Spa & Ayurevda Holiday
SPECIAL KOSHER TOUR + SPA & AYURVEDA

Places to See : Mumbai - Cochin - Periyar - Madurai - Kanya Kumari - Kovalam - Trivandrum - Mumbai - Goa - Mumbai.
Duration: 15 Nights / 16 Days

Jewish merchants from Europe first forayed into India in the Medieval Ages. Though their initial intention was trade, they soon settled along the western coast of India. This ancient community can now be traced to three surviving sects - the Benne Israelis, the Cochins and the Baghdad Jews. They all follow the Sephardic form of worship. All three sects came to India at varying periods of history and edified their faith with synagogues in Bombay, Cochin, Calcutta, their surrounding villages and towns. These synagogues are a testimony to the Jewish practise of communal worship and Judaist philosophy. It is through these synagogues that the Judaist faith is transmitted from one generation to another.

Jewish Synagouge at Cochin

At Mattancherry is the Jewish Synagogue built in 1568 AD by the prosperous Jewish trading community whose links with Kerala begin in Kodungallor (Cranganore) in the north of the state. (Timings: 10 AM to 12 Noon and 3 PM to 5 PM. closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays) This is the oldest synagogue in India. It was partially destroyed in the war of 1662 and was rebuilt by the Dutch. In the mid-18th century the clock tower was added and the floors paved with exquisite hand-painted blue willow tiles from China. Two hundred years old, no two tiles are alike.

The interior offers more beautiful surprises: a Belgian chandelier, the great scrolls of the Old Testament, and the copper plates on which were recorded the grants of privilege made by the Cochin rulers to the Jewish community in the 4th century. There are also five finely wrought gold and silver crowns gifted to the synagogue by various patrons.

The rabbi will normally give visitors a full account of the synagogue and the history of the Jews in Kerala. Although this ancient community of Cochin has now dwindled to a few families, strong elements of their culture and tradition as well as the Hebrew language remain in Jew Town, which is what the area surrounding the Mattancherry Synagogue has come to be called. The by-lanes that wind around Jew Town offer charming sights of houses built in Dutch, Portuguese and British styles.

Day 01 Arrive Mumbai
Reception at the airport upon arrival and transfer to hotel.

Day 02 Mumbai
Breakfast at hotel. Morning - One-hour boat ride across Mumbai harbour to Elephanta Island. Lunch at ORT. Afternoon free for independent activities. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Day 03 Mumbai
After breakfast depart from the Gateway of India by a catamaran for Mandwa to visit Naogao Alibaugh Synagogue. Lunch at a local Jewish home. After lunch visit to Jewish Cemetery. Depart Mandwa by Catamaran. Dinner at a private residence (vegetarian meal).

Day 04 Mumbai
Breakfast at hotel. Morning - sightseeing tour of Mumbai. Visit to Prince of Wales Museum. Visit to Gateway of India and Dhobi Ghat, the unique and colorful outdoor 'laundry'. Drive upto the Malabar Hill to the Hanging Gardens and Kamla Nehru Park for a wonderful view of Mumbai with the Arabian Sea. Visit to Mani Bhavan, a small museum dedicated to the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi. Also visit the bustling Crawford Market. Lunch at a vegetarian restaurant. Afternoon free for independent activities. Dinner at ORT.

Day 05Mumbai
Breakfast at the hotel. Day free for independent activities. Lunch from ORT. Dinner with the Jewish community.

Day 06 Mumbai - Cochin
Breakfast at hotel. Morning transfer from hotel to the airport in time to board the flight to Cochin. Reception upon arrival and transfer from airport to the hotel. Lunch at hotel. Afternoon free for independent activities. Evening - witness the Kathakali dance performance at a local theatre.

Day 07 Cochin
Breakfast at hotel. Morning - sightseeing tour of Cochin. Visit the Jewish synagogue, built over 400 years ago. Later, visit the "Dutch Palace" with its wonderful murals depicting the entire story of the Ramayana. Visit to see the St Francis Church , the first European Church built in India. Afternoon - motor launch cruise on the backwaters of Cochin with a visit to the Bolghatty Palace.

Day 08 Cochin - Perriyar
Breakfast at the hotel and drive directly to Periyar which lies in the shade of Cardamom Hills. Check-in at the hotel. If you are up to it, you can visit the resident Vaidya ( Ayurveda Doctor ) for consultation. You can also do it the following day. Evening Boat safari in Lake Perriyar

Day 09 - Day 12: Periyar
Ayurveda Therapy at Periyar. Three days have now been set aside for the Ayurveda Therapy. The resident Doctor after consultation, plans your programme and will also suggest your diet and the therapy commences in right earnest. Please remember that during this period you should not exert yourself and for best result no alcohol, no tobacco and strict vegetarian diet. The therapy involves various herbal massages, steam baths and yoga. If you follow all the directions of the Vaidya, we can assure that you will come out totally relaxed and a great feeling of wellness.
(You can extend or reduce the night for Ayurveda Therapy according to your plan)

Periyar-Kottayam/backwaters, 115 km Drive to Kottayam and board on the Houseboat. Sail through the day and spend night on boat.

Day10 - Periyar - Madurai
After breakfast drive to Madurai (137 kms / 4 hrs aprox). Afternoon Free at leisure.Overnight in the hotel

Day 11 - Madurai - Kanya Kumari - Kovalam (285 Km)
Madurai-Kanya Kumari-Kovalam, 285 km Morning drive to Kanya Kumari(Cape Comorin), The southern most tip of India, Kanyakumari is the point where the three mighty water bodies, the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean converge. The famous Vivekananda Rock memorial amidst the turbulent sea is a major attraction. Kanyakumari is famous for its spectacular sunrise and sunset views.. Continue to Kovalam and on arrival, stay for overnight

Day 13: Kovalam
Kovalam - Kovalam one of the most beautiful and famous beaches in South India, is the best place for relaxation. It has three different beaches of which the Lighthouse beach is the most famous beach. Ayurvedic treatment especially during monsoon is another attraction of Kovalam.

Day 13: Kovalam - Trivandrum - Mumbai
Morning after breakfast proceed to Trivandrum to catch the flight to Mumbai.A room will be at your disposal at the hotel until you depart for the International Airport at night

OPTIONAL: EXTENSION GOA

DAY 14 Mumbai - Goa - Mumbai
Morning transfer from hotel to the airport to board flight to Goa. Reception upon arrival and transfer from airport to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Evening boat cruise at Mandovi River with live music.

DAY 15 - Goa ( Pearl of the Orient )
Morning after breakfast proceed visit the beautiful beaches and old churches. Evening is free for you. Overnight in the hotel.

DAY 16-Goa - Mumbai Transfer to airport to board the flight to Mumbai.
Upon arrival transfer to the international airport. Departure Mumbai

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