Journey to India - Deccan Heritage Foundation

Tuesday 12 February
Wednesday 13 February
Mumbai/Alibag
After breakfast this morning you will be required to hand over your
main luggage to our local representatives for transfer to Alibag by
road. Please keep with you a day bag to contain any essentials
you need ie. camera, money, sunscreen, hat.
Guests will be escorted to the Gateway of India (just opposite the
Taj Mahal Hotel) in order to board a catamaran departing for
Alibag at 12.45. The boat journey is approximately 1 hour and you
disembark at Mandwa Jetty. An air conditioned coach will be
there waiting for you to take you the short distance to Alibag.
Alibag is a little town on the western coast of India, known as the
Konkan region. During the 17 th century it was the naval base of
Shivaji, the Maratha warrior. Now it is a desirable weekend retreat
for people of Mumbai.
After registering at the Radisson Hotel we can visit Hirakot (early
18 th century) and Kolaba (17 th century) forts both easily accessible
from the shore. We will also visit an impressive 19 th century
Synagogue.
Radisson Blu Alibag, set on the outskirts of this coastal town, is
within an easy distance from Nagaon and Kihim Beach. The hotel
offers a good standard of service with facilities such as a spa,
outdoor pool and fitness center. The main restaurant specializes
in local cuisine and there is a 24-hour restaurant which offers
breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and features Indian and
international dishes.
Overnight at Radisson Hotel in a deluxe room on a full board
basis.
Alibag-Chaul-Janjira-Alibag
After breakfast this morning you are driven 30 minutes to visit
Chaul. Originally a port that serviced the trade of the Sultanate
Dynasties of the Deccan (15 th -16 th centuries) it later became an
important Portuguese port. In 1740 Chaul passed to the local
Maratha rulers. The walls and churches of this Portuguese
settlement located by the sea are amongst the most romantic
ruins along the western coast of India. A true pleasure of ruins.
As is our next stop, Murud, at a 45 minutes distance from Chaul. In
Murud we will take a small boat reserved specially for us to the
island fort of the Sidis at Janjira (20 minutes). Janjira is India’s
most impressive sea fort. It was built by the Sidis who were
Abyssinians in the service of the Malik Ambar. Malik Ambar, also of
Abyssinian origin, was the famous general of the Nizam Shahis of
Ahmadnagar who fought against the invading Mughal armies from
the north.
A picnic will be arranged on the island following which you return
to the mainland and return to Alibag. At a short distance from
Murud are the impressive mausolea of the Sidi rulers of Janjira
that controlled the seas during the 17 th century.
Overnight at Radisson Hotel in a deluxe room on a full board
basis.
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