India Culinary Tour

12 Days / 11 Nights from £3795/ $4934 per person

The Indian Culinary Tour weaves together three of northern India’s celebrated regional cuisines and combines visits to spice markets, street food walks, and interactive cooking lessons to deliver a unique Indian gastronomic experience. From lip-smacking Vada Pav as well as the irresistible Paani Puri filled with an addictive tangy, spicy sauce that defines Mumbai’s street-food culture to the delectable kebabs made famous by the Nawabs of Lucknow and the exotic Kolhapuri Mutton curry, a quintessential Marathi dish prepared using roasted spices, treat yourself to exotic flavours from across India. Your India Culinary Tour begins in Delhi, where you will participate in a traditional ‘langar’ at the Bangla Sahib Gurdwara, before tucking into fluffy Naan Bread and slow-cooked Rajma Dal at the award-winning Bukhara restaurant renowned for its Mughlai cuisine. Then, visit the iconic Taj Mahal and try Agra’s famous Panchhi Petha (gooey Pumpkin based sweet), before embarking on a train journey to Lucknow. At Lucknow, visit the spice markets with a local family and then assist them in preparing Galouti Kebab as well as Awadhi Biryani that originated from the royal kitchens of Oudh. Next, fly to Indore and drive to the charming Ahilya Fort, where you will pick vegetables and herbs from Ahilya’s organic farm and assist the resident Chef prepare an authentic Marathi Thali. Your interactive lesson will feature a main course (Kolhapuri Mutton Curry) and a milk based dessert (Basundi). Along the way, you will visit Lucknow’s historic sites as well as enjoy a sunset cruise (shared basis) on the sacred Narmada river. Conclude your India Culinary Tour in Mumbai, where your food-walk will take you to the bustling Crawford market; offer you the chance to observe the dabbawallahs ferrying tiffin boxes across Mumbai; savour Mumbai’s street food as well as the chance to taste the famous Irani Chai at the iconic Kayani Parsi café a humble yet well-known landmark.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day	Location/Route	Overnight	Sapphire Hotels	Diamond Hotels
Day 1	Arrive Delhi Airport. Private transfer to your hotel. Afternoon is at leisure.	2 nights Delhi	Haveli Hauz Khas	The Imperial
Day 2	Morning tour of New Delhi. Then, proceed to the Bangla Sahib Gurdwara and participate in a traditional ‘langar’. The afternoon is at leisure. This evening dinner will be at the award-winning Bukhara restaurant.
Day 3	Board India’s fastest train to Agra. On arrival, set off to explore tour Agra. Later, walk through the lively Sadar Bazar and sample Agra’s famed Panchhi Petha, before proceeding to see the sun set over the the Taj Mahal.	1 night Agra	Taj Hotel & Convention Centre	The Oberoi Amarvilas
Day 4	Early morning train to Lucknow. Later this afternoon visit the British Residency and discover Lucknow's colonial heritage.	2 nights Lucknow	Vivanta by Taj - Gomti Nagar	Lebua Lucknow
Day 5	Shop for vegetables, spices and meat from the bustling Nakhaas market and learn how to prepare delectable Galouti Kebab and Awadi Biryani. Afternoon tour of Old Lucknow.
Day 6	Fly to Indore and drive to Ahilya Fort. The remainder of the day is at leisure.	3 nights Maheshwar	Ahilya Fort	Ahilya Fort
Day 7	Morning visit to Omkareshwar. In the afternoon, pick herbs and vegetables from Ahilya’s own organic farm and assist the resident Chef in preparing a sumptuous Marathi 'Thali'.
Day 8	Morning visit to the Rehwa Weavers Society. Later this afternoon enjoy a sunset cruise along the sacred Narmada River.
Day 9	Drive to Indore and fly to Mumbai. Enroute explore the historic fortified city of Mandu.	3 nights Mumbai	The Abode Mumbai	The Taj Mahal Palace
Day 10	Morning heritage walking tour through Mumbai’s Fort District. Later this afternoon, a guided street food walk will allow you to try many of Mumbai’s famous street food snacks.
Day 11	Morning visit to the Elephanta Island. The afternoon is at leisure.
Day 12	Transfer to Mumbai International Airport. Farewell to India.

Day 1

Location/Route :

Arrive Delhi Airport. Private transfer to your hotel. Afternoon is at leisure.

Overnight :

2 nights Delhi

Sapphire Hotel :

Haveli Hauz Khas

Diamond Hotel :

The Imperial

Day 2

Location/Route :

Morning tour of New Delhi. Then, proceed to the Bangla Sahib Gurdwara and participate in a traditional ‘langar’. The afternoon is at leisure. This evening dinner will be at the award-winning Bukhara restaurant.

Day 3

Location/Route :

Board India’s fastest train to Agra. On arrival, set off to explore tour Agra. Later, walk through the lively Sadar Bazar and sample Agra’s famed Panchhi Petha, before proceeding to see the sun set over the the Taj Mahal.

Overnight :

1 night Agra

Sapphire Hotel :

Taj Hotel & Convention Centre

Diamond Hotel :

The Oberoi Amarvilas

Day 4

Location/Route :

Early morning train to Lucknow. Later this afternoon visit the British Residency and discover Lucknow's colonial heritage.

Overnight :

2 nights Lucknow

Sapphire Hotel :

Vivanta by Taj - Gomti Nagar

Diamond Hotel :

Lebua Lucknow

Day 5

Location/Route :

Shop for vegetables, spices and meat from the bustling Nakhaas market and learn how to prepare delectable Galouti Kebab and Awadi Biryani. Afternoon tour of Old Lucknow.

Day 6

Location/Route :

Fly to Indore and drive to Ahilya Fort. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Overnight :

3 nights Maheshwar

Sapphire Hotel :

Ahilya Fort

Diamond Hotel :

Ahilya Fort

Day 7

Location/Route :

Morning visit to Omkareshwar. In the afternoon, pick herbs and vegetables from Ahilya’s own organic farm and assist the resident Chef in preparing a sumptuous Marathi 'Thali'.

Day 8

Location/Route :

Morning visit to the Rehwa Weavers Society. Later this afternoon enjoy a sunset cruise along the sacred Narmada River.

Day 9

Location/Route :

Drive to Indore and fly to Mumbai. Enroute explore the historic fortified city of Mandu.

Overnight :

3 nights Mumbai

Sapphire Hotel :

The Abode Mumbai

Diamond Hotel :

The Taj Mahal Palace

Day 10

Location/Route :

Morning heritage walking tour through Mumbai’s Fort District. Later this afternoon, a guided street food walk will allow you to try many of Mumbai’s famous street food snacks.

Day 11

Location/Route :

Morning visit to the Elephanta Island. The afternoon is at leisure.

Day 12

Location/Route :

Transfer to Mumbai International Airport. Farewell to India.

Tour Highlights

Immerse yourself in a traditional ‘langar’ at Delhi's Bangla Sahib Gurdwara
Watch the sun set over the iconic Taj Mahal
Visit bustling local markets and learn how to prepare delectable kebabs in Lucknow
Pick vegetables and herbs at Ahilya’s own organic farm
Assist the kitchen staff at Ahilya Fort to prepare a traditional Marathi Thali
Enjoy a sunset river cruise on the sacred Narmada River
Explore Mandu’s historic ruins
Discover Lucknow’s magnificent Mughal monuments
Discover Mumbai’s stunning colonial architecture on foot
Devour Mumbai’s addictive street food snacks on a guided food walk

Extend Your Stay

2 nights: Discover Amritsar and learn how to prepare Chicken Tikka Masala
3 nights: Relax and unwind in Goa, the land of Vindaloo
5 nights: Cruise the Keralan backwaters and learn all about the Malabari cuisine

Route Map - India Culinary Tour