India Wine Tour itinerary
DAY 01: ARRIVE MUMBAI
Arrive Mumbai by flight. Welcome to India- a country where hospitality is a way of life; to a culture steeped in tradition, a land where history lives in music and dance. You will be received at the airport in a traditional manner with garlands and proceed to your hotel.
Mumbai once used to be a cluster of seven islands of Colaba, Mumbai, Mazagaon, Old Woman’s island, Wadala, Mahim, Parel, and Matunga Sion, which were the homes of the Koli fishing community. Being situated on the western coast, it became an important trading center and port city after the English King Charles the Second gave it to the East India Company in 1668. The islands were named ‘Bombay’, meaning ‘good bay’ in Portuguese, by the Portuguese. In 1996, it was officially renamed Mumbai, the name being derived Mumbadevi, the goddess of the Kolis.
Overnight in Mumbai.
DAY 02: MUMBAI
Morning after breakfast excursion to Elephanta Caves ( closed on Monday) enroute visit Gateway of India.
The Gateway of India is a treasured monument that was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary for the Delhi Durbar in 1911. It is complete with four turrets and intricate latticework carved into the yellow basalt stone.
9 nautical miles across the sea from the Gateway of India lay Elephanta, also known as 'Gharapuri'. Visit this green island for the wonders of the 7 th century, the painstakingly hewn rock-cut cave temple, dedicated to Shiva. The Maheshamurti panel in which Shiva is shown as a creator, protector and destroyer, is a sight that should be enjoyed at least once in a lifetime.
Come back from the Elephanta caves and proceed for lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon drive past a popular sea front, Marine Drive is a winding stretch of road with tall buildings on one side and sea on the other. It was once called the Queen’s Necklace because of its curved shape. Tours continues with visit to Mani Bhawan & Hanging gardens. Mani Bhawan used to be the Mumbai residence of Mahatma Gandhi. one of the important places to visit in Mumbai. It has a reference library with over 2000 books and other of the Mahatma’s belongings. The Hanging Gardens or Ferozeshah Mehta Garden and Kamla Nehru Park are located opposite each other. Both the gardens provide lovely sunset views over the Arabian Sea. The latter has the famous “Old Woman’s Shoe” that is a delight to all children.
Also visit Dhobi Ghat - A unique feature of Mumbai, the dhobi is a traditional laundryman, who will collect your dirty linen, wash it, and return it neatly pressed to your doorstep. The clothes are soaked in sudsy water, thrashed on the flogging stones, then tossed into huge vats of boiling starch and hung out to dry. Next they are ironed and piled into neat bundles.
Dinner at hotel
Overnight in Mumbai.
DAY 03: MUMBAI – NASHIK
Morning after breakfast drive to Nashik (Approx. 165 Kms / 4 ½ hrs drive). Upon arrival check in at hotel.
Wine educator will accompany the guest from Mumbai to visit the Napa valley of India - Nashik. Post checking into the hotel, the Wine Tour (Vineyard Discovery) would begin. Two prominent wineries would be covered on this day.
Nashik is often referred as India's very own Napa Valley. Under an azure blue sky and surrounded by picturesque Western Ghat mountains, Nashik is the home of some of the finest Indian wines. Warmer days and cooler nights, gentle slope, fertile landscape - all these make a perfect setting of a great wine country. Nashik is India's wine capital. Lavish vineyards and well-developed winery infrastructure make Nashik the perfect wine tour destination.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Nashik.
DAY 04: NASHIK
Post breakfast, the tourists would be taken to two more chosen vineyards. Lunch would be provided.
Afternoon proceed for local sightseeing visiting Muktidham temple, coin museum and Deolali camp.
Muktidham Temple -The temple is of pure white; the colour signifies holiness and peace. Muktidham is just 7 km away from the city. The Temple is built with white makrana marble. The architecture of this temple is known to be very unusual. 18 chapters of the Gita are inscribed on the walls, which is a very unique style of this temple. A visit to this temple by Hindus is considered as a visit to the 4 dhams or holy centres.
Coin Museum - The museum has a fine collection of research and well-documented history of Indian currencies. Coin Museum was established in 1980 under the Indian Institute of Research in Numismatic Studies. This museum is the only museum of its kind in Asia. The environment of the museum is so cool, as it is located in the backdrop of the enthralling Ajneri Hill of Nashik.
Deolali Camp - Deolali Camp was established in 1861, which is one of the oldest military centers in India. Deolali market is famous for shoppings inside the military centre. On the nearby hill, there is Khandobachi Tekadi Temple. Exhausted and mentally stressed armies were sent to this place for giving rest during British time. The area surrounded with gardens, playgrounds and wide roads proves its uniqueness.
Overnight in Nashik.
DAY 5: NASHIK - PUNE
Upon arrival, Check in at hotel.
Afternoon sightseeing of Pune visiting Shindyanchi Chhatri and Aga Khan Palace.
Shindyanchi Chhatri - Amongst the architectural prides of Pune, the memorial to the great warrior Mahadji Shinde, the commander-in-chief of the Maratha army, between the years 1760 to 1780 under the mighty Peshwas. The temple adorned with Rajasthani architecture is an imposing edifice situated at Wanowrie.
Aga Khan Palace - True to its name this place boasts of Italianate arches and spacious lawns, an unlikely place for a prison but the Britishers interned Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba Gandhi here.The architecture of the palace wil take you down memory lane, reminding you of the illustrations from fairy tale houses.
Overnight in Pune.
DAY 6: NASHIK-AKLUJ
Morning after breakfast drive to Akluj (Approx. 173 Kms / 5 hrs drive) via Baramati.
Two picturesque wineries to be covered on this day with wine tasting.
Baramati (about 100 km from Pune) has recently become another wine destination with the opening of the spectacular estate and hospitality facility by Four Seasons Wines (USL). Many international award winning wines are produced at this facility. Without visiting this larger-than-life facility the Indian wine story would never be completed.
Upon arrival check in at hotel.
About 175 km southeast of Pune, Akluj is a part of the Deccan plateau. Nestled in the heart of Maharashtra's sugar belt, this magical place boasts of the Largest Winery Estate of India - Fratelli. The view from the hilltop of Fratelli vineyards provides a breathtaking experience that can easily be compared to many celebrated European wine destinations.
Overnight in Akluj.
DAY 7: AKLUJ - PUNE
Post breakfast to visit the largest single plot vineyard of India, before travelling back to Pune Airport ( Approx. 175 Kms / 3 ½ hrs drive) to board flight for Bangalore.
Depart Pune at 1710 hrs by flight 6E 105 ( Indigo Airline)
Arrive Bangalore at 1835 hrs and then transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Bangalore.
DAY 8: BANGALORE
Day trip for Bangalore wine tour.
Leave for Nandi Hills for wine tour post breakfast. Lunch at a Golf Club.
Overnight in Bangalore.
DAY 9: BANGALORE - MYSORE
Morning drive to Mysore (Approx. 145 Kms/ 3 ½ hrs drive). Upon arrival check in at hotel.
There after visit two wineries in Kaveri Valley .
Overnight in Mysore.
DAY 10: MYSORE - BANGALORE
Morning short trip to Mysore Place and then drive to Bangalore (Approx. 145 Kms/ 3 ½ hrs drive) and upon arrival check in at hotel.
Afternoon orientation tour of Bangalore visiting Tipu's Palace, Bull Temple, Lalbagh and Vidhana Soudha (Outside view).
Tippu Sultan's Palace - Which dates from about 1790, is the summer retreat for Tipu sultan, the two story structure is made Mostly out of wood with finely embellished balconies, pillars and arches.
What remains now is parts of the fort wall with a tablet marking the place where Cornwallis had breached it in 1791. In the courtyard is the Ganesha Temple that is popularly thought to represent Tipu Sultan's religious tolerance. The fort is noted for its beautifully carved arches on the gate walls.
The Bull Temple - Its located in Basavanagudi, is a typical Dravidian style temple, and is famous for its mammoth bull statue that was carved from a single boulder. Legend has it that the temple was built to appease a marauding bull that stole local crops, and that the offering was effective with the bull subsequently leaving the area. Since then, local farmers have held an annual festival to express their gratitude.
Lalbagh - Surrounding one of the towers erected by Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bangalore, is the 240 acre landscaped Lal Bagh gardens. Haider Ali, the warrior-king of Mysore, decided to create this garden in 1740 on the lines of the Mughal Gardens that were popular during his time.
The park has some rare species of plants brought from Persia, Afghanistan and France. Hyder Ali's son, Tipu Sultan, added to the beauty of the garden by publicising his wish to receive much-sought-after species of plants from visiting dignitaries.
Vidhana Soudha - The legislative House of the State of Karnataka, this granite building was built by Sri K. Hanumanthaiya, Chief Minister of the then Mysore state 1951 to 1956. The then Prime Minister Sri Pandit Jawaharalal Nehru laid the foundation on 13 July 1951. It was built at an expenditure of Rs 18.4 Million. Marvel of neo-Dravidian architecture and one of the most imposing building not only in Bengaluru but in India. One of the interesting feature of this building in grand stairs in its front.
Overnight in Bangalore.
DAY 11: DEPART BANGALORE
In time transfer to Bangalore airport to board flight back home.
Tour Highlight
Mumbai: Elephanta Caves,Mani Bhawan,Hanging Garden and Dhobi Ghat
Nashik: Visit Wineries,Coin Museum,Deolali Camp
Pune: Shindyachi Chhatri and Agha Khan Palace
Bangalore: Wine tour in Nandi Hills, Tipu's Palace, Bull temple and Lalbagh
Mysore: wineries visit at Kaveri Valley
Price on request.
