Max group size: 12

Itinerary

Fly to Delhi. Delhi, Capital City of independent India is the gateway to India. It is dynamic and cosmopolitan blends of internationalism and tradition, from top-notch cuisine and fine museums and art galleries of New Delhi to the bustling twisting alleyways of Old Delhi’s Chandni Chowk bazaar.


Arrival/Delhi Meet and transfer to Hotel Oberoi Maidens / Imperial at the start of the India gourmet tour. There is much to do in Delhi. To begin with, Delhi - both Old and New - is a shopper’s paradise. India’s innumerable crafts and silks are all available here at various state emporia, Central Cottage Industries and in privately owned shops.


Delhi Full day sightseeing tour of Delhi. The Old Delhi or Shah Jahanabad, was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the first half of the 17th Century. Visit from Red Fort, or Lal Qila from outside as well as the Grand Jama Masjid. Visit the Kinari Bazaar -a colourful street set on Chandini Chowk. The modern area of Central New Delhi, with its wide tree-lined avenues and solid colonial buildings, has been the seat of the central government since 1931. At this hub the royal mall, Rajpath, runs from the palatial Rashtrapati Bhawan, in the east, to the India Gate war memorial, in the west. Next visit the tomb of Emperor Humayun which is an early example of the Mughal style of tomb. Dinner at “Oh Calcutta”, a high end restaurant specializing in Bengali (East Indian cuisine) food. Overnight in hotel


Delhi Day at leisure. Dinner at a Mughalai(type of Indian cuisine) speciality restaurant. Overnight in hotel


Delhi / Jaipur Morning drive to Jaipur (260 kms, 5-6 hours)next in the India gourmet tour. Remainder of the day at leisure. Dinner at a North West Frontier (type of Indian cuisine)speciality restaurant. Overnight at Samode Haveli / Rajvilas


Jaipur Morning guided sightseeing of Jaipur followed by an Indian street food lunch. Visit City Palace and its Museum (a part of the Palace still remains the residence of the Jaipur royal family), the Jantar Mantar, an 18th century observatory, and the legendary Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) which is nothing but an elaborate facade.

Home hosted vegetarian dinner with a local family. Overnight at hotel Samode Haveli / Raj Palace.


Jaipur / Nimaj Morning drive to Nimaj (220 Kms, 4-5 hours).Late afternoon nature walk around the lake and adjoining farms accompanied by hosts. Evening camp fire and a traditional meal by the camp fire. Stay in Chhatrasagar Camp.


Nimaj Jeep safari to local villages and chilli fields with the hosts. During the safari visit a traditional farm and visit the local farmers’ house and meet his family. Later also visit a small village which is still living as it was 100 years ago. It is a self-sufficient village. Explore the village – visit silver & gold smith workshop and see how he makes traditional tribal jewelry, visit the black smith and watch him repair and make traditional farm equipment, visit the village cobbler & tanner who makes traditional leather shoes and the

village Potter.


Afternoon a Rajasthani cuisine cooking class in the camp kitchen. Evening sample local Bar-Be-Que dishes by the camp fire at Nimaj. Overnight at Chhatra Sagar .


Nimaj / Jodhpur Morning drive from Nimaj to Jodhpur (110 Kms, 2-3 hours). Afternoon proceed for sightseeing tour of Jodhpur. Clock Tower & Sadar Market – One of the prominent landmarks of Jodhpur is the Old city clock tower the main attraction however is the Sadar Market. The market has kept alive the old haat bazaar culture. It is a colorful but congested bazaar consisting of many narrow lanes, lined with tiny shops. Traditional rajasthani arts and crafts such as tie & dye textiles, embroidered leather shoes, lacquerware, antiques, hand woven carpets and colourful puppets can be found here. One can buy exquisite Rajasthani textiles, clay figurines, miniature camels and elephants, marble inlay work and classic silver jewelry as well. Spice Market – Just the right place for our sensory organs. A riot of colours and the air is heavy with the scent of exotic spices. Walk around the spice market and examine or purchase, a variety of spices used in Indian cooking. The spices are displayed in


Jodhpur / Mumbai Fly to Mumbai. Met on arrival at Mumbai’s domestic airport and transfer to the hotel with a guided orientation tour enroute. Dinner at local seafood restaurant. Stay at the legendary Taj Mahal Hotel.


Mumbai / Cochin Morning flight to Cochin. Evening attend a spectacular performance of Kathakali - the famous and traditional dance form of Kerala in a theatre. Stay at Taj Malabar / Brunton Boatyard Resort


Cochin Morning guided city tour of Cochin. St Francis Church is considered to be the oldest European church in India This stone structure dates back to 16th century. It’s façade with its multi curved sides became an inspiration for later churches in India. The church has gabled timber-framed roof covered with tiles. Its doors and windows have semi-circular arches. Here we can see various tombstone inscriptions which have been secured to the walls. Chinese Fishing Nets are pretty nets that line the northern shores of Fort Cochin. These nets require four men to control them, and when not in use, are hung from arced poles and operated using levers. It’s widely believed that these nets were introduced to this region; by traders during the reign of Mongol king Kublai Khan. The famous fishing nets have become the most photographed image of Cochin. Take a walk through the local bazaar with its spice laden huge ware houses. Participate in a Syrian Catholic malayali cuisine cooking class


Cochin / Calicut / Tellicherry Fly to Calicut and then drive to side Sea heritage home Ayisha Manzil (80 Kms, 2-3 hours). Day at leisure.


Tellicherry Mopna Cuisine Cooking lesson after purchasing ingredients in local market with hosts. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight


Tellicherry Day at leisure. Overnight.


Tellicherry/Calicut/Mumbai Drive to Calicut airport and fly to Mumbai to connect to International flight for onwards destination.



Note :

Upgrade to Hotel marked with ** will be at additional cost.


Suggested Adaptations To This Tour : *From Kochi - Overnight cruise on the backwaters of Kerala in a traditional house boat OR a few days on luxury cruise boat Vrinda OR spend few days at Ayurveda Spa in the backwaters or Boutique Resort at Kovalam Beach.

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