20-night Passage to India Cruise

Optional Private Excursions

Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!

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

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

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

Optional Private Excursions

Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!

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

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

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

Optional Private Excursions

Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!

1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee

Overview
Our Private Shore Excursions make the most of your brief time in Israel.  Our port-to-port customized itineraries deliver an engaging and seamless experience.
 

• Experience breathtaking beauty of the Sea of Galilee
• Visit the Christian Holy sites in Galilee
• Explore Nazareth, childhood home of Jesus

 
Itinerary Highlights
 

• Enjoy an overview of Haifa from the top of Mount Carmel, including the Bahai Gardens
• Visit the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth - boyhood home of Jesus
• Enjoy the spectacular view of the Sea of Galilee from the Mount of Beatitudes, the traditional site of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount
• Visit the church at Tabgha, the site of Jesus’ miracle of the Multiplication of Loaves & Fishes
• Visit the ancient synaguge at Capernaum, site of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee

 
One (1) day of private guide with deluxe air-conditioned vehicle.
Entrance fees and activities per itinerary
 
Destination Visited
 

• Mount Carmel
• Nazareth
• The Sea of Galilee

 
 

1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Akko Caesarea

Overview
Our Private Shore Excursions make the most of your brief time in Israel.  Our port-to-port customized itineraries deliver an engaging and seamless experience.
 

• Enjoy the beauty of Northern Israel
• Explore historical sites of Caesarea and Akko

 
Itinerary Highlights
 

• Enjoy an overview of Haifa from the top of Mount Carmel, including the Bahai Gardens
• Explore the ancient port city of Caesarea, including excavations from Roman, Byzantine, and Crusader periods
• Visit the ancient Phoenician and Crusader seaport of Akko, including the  underground Knight’s chambers, the Templar tunnel, and the Hospitaller Castle

 
One (1) day of private guide with deluxe air-conditioned vehicle.
Entrance fees and activities per itinerary
 
Destinations Visited
 

• Mount Carmel
• Caesarea
• Akko

 

1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Caesarea Tel Aviv

Overview
 

• Enjoy the beauty of Northern Israel
• Visit the archeological sites in Caesarea
• Explore Tel Aviv and visit the Biblical city of Jaffa

 
Itinerary Highlights
 

• Enjoy an overview of Haifa from the top of Mount Carmel, including the Bahai Gardens
• Explore the ancient port city of Caesarea, including excavations from Roman, Byzantine, and Crusader periods
• Visit a variety of neighborhoods in Tel Aviv - the Bauhaus area, the Neve Tzedek area and Rabin Squar
• Visit the ancient port of Jaffa, with its cobblestone paths, flea market and artists galleries

 
One (1) day of private guide with deluxe air-conditioned vehicle.
Entrance fees and activities per itinerary
 
Destinations Visited
 

• Mount Carmel
• Caesarea
• Tel Aviv & Jaffa

1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Akko - Safed

Overview
 

• Enjoy the beauty of Northern Israel
• Explore historical city of Akko
• Visit the spiritual city of Safed

 
 
Itinerary Highlights
 

• Visit the ancient seaport of Akko
• Discover the underground Knight’s chambers, the Templar tunnel, and the Hospitaller Castle
• Explore Safed, the birthplace of “Kabbalah” - Jewish mysticism
• Visit the ancient synagogues and artists’ galleries
• Enjoy an overview of Haifa from the top of Mount Carmel, including the Bahai Gardens

 
One (1) day of private guide with deluxe air-conditioned vehicle.
Entrance fees and activities per itinerary
 
Destinations Visited
 

• Akko
• Safed
• Mount Carmel 

2 days/1 night Shore Excursion from Haifa - Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, Jerusalem and Bethlehem

Overview

Our Private Shore Excursions make the most of your brief time in Israel.  Our port-to-port customized itineraries deliver an engaging and seamless experience.
 

• Experience breathtaking beauty of the Sea of Galilee
• Visit the Christian Holy sites in Galilee
• Explore Nazareth, childhood home of Jesus
• Walk the Jewish Quarter of the Old City
• Explore the Holy sites of the Christian Quarter
• Experience the grace and sophistication of New Jerusalem
• Visit to Bethlehem

 
Itinerary Highlights
 

• Enjoy an overview of Haifa from the top of Mount Carmel, including the Bahai Gardens
• Visit the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth - boyhood home of Jesus
• Enjoy the spectacular view of the Sea of Galilee from the Mount of Beatitudes, the traditional site of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount
• Visit the church at Tabgha, the site of Jesus’ miracle of the Multiplication of Loaves & Fishes
• Visit the ancient synagogue at Capernaum, site of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee
• Enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of Old & New Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives
• Visit the Garden of Gethsemane and the Basilica of the Agony
• Visit the ancient synagogues and stroll through the Cardo - the reconstructed main street of Byzantine Jerusalem
• View the Temple Mount with the Dome of the Rock & the Al Aqsa Mosque
• Touch the Western Wall - Judaism’s holiest site
• Walk the final Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
• Visit the Room of the Last Supper, in which, according to the Gospel accounts, Jesus shared his last meal with the disciples.
• Visit Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, birthplace of Jesus

 
One (1) night accommodation per requested hotel.
Two (2) days of private guide with deluxe air-conditioned vehicle.
Entrance fees and activities per itinerary
 
Destinations Visited
 

• Mount Carmel
• Nazareth
• The Sea of Galilee
• Jerusalem  Old City
• The Western Wall
• Church of the Holy Sepulchre
• Bethlehem

*Bethlehem is under Palestinian Authority, and change of vehicle will be required at the border post. The tour will be guided by a Palestinian guide. 
 

Optional Private Excursions

Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!

1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee

Overview
Our Private Shore Excursions make the most of your brief time in Israel.  Our port-to-port customized itineraries deliver an engaging and seamless experience.
 

• Experience breathtaking beauty of the Sea of Galilee
• Visit the Christian Holy sites in Galilee
• Explore Nazareth, childhood home of Jesus

 
Itinerary Highlights
 

• Enjoy an overview of Haifa from the top of Mount Carmel, including the Bahai Gardens
• Visit the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth - boyhood home of Jesus
• Enjoy the spectacular view of the Sea of Galilee from the Mount of Beatitudes, the traditional site of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount
• Visit the church at Tabgha, the site of Jesus’ miracle of the Multiplication of Loaves & Fishes
• Visit the ancient synaguge at Capernaum, site of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee

 
One (1) day of private guide with deluxe air-conditioned vehicle.
Entrance fees and activities per itinerary
 
Destination Visited
 

• Mount Carmel
• Nazareth
• The Sea of Galilee

 
 

1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Akko Caesarea

Overview
Our Private Shore Excursions make the most of your brief time in Israel.  Our port-to-port customized itineraries deliver an engaging and seamless experience.
 

• Enjoy the beauty of Northern Israel
• Explore historical sites of Caesarea and Akko

 
Itinerary Highlights
 

• Enjoy an overview of Haifa from the top of Mount Carmel, including the Bahai Gardens
• Explore the ancient port city of Caesarea, including excavations from Roman, Byzantine, and Crusader periods
• Visit the ancient Phoenician and Crusader seaport of Akko, including the  underground Knight’s chambers, the Templar tunnel, and the Hospitaller Castle

 
One (1) day of private guide with deluxe air-conditioned vehicle.
Entrance fees and activities per itinerary
 
Destinations Visited
 

• Mount Carmel
• Caesarea
• Akko

 

1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Caesarea Tel Aviv

Overview
 

• Enjoy the beauty of Northern Israel
• Visit the archeological sites in Caesarea
• Explore Tel Aviv and visit the Biblical city of Jaffa

 
Itinerary Highlights
 

• Enjoy an overview of Haifa from the top of Mount Carmel, including the Bahai Gardens
• Explore the ancient port city of Caesarea, including excavations from Roman, Byzantine, and Crusader periods
• Visit a variety of neighborhoods in Tel Aviv - the Bauhaus area, the Neve Tzedek area and Rabin Squar
• Visit the ancient port of Jaffa, with its cobblestone paths, flea market and artists galleries

 
One (1) day of private guide with deluxe air-conditioned vehicle.
Entrance fees and activities per itinerary
 
Destinations Visited
 

• Mount Carmel
• Caesarea
• Tel Aviv & Jaffa

1-day Shore Excursion from Haifa: Akko - Safed

Overview
 

• Enjoy the beauty of Northern Israel
• Explore historical city of Akko
• Visit the spiritual city of Safed

 
 
Itinerary Highlights
 

• Visit the ancient seaport of Akko
• Discover the underground Knight’s chambers, the Templar tunnel, and the Hospitaller Castle
• Explore Safed, the birthplace of “Kabbalah” - Jewish mysticism
• Visit the ancient synagogues and artists’ galleries
• Enjoy an overview of Haifa from the top of Mount Carmel, including the Bahai Gardens

 
One (1) day of private guide with deluxe air-conditioned vehicle.
Entrance fees and activities per itinerary
 
Destinations Visited
 

• Akko
• Safed
• Mount Carmel 

2 days/1 night Shore Excursion from Haifa - Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, Jerusalem and Bethlehem

Overview

Our Private Shore Excursions make the most of your brief time in Israel.  Our port-to-port customized itineraries deliver an engaging and seamless experience.
 

• Experience breathtaking beauty of the Sea of Galilee
• Visit the Christian Holy sites in Galilee
• Explore Nazareth, childhood home of Jesus
• Walk the Jewish Quarter of the Old City
• Explore the Holy sites of the Christian Quarter
• Experience the grace and sophistication of New Jerusalem
• Visit to Bethlehem

 
Itinerary Highlights
 

• Enjoy an overview of Haifa from the top of Mount Carmel, including the Bahai Gardens
• Visit the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth - boyhood home of Jesus
• Enjoy the spectacular view of the Sea of Galilee from the Mount of Beatitudes, the traditional site of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount
• Visit the church at Tabgha, the site of Jesus’ miracle of the Multiplication of Loaves & Fishes
• Visit the ancient synagogue at Capernaum, site of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee
• Enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of Old & New Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives
• Visit the Garden of Gethsemane and the Basilica of the Agony
• Visit the ancient synagogues and stroll through the Cardo - the reconstructed main street of Byzantine Jerusalem
• View the Temple Mount with the Dome of the Rock & the Al Aqsa Mosque
• Touch the Western Wall - Judaism’s holiest site
• Walk the final Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
• Visit the Room of the Last Supper, in which, according to the Gospel accounts, Jesus shared his last meal with the disciples.
• Visit Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, birthplace of Jesus

 
One (1) night accommodation per requested hotel.
Two (2) days of private guide with deluxe air-conditioned vehicle.
Entrance fees and activities per itinerary
 
Destinations Visited
 

• Mount Carmel
• Nazareth
• The Sea of Galilee
• Jerusalem  Old City
• The Western Wall
• Church of the Holy Sepulchre
• Bethlehem

*Bethlehem is under Palestinian Authority, and change of vehicle will be required at the border post. The tour will be guided by a Palestinian guide. 
 

Optional Private Excursions

Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!

Piraeus: The Ancient City of Athens - 8 Hours

Dominated by the remarkable Parthenon, which has stood for over 2,000 years, Athens is a city of major architectural and archaeological treasures. At Piraeus Port you will receive a warm welcome from your guide and driver who provides a captivating insight into the city’s history and culture during your full day tour.

For most, the highlight of a visit to Athens is the world famous Acropolis and the Parthenon. Dedicated to the Goddess Athena, it is one of the most important ancient monuments in the Western world. This afternoon, delight in the mesmerising display of eclectic Greek and Oriental art at the Benaki Museum. Complete your day with a drive past the Panethenaic Stadium, the pure marble masterpiece that served as the original site for the modern Olympics. At the end of the tour you are privately transferred back to your cruise ship.

Highlights:

• Ascend the Acropolis to the Parthenon, one of the most important ancient monuments in the Western world
• Tour the Benaki Museum

Tour Duration: 8 Hours

Tour Can Operate: Morning/ Afternoon

Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information

Physical Activity Level: Light

Inclusions:

• Private transport by luxury car or minivan
• An expert local guide for 8 hours
• Entrance fees to all sights and museums
  All taxes

Exclusions:

• All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
• Gratuities

Piraeus: Cape Sounion - 5 hours

Meet your guide as you disembark your cruise ship in Piraeus and venture along the scenic coast to Cape Sounion where you visit the ancient ruined Temple of Poseidon. This temple is believed to date from the 5th century BC and was built to honour Poseidon, who ranked second only to Athena herself in terms of power. The Temple enjoys an impressive position, high on the cliffs, and has, over the centuries, been marked by many travellers’ carved signatures, including that of Lord Byron. After touring the site, you return to your cruise ship in Piraeus.

Highlights:

• Venture along the coast to Cape Sounion to the ancient ruins of the Temple of Poseidon

Tour Duration: 5 hours

Tour can Operate: Morning/ Afternoon

Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information

Physical Activity Level: Low

Inclusions:
•    Luxury car or minivan at your disposal during the tour
•    An expert A&K local guide (5 hours)
•    Entrance fees
•    All taxes

Exclusions:
•    All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
•    Gratuities