Upcoming Tour-India | Gourmet Kosher Safaris

The great India Taj and Tiger Safari

The very name “India” evokes visions of bustling cities, magnificent forts and palaces, wildlife and jungles, fascinating history and culture, and of course, that wonder of the world of architecture - the Taj Mahal!She is also home to some incredible National Parks that include the greatest biospheres on the Asian continent, and boast various species of deer and primates, wild peacocks, Indian Buffalo (Gaur), Asian Elephant, wild boar, mongoose, leopard, and of course the king of the jungle, the elusive Bengal Tiger.

-14 days
February 24- March 9, 2025

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ITINERARY

INDIA

India also has a long and fascinating Jewish heritage and boasts historic synagogues from traditional Indian Jewish communities as well as European and Iraqi Jewish communities, some of which are still functional!

COUNTRY OR CONTINENT

In this unique gourmet kosher safari, we combine two of the best wildlife sanctuaries in India with some of her greatest cultural treasures, enjoying some of her most palatial hotels, and our signature cuisine and service.

DATES & PRICES

Today, we land in New Delhi. We will be transferred to our hotel where, after checking in, lunch will be served.

Our first day in India starts with Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi), exploring the historical essence of the city.

We visit Chandni Chowk, where you can take a rickshaw ride through the narrow, bustling lanes filled with shops, traditional goods, and a vibrant mix of people.

We stop by the Judah Hyam synagogue, offering a rare glimpse into India’s Jewish community.

Time permitting, we continue to Raj Ghat, the serene memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. Then, we head to the towering Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s tallest brick minaret.
It might be “just a building”, but there is little that can prepare you for the “Wow factor” experienced when you walk through the gates of the outer enclosure and see this famous mother of all buildings in person.

Build by a Muslim ruler as a memorial shrine to his beloved wife, the perfect architecture and sheer beauty of the design explain why the Taj Mahal is listed as one of the 7 wonders of the world.

Today, we depart New Delhi, the Indian capital, and take a day trip by luxury train to Agra, the site of this incredible monument, where we spend the late afternoon exploring its various viewing points.

We also visit the magnificent Agra Fort, a completely different architectural wonder, with incredible view of the plains below. We return by train to Delhi for a magnificent dinner.
In the morning, we will take a flight from Delhi to Jaipur, followed by a scenic drive through the arid landscapes of Rajasthan to reach the renowned Ranthambore National Park, where we will spend the next two nights.

Even for seasoned wildlife enthusiasts, few experiences can compare to the thrill of spotting a tiger in the wild. The open, semi-arid terrain of Ranthambore is regarded as one of the best places in the world for tiger sightings. The stunning photograph above was taken during one of our past visits!

While tiger sightings require patience—and perhaps a few prayers—Ranthambore offers much more than just tigers.

The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, and its jungle atmosphere, along with breathtaking views of the ancient Ranthambore Fort, provide an unforgettable experience. The fort, one of the oldest in India, is a must-see attraction.

In the afternoon, we will embark on our first safari, giving you the opportunity to explore the wonders of this iconic region.
In addition to its renowned tiger population, Ranthambore is home to four species of deer, including the majestic Sambar Deer, one of the largest in the world. The park also hosts marsh crocodiles, various monkeys, vibrant birdlife, and even the elusive sloth bear.

It’s also a prime location to witness the national bird of India, the peacock, in its natural habitat. With a bit of luck, we might even catch a glimpse of a breathtaking peacock dance.

We will spend the day exploring the park on safari, immersed in its incredible wildlife and scenery
This morning, we rise early for one last exhilarating safari in the breathtaking landscapes of Ranthambore National Park. It’s our final opportunity to catch sight of the majestic tiger, perhaps taking an early morning drink, or observe the many other fascinating creatures that call this jungle their home. With the morning light casting a golden glow over the terrain, the experience promises to be both thrilling and serene, as we soak in the sights and sounds of the wilderness one last time.

After the safari, we return to our lodge for a well-deserved and indulgent brunch, reflecting on the unforgettable wildlife encounters. From here, we embark on our journey to Jaipur, driving through the captivating rural scenery of Rajasthan. Known as the “pink city”, Jaipur has some of the most incredible forts and palaces in the world, and we spend the late afternoon exploring and admiring some of them. In Jaipur, one can even ride an elephant up the historic fort, watch snake-charmers in action, and try one’s hand at Indian pottery!

As we arrive in the Pink City, we prepare for our first Shabbos together in India, savoring the peaceful atmosphere at our charming hotel. Surrounded by our new friends, we welcome Shabbos in a beautiful setting, delicious seudos and singing.

We leave most of the sightseeing for Sunday, and first enjoy a well-deserved relaxing Shabbos at our lovely hotel.
On Sunday, we embark on a full day of exploration through this vibrant city of Jaipur.

Our day begins with a visit to the Amber Fort, an impressive hilltop palace that combines Hindu and Mughal architectural styles. We’ll ride up to the fort by jeep, taking in panoramic views of Maota Lake below.

Next, we head to the City Palace, a stunning complex that continues to serve as a residence for Jaipur's royal family. Here, we explore the museums, courtyards, and art galleries, offering us a glimpse into the regal past of Rajasthan.

After lunch, we stop by the Hawa Mahal, or "Palace of Winds," famous for its ornate pink façade and hundreds of small windows designed for royal women to observe the streets below without being seen. In the afternoon, we stroll through the bustling bazaars of Jaipur, where vibrant textiles, jewelry, and handicrafts are on display.
Monday, we fly to Mumbai and begin our exploration of the city's iconic highlights.

Our tour includes the majestic Gateway of India, a symbol of colonial history, and the fascinating Dhobi Ghat, Mumbai’s famous open-air laundries where thousands of clothes are washed daily.
We will also visit some of the city's historic synagogues, a testament to Mumbai’s rich Jewish heritage.
On Tuesday we fly via Chenai to Mysore, the Palace City, from where we drive into the jungle lands of the Kabini River, for the second unique safari experience of our trip.
Boasting the greatest diversity of flora and Fauna on the entire Asian continent, this region is one of the best places to see the endangered Indian elephant in the wild (most elephants in this country are known to be of the working variety) as well as the Gaur, the feared Indian Bison, the largest Bovine species on the planet.

Good sightings of large herbivores are almost guaranteed, but Kabini is also prime big-cat territory, and although the thicker jungle terrain makes sightings more challenging, the sight of a tiger or leopard stepping out of the bush, crossing the road, and disappearing again, is truly the experience of a lifetime.

Kabini is also one of the only places in the world where one has a decent, though small, chance of sighting the incredibly rare black panther (the above picture was taken by us on our recent visit!), something even the most regular safari enthusiast would travel the world to see - one who is lucky enough to get a quick glimpse of this beauty will immediately understand why he is known as the “Phantom of the Forest.”

In addition to elephant, gaur, leopard, black panther and tiger, Kabini’s “Big 7” can also include rare Indian wild-dog and sloth-bear, and with some luck, many other species, such as the Malabar giant squirrel, red mongoose, bonnet macaque, and of course the dancing peacock, can also be sighted.

We spend the next few days. enjoying safari activities by truck, jeep, and boat, exploring the local village, enjoying our private pool-villas, and experiencing an unforgettable Shabbos in the jungle together.
On Sunday, we depart from Kabini and make our way to the stunning Palace City of Mysore, where we embark on a captivating tour of the grand Mysore Palace Complex, the largest palace in India and a remarkable example of Indo-Saracenic architecture.

After exploring the palace, we enjoy a scenic and relaxed drive to Bengaluru, India's bustling high-tech hub. If time permits, we’ll take a brief city tour to explore some of Bengaluru’s famous landmarks before heading to the airport for our flight back home.

This concludes our memorable journey through southern India, blending natural beauty, history, and culture in one unforgettable adventure.

Itinerary

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Monday 24 February – Sunday 09 March 2025 (14 days)

$15 000 per person sharing. Please enquire about single supplement.
Luxury 5 Star Hotel accommodation (or closest equivalent when unavailable)

3 freshly prepared kosher meals daily by GKS team, under strict Hashgacha. Packed lunches when out for the day

Twice daily snacks and plenty bottled water on excursions; soft drinks and water during meals

Quality local kosher wines served at dinner

All excursions, transfers, entrance fees and guiding on the itinerary except when explicitly excluded

Salex tax when relevant

What’s not Included?

Tips/service delivery – 6%

International airfares

Domestic flights

Visas and airport taxes

Travel insurance (highly recommended)

Hotel room upgrades and extra bills

Bar, laundry, and other hotel extras

Elective activities

Personal expenses
All hotels, daily schedules, and other items subject to change due to availability, group size, and other factors, but the overall deluxe standard of the trip will be maintained as best as reasonably possible.

E-visa to be obtained online by guests. Need to allow 7 days for processing, so please apply as soon as you have booked.

India

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Frequently Asked Questions

Citizens of the U.S., most commonwealth countries, Israel, South Africa, and most other countries can obtain an electronic visa online for India, which takes about 4 days to process. This can either be done on the main India immigration site- the address is http://www.indianvisaonline.gov.in .
There are numerous online sites that claim to expedite visas, some of which may be fraudulent. Please be careful, we cannot vouch for any, but we have used http://www.indianimmigration.org before successfully and found them to make the applications process somewhat simpler.
Visa regulations change from time to time and differ from country to country, so all clients need to check their own requirements with the consulates of the countries they will be visiting at least 3 months prior to their trip.
Visitors must ensure that they have at least 2 blank VISA pages (not endorsement pages) in their passport and that their passport is valid for at least 6 months after the end of their trip.
Though we try our best to provide up to date information, GKS cannot take responsibility for accuracy of visa information, which MUST be verified by the consulates of the countries concerned!

India’s climate varies dramatically from region to region and from season to season, and it is important to plan one’s trip around the climate. It has an extremely wet, hot, and humid monsoon season from about June through to August, a warm and drier season from Sep-Oct, a cool dry season from Nov-Feb and a hot and dry season from March-May
The North of india experiences extremely drastic climactic variations and can be rather chilly, particularly at night, in Dec and Nov and extremely hot in April and May. The tropical South, as well as Mumbai to a lesser extent, is almost always hot and humid, though temperature extremes are not as drastic. the higher elevations can be cool or even cold throughout the year.
The best time for seeing tigers is in the very hot dry season, from late March through May, where the hot and dry conditions force the tigers to the more accessible waterholes where it is easier to see them. This is the best time for safaris, but prepare well for extreme heat.
For the cultural centres of Northern India, the best time to visit is during the cooler months from Nov-Feb- days are usually pleasantly sunny and mild, but nights can be very chilly and warmer layers should be brought.

India’s main cities have a surprisingly good health-care industry with medical tourism being rather common, but it is essential to have the correct travel insurance and to bring any prescriptions and preventive medications with you.
The same cannot be said for more remote locations, so travelling with basic medications and first aid is always advisable, as is emergency evacuation and medical/travel insurance.
Yellow fever inoculations might be required by certain countries for re-entry, and the subtropical, tropical, and equatorial regions often have low malaria risk, so check your itinerary carefully for guidelines.
As we eat in top hotels, procure the best quality produce, and drink only bottled water, the risk of the dreaded “Delhi Belly” is relatively low, but as stomach upsets are very common in general with travelers to India, and we do frequent public places, it is recommended to bring Cipro or other anti-biotics with under your doctors guidance, and to consider preventive shots for Typhoid, Dysentery, Cholera, and the like as per your travel clinic and doctors recommendations.

The unit of currency in India is the Indian Rupee which is currently valued at about 83.00 Indian Rupee = 1$, although currency fluctuations can be rather drastic, as can the variance in the actual exchange rate offered.
Certain ATMs in the region accept most foreign Visa cards, but are UNRELIABLE, and a good combination of local currency, $US cash, and cards is usually the best way to go.
some vendors in the region as well as airline overweight cashiers will ONLY accept cash, but most are all too eager for $US.
The GOOD NEWS is that being on an organized trip, you only really need cash for the small things, so its nothing to worry about!
*For your convenience, click here for updated currency conversion rates.

India is generally a safe country, but the usual precautions should be taken against petty crime, particular in the crowded cities where pick-pocketing is extremely common. In certain areas, women in particular are advised against walking alone at night.
Like anywhere in the world today, the global terror threat is always there, and we keep all the finer details of our itineraries offline as a precaution, in ALL venues that we operate in around the world- exact venues and final dates of tours are only made known to confirmed participants.