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 Palace and 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 and Parsi Towers of Silence.
• Lunch at leisure
• After lunch, walk through the village surrounding the Banganga Tank, a sacred pool hidden in the luxurious locality of Malabar Hill.
• Enjoy Shabbat services and a sumptuous kosher dinner with the community at the Knesseth Eliyahoo Synagogue.  
• Walk back to hotel

Overnight: Taj Mahal Palace and 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. 
• Dinner at a local restaurant

Overnight: Taj Mahal Palace and 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.
• On our return, visit the Chabad House to remember the victims of the 2008 terrorist attack.
• Dinner and evening at leisure

Overnight: Taj Mahal Palace and 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.  
• Explore the area’s antique shops and spice markets and visit the Dutch Palace.
• Check in to the hotel and enjoy dinner and evening 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 and evening at leisure

Overnight: Crowne Plaza Kochi 

Day 7 – Wednesday, February 19 - Cochin-Jaipur  

• Breakfast in the hotel
• Visit the amazing synagogue in Ernakulam. 
• Fly to Jaipur, the “Pink City of India.” The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is nestled in India’s mountains. 
• Dinner and evening at leisure

Overnight: Hilton Trident 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. 
• Stop at the city palace and the Jantar Mantar observatory.
• Time to shop in this beautiful city, known for textiles, jewelry and carpets. 
• Dinner and evening at leisure

Overnight: Hilton Trident 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.  
• 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: The 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 vvisit Qutab Minar, a 13th-century Muslim monument marking victory over Delhi’s last Hindu kingdom. Learn about Delhi’s Jewish history.
• Dinner and evening 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.
• Lunch at leisure
• Stop at the Sikh Temple. Shopping at Khan Market, where you can find fashion, crafts, jewelry, and more.
• Dinner and evening at leisure

Overnight: Le Meridien 

Day 13 – Tuesday, February 25 - Agra: Journey into the Mughal Era 

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Travel to Agra and marvel at Delhi’s Red Fort.
• Visit the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, built by the emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century.
• Dinner and evening at leisure

Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott / Double Tree by Hilton 

Day 14 – Wednesday, February 26 - Agra-Delhi  

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Bus transport back to Delhi and arrive at the hotel near the airport.
• Transfer to the Delhi International Airport for flights home or for post-tours.

Pre-Trip Addition in Varanasi (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 in Rajasthan (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

REGISTER ONLINE 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 email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

T: 1–646–921–0747, Ext. 4