Mangalore

Fly to Aurangabad to explore India’s most extraordinary cave temples carved out of sheer rock—the caves of Ajanta, where Buddhist monks once lived, and the Ellora Caves, which three different religious groups occupied.

Observação especial: Any guests travelling with Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines should read further below for airline stipulations with regards to bringing this equipment on tour.

Due to the amount of walking, at times on uneven surfaces, this program is not recommended for anyone with walking difficulty or if a cane, walker or wheelchair are used.

Day 1 – 18 abr 2024

After disembarking the ship in Mangalore, you will transfer to the airport for a flight to Mumbai and then onto a connecting Air India flight to Aurangabad. A box lunch will be provided at the airport in Mumbai.

Upon arrival in Aurangabad, transfer to your hotel where the remainder of the evening is at your leisure. Dinner will be provided at the hotel.

Day 2 – 19 abr 2024

After breakfast, drive into the countryside towards the Ajanta Caves. In the early 19th Century, a group of British officers accidentally came upon these caves, which were buried under debris and screened by foliage. The first of these caves was hollowed out from the site of the cliff in the 2nd century B.C.

Strung out in a sweeping horseshoe shape in an inner fold of the hills, the caves were a secluded retreat for Buddhist monastic orders and yet offered easy access to the trade routes that swung past here to the coast. With little more than hammers and chisels, the monks painstakingly and slowly created underground shrines, chapels and monasteries, where they lived, taught and carried out ritual performances. The 30 caves of Ajanta, some unfinished, span a period of 800 years and contain numerous images of the Buddha.

A packed lunch prepared by your hotel is served before returning to the hotel.

In the afternoon visit the revered Bibi Ka Maqbara tomb, known as the Black Taj because it is so similar to the Taj Mahal in Agra. Also visit a Himroo weaving workshop, where fine shawls, sarees and textiles are produced. Himroo merchandise was originally woven with pure gold and silver threads for royal families.

The evening is at leisure with an option to revisit the Aurangabad town.

Dinner is included at your hotel

Day 3– Tuesday, 20 abr 2024

After breakfast at your hotel, you drive into the picturesque hills to the north and visit the Ellora Caves. This magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site contains 34 Hindu, Jain and Buddhist caves cut into volcanic lava cliffs.

The once-abandoned, more than 2,000-year-old caves lie near an ancient trade route and are believed to be the work of priests and craftsmen who used the route. The carvings, ornamentation and frescoes inside tell the stories of how these three religions evolved.

The most marvelous cave temple is Kailash. The world’s largest monolithic sculpture, it was sculpted out of a rock by 7.000 laborers over a 150-year period. The story of its construction is inscribed on the copper plate grant of King Krishna I, under whose patronage the temple was carved. Architecturally and sculpturally, art historians consider this to be the finest cave temple in the world.

Following your exploration of the Ellora Caves, you will return to the hotel for lunch.

Later, transfer to the airport for a flight to Mumbai. At the airport receive your boarding passes and proceed through security. Refreshments will be served onboard.

Upon arrival in Mumbai, transfer to the pier to reboard your ship.

Note on walking and steps:

Ajanta Caves are carved into the side of a hill range. From the bottom, it takes 105 steps to get to the top which is typically an easy climb for anyone without walking difficulty. Once at the top, there is a gradual walk from one cave to the next. For guests with difficulties, our local operator can arrange Palanquins (a conveyance usually for one person that consists of an enclosed litter borne on the shoulders of men by means of poles) up and down as well as from one cave to the next, if necessary.

Ellora Caves are on ground level over a spread-out area. Battery buses shuttle between caves. The only place where a climb is encountered is at the Kailash Temple where there are easy steps however once again those with walking difficulties can be carried up and down.

Programa terrestre, passo a passo:

Observe: A ordem dos locais visitados pode variar para evitar aglomeração. This program is subject to flight confirmations which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Voos diretos nunca são garantidos. Os itinerários finais com os detalhes mais atualizados serão fornecidos pela equipe de serviços de destino assim que você embarcar no navio. Verifique seu itinerário final cuidadosamente para verificar se houve alterações.

Day 1 - times are subject to change based on actual flight details once confirmed. Below is a sample itinerary

9:00am The ship is scheduled to arrive in Mangalore

9:30am After clearing immigration and custom formalities, transfer to the airport for a flight to Mumbai.

10:00am Arrive at the airport, receive boarding passes and proceed through security.

11h40Flight departs for Mangalore (flight details TBA and subject to change)

Refreshments served aloft

13h15 Arrive in Mumbai and connect to a flight to Aurangabad (flight details TBA and subject to change)

Lunch box is served at Mumbai airport.

5:00pm Arrive in Mumbai and transfer to your hotel

3:40pm Flight departs Mumbai

4:45pm Arrive Aurangabad and transfer to your hotel

5:45pm Arrive at the hotel and check-in

From 7:30pm Dinner at the hotel

Overnight at the Taj Vivanta Aurangabad or similar hotel

Dia 2

From 6:00am Breakfast at your hotel

7:30am Drive to visit the Ajanta Caves

10:00am Arrive and visit the Caves

12:30pm Packed lunch is served before returning to Aurangabad

4:00pm Arrive and proceed on a sightseeing of Aurangabad city including Bibi-ka-Maqbara (the Black Taj and the Himroo Weaving workshop

6:00pm Return to the hotel

From 7:30pmDinner at your hotel

Overnight at the Taj Vivanta Aurangabad or similar hotel

Dia 3

From 7:00am Breakfast at your hotel

9:00am Proceed to visit the Ellora Caves

10:00am Proceed to visit the Ellora Caves

1:00pm Return to your hotel for lunch

3:15pm Transfer to the airport for a to Mumbai (subject to change)

3:45pm Arrive at the airport, receive boarding passes and proceed through security

5:20pm Flight departs for Mumbai (flight details TBA and subject to change)

6:10pm Arrive in Mumbai and transfer to the pier

7:30pm Arrive at the pier and reboard the ship

Clima provável:

Days are sunny and hot with temperatures between 25 to 35°C (77 to 95°F).

O que trazer:

Casual wear for the day. Sun block, hat, shades and comfortable walking shoes are important.

At the Caves, it is customary to remove your footwear before entering.

Moeda:

US Dollars are widely accepted.

Eletricidade:

220 – 240 volts. Hotel rooms are equipped with converters however we recommend brining your own international travel adaptor for electric devices just in case.

Bagagem:

Light luggage would be most suited for this trip.

A maximum of 1 checked suitcase per person is permitted free of charge (15 kg or 33 lbs) and one carry-on (7 kg or 15 lbs). Anything over this allowance will be subject to fees imposed by the airline and payable by guests at check in for each flight.

Airline & type of aircraft (subject to change):

Indigo Airlines – Airbus A320 – All Economy (upgrades not available)

Air India – Airbus A319 – All Economy (upgrades not available)

Carriage of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines on internal flights per airline regulations (subject to change as each airline has their own regulations)

1. Guests must obtain a Doctor’s Certificate mentioning their medical condition and the need to carry this equipment with them on their flights.

2. The certificate should have attached a picture of the equipment with its description/specifications especially with regards to the type of batteries used (lithium/dry or any other type)

3. These documents need to be sent to the Land Program Team via the Reservations Team at least one month prior to travel so that our local operator can begin the notification process with the airline(s).

4. Failure to comply with the above regulations may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which the cruise line nor our local ground operator be responsible for.

Although not recommended, guests brining a scooter will need to advise our Reservations team in advance. Specific details regarding the scooter will be required (as advised to us by the Indian airlines) including model, model number, a photo, maximum speed, ground clearance, turning radius, overall length & width of the base, seat type, weight, battery weight, battery requirements, maximum range per charge, battery charger information, battery type (detachable or not), maximum weight capacity, color.

Exigências de documentos e vistos:

A passport that is valid at least 6 months after travel is required as well as an Indian Visa

Please check with your local embassy for any special visa requirements for your nationality

VERY IMPORTANT – The name on your cruise booking, passport and any visas if required, must all be exactly the same for flight ticket purchase for this program otherwise guests may be denied travel by flight. Please ensure that all documents are identical in spelling to the names provided for your cruise reservation including first, middle and last name. Manifests generated by the cruise line must match your travel documents.

Failure to have the required documents ahead of time or incorrect names on flight tickets will result in either denial of travel or ticket re-purchase and guests will be responsible for any fees incurred.

Acomodação:

Taj Vivanta Aurangabad

8 N 12, CIDCO, Dr. Rafiq Zakaria Marg, Rauza Bagh, Aurangabad, Maharashtra - 431003

Tel.: +91 240 6613737

*We will only substitute a hotel in unforeseen situations. If a hotel is substituted, it will be similar and with equal ratings and standards and guests will be notified in advance. Se os hóspedes não forem avisados da mudança antes da saída, então os hotéis listados no programa serão utilizados.

O programa inclui:

•2 nights at the Taj Vivanta in a Deluxe Delight Room

•All meals with dinner and lunch inclusive of house wines, beer, mineral water, sodas

•Packed lunch during the excursion to Ajanta Caves

•Transfers and sightseeing as indicated in the itinerary using an air-conditioned deluxe bus

•Unlimited mineral water will be provided in the bus at all times

•Economy class flights between Mangalore, Aurangabad and Mumbai (direct flights not guaranteed)

•Entrance fees and camera charges at the monuments

•Accompanying local Tour Manager throughout the program

Não inclui:

•Gratuities to drives, guides and tour manager

•Indian Visa fee

•Any meals or beverages not listed in the itinerary

• Despesas acessórias com o hotel, incluindo frigobar e serviço de quarto

•Excess or overweight luggage fees

Observe: Programações em terra que abrangem vários dias normalmente incluem atividades extensas e prolongadas, enquanto os de durações mais curtas geralmente têm níveis de atividade mais moderados. No entanto, os programas variam e os participantes devem estar preparados para enfrentar uma variedade de tipos de superfície, que podem incluir inclinações, pedras, areia, cascalho e trilhas naturais. Também pode ser necessário subir degraus ou escadas às vezes. Os hóspedes em cadeira de rodas e com problemas de mobilidade são aconselhados a verificar com a companhia de cruzeiro com antecedência para saber se uma parte da programação dos passeios pode não ser considerada apropriada para a sua condição individual. Roupas apropriadas ao clima, chapéus, óculos de sol; e calçados planos e confortáveis geralmente são recomendados.

Todas as programações em terra têm sua capacidade controlada e estão sujeitas à disponibilidade. Os programas que não receberem um número mínimo necessário de inscrições de participantes estão sujeitos a cancelamento. Os preços listados também estão sujeitos a alterações para suprir aumentos de custo inesperados de transporte, de programações em terra ou flutuações da moeda.

Uma vez que a compra for feita, os preços estarão garantidos e não estarão sujeitos a mudanças. Todas programações em terra durante o cruzeiro devem ser compradas até 60 dias antes da data de saída. Os cancelamentos feitos a 60 dias ou menos antes da data de partida estão sujeitos a 100% de multa por cancelamento.