17-Nights Independent India & Nepal: Colorful Cultures & Wondrous Wildlife - Independent Tour from $6,759

Globus

OFFER ID 1488348

Eclectic temples and imposing forts. Pristine wildlife refuges and lively metropolises. Pink cities and golden triangles. Fairytale monuments and tantalizing cuisine. There’s no better introduction to India and Nepal than this incredible Independence by Globus journey. Tour bustling Mumbai, witness its tiffin lunch box delivery system, and visit the former residence of Mahatma Gandhi. You’ll also explore the Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Udaipur, explore the Jagdish Temple and take a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola. In the capital city of Delhi, enjoy a rickshaw ride through the famed Chandni Chowk bazaar-a market that’s been around for more than three centuries. Spend time here shopping for exotic spices, gold, fabrics, and a host of trinkets and souvenirs. You’ll also visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the largest Sikh house of worship in Delhi; and explores the lavish, 16th-century garden-tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun (a precursor to the Taj Mahal). Southeast in Agra, be sure your cameras fully charged for your private guided sightseeing tour that begins with a truly unforgettable sunrise visit to the incomparable Taj Mahal. Then, visit the ancient red sandstone Agra Fort, which guarded the imperial city of the Moghul rulers. In the "Pink City" of Jaipur, your private sightseeing takes you to the amazing Amber Fort with the glittering walls and ceilings in the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), the City Palace, and the fascinating bigger-than-life Jantar Mantar astronomical observatories. On to Nepal and the treasures of Kathmandu. Soar above the Himalayas to see Mount Everest and journey to Bouddhanath, Nepal’s largest stupa. Other visits include Hanuman Dhoka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Temple of Kumari, residence of the Living Goddess, a child thought to be the reincarnation of a Hindu goddess. In Chitwan National Park, safari is the name of the game. Embark on game activities in search of a variety of wildlife including rhino, tiger, leopard, and elephant. You’ll also have a chance to visit a local village and take in a fascinating cultural performance.

17 nights from $6,759 per person

Itinerary

Independent India & Nepal: Colorful Cultures & Wondrous Wildlife

Day 1 ARRIVE IN MUMBAI, INDIA

Welcome to India! Your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.

MUMBAI-FLOWERS.jpg

Day 2 MUMBAI

• Your private guided sightseeing starts with an orientation for photos at some of the city’s famous sites, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and the Gateway of India.
• Then, witness Mumbai’s fascinating tiffin lunch box delivery system. At Churchgate Station, the dabbawalas (box carriers) transfer the lunch boxes onto a wooden cart on a local train. Board the train for the short ride to Mahalaxmi Station where you’ll disembark and watch the boxes being sorted by color for final delivery.
• Lastly, stop to see a traditional Dhobi Ghat (open-air laundromat) and visit Mani Bhavan, the former residence of Mahatma Gandhi.

(B,L)

MUMBAI-CHHATRAPATI-SHIVAJI.jpg

Day 3 MUMBAI

• Today, enjoy an excursion to Elephanta Island to visit the Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dating back to the mid-5th century.
• Start with a ferry ride to the island where you’ll have ample time to explore the seven caves rock cut caves and the carvings and sculptures within them. One of the highlights is the beautiful Sadashiva, which represents three aspects of Shiva: the creator, the preserver, and the destroyer.

(B)

VARANASI-HINDI-WOMEN.jpg

Day 4 MUMBAI–UDAIPUR

• Today, fly to Udaipur, known as the “City of Lakes.”

(B)

UDAIPUR-CARVING.jpg

Day 5 UDAIPUR

• Your private guided sightseeing tour starts with a visit to the City Palace, the largest palace in Rajasthan. Then, visit the Jagdish Temple and the Crystal Gallery.
• After some free time in the middle of the day, embark on a sunset cruise on Lake Pichola.

(B,L)

UDAIPUR-CITY-PALACE.jpg

Day 6 UDAIPUR–DELHI

• Today, fly to Delhi, India’s capital city.

(B)

DELHI-INDIAN-FOOD.jpg

Day 7 DELHI

• Your private guided sightseeing tour starts with an orientation drive to see the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, India Gate, and the Presidential Palace.
• Afterward, take a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, a captivating local bazaar. Here, ancient alleyways are lined with quaint shops selling all sorts of goods and souvenirs—from silver and saris to spices and electronics.

(B,L)

DELHI-RED-FORT.jpg

Day 8 DELHI–AGRA

• This morning, explore Delhi on a private guided tour. Start at Qutub Minar, the world’s tallest brick minaret.
• Next, visit Humayun’s Tomb and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi’s largest and most prominent Sikh gurudwara (house of worship).
• After lunch, drive to Agra, where much of the city’s impressive past is still evident in the majesty of her buildings.

(B,L)

DELHI-QUTUB-MINAR.jpg

Day 9 AGRA

• Meet your Local Guide for a special visit to the incomparable Taj Mahal at sunrise. This extravagant marble monument was built by Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his beloved wife, who died during childbirth.
• In the afternoon, a private guided tour brings you to Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by Moghul Emperor Akbar, this impressive fortress of red sandstone conceals the imperial city of the Moghul rulers and its many palaces.

(B)

Today's I-Time Tips
Explore more on your own or join an optional excursion to Itmad-ud-Daula, the city’s beautiful “Baby Taj.”

AGRA-TAJ-MAHAL.jpg

Day 10 AGRA–JAIPUR

• Today, drive to Jaipur, often referred to as the “Pink City.”
• After lunch, visit Jantar Mantar and explore the City Palace Museum with its collection of paintings, carpets, weapons, and costumes.
• Lastly, visit Ladli, a training program teaching orphaned children valuable skills to keep them off the streets. Here learn about the project, interact with the children, and help them practice their English skills.

(B,L)

JAIPUR-JANTAR-MANTAR.jpg

Day 11 JAIPUR

• Visit the legendary Amber Fort, known as the “Sleeping Beauty of Rajasthan.” This fortress-palace was built entirely of white marble and red sandstone, and features intricate mosaics, carvings, paintings, and mirror works.

(B)

Today's I-Time Tips
Perhaps, join a guide for a walking tour through old Jaipur.

JAIPUR-AMBER-FORT.jpg

Day 12 JAIPUR–KATHMANDU, NEPAL

• Fly to Kathmandu (via Delhi).

(B)

KATHMANDU-STUPA.jpg

Day 13 KATHMANDU

• Start your day early with a flightseeing excursion to see Mount Everest. During the 50-minute flight, glimpse some of the highest peaks in the Himalayas including Mount Everest. You’ll also gain a better understanding of Nepal’s extreme geography.
• Later, a private guided tour takes you to Bouddhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world and a focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal.
• Then, continue to Patan, formerly known as Lalitpur (City of Beauty). Here, stop in Durbar Square, the city’s center of business and home to several Buddhist and Hindu sites.

(B,L)

KATHMANDU-MOUNT-EVEREST.jpg

Day 14 KATHMANDU–BHARATPUR–CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK AREA

• Your morning private sightseeing tour starts with a visit to Hanuman Dhoka, the historic seat of royalty. Then, visit the Temple of Kumari, residence of the Living Goddess and said to be constructed from the wood of a single tree.
• Later, fly to Bharatpur and transfer to your lodge on the banks of the Rapti River, your base for exploring Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

(B,D)

KATHMANDU-TEMPLE-OF-KUMARI.jpg

Day 15 CHITWAN AREA

• Chitwan is a diverse eco-system and home to spectacular wildlife including the greater one-horned rhino, tiger, elephant, leopard, and sloth bear. You’ll also have the chance to spot over 500 species of birds.
• Join your experienced naturalist for morning and afternoon game activities: choice of game drive, bush walk, or boat excursion.
• This evening take in a Tharu cultural performance at your lodge.

(B,L,D)

Today's I-Time Tips
Take advantage of the lodge pool, relax with a book, or enjoy a drink at the bar.

CHITWAN-BENGAL-TIGER.jpg

Day 16 CHITWAN AREA

• Continue exploring Chitwan National Park on morning and afternoon game activities with an experienced naturalist: choice of game drive, bush walk, or boat excursion.
• You may also choose to visit a nearby village to learn about local life.
• Tonight, enjoy a special bush dinner!

(B,L,D)

CHITWAN-BOAT.jpg

Day 17 CHITWAN AREA–BHARATPUR–KATHMANDU

• Today, transfer to Bharatpur airport and fly back to Kathmandu.

(B)

KATHMANDUSTREET-FOOD.jpg

Day 18 KATHMANDU

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(B)

KATHMANDU-HOLY-MAN.jpg

Featured Destinations

Chitwan National Park

Jaipur

Udaipur

Agra

Kathmandu

Delhi (New Delhi)

Mumbai

About 300 years ago, the area of Bombay was nothing more than seven islands occupied by small fishing settlements. Today this bustling city offers a seemingly endless array of sights and cultural activities. Mumbai is the glamour of Bollywood cinema, cricket on the maidans on weekends, bhelpuri on the beach at Chowpatty and red double-decker buses. It is also the infamous cages of the red-light district, Asia's largest slums, communalist politics and powerful mafia dons. This pungent drama is played out against a Victorian townscape more reminiscent of a prosperous 19th-century English industrial city than anything you'd expect to find on the edge of the Arabian Sea. Mumbai has vital streetlife, India's best nightlife, and more bazaars than a visitor could ever explore.

Excursions

Mumbai: 9 hours

With a population exceeding 18 million, this one time group of low lying mud flats is now India’s economic power base and her most industrialized city, bustling with activity of incredible diversity and complexity, her color and elegance, her wealth corresponding with her historic struggle against poverty. Certain affluent areas give Bombay an air of mini–Manhattan!

8:30am - 9:30am:
Depart the pier for the famous Gateway of India en route to Banganga. This Indo-Saracenic archway was built in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, and is the city's most famous landmark.

We then proceed to Banganga via Art Deco Marine Drive also called the Queens Necklace at night due to its curve shape around the bay.

9:30am - 10:30am
Walk around Banganga, the sacred tank surrounded by four hundred-year-old temples and modern skyscrapers. Nowhere are Bombay’s paradoxes more evident than at Banganga. Part of an ancient temple complex, the water in this tank is believed to come from the Holy Ganges. It sprung forth when Rama, the exiled hero of the epic Ramayana stopped at the spot five thousand years ago, in search of his kidnapped wife Sita. Overcome with fatigue and thirst, he asked his brother Laxman to bring him some water. Laxman instantly shot an arrow into the ground, and water gushed forth from the Ganga, over a thousand miles away. Although the story is the stuff of legend, the tank has always been sacred. On pious occasions, thousands turn up to take a ritual dip in its mossy waters, and offer flowers at the ancient Banganga Temples.

10:30am - 10:50am
Drive to Dhobi Ghat.

10:50 - 11:15
Visit the `Dhobi Ghat’, the city’s open-air laundry! where “Dhobis’ (washermen) attend to an astounding quantity of washing daily. Clothes, linen, towels… are washed in small open air cubicles rented out each day. An itemized account is logged in a notebook and clothes collected from households are returned a week later. Through the apparent chaos incredibly nothing gets lost from a countless number of pieces and most clothes somehow survive the beating they receive on the washing stones.

11:15pm - 11:45pm
Drive to Churchgate Railway Station.

11:45am - 12:15pm
We stop at the Churchgate Railway Station to see the `Dabbawallahs’, members of the Bombay Union of Tiffin Box Carriers, described by Prince Charles as the symbol of this enigmatic and intriguing city. Each morning, the 2500 dabbawallahs call on suburban housewives who pack a freshly cooked lunch into small circular aluminum or stainless steel containers - `dabbas’. Typically the dabbawallahs collect 30-40 boxes, range them out on a long pole and cycle to the nearest station. Here he hands them over to a fellow dabbawallah who then transports them into the city for delivery to the consumer. Over 100,000 lunches of maybe sabze (vegetable curry), chapattis (Indian bread), dal (lentils) and pickle, make their way daily across town to the breadwinner and back again. The service which costs a few rupees a week, is a good example of the fine division of labor in India, reliable and efficient for the dabbawallahs pride themselves on never losing a lunch.

12:15pm - 12:30pm
Drive to `Khyber’ restaurant for lunch which specializes in the Northwest frontier cuisine.

12:30pm - 2:00pm
Lunch (on own)

2:00pm - 2:30pm
Drive to Mani Bhawan passing through the teeming commercial areas, Crawford Market and many handsome buildings of Victorian Bombay, including the University and Victoria Terminus.

2:30pm - 3:15pm
Visit the Gandhi Museum. Located on leafy Laburnum Road, a quiet lane named after its shady trees, Mani Bhavan is the old Mumbai residence of Mahatma Gandhi. It's a pretty, two-storied structure that now houses a reference library with over 2000 books, a photo exhibition of the Mahatma's life, and well preserved memorabilia, including an old charkha or spinning wheel that Gandhiji used to use.

3:15pm - 4:45pm
Before returning to the pier, we spend some time where it all began, where the tide of human life rolls down the center of the street, unruffled by vehicles from all quarters ploughing their way through it. No visit to Bombay is complete without a foray into the bazaars of Bhuleshwar. The city’s densest concentration of lifestyle and retail jewelry stores is a crush of shop fronts, street stalls, hawkers and handicrafts and a seething mass of people. It may look like absolute chaos but the areas are closely knit, and cohesively built around the traditional residential complex, temples, flower markets, community halls, cow shelter and bazaars. Within a few square kilometers there are a dozen bazaars and more commodities for sale than you will see probably anywhere else in a lifetime.

4: 45 - 5:30
Drive back to the ship.

Added Value:

- A good overview of the unique aspects of this unique city.

- Tour Duration: 8 – 9 hours

- Tour can operate : Morning

- Physical activity level : Moderate

- Wheelchair Accessible : No

Inclusions:
- Transportation by an air-conditioned vehicle
- Services of a local English speaking guide.
- All the entrance fees and camera fees.
- Credit card and bank charges.
- All the prevailing taxes.

Mumbai, Shore Excursion - 4 hours

You will be met at the pier. (Excursion timings will be subject to the ship's arrival and departure). Once you disembark from your cruise-liner, you will meet your guide in the arrival hall. He will escort you to your waiting vehicle and together you will set of to explore India’s most cosmopolitan city and financial nerve centre – Mumbai.

You will first explore the Fort area of Mumbai – Kala Ghoda, literally Black Horse – a neighborhood in South Mumbai. The crescent-shaped precinct is the city’s premier art district. You will drive past a large number of the city’s heritage buildings, full of museums, art galleries and educational institutions like the Jehangir Art Gallery, the National Gallery of Modern Art, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (previously called the Prince of Wales Museum) and The Arts Trust.

You will end your tour with a visit to Mani Bhavan. As poignant as it is tiny, this museum is in the building where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during visits to Bombay from 1917 to 1934. The museum showcases the room where the leader formulated his philosophy of Satyagraha (non-violent protest) and launched the 1932 Civil Disobedience campaign that led to the end of British rule and Indian independence.

Stop for a sumptuous lunch at a local restaurant before you return to the port area.

Inclusions:
Private chauffeur driven air conditioned vehicle, Private guide, Complimentary Soft beverages and Bottled water in the car, Monument entrance and still camera fee, Meet and Assist at all airports and hotels, Porterage at airports, All currently applicable taxes

Exclusions:
Expenses of any personal nature (laundry,telephone calls etc, unless specified) Tipping at hotels and to guides/escorts (unless specified), Meals (unless specified), Any insurance or Visa, Any hike in monument entrances fee or revision in government taxes, Air fare is quoted separately.

*Terms and conditions apply

Mumbai, Shore Excursion - 6 hours

You will be met at the pier. (Excursion timings will be subject to the ship's arrival and departure). Once you disembark from your cruise-liner, you will meet your guide in the arrival hall. He will escort you to your waiting vehicle and together you will set of to explore India’s most cosmopolitan city and financial nerve centre – Mumbai.

Your first stop will be to take pictures at Dhobi Ghat, a sight unique to this city. ‘Dhobi Ghat’ or “washerfolks’ place”, is the world's largest outdoor laundry, and where Mumbai's traditional washer-folk - or dhobis - provide a wonderful service, collecting dirty laundry, washing it, and returning it neatly pressed, all for a very small fee.

Drive to Churchgate Station where you get the opportunity to see the famed ‘dabbawallas’ or ‘lunch box carriers’ in action. The Mumbai dabbawallas are international figures now, thanks to Forbes Global. The Forbes story details the efficiency with which they deliver the dabbas or lunch pails of their customers. Around 5,000 dabbawallas collect and deliver 175,000 lunches every day and take the empty boxes back. Their operation has a six sigma rating which implies less than 3.4 errors in every million transactions. This is the same rating that has made companies like Motorola and GE world famous for their quality!

Later you will visit Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum, a structure steeped in Indian history and culture. Built in Renaissance revival style in 1872 as the Victoria & Albert Museum, it contains 3,500-plus objects centering on Mumbai’s history. This landmark building was renovated in 2008.

Stop for lunch at a local restaurant before you continue on your tour.

You will end your tour with a visit to Mani Bhavan. As poignant as it is tiny, this museum is in the building where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during visits to Bombay from 1917 to 1934. The museum showcases the room where the leader formulated his philosophy of Satyagraha (non-violent protest) and launched the 1932 Civil Disobedience campaign that led to the end of British rule and Indian independence.

You will then return to the port area.

Inclusions: Private chauffeur driven air conditioned vehicle, private guide, complimentary soft beverages and bottled water in the car, monument entrance and still camera fee, meet and assist at all airports and hotels, porterage at airports, all current applicable taxes.

Exclusions: Expenses of any personal nature (laundry, telephone calls etc, unless specified), tipping at hotels and to guides/escorts (unless specified), meals (unless specified) any insurance or Visa, any hike in monument entrances fee or revision in government taxes, air fare is quoted separately.

*Terms and conditions apply

FULL DAY MARVELS OF MUMBAI

FULL DAY
MARVELS OF MUMBAI

Proceed to Gateway of India, the city’s most famous landmark –an Indo-Saracenic archway built in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary. It was originally conceived as an entry point for passengers arriving on P&O steamers from England; today it is remembered more often as the place from which the British staged their final departure. You will make a stop here for photographs.

See the highlights of the city from the comfort of your minivan as you set off for a tour of Mumbai city. Your tour begins with the Gateway of India (PLEASE STOP FOR A WHILE SO THE GUEST CAN TAKE PHOTO), the city's most famous landmark - an Indo-Saracenic archway built in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary. It was originally conceived as an entry point for passengers arriving on P&O steamers from England; today it is remembered more often as the place from which the British staged their final departure.

Continue through Marine Drive, Mumbai's seaside promenade, an eight-lane highway with a wide pavement. Its graceful curve sweeps from the skyscrapers at Nariman Point to the foot of Malabar Hill. This hill is Mumbai's ritziest neighborhood. Popular since the 18th century because of its forested slopes, fresh sea breezes and panoramic views, merchants and colonial governors built many mansions and bungalows on its hillsides.

Your drive includes a look at a most remarkable railway station. Inspired by St. Pancras Station in London, the Victoria Terminus was built during Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee year. It is an extraordinary conglomeration of domes, spires, Corinthian columns and minarets in a style that was described by journalist James Cameron as "Victorian-Gothic-Saracenic-Italianate-Oriental-St. Pancras-Baroque". The first train in India left from this station in April 1853; today half a million commuters use the station every day.

Depart to Church Gate Station and spend some time watching the dabba-wallahs, the members of the Mumbai Tiffin Box Suppliers Association. Every day 4,000 of them deliver fresh, home-cooked food from 100,000 suburban kitchens to offices in the downtown area. Each lunch is prepared by a loving wife or mother, and packed into a set of stackable aluminum boxes. The meals are carried to their hungry recipients dangling from shoulder-poles and bicycle handlebars, and stacked on decorated handcarts. Tins are rarely, if ever, lost, and always find their way home again to be washed up for the next day’s lunch.

Even if you are not possessed of an interest in other people’s dirty laundry, you’ll be fascinated by the dhobi ghats, your next stop. Each morning washing from all over Mumbai is brought here to be soaped, soaked, boiled, beaten, and thrashed. The next day, after being aired, pressed, folded and wrapped, the bundles are returned from whence they came. The secret that keeps the operation running smoothly is the coded symbol that each dhobi-wallah places on every item. Invisible to the untrained eye, this mark ensures that nothing will be lost. Stop here for photos that you’ll never be able to duplicate anywhere else.

Proceed for Taj Mahal Hotel for Lunch on direct payment basis.

You will continue to The Prince of Wales Museum, crowned by a white Mughal-style dome, the finest work done by architect George Wittet, who also designed the Gateway of India.

Return to pier.

TIMING ITINERARY & POINTS OF INTEREST DISTANCE & TERRAIN W/C FRIENDLY

09h30 – 11h00 Orientation tour of Mumbai, Gateway of India, Malabar Hill and VT Station. This tour is not suitable for guests in wheelchairs; and those with mobility issues

11h00 – 11h20 Proceed to Churchgate station

11h20 – 11h40 Watch the Dabba-wallas at Churchgate 10 meters / even

11h40 – 12h15 Drive to Dhobi Ghat

12h15 – 12h45 Visit Dhobi Ghat 100 meters / Flat / 5 steps

12h45 – 13h15 Drive to Taj Mahal Hotel for lunch on direct payment basis

13h15 – 14h15 Lunch at Taj Mahal Hotel 150 meters / Flat / 4 steps

14h15 – 15h30 Drive to Prince of wales Museum and visit

15h30 – 16h00 Return to pier 50 meters / Uneven

HALF DAY MUSEUM AND GALLERIES OF MUMBAI

HALF DAY
MUSEUM AND GALLERIES OF MUMBAI

Explore the history, art and people of Mumbai and India during this informative half-day visit to the area's finest museums and galleries.

Depart from pier for the drive to Mani Bhawan, Gandhi's Bombay residence between 1917 and 1934. Mani Bhawan is now a permanent museum and memorial to the Mahatma. It contains a research library of more than 20,000 volumes, and a series of tiny dioramas depicting his life story in an interesting fashion. The walls are covered with photos of historic events and noteworthy people.

Next, visit the Prince of Wales Museum, easily recognized by its unique white Mughal-style dome. The museum is the finest work by architect George Wittet, who also designed the Gateway of India. It houses interesting displays of jade work, antique weapons, Indian paintings, illustrated manuscripts, exquisite miniatures, and clay and terracotta figures from the 3rd century B.C. Adjacent to Prince of Wales Museum, you will find the Jehangir Art Gallery. Mumbai's best-known venue for contemporary art, Jehangir is home to five small galleries displaying changing exhibits of 20^th century arts and crafts from around the world.

Return to pier.

TIMING ITINERARY & POINTS OF INTEREST DISTANCE / TERRAIN W/C FRIENDLY

00h00 – 00h30 Pier to Mani Bhawan This tour is not suitable for guests in wheelchairs; and those with mobility issues

00h30 – 01h00 Arrive and visit Mani Bhawan 20 steps/ Uneven Terrain

01h00 – 01h30 Leave for Prince of Wales Museum

01h30 – 02h30 Arrive and visit Prince of Wales Museum 50 steps/flat Terrain

02h30 – 02h35 Walk down to adjacent Jahangir Art Gallery

02h35 – 03h20 Arrive and visit Jahangir Art Museum 15 steps/ flat Terrain

03h20 – 04h00 Back to pier

FULL DAY THE CAVES OF ELEPHANTA

FULL DAY
THE CAVES OF ELEPHANTA

More than a thousand years ago, Hindu craftsmen carved columns and sculptures out of a series of caves located on an island off the shores of Mumbai, creating a temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Portuguese named the island Elephanta, after the large statue of an elephant they found near the spot where they docked their ships. Come and discover the unique beauty and intriguing tales of these temple caves with today’s memorable excursion.

Travel by minivan vehicle to the Gateway of India, the city’s most recognized landmark. Built in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, the archway was originally conceived as an entry point for people arriving on steamers from England. Today, the gateway serves as a launching point for your own exploration of the Elephanta Temple.

Boarding a motor boat, enjoy the approximately one hour and thirty minutes cruise to the Elephanta landing. From the jetty you have the option of either taking the mini train or walking approximately 15 minutes to the base of the long stairway which leads to the top of the hill, where the caves are located. As you enter, you will see a magnificent sculpture of Shiva as Nataraj, showing an enraptured expression as he removes the veil of ignorance. The most outstanding sculpture is a bust of Trimurti—the three-faced Shiva representing the Hindu trinity, Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. In other panels, Shiva is depicted in service to humanity as he brings the River Ganges to Earth, and at his most fearsome as he crushes the demon of Andhaka. Later, board the motor boat for return cruise to the Gateway.

Re-board your vehicle for the transfer back to your ship.

TIMING ITINERARY & POINTS OF INTEREST DISTANCE & TERRAIN W/C FRIENDLY

00h00 - 00h15 Depart from the pier by minivan to the Gateway of India This tour is NOT suitable for guests in wheelchairs; and those with mobility issues

00h15 - 01h45 Board the motor boat and cruise to Elephanta Island

01h45 - 03h45 Arrive and visit Elephanta Island 1.5km / Uneven, cobblestones / 125 long steps each way

03h45 - 05h15 Board your motor boat and return to Mumbai

05h15 – 05h30 Return to the pier

FULL DAY THE VICTORIAN PAST

FULL DAY
THE VICTORIAN PAST

Experience the highlights of this fascinating city, with its Western monuments and Eastern sensibilities.

Begin your tour with photo stop at the Gateway of India, the city’s most famous landmark an Indo-Saracenic archway built in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary.

Next visit, The Church of St John the Evangelist better known as Afghan Church in South Mumbai, built by the British to commemorate the dead of the disastrous First Afghan War of 1838. The church is located in Navy Nagar in the Colaba area of Mumbai. Besides British soldiers it also commemorates different Indian regiments, such as the Bombay Army, the Madras Army, and Ranjit Singh's army from Lahore.

Drive along Marine Drive-Mumbai’s seaside promenade, an eight-lane highway with a wide pavement. Its graceful curve sweeps from the skyscrapers at Nariman Point to the foot of Malabar Hill, Mumbai’s ritziest neighborhood. At the top of hill are the Hanging Gardens, laid out in 1881. Here, an assortment of hedges, trimmed into animal shapes. The gardens also offer a superb view of the bustling city centre in the distance.

You then proceed to Bhau Daji Lad Museum (formerly the Victoria and Albert Museum) one of the oldest museums in Mumbai. It was established in 1855 as a treasure house of the decorative and industrial arts. The museum houses a large number of archaeological finds, maps and historical photographs of Mumbai.

You then visit, Crawford Market - one of South Mumbai's most famous markets. It is named after Arthur Crawford, the first Municipal Commissioner of the city. The market is situated near to Victoria Terminus railway station. The market houses a wholesale fruit, vegetable and poultry market.

Finally, visit and savor a relaxing lunch while exploring the historic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, which dates back to the 1500s before returning back to the ship.

TIMING ITINERARY & POINTS OF INTEREST DISTANCE / TERRAIN W/C FRIENDLY

00h00 – 00h10 Leave from pier to Gateway of India This tour is not suitable for guests in wheelchairs; and those with mobility issues

00h10 – 00h15 Arrive at Gateway of India (photo stop only) 10 steps/ flat Terrain

00h15 – 00h30 Leave for Afghan Church

00h30 – 01h00 Arrive and visit Afghan Church 4 steps/ flat Terrain

01h00 – 01h30 Leave for Hanging Gardens

01h30 – 02h00 Arrive and visit Hanging Gardens 2 steps/ Uneven Terrain

02h00 – 02h15 Leave for Victoria & Albert Museum

11h15 – 12h00 Arrive and visit Victoria & Albert Museum 5 steps/ Uneven Terrain

03h00 – 03h15 Leave for Crawford market

03h15 – 03h45 Arrive and visit market Uneven Terrain

03h45 – 03h15 Leave for hotel Taj Mahal 10 steps/ flat Terrain

04h15 – 05h45 Arrive at hotel and proceed for lunch (On Direct Payment)

05h45 – 06h00 Back to pier

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges

12/31/2024 - 01/17/2025

from $6,759 per person

* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.

Prices Start At

from $6,759 per person

Length

17 Nights

Air City

Call for airfares from your city.

Vacation Rating

Deluxe
Fine dining, on-site bars or lounges and room service with extended hours are characteristic of deluxe establishments. Guest services usually include valet parking, concierge services, baggage assistance and laundry services. Other on-site facilities often include shops and boutiques, full service spas, full fitness facilities with pools and tennis courts. Business amenities may include available up-to-date technology and support staffs available for services. Attention to detail is apparent in the guestrooms which typically have stylish furnishings, quality bedding and bath products and often provide an evening turn down service.

Remarks

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID

1488348

Reference this number when contacting our agency so we may better serve you. Also keeping this number handy will allow you to locate this document again quickly.

A2Z Cruise & Travel Experts

12021 Lakewood Preserve Place
Fort Meyers, FL 33913
USA

(941) 275-9002

TIMING	ITINERARY & POINTS OF INTEREST	DISTANCE & TERRAIN	W/C FRIENDLY
09h30 – 11h00	Orientation tour of Mumbai, Gateway of India, Malabar Hill and VT Station.		This tour is not suitable for guests in wheelchairs; and those with mobility issues
11h00 – 11h20	Proceed to Churchgate station
11h20 – 11h40	Watch the Dabba-wallas at Churchgate	10 meters / even
11h40 – 12h15	Drive to Dhobi Ghat
12h15 – 12h45	Visit Dhobi Ghat	100 meters / Flat / 5 steps
12h45 – 13h15	Drive to Taj Mahal Hotel for lunch on direct payment basis
13h15 – 14h15	Lunch at Taj Mahal Hotel	150 meters / Flat / 4 steps
14h15 – 15h30	Drive to Prince of wales Museum and visit
15h30 – 16h00	Return to pier	50 meters / Uneven

TIMING	ITINERARY & POINTS OF INTEREST	DISTANCE / TERRAIN	W/C FRIENDLY
00h00 – 00h30	Pier to Mani Bhawan		This tour is not suitable for guests in wheelchairs; and those with mobility issues
00h30 – 01h00	Arrive and visit Mani Bhawan	20 steps/ Uneven Terrain
01h00 – 01h30	Leave for Prince of Wales Museum
01h30 – 02h30	Arrive and visit Prince of Wales Museum	50 steps/flat Terrain
02h30 – 02h35	Walk down to adjacent Jahangir Art Gallery
02h35 – 03h20	Arrive and visit Jahangir Art Museum	15 steps/ flat Terrain
03h20 – 04h00	Back to pier