Mumbai & Wine Country

20 – 26 November, 2024

Mumbai – Nashik – Mumbai

 

Join Claudia Wolf, founder of TIKKA TOURS and India destination expert, on this special created small group journey and become immersed into the most exciting elements and experiences that Mumbai has to offer. Formerly a territory of seven fishing islands, Mumbai today is a sprawling, bustling metropolis and one of India’s most dynamic cities. The ‘city of dreams’ is a home for people from different walks of life, a veritable potpourri of economies, lifestyles, cultures, faiths and identities. Pop culture worldwide, has Mumbai to thank for Bollywood, India’s own film industry with movies such as Slumdog Millionaire and Shantaram, offering a glimpse into the workings of this chaotic city and the industrious people pursuing their various livelihoods. We will also head north to the wine growing region of Nashik, where its wine story began with a gamble. A farmer who had returned from studying in California decided to plant a few wine grape varieties on his family’s plot of table grapes and that set up the first winery at Sula vineyards in 1999. The rest, as they say, is history!

 
You are in the best hands here. No one knows India like Claudia. Her passion, love and wealth of knowledge on India is something no one else can deliver! Do yourself a favour and try Tikka Tours, you won’t regret it.
— Juliana, Australia

SEE BELOW FOR TOUR DETAILS

 

 
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Overview

Mumbai ( Taj Mahal Palace & Towers Hotel – Luxury heritage hotel – Superior City View Room )
• Nashik ( The Source at Sula – 5 star hotel – Courtyard vintage room )
• Mumbai ( Taj Santa Cruz – 5 star airport hotel – Luxury city view room )

PRE TOUR EXTENSION – NEPAL
• Please refer to the fully escorted small group journey ESSENCE OF NEPAL for further details

Taj Mahal Palace & Towers Hotel, Mumbai

The Source at Sula, Nashik

Taj Mahal Palace & Towers Hotel, Mumbai

The Source at Sula, Nashik

The Source at Sula, Nashik

Taj Santa Cruz, Mumbai

The Source at Sula, Nashik

Taj Santa Cruz, Mumbai

 

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival / Mumbai  Meet & greet service at airport. Transfer and check in to luxury heritage hotel. Enjoy the rest of your day and evening at leisure. Overnight at the Taj Mahal Palace & Towers hotel.

Day 2

Mumbai Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will embark on a private specialist ‘Five senses tour’ taking you on a journey engaging in Five different experiences, that will give you an immersive perspective of this fascinating city. You will go on a historic walk through colonial Mumbai, groove to the beats of Bollywood music in a dance studio, taste some of the cities best local cuisine, walk down the famous Mumbai spice market and interact with the less fortunate and engage in activities to help and uplift them. Overnight at the Taj Mahal Palace & Towers hotel.

Day 3

Mumbai Rise early and witness Mumbai by dawn. Watch the ‘City of Dreams’ come alive in the early hours of dawn. Observe the newspaper vendor distribution, visit Sassoon dock and take part in a fish auction, see vendors bargain at the wholesale fresh fruit, vegetable and flower markets. Return to the hotel for breakfast and a enjoy the day at your leisure. Followed by an exciting and mouth-watering evening street food tour. This tour gives you cultural insights into the city and interesting stories behind the various street food stalls as you sample delicious treats with a local foodie expert. Overnight at the Taj Mahal Palace & Towers hotel.

Day 4

Mumbai / Nashik This morning after breakfast , drive to Nashik. Meet your wine expert and guide along the way before the first stop at Vallonne Vineyards, for a wine tour and tasting, following by a delicious lunch of South East Asian cuisine.  Afterwards, drive to the next popular vineyard close-by for a walk through the vineyards, followed by a tasting in the Barrell Cellar. Drive to the resort and check in. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure. Overnight at The Source at Sula.

Day 5

Nashik Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Chandon winery where you will experience the three different sparkling wines with wine maker and brand ambassador for Chandon India. Moet Hennessy determined that the Nashik region had the potential to produce world-class and premium quality sparkling wine. So this state of the art production facility and  21-acre vineyard was born and now creates variants of Chandon, Chandon Brut and Chandon Rose. Later drive to another vineyard, to enjoy tastings of some Italian variety wines. Return to the resort. Early evening, experience Artisan Cheese tasting at a nearby cheese making outlet. Return to the resort. Evening at your leisure. Overnight at The Source at Sula.

Day 6

Nashik / Mumbai This morning after breakfast, check out of resort and depart on a personalised private winery tour of Sula vineyards, India’s most famous and biggest winery. Visit the Sauvigno Blanc vineyards, followed by a wine making process tour, visit the huge barrel cellar and enjoy a tasting of six exclusive wines in a special tasting lounge. Time to depart for Mumbai, and upon arrival check in to your Airport hotel. Rest of afternoon and evening at leisure to unwind or shop and explore. Overnight at Taj Santa Cruz.

Day 7

Mumbai / Departure Breakfast at hotel. Leisure time until a TIKKA TOURS representative will assist and escort you to Mumbai International airport for your flight home.

 
 

NEPAL pre tour EXTENSION
10 Days /9 Nights

Nepal is the ideal destination for adventures and cultural explorers alike. It is one of the most fascinating places on Earth. Travelling to the ancient mountain country of Nepal is like taking a step back in time, with its rustic and authentic charm all surrounding. Stay in Luxury Mountain Retreats, Lodges & Heritage hotels, all experienced in TIKKA comfort and style. Starting in Kathmandu, you will explore ancient squares and temples, and then wander amongst the bustling back streets to snack on traditional Nepalese street food and shop. Nepal is a wonder waiting to behold.

 
 
Magnificently organised by Claudia. We had the best and most interesting holiday in India. Thank you so much Claudia, we would love to return soon and would recommend Tikka Tours to anyone interested in visiting beautiful vibrant India.
— CARLEEN & RON, AUSTRALIA

Prepare for your trip

 India is everything, and more, all at once.

It's a sensory potpourri; a visual explosion of bright saris, lumbering cows, marigolds, incense, spices and bursts of sunlight - where you're guaranteed to craft your very own Darjeeling Limited experience.

As for the language, Hindi isn't spoken by everyone in India - in fact there are more than 20 languages spoken throughout the country and English tends to serve as a common one.

A few Hindi phrases will definitely help along the way: "Namaskar" (hello), "shukriya" (thank you), "aap kaise hai" (how are you), "kitna hai" (how much) and "naam kya hai" (what's your name), may come in handy on your trip.

As for money, you'll be dealing in Indian rupees - there are about 55 rupees to each Aussie dollar. Credit cards are widely accepted, but make sure you know all your pin codes as signing has been phased out around the country.


WHERE TO SHOP

Rajasthan is famous for its colourful embroidered textiles, clothing, homewares, gemstones, silver & gold jewellery, pottery, carpets and durrie rugs, antiques and furniture. As well as miniature paintings, papier mache puppets and embroidered leather shoes.

To buy precious and semi-precious gemstones head to the "pink city" of Jaipur, where gorgeous blue-glazed pottery is also made. Jodhpur holds a treasure trove of shopping bounty.

Marble wares inspired by the Taj Mahal, some of them exquisitely detailed and inlaid with semi-precious stones, can be sourced in Agra, while Varanasi is a popular place to pick up silk and saris.

Delhi is globally recognised for quality and very affordable pricing across a variety of goods.

Mumbai take your pick of jewellery, Sarees or block-printed fabric, Art and of course Retro Bollywood posters and postcards.

Goa is well known for its beautiful variety of decorative Azulejos Tiles. cashew nuts and spices, coconut decor, beachwear, bags and accessories. As well as a variety of hats and musical instruments.

Kerala is known for oils and essence. The best and purest forms of oils and essence are found here. Kochi’s options to shop almost rivals its obsession with food. Pick up an array of packaged spices on offer, such as cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, nutmeg, tamarind, cloves and bay leaves… let the wafting aromas guide you there.

In Cochin there are many varieties of cotton clothes and silk emporiums... you can’t leave without buying at least one traditional saree. Along with colourful bead handicrafts, brass bangles, metal mirrors, silver and gold jewellery.

Always a trade destination, from tradtional merchants to hip, young designers who create modern, fresh styles and fashion.

 
 

WHAT'S INCLUDED

All tours include domestic flights, accommodation, transport, air conditioned mini coach with refreshments, sightseeing entrance fees, special tour events and activities, local guides, most meals and all-inclusive tipping (includes: baggage at airport, bell boys at hotel, any activities, paid meals, driver and his assistant and accompanying local guide). Prices may be subject to currency fluctuation or surcharges.

As part of a conscious initiative to reduce the use of single use plastic bottles, TIKKA TOURS ground operator now provides alternatives to plastic bottled water. Re-usable metal water bottles with re-filling facility are part of our guest’s vehicles.


TOUR PRICE

7 Days /6 Nights
$4,840
( twin share per person )*
$1,690 ( single supplement )*
Fully escorted small group tour
( Based on 6–8 passengers )


NEPAL pre tour EXTENSION
10 Days /9 Nights
On request ( twin share per person )
On request ( single supplement )
Fully escorted small group tour
( Based on 8–12 passengers )