India’s cuisine can be as varied as its culture and landscape. From the smoldering tandoors and slow cooked, meaty delights of Rajasthan and the Awadhi cuisine of Lucknow, – rich in mutton, paneer and deep spices, to the snack obsessed Gujarat, with its vegetarian delights. In Ahmedabad, tour the delicious street food vendors and sample the spiced vegetarian food, carefully prepared with a strict adherence to the Jain religion. In Amritsar enter the heart of the Sikh religion, and lend a hand in the kitchen of the magnificent Golden Temple, which serves more than 100,000 meals to its fellow community every day.
In West Bengal enjoy the subtle Bekti fish curries and sweet plump, pastel hued mithai. In the South, Hyderabad, the most southern stronghold of the Mughal Empire is renowned for its fragrant biryanis, as is Goa for its spiced seafood & delicate coconut curries. Take a cooking class at the colonial Siolim House, a beautiful Portuguese manor house situated in North Goa. Both Kerala and Tamil Nadu offer distinctive cuisine, from the tantalising vegetarian thalis to idlis, delicious dosas and pungent, peppery Chettinad masalas.
Day 01 Arrive Delhi (By Flight)
Arrive in Delhi.
Meet assist at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
This morning visit Old Delhi.
Begin your day with an exploration starting in Old Delhi, visiting the Jama Masjid, the royal mosque built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in 1656. It is one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world and is constructed in red sandstone and white marble. The main prayer hall has a seating capacity of more than 20,000 worshippers.
Enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk, the spine of Old Delhi. Jahanara Begum, the daughter of Shah Jahan designed this commercial place in 1648. Drive past Red Fort, a UNESCO World heritage site.
Walk through the by-lanes of the wedding street and the jeweller’s lane to savour a 350 years old culture up-close.
Culminate the tour at the Spice Market also known as Khari Baoli. It is Asia’s largest wholesale spice market. At present, the street is a congested and busy market with shops on both sides selling spices, nuts and herbs. You will have a unique experience here viewing the whole process of loading, carrying or unloading of huge sacks of items from manual trolleys, shopkeepers busy dealing with the customers, customers selecting large quantities of items and weary labourers resting and chatting aloud. The overall appearance seems to be very chaotic but in reality it is very well managed! There will be great photo opportunities here!!!
Thereafter visit Chor Bizarre restaurant for lunch. Savour ‘Wazwan’ cuisine, from Kashmir. The restaurant has a unique concept and all kinds of wares find their way here (with or without the consent of the owners!).
The traditional Wazwan consist of thirty-six courses! Each dish has its own tradition and brings to mind memories of events such as festivals and wedding feasts. Other than on special occasions, it is very seldom that all thirty-six courses are laid out, but eating twenty odd courses on a regular basis is quite common. The attendants pass around ‘Tasha-t-Nair’ so that you can wash your hands. It would be sacrilege to use anything but your fingers to eat this meal. People sit in fours (considered auspicious) to share sustenance with dear ones over a ‘Tarami’ (large plate). The Tarami arrives with rice and the first few courses. Each successive course follows separately to allow you to savour its distinct flavour. At the end ‘Kahwah’ is served, the aroma of which leaves you with the lingering memories of ‘Wazwan’
Afternoon Drive past the Rashtrapati Bhawan (Presidential Palace) where the Viceroy once lived but now it is the official residence of the President of India.
Next on the itinerary visit Qutab Minar – a UNESCO World heritage site, a soaring tower of victory, 72.5meter high with five distinct stories. The construction of this minaret commenced in 1193 and was completed in 1368.
Culminate the tour at Humayun’s Tomb – a UNESCO World heritage site, the first great example of Mughal architecture in India, it developed to become the hallmark of the Mughal Dynasty.
Day 02 Delhi – Ahmedabad (By Flight)
Spend today at leisure. The Imperial is centrally located meaning that many of Delhi’s sites are a walk or short taxi ride away. Later today you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for your flight to Ahmedabad.
Day 03 Ahmedabad
Without question, Ahmedabad is the best city to start your culinary journey. Visit Gandhi Ashram and Hathising Jain Temple in the morning and the Utensils Museum in the afternoon and get a demonstration of Gujarati Snacks. Thaali dinner at Agashiye.
Day 04 Ahmedabad
Drive to Modhera Sun Temple en route to Patan and the Patan Rani ni Vav. Drive back to Ahmedabad. Enjoy dinner at Navrangpura, followed by an evening street food tour.
Day 05 Ahmedabad – Delhi (By Flight)
After breakfast, Heritage walk in the Old City in the morning.
Take an afternoon flight to Delhi.
Have dinner at Indian Accent restaurant in The Manor Hotel Delhi.
Day 06 Delhi – Amritsar (By Flight)
Take an early morning flight to Amritsar.
Morning visit to the Golden Temple followed by an afternoon visit to an organic farm, have a tandoor demonstration, and end with a visit to the India – Pakistan border. On the way back to the city, stop at a restaurant for dinner near the border and watch the making of various kinds of kebabs in the traditional tandoor.
Day 07 Amritsar
Take a village excursion to get an experience of rural India.
Visit a Papad making unit.
Overnight in Amritsar.
Day 08 Amritsar – Kolkata (By Flight)
After breakfast you will get your flight to Calcutta via Delhi. This evening enjoy dinner at a traditional Bengali home.
Day 09 Kolkata
Breakfast at Flury’s, a tearoom which transports you back to the 1930s British India in a heartbeat. Have a photo walk in Dalhousie Square and lunch in a Chinese restaurant; the Chinese community are an important part of Calcutta’s past and present. Enjoy an afternoon private boat cruise on the River Hoogly.
Day 10 Kolkata
Enjoy a morning food walk tour in a traditional bazaar followed by an introduction to the story of tea in India with an optional visit to Kumartuli / shopping in the afternoon. Tonight, have a formal dinner at the Bengal Club.
Day 11 Kolkata – Hyderabad (By Flight)
Fly to Hyderabad and check in a the Taj Falaknuma Palace. Have lunch at a local restaurant to experience three regions on a plate.
Downtime and optional shopping in the afternoon.
Day 12 Hyderabad
This morning take a food walk of the Old City, followed by ‘The Biryani Tour’. In the afternoon take a Palace Tour and take High Tea at your hotel, the majestic Taj Falaknuma Palace.
Day 13 Hyderabad
A la Carte Cooking Lessons in the morning. Next, visit a beautiful home in the heart of the Old City where you will learn about the concept of fasting vs feasting while sampling dishes. Over cups of hot masala tea, the hostess will describe the role of women during festivals and the food traditions associated with them. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure before a special farewell dinner.
Day 14 Depart Hyderabad (By Flight)
Departure transfer to Delhi international airport for flight to onward destination.
| Place | Night (s) | 5* Standard | 5* Deluxe | 5* Luxury |
| Delhi | 01 | Radisson Blu | ITC Maurya | The Oberoi |
| Ahmedabad | 03 | Radisson Blu | Novotel | Hyatt Ahmedabad |
| Delhi | 01 | Radisson Blu | ITC Maurya | The Oberoi |
| Amritsar | 02 | Ranjit Svaasa | Hyatt Regency | Taj Swarna |
| Kolkata | 03 | ITC Royal Bengal | Taj Bengal | Oberoi Grand |
| Hyderabad | 03 | Trident Hotel | ITC Kohenur | Taj Falaknuma Palace |
– Welcome with fresh flower garlands.
– Meet assist at the airport and hotels.
– 13 nights hotel accommodation as per the program.
– Domestic flight ticket Delhi – Ahmedabad – Delhi – Amritsar – Kolkata – Hyderabad in economy class.
– Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner.
– 01 Cooking Lesson in Delhi.
– 03 Cooking Lesson in Ahmedabad.
– 02 Cooking Lesson in Amritsar.
– 03 Cooking Lesson in Kolkata.
– 03 Cooking Lesson in Hyderabad.
– Street cuisine experience in Amritsar.
– Rickshaw ride in Delhi.
– Local English / French / German / Italian / Spanish / Chinese / Russian speaking guide.
– Covering all major monuments and activities.
– All transfers, sightseeing and excursions by private AC vehicle.
– All taxes.
– Tips
– International Air Fare
– Visa Fees
– Travel Insurance
– Personal expenses and drinks.
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.