From the grand kitchens of the kings to mouth-watering street food, the full spectrum of Indian cuisines is a heady concoction of spices, influenced by the country’s rich history, religion and culture. India’s gastronomical palate has flavours and aromas coming from each region. The Indian menu has evolved over the centuries, influenced by traders, travellers and kings. The history of Indian food is filled with amazing complexities, often overlooked by the locals and visitors. With our culinary inspired tours, We try to capture these very intricacies that make the Indian cuisine so special and interesting.
Each region of India offers distinct menus – whether it is the extravagant Mughal inspired Awadhi cuisine decorated with gold leaves or the delicious vegetarian Thali from South India – there is something for everyone on the Indian menu.
Day 01 Arrive Delhi (By Flight)
Today you will arrive at Indira Gandhi international airport, meet and greet by our representative.
Assistance and transfer to hotel. Delhi – the capital of India, is a fascinating city with complexities and contradictions, beauty and dynamism, where the past co-exists with the present. Many dynasties ruled from here and the city is rich in the architecture of its monuments. Delhi is not only the present metropolis of India but also a Necropolis. Because of its location, being on the banks of the River Yamuna, many cities have risen and fallen over the last five millenniums.
If time permits, proceed on a sightseeing tour of New Delhi. Visit the Qutub Minar, a Tower of Victory which was built in the 12th century by Qutbuddin Aibak. Within its spacious courtyard stands the Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD and bears a Sanskrit inscription in the Gupta style. The pillar has puzzled scientists, as its iron has not rusted in all these centuries.
The Tomb of Humayun – the magnificent structure in red sandstone and white marble is one of the finest examples of the garden tomb, and a precursor to the Taj Mahal. Its proportionate spaces, double dome and refined elegance are characteristic of Mughal architecture. Drive past to India Gate, the memorial of the First World War and the road that leads from there to Rashtrapathi Bhawan – the residence of the President of India, which is flanked by the houses of Parliament and the Government Secretariat buildings.
Overnight in Delhi.
Day 02 Delhi
After breakfast take a tantalizing tour of Old Delhi, with delights such as the Parathewali Gali-a whole street lined with shops specializing only in Parathas, a special flat bread which is stuffed with all kinds of vegetables, cheeses, spices and everything else the chefs fancy! Watch them create master pieces using exotic flours, spices, vegetables and other ingredients.
These simple melt-in-your-mouth delicacies will leave you craving for more long after you return home. We continue our quest, still in Old Delhi and on to on to the famous bazaar- Chandni Chowk-bustling with commerce and enterprise. Spices are the specialty of Khari Baoli (Asia’s largest Spice Market), so be prepared to be assaulted by exotic smalls and fragrances. Very near the Red Fort is the Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque, also built by Shah Jahan.
Take an interesting rickshaw ride through the famous bazaars of Chandni Chowk, which is adjacent to both the Fort and the Mosque. Also visit Raj Ghat – the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Lunch at Chore Bizarre Easily India’s finest theme restaurant. People can’t quite decide how to define Chor Bizarre – ‘A pirate’s galley’, ‘An attic’, ‘Really clever’ and ‘Quirky’ usually rule the roost. Rightly so – ‘Chor’ means thief and ‘bizarre’ means totally bizarre!
Overnight in Delhi.
Day 03 Delhi – Jaipur (By Road) (250 Kms. / 4.5H appx.)
After breakfast, city tour of Mandawa.
Later, drive to Jaipur.
Cultural folk music with dance show in Jaipur.
Jaipur – the capital of Rajasthan is color washed pink – the color associated with hospitality in Rajput culture. This Pink City of fairy tale palaces, rugged fortresses perched on barren hills and broad avenues are picturesque. The first planned city of its time, a formidable wall encircles Jaipur. On arrival assistance and check in at hotel.
Overnight at Jaipur.
Day 04 Jaipur
Morning: Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel; later proceed for the excursion to Amber Fort, here you will enjoy the Elephant Ride to reach atop of the palace. This journey on embellished elephants is bound to enrich your memories with the Royal lifestyle of the Maharajas and leave you with a truly unforgettable experience.
Inside the Fort visit the Hall of Victory or Jag Mandir – is the famed Sheesh Mahal- a room with all the four walls and ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces, which were specially imported from Belgium during that period. Continue your journey: with the city tour of Jaipur – visiting Maharaja’s City Palace, the former Royal residence, part of it converted into a museum. A small portion is still used by the Royal family of Jaipur.
One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion known as Armory Museum, housing an impressive array of weaponry-pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers. Later visit the Jantar Mantar. – World heritage site. Later in the evening get a session of “Authentic Indian Popular Dishes Cooking Classes” in the hotel. The Indian cuisine is as diverse as its culture, languages, regions and its climate. All classes will feature an entire meal from “Appetizers to Dessert” and feature “hands-on recipes”. So bring your appetite and enthusiasm for a day of fun and enchantment. Learn easy delicious recipes and later enjoy dinner.
Overnight in Jaipur.
Day 05 Jaipur – Abhaneri / Fatehpur Sikri – Agra (250 Kms. /5H 50M)
After breakfast drive to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri is an exquisite city built by Akbar the Great in 1569, in red sandstone. It’s forts, palaces and mosques was abandoned 14 years after its creation due to political reasons.
The Diwane-i-Am – a vast courtyard in which the emperor gave daily public audience; Diwane-i-Khas – a large quadrangle which contained all the major functions of the Palace, Pachisi court, the Emperors private living quarter, Jodha Bhai’s Palace, Mariam’s Palace, Birbal’s Palace, Hawa Mahal and Panch Mahal are some of the important buildings of this residential complex. The Friday Mosque and the exquisite tomb of Sheik Salim Chisti are in the religious grounds set aside in a separate enclosure adjacent to the secular buildings.
Later drive to Agra.
Overnight in Agra.
Day 06 Agra
Agra is famous as the home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World – the Taj Mahal.
The architectural splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces in Agra is a vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal Empire. Agra was their capital for nearly a hundred years from 1564. A pleasant town, with a comparatively easy pace, Agra is known for its superb inlay work on marble and soapstone by artisans who are hereditary craft persons. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes.
Morning: Visit the Taj Mahal – the inimitable poem in white marble. Built over a period of 22 years, by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1630, for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains, it is one of the seven modern wonders of the World. [The Taj is closed on every Friday]. Later visit the Agra Fort, built by three Mughal Emperors starting from Akbar the Great in 1565 AD, which is a masterpiece of design and construction.
Within the fort are a number of exquisite buildings including the Moti Masjid, Jahangir’s Palace, Khaas Mahal and the Sheesh Mahal, Diwane-i-Am, Diwane-i-Khas and Musamman Burj, where Emperor Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal Emperor, died a prisoner.
Dinner at Peshawri Restaurant: ITC Mughal. Discover a definitive dining experience with refined cuisine and impeccable service.
Taste the authentic flavors of the northwest frontier cuisine at Peshawri. Barbecued specialties and freshly baked Indian breads are prepared in the restaurant’s display kitchen.
Day 07 Agra – Delhi (By Road) (210 Kms. / 3.5H appx.)
After breakfast, checkout from the hotel.
Lunch in Bharatpur with cooking lesson.
Later, drive to Delhi.
Overnight in Delhi.
Bharatpur is an Indian city in eastern Rajasthan. At its center is the 18th-century Lohagarh Fort, surrounded by a moat. Inside the fort is the Government Museum, which displays artifacts of local rajas. Just south, carved statues of Hindu gods fill Ganga Mandir and the sandstone Laxman Mandir temples. South of the city, Keoladeo National Park is a major bird sanctuary with hundreds of species.
Day 08 Depart Delhi (By Flight)
Departure transfer to Delhi international airport for flight to onward destination.
| Place | Night (s) | 5* Standard | 5* Deluxe | 5* Luxury |
| Delhi | 02 | Radisson Blu | ITC Maurya | The Oberoi |
| Jaipur | 02 | Radisson Blu | ITC Rajputana | Oberoi Raj Vilas |
| Agra | 02 | Jaypee Palace | ITC Mughal | Oberoi Amar Vilas |
| Delhi | 01 | Radisson Blu | ITC Maurya | The Oberoi |
– Welcome with fresh flower garlands.
– Meet assist at the airport and hotels.
– 07 nights hotel accommodation as per the program.
– Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner.
– 02 Cooking Lesson in Delhi.
– 02 Cooking Lessons in Jaipur.
– 02 Cooking Lesson in Agra.
– 01 Cooking Lesson in Bharatpur.
– Street cuisine experience in Jaipur.
– Elephant / Jeep ride at Amer Fort in Jaipur.
– 01 Cultural folk music with dance show in Jaipur.
– 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.