durbar Hall and Shambhu Niwas. Also visit Jagdish temple, Sahelion-ki-Bari..
- Evening cruise on the waters of Lake Pichola.
Overnight: The Trident
Friday, February 28 - Udaipur – Pushkar
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Drive to Pushkar, one of the oldest cities in India and a favoured destination for thousands of tourists.
- Shabbat services and meals at Chabad House. The Chabad House, a large complex with a synagogue and a large garden, provides services and meals for dozens, and sometimes hundreds of guests.
Overnight: Brahma Horizon
Saturday, March 1 - Pushkar
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Walk to the Chabad House for Shabbat services.
- Enjoy a walking tour after the Shabbat meals.
Overnight: Brahma Horizon
Sunday, March 2 - Pushkar – Jodhpur
- Breakfast and check-out at the hotel.
- Depart for Jodhpur, stronghold of the fierce Rathore clan. The city was founded in 1459 by Prince Jodha.
- In the afternoon enjoy Bishnoi Village Safari where you will meet with the local people and learn about their way of life.
Overnight: Radisson Hotel / Ajit Bhawan
Monday, March 3 - Jodhpur – Delhi
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Visit the Mehrangarh Fort, situated on a low sandstone hill. Within the fort, visit Moti Mahal and Phool Mahal. Also visit Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph, built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, and Umaid Public Gardens.
- Transfer to airport for flight to Delhi and next flight home or next destination.
The "From Kolkata’s Alleys to Kerala’s Coasts: Uncovering Jewish India" tour, guided by Rahel Musleah - scholar, journalist, author, and Calcutta native - is open to adults of all ages, regardless of previous affiliation with Melton.
While Melton oversees the educational aspects of our tours, it's important to note that we are not a travel agency. For the logistics of this trip, Jewish India Tours will be responsible.
Please note that Melton is not liable for any financial loss due to reasons beyond our control, such as health-related cancellations. We highly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation and health-related issues, including COVID, within a few weeks of paying your nonrefundable deposit.
Thank you for your interest in travelling with Melton. We eagerly await the opportunity to learn and explore together with you.
The Melton Travel Team
What's included:
- 14 days, 13 nights at five-star hotels.
- All breakfasts, 12 lunches, and 8 dinners (6 meals at leisure).
- All sightseeing costs per the itinerary.
- All travel within India, including flights, boat & ferry trips, and air-conditioned bus.
- Highly experienced local guide and Melton educator from arrival until departure.
- Interacting with locals, engaging with key figures, and participating in interactive lectures on life in Jewish India.
- All current applicable taxes and gratuities. Any unforeseen increases in such taxes will be added to the final cost.
Not included:
- International airfare
- Travel and health Insurance
- Meals that are not listed in the itinerary
- Visa fees
- Personal expenses
Hotels:
- Taj Mahal Tower Hotel, PJ Ramchandani Marg, Apollo Bandar, Mumbai Tel: +91 22-6665 3000
- Crowne Plaza Kochi, Xi/641A Kundanoor Junction NH-47 Bypass PO, Maradu, Cochin Tel: + 91 484 7115000
- Hilton Jaipur, 42, Grand Geejgarh, Hawa Sadak, Geejgarh Vihar Colony, Bais Godam, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302006 Tel: +91 141 417 0000
- The Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata, 1,2,3 Old Court House Street, Calcutta Tel: +91 33 444 7777
- Le Meridien, Windsor Pl, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi 110001 Tel: +91 11-45020200
- Courtyard by Marriott, Plot no. – 27 B, Sector Road, B Block, Sushant Lok – 1, Sector 27, Delhi Tel: +91 124-1888444
Pre-Trip Hotels
- Novotel Aerocity, Asset No 2, Aerocity Hospitality District, New Delhi Tel: +91 11 46080808
- The Madin, The Mall Rd, Varanasi Tel: +91 99 18596777
Post –Trip Hotels
- Novotel Aerocity, Asset No 2, Aerocity Hospitality District, New Delhi Tel: +91 11 46080808
- The Trident, Malla Talai Chowk, Trident Rd, Tel: +91 294 2432200
- Brahma Horizon, Panchkund Road, Pushkar Tel: +91 81070 44285
- Radisson Hotel / Ajit Bhawan, 8, Residency Rd, Gaurav Path, Jodhpur Tel: +91 291 7110000
Payments, Cancellations, and Refunds
The deposit of $1,250 is nonrefundable. The nonrefundable balance/final payment is due 90 days (about 3 months) in advance of tour departure.
Participants who reserve a double room and are sharing with a friend or family member will be subject to the single supplement if that person cancels prior to departure.
Read the full Terms & Conditions here.
We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. Melton is not responsible for cancellation of this program for reasons beyond its control. Your comprehensive travel insurance should cover both "cancellation for any reason" and "COVID-related cancellation". This latter policy is being offered by a number of insurance companies. We refer you to a list published by Forbes magazine, showing those companies that offer this new policy.
Please note that such policies may require registration for the policy within 14-21 days of your registration for the trip.
Gil Travel recommends RoamRight Travel Insurance.
For more information on the available plans or to enroll, visit RoamRight Travel Insurance or contact RoamRight at 1-866-891-6614 and reference Gil Travel.
Please Note: To be eligible for the waiver of pre-existing medical condition exclusion, the protection plan must be purchased within 21 days from the time you make your initial trip deposit, the entire non-refundable amount of the trip must be insured, and you must be medically able to travel at the time the premium is paid. However, the travel protection plan itself can be purchased any time prior to departure.
Additional Information
- Airline Security Measures: Your name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket, or you may be denied boarding. It must also be exactly as it appears on your passport. Please make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after the date of your return home.
- If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S., you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.
- Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times. You may also wish to visit the U.S. Transportation Security Administration website at tsa.gov to obtain more information on acceptable identity documentation and prohibited luggage items.
For more information, please contact us here.
T: 1–646–921–0747, Ext. 4