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, Pune and 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.

Today, migration to Israel, England, the United States and Canada, has reduced the Indian Jewish population to about 5,000 who continue to live in the peace and security they have always enjoyed.

DAY 1 Arrive Mumbai
Reception at the airport upon arrival and transfer to hotel.

DAY 2 Mumbai
Breakfast at hotel. Morning - one hour boat ride across Mumbai harbour to Elephanta Island. Lunch at ORT. Afternoon free for independent activities. Dinner at Chetna Restaurant.

DAY 3 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 4 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 5 Mumbai
Breakfast at the hotel. Day free for independent activities. Lunch from ORT. Dinner with the Jewish community.

DAY 6 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 7 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 8 Cochin-Mumbai-Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning transfer from hotel to the airport in time to board the flight to Mumbai. Connecting flight to Delhi. Reception upon arrival and transfer from airport to the hotel.

DAY 9 Delhi
Breakfast at hotel. Morning - sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. Afternoon - sightseeing tour of New Delhi. Dinner at Alka Restaurant (vegetarian meal).

DAY 10 Delhi-Agra
Transfer from hotel to the railway station in time to board Shatabdi Exp to Agra. Reception upon arrival and transfer from railway station to the hotel. Morning - excursion to Fatehpur Sikri. Afternoon - city tour of Agra. Visit to the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Dinner at Zorba the Buddhist restaurant.

DAY 11 Agra - Delhi
Breakfast at hotel. Drive from Agra to Delhi (203 kms/5 hours). On arrival check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day free for independent activities. Later transfer to the airport to board your onward journey flight. Departure Delhi.