Quick Menu
Overview
Close your eyes. Now, imagine intoxicating aromas wafting through your senses as you enter one of the many famous Indian eateries in enchanting India. You sit down at the beautifully decorated table and begin to look around in search of what is emitting this divine fragrance that is arousing your senses. Like when you smell your favourite perfume, you are equally intrigued by the sweet, spicy, otherworldly aromas causing such a sensation in you. As you become aware of your surroundings your eyes are drawn to the teasing bowls of steaming hot, colourful creations which are tempting everyone’s palates. Cumin, coriander, mustard seed, turmeric, ginger, garam masala, cinnamon, they are all here collaborating together to lure you in to their delicious ways. Now, imagine being able to create these dishes for yourself. Think of the power you will have over others when you too can tempt with such tantalizing and sumptuous dishes. Come learn the art of creating one of the most universally loved cuisines in the world, the delectable cuisine of India.
Itinerary
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Day 1:
Arrive In India (New Delhi)
Welcome to Delhi, a city that bridges two different worlds. Old Delhi, once the capital of Islamic India, is a labyrinth of narrow lanes lined with crumbling havelis (large, mansion type homes in India) and formidable mosques. In contrast, the imperial city of New Delhi, created by the British Raj, is composed of spacious, tree-lined avenues and imposing government buildings.
Upon arrival, you will be greeted by an Explore India representative and escorted to the hotel. Overnight stay in Delhi.
Accommodation: The Eros Hotel, New DelhiThe Eros Hotel, New Delhi
S1, American Plaza, ITT Building, Lala Lajpat Rai Road, Nehru Place, New Delhi, Delhi 110019, India+91 11 4122 3344The Eros Hotel’ started in December 1996 and has been operating under various brands including: ‘Park Royal’, ‘Intercontinental’ and ‘Hilton’. Since October 2013, The Eros Hotel is a standalone landmark hotel for business and leisure traveller. Located in South Delhi, overlooking the Lotus Temple, the hotel boasts a modern decor with traditional Indian charm in its 218 Guest Rooms including 15 Suites, 24-hour business centre, club lounge, laundry and room service. The hotel also offers a complete dining and recreational experience, with a 24-hour coffee shop, two specialty restaurants, lobby lounge, bar, patisserie, outdoor pool, health club & spa.
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Day 2:
Old Delhi | Rickshaw Ride | Jama Mosque & Hindu Temple | Qutab Minar
After breakfast we will start our morning tour with a visit to 17th century Old Delhi. Visit the Jama Mosque which is the royal mosque built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in 1656.
Culinary Lesson 1: Walk through the spice market where people bargain over spices and dry fruits. From the more organized shops along the periphery of the bridge, to the hundreds of hawkers who set up their patri (roadside) shops, you will see the beautiful colours of India reflected through the variety of spices. The lecture will take place at a spice shop where you will learn about some of the amazing Indian cooking ingredients like: dhania (coriander) powder, jeera (cumin), cashews, almonds, raisins, copra, melon seeds, bay leaves, and the list goes on.
After the lecture, you will proceed for a food walk through the colourful markets of Old Delhi. This cultural walk will allow for us to taste some of the best street food available in some of the oldest food places in Delhi. We will visit several different places that have been feeding the crowds for decades, some as long as 120 years. We will walk through some lively markets and enjoy tasting a variety of foods as we go. Later we will enjoy taking a rickshaw to ride through the streets of Delhi before heading to our next destination.
Please Note: While you are tasting the dishes on this culinary walk, please choose a favourite and write down all the details of its preparation for your final cooking experience.
After Old Delhi we will visit the UNESCO World heritage site Qutab Minar. Located in the district of South Delhi, this magnificent monument in red and buff sandstone is the highest tower in India. Built in the early 13th century, the surrounding archaeological area contains funerary buildings, notably the magnificent Alai-Darwaza Gate, the masterpiece of Indo-Muslim art (built in 1311), and two mosques, including the Quwwatu’l-Islam, the oldest in northern India, built of materials reused from some 20 Brahman temples.
Next, we will return to the hotel to relax before going to dinner.
In the evening we will enjoy a cooking class followed by dinner at a local family’s house.
Culinary Lesson 2: Today’s class will be very interesting as we cook some favourite Indian dishes with culinary talent Jyoti. This experience takes place in the chef’s home in Delhi and is a fabulous way to learn about Indian cuisine and culture as you learn from Jyoti. Jyoti explains, in detail, about some of the essential components and techniques that go into creating delicious and healthy Indian dishes. From the cuisines of both North and South India, you will learn the recipes, prepare the food, and then enjoy a dining experience of your creations at Jyotis beautiful and private dining room setting. We will also be eating typical Indian style by using ‘thalis’ which is a way of serving food on a silver platter with small silver dishes set inside.
After dinner we will return to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerAccommodation: The Eros Hotel, New DelhiThe Eros Hotel, New Delhi
S1, American Plaza, ITT Building, Lala Lajpat Rai Road, Nehru Place, New Delhi, Delhi 110019, India+91 11 4122 3344The Eros Hotel’ started in December 1996 and has been operating under various brands including: ‘Park Royal’, ‘Intercontinental’ and ‘Hilton’. Since October 2013, The Eros Hotel is a standalone landmark hotel for business and leisure traveller. Located in South Delhi, overlooking the Lotus Temple, the hotel boasts a modern decor with traditional Indian charm in its 218 Guest Rooms including 15 Suites, 24-hour business centre, club lounge, laundry and room service. The hotel also offers a complete dining and recreational experience, with a 24-hour coffee shop, two specialty restaurants, lobby lounge, bar, patisserie, outdoor pool, health club & spa.
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Day 3:
Delhi – Lucknow (Dep: 12:25 Arr: 13:30) | Heritage & Culinary Walk
After a leisurely breakfast, you will be transferred to the Delhi airport and fly to Lucknow. Lucknow is a city that has a magical charm and has been referred to as ‘The City Of Many Splendours’. Walking through the lanes of Chowk and Amirabad is a delight as you find yourself in another time. The ‘tehzib’, or mannerism, is still prominent and a topic of great appreciation. This is a unique city in that there is a respect of a natural and soft way of speaking and acting, a certain sophistication and style all of its own. Dress forms though have changed noticeably in the span of a century, yet the beauty and charisma of Chikan – the intricate and delicate hand embroidery, still rules the wardrobe.
Upon arrival we will be greeted and transferred to our hotel.
Later in the afternoon, we will enjoy a Heritage Walk – Expert walking guides will take us into the bygone era of this city, a city that is a world unto itself. On this walking tour we explore the unexplored and learn about the history of this interesting city. We will learn and try to understand how vast a history a city like this has and appreciate this as we walk through its ancient streets.
Culinary Lesson 3: The Heritage Walk will end at the starting point of the Culinary Walk – Lucknow as a city has carved a niche by attracting gastronomes, for the want of discovering the Awadhi Cuisine. To date, Lucknowites spend most of their earnings on their kitchens. Lucknow is one place that has a full colony of chefs called, ‘Bawarchi Tola’ and there is also a street where one can find the best from Lucknow’s very own traditional kitchens. On this culinary walk, we will pop in and out of several traditional roadside eateries which allows you to taste the best that each menu has to offer. These are specially selected venues where you are sure to enjoy yourself.
Please Note: While you are tasting the dishes on this culinary walk, please choose a favourite and write down all the details of its preparation for your final cooking experience.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner -
Day 4:
Lucknow Sightseeing | Curator Lunch | Hands On Experience
After a leisurely breakfast, proceed to visit Rumi Darwaza which was once described as the Earl of Grosvenor’s seat in Cheshire. The towers on both sides of the gateway appear like medieval European towers. With perfect Indian arches, Rumi Darwaza symbolizes the historic architecture of Lucknow. The builder, Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula, was possibly not aware of the fame that would follow in pursuit of his construction. The history attaches the design of this gateway with a portal of Constantinople. Built in 1784, Rumi Darwaza or the Turkish Gate is a perfect combination of Hindu-Muslim architecture. Each brick placed in the structure of Rumi Darwaza moans the gloomy past of the famine-stricken people and hails Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula for providing the relief. ‘Jisko Naa Dey Maula, Usko Dey Asaf-ud-Daula’ – One forsaken by God, is bestowed by Asaf-ud-Daula.
Asif Immambara – In the year 1775 the to-be Nawab, or governor, Asaf-ud-Daula decided to shift his capital from Faizabad to Lucknow because he didn’t get along with his mother so he decided to move out. At the time a famine had broken out in and around the city of Lucknow because of a severe drought. It is said that the people of Lucknow were very friendly but also very proud and would not accept alms, or help from others. So, the Nawab began the construction of an Imambara, or mosque complex, which would provide employment to the masses so they could work for a living. Thus, he became known as a very generous king and was accepted as the ruler by the masses. This magnificent monument recalls the glorious past of the Nawabs and stands out for its austerity in style, proportion and symmetry and daring techniques in architecture. This Imambara houses the tombs of Nawab Asaf-Ud-Daula and his architect. The remarkable feature of this building is the large vaulted hall which has withstood weather and time without the support of pillars or beams for the past 200 odd years. Surrounding the hall is a labyrinth of about four hundred corridors which is said to act as a natural air conditioner allowing the breeze to enter the building and cool the walls, at the same time keeping the sunlight from coming in direct contact with the walls of the interior hall.
Later, you will visit the Royal House Mahmudabad for lunch.
Culinary Lesson 4: The Mahmudabad Kitchens represent more than 400 years of history. The recipes for many of the famous dishes have been passed down the generations, sometimes tweaked, sometimes changed more substantially, but never compromising the essential flavours. Despite the elaborate recipes and preparation methods that might challenge a Michelin starred chef, the tradition of the family, when praising a dish was to say ‘Aab-o-Namak munaasib hai,’ or ‘the water and salt are just right’.
From New York to London and from Paris to Mumbai people, especially those from the region, mourn the fact that there is no restaurant that serves authentic food from the region of Awadh. The reason for this is simple: the food often requires anything from 4 to 24 hours of preparation. A solution to this is our ‘Curated Dining Experience at Mahmudabad House’. The preparation and cooking methods will be traditional, whether it is using wood or charcoal to cook meats or using hand-made mud kilns to bake breads. Many ingredients will be sourced from their own kitchen, garden, and farms.
After lunch you will return to the hotel.
Please Note: While you are tasting the dishes here, please choose a favourite and write down all the details of its preparation for your final cooking experience.
Hands-on Experience at CHHAT (a rooftop)
Culinary Lesson 5: ‘Chhat’ is a vernacular for an open terrace or a rooftop. This place is a popup kitchen (on a home rooftop) that comes alive to hold private cooking sessions in a casual, home-like setting. It can also be for enjoying a home-cooked potluck dinner. It is a place and time for live-cooking interactive sessions and is also based on the concept of ‘Guestaurant’. A guestaurant is a unique concept that is more personal in nature and not a commercial restaurant where the theme is centred on exclusive cooking aimed to share the passion of food and knowledge of cuisine with like-minded patrons.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
Day 5:
Lucknow | Varanasi The Holy Ganges (By Train: Dep: 07:00 Arr: 12:30)
Carrying a packed breakfast, you will be transferred to the railway station to board the train to Varanasi. Varanasi is the religious capital of Hinduism formerly known as Banaras during the British Raj, this is one of the world’s most ancient cultures and oldest living city of India and home to one of the worlds’ most time-honoured and mysterious cultures dating back 5000 years. Its present name is derived from the fact that the city is at the confluence of the rivers Varuna and Asi.
Upon arrival we are transferred to our hotel. The afternoon is yours to spend at your leisure.In the early evening, we will take a close look at the banks of the Ganges to witness the devotional ceremony of Aarti performed by thousands of devout Hindus while we listen to the chanted prayers, the rhythmic drumming filling the air, and bells ringing from temples across the Holy Ganges.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner -
Day 6:
Varanasi Bathing Ceremony | Explore Sarnath
In the early morning, we leave for a boat ride on the Ganges to see the bathing Ghats (river bank) and cremation site. We will watch the sunrise on the riverfront from a boat; this can be a spiritually uplifting sight. Life on the Ghats is bound in an endless string of rituals; ever-changing aspects of the river and the wide landscapes throughout have fascinated visitors from all over the world.
Return to the hotel for breakfast.
In the afternoon, we enjoy a guided excursion to Sarnath, a centre of Buddhist learning and the buried Buddhist city where Buddha preached his first sermon. After attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, the Buddha went to Sarnath and it was here that he preached his first discourse in the deer park and set in motion the ‘Wheel of the Dharma’. It is one of the most holy sites as it is believed that in this place the stream of the Buddha’s teaching first flowed. Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from the 16th century BC to the 12th century AD. Visit the ruins, the stupa, the Buddhist temple and the museum. At the museum is the Ashok Pillar with its four guardian lions, used as independent India’s national emblem.
Culinary Lesson 6: In the evening explore the local market and taste the popular sweets of this city.
Please Note: While you are tasting the dishes on this culinary walk, please choose a favourite and write down all the details of its preparation for your final cooking experience.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner -
Day 7:
Varanasi | Agra (Flight: AI-406 Dep: 12:10 Arr: 13:20)
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to board the flight for Agra which is the city famous for the Taj Mahal.
Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.
Culinary Lesson 7: In the evening you will enjoy a cooking demonstration and dinner at the home of Mrs. Pooja Agarwal, known for ‘Home Made – Mom Made’ – Cooking with Love provides for the Soul food.
Return to the hotel
Please Note: While you are tasting the dishes, please choose a favourite and write down all the details of its preparation for your final cooking experience.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerAccommodation: Courtyard by Marriott AgraCourtyard by Marriott Agra
Taj Nagri Rd, Basai Khurd, T.Y.C. Phase-II, Basai, Uttar Pradesh 282001, Indiahttp://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/agrcy-courtyard-agra/+91 562 662 7777Enjoy 5-star service at the Courtyard Marriott Agra. Set on the famed Fatehabad Road, just minutes from jewels of India like the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, our luxury hotel offers easy access to all points of interest. Enjoy spacious, elegant rooms and suites with contemporary decor, resort-like amenities, plush pillowtop bedding and high-speed internet. Take a dip in our pool or break a sweat in the state-of-the-art fitness center. When you’re ready to unwind, visit Unora Spa for an Indian or international massage and beauty treatments. Dine at one of our four restaurants – MoMo Cafe, Anise, Onyx and MoMo 2 Go – for innovative cuisine. If you’re in Agra for commerce, we offer our business center, 24,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor venues, culinary experts and high-tech equipment. Our ‘City of Love’ location is ideal for vacations, weddings, getaways and even for business. Convenient to Agra Cantt Railway Station, our 5-star hotel welcomes you with traditional Indian hospitality in a modern setting.
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Day 8:
Agra | Sunrise Visit to Mesmerizing Taj Mahal
Day 8: Agra | Sunrise Visit to Mesmerizing Taj Mahal
We start our day at sunrise with a visit to one of the most incredible monuments ever built in the world, The Taj Mahal, a mausoleum made of white marble and is known as the monument of love. It was built between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife. The Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage.After breakfast, we will continue our visit with a tour of the city of Agra and then visit Red Fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up until the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private audiences amongst many other beautiful structures. The afternoon is free to be spent as you wish.
After lunch, we will visit a well-renowned marble factory to experience the making of fine inlaid stonework and translucent marble of the region. The craftsmen of Agra are renowned for the exquisite marble-inlay work that has made Agra’s monuments famous.
In the evening, we will have dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerAccommodation: Courtyard by Marriott AgraCourtyard by Marriott Agra
Taj Nagri Rd, Basai Khurd, T.Y.C. Phase-II, Basai, Uttar Pradesh 282001, Indiahttp://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/agrcy-courtyard-agra/+91 562 662 7777Enjoy 5-star service at the Courtyard Marriott Agra. Set on the famed Fatehabad Road, just minutes from jewels of India like the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, our luxury hotel offers easy access to all points of interest. Enjoy spacious, elegant rooms and suites with contemporary decor, resort-like amenities, plush pillowtop bedding and high-speed internet. Take a dip in our pool or break a sweat in the state-of-the-art fitness center. When you’re ready to unwind, visit Unora Spa for an Indian or international massage and beauty treatments. Dine at one of our four restaurants – MoMo Cafe, Anise, Onyx and MoMo 2 Go – for innovative cuisine. If you’re in Agra for commerce, we offer our business center, 24,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor venues, culinary experts and high-tech equipment. Our ‘City of Love’ location is ideal for vacations, weddings, getaways and even for business. Convenient to Agra Cantt Railway Station, our 5-star hotel welcomes you with traditional Indian hospitality in a modern setting.
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Day 9:
Agra – Fatehpur Sikri – Jaipur (260 Km / 6 Hours)
After breakfast, we leave for Jaipur. On our way, we will visit Fatehpur Sikri, built by Emperor Akbar in 1569. This was the old capital of the Moghuls which was abandoned after 15 years due to the scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal and other palaces that are still preserved in their original glory.
Later we will continue for lunch in Bharatpur at the resort.
After lunch, we will continue to Jaipur. The origin of Jaipur’s nickname becomes immediately apparent as we enter the old city and pink-coloured buildings greet you at each turn. The city of Jaipur owes its names, foundation and its careful planning to the great warrior, astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II. In 1727, with Mughal power on the wane, Jai Singh decided to move down from his hillside fortress at nearby Amber to a new site on the plains. He laid out the city, with its surrounding walls and six rectangular blocks, according to the principles of town planning set down in Shilpa Shastra, an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture.
Upon arrival, you will check in at your hotel and you can spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
You will have your choice of traditional Rajasthani dress which will be arranged for you for the final cooking presentation on Day 13.
Meals: Breakfast, LunchAccommodation: Trident Agra Hotel, AgraTrident Agra Hotel, Agra
Fatehabad Road, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001, Indiahttps://www.tridenthotels.com/hotels-in-agra+91 562 223 5000Near the Taj Mahal, Trident, Agra is one of the best hotels in the city. Beautifully landscaped gardens and water fountains welcome you to this charming leisure hotel. Built in local red stone, reminiscent of the Mughal era, the hotel features 135 tastefully appointed rooms and suites, which overlook the central courtyard and gardens. Guests can also enjoy complimentary high speed Internet for up to four devices.
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Day 10:
Jaipur | Amber Fort | Ride An Elephant & City Palace
After breakfast enjoys an excursion to Amber Fort including a jeep ride up to the fort. Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression.
Next, visit City Palace which is a delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture. The City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. Onto Jantar Mantar, the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use. Then we will see Hawa Mahal, the ornamental facade of this ‘Palace of Winds’ is a prominent landmark in Jaipur and you will have an opportunity to take a photo here. Their five-storey structures of sandstone plastered pink and encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built-in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.
Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: Trident Hotel JaipurTrident Hotel Jaipur
Amber Fort Road, Opposite, Jal Mahal, Amer, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302002, Indiahttps://www.tridenthotels.com/hotels-in-jaipur+91 141 267 0101Resplendent in the hues of its magnificent past, Jaipur is one of the most vibrant, 5-star destinations in India. The capital and the largest city of Rajasthan, it was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, in 1727. Folklore has it that in 1876, the city was painted a luxury, warm pink colour to welcome the Prince of Wales (King Edward VII). Since then, the ‘pink city’, as it is lovingly called, has retained its rosy blush, which has charmed travelers from around the world.
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Day 11:
Explore Local Markets With A Crafts & Cuisine Walk followed by Dinner
Culinary Lesson 8: After breakfast and later in the morning you will leave to visit a local market. Jaipur offers a dazzling immersion into the riches of traditional India. Since its foundation in 1727, royal families and nobles of Jaipur had been patronizing various craftsmen and artisans in the pink city. On this fascinating walking tour you can talk with locals while sampling some of the regions culinary delights such as: Samosa, Kachori, and Kulfi (handmade ice cream). Taste sweets from some of the city’s most popular Mitahi Wala (Sweet Shop). Observe local artisans like silversmiths and bangle makers at work. Meet a local family and experience Indian hospitality. This is a great day for exploring Jaipur and learn to cook like the locals do.
Please Note: While you are tasting the dishes on this culinary walk, please choose a favourite and write down all the details of its preparation for your final cooking experience.
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 12:
Jaipur – Rohetgarh (280 Kms / 5 Hrs)
Upon arrival you will be greeted and assisted to check-in at Rohet Garh Palace. Rohet Garh is classified as a Heritage Palace in Jodhpur. Over the course of fifteen years it has been nurtured and developed with great love and care into one of the finest heritage hotels in the country. Situated on the banks of a lake and set in the midst of rural surroundings, it is a haven of peace and tranquillity. Sprawling lawns and manicured gardens, which invite a multitude of birds and dancing peacocks, herald our entry into this oasis where the bird song is the only sound we will hear. A superb swimming pool with four charming pavilions entices you for a refreshing dip.
Evening visit to Marwari Horse farm
Today Rohet Garh has emerged as great patrons of their own horses, the Marwari! The indigenous horse of the Thar Desert! Endowed with sublime beauty and an honest ‘never say die’ spirit, it is a bold and fearless horse, magnificent in confirmation and loyal unto death. It was the brave Rajput warrior’s mighty charger, which was capable of tearing fearlessly into the enemy, rearing up on war elephants in order to let its master strike the foe seated upon it. In the annals of Rajput history, these horses are as famous as their masters, and their names have been forever immortalized.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
Day 13:
Salawas & Bishnoi Village Safari – Final Cooking Exam
After breakfast, we will proceed to the village, in our new traditional Rajasthani attire, for the final cooking exam. Drive to Salawas Village where we will see potters making earthen pots as we get a taste of tribal India. Next, we drive to Bishnoi Village and Roop Raj (weaver) and learn about living in the villages of India and the traditions of social life. On the way, we may encounter black buck deer which move freely around this village.
The kitchen will be set in Bishnoi Village with everything you need to prepare your own dish for this day. Vegetables, meat, spices, utensils and all the beautiful ingredients for your dish.
There will be a jury to taste each dish and announce the winner who will be honoured with a trophy. Later you will return to Rohet Garh Palace.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner -
Day 14:
Rohetgarh – Kumbhalgarh (Drive 180 Kms / 3 Hrs)
After breakfast we will drive to Kumbhalgarh. Upon arrival we will check-in to the hotel.
In the afternoon you will explore the beautifully preserved, and one of the most majestic forts of India, Kumbhalgarh. Thirteen mountain peaks surround the impregnable fortress of Kumbhalgarh (54 Kms) at a height of 3281 ft. Seven towering gateways pierce the massive walls of this prominent fortress of Mewar. The young Udai Singh, founder of Udaipur, took shelter here from his treacherous uncles. These impregnable walls dotted with cannonballs defeated Emperor Akbar.Meals: Breakfast, Dinner -
Day 15:
Kumbhalgarh – Udaipur (Drive 110 Kms / 2 Hrs)
Upon arrival we are assisted with check-in at the hotel.
Udaipur is a city that combines real beauty with a picturesque association of a great and glorious past. It stands in a valley, amidst green hills on the banks of the wide, steel blue Lake Pichola. On little islands in the lake, from the water’s edge, raise marble palaces of pure white that glisten like fairy castles. Crowning the ridge in which the city clusters, along with the shore of the lake, is the palace of the Maharana. Possibly no city in Rajasthan is quite as romantic as Udaipur and is replete with fantastic hilltop fortresses, exotic fairy tale palaces and gripping legends of medieval chivalry and heroism. Udaipur rivals any of the world’s famous creations of the Mughals with the Rajput love of the whimsical and it’s superbly crafted elegance. In the evening you can take a walk through the narrow lanes and back streets of Udaipur up to the Washing Ghats at Lake Pichola.
Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: Trident Udaipur Hotel, UdaipurTrident Udaipur Hotel, Udaipur
Trident Road, Near Pichola Lake, Pichola, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001, Indiahttps://www.tridenthotels.com/hotels-in-udaipur+91 294 243 2200Wake up to a sumptuous breakfast spread that ensures a flying start to your day, before stepping out to explore the sights and discover the rich history of Udaipur. No five star, royal hospitality is quite complete without a lavish feast. The hotel’s main restaurant, Aravalli, serves authentic dishes from the Kingdom of Mewar, known for its fine cuisine.
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Day 16:
Udaipur Sightseeing | Boat Ride
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Udaipur in the morning. Visit City Palace; a conglomeration of buildings added by various Maharanas. The palace manages to retain a surprising uniformity of design. Then we will head to Crystal Gallery which is located at the City Palace. It has a rare collection of Osler’s crystal ordered from England by Maharana Sajjan Singh in 1877. Next, visit the Garden Of Maids Of Honour, laid out for a group of forty-eight young women attendants who accompanied a princess to Udaipur as part of her dowry. It was constructed by Maharana Sangram Singh in the middle of 18th century. The gardens are a profusion of flowers, well-maintained lawns and a lotus pond, all surrounded by water fountains and guarded by four marble elephants.
In the evening, embark on a boat cruise on the placid, mystical waters of Lake Pichola to visit the Jag Mandir Temple. From the boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it rises majestically above the lake in the midst of the enigmatic deserts of Rajasthan.
Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: Trident Udaipur Hotel, UdaipurTrident Udaipur Hotel, Udaipur
Trident Road, Near Pichola Lake, Pichola, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001, Indiahttps://www.tridenthotels.com/hotels-in-udaipur+91 294 243 2200Wake up to a sumptuous breakfast spread that ensures a flying start to your day, before stepping out to explore the sights and discover the rich history of Udaipur. No five star, royal hospitality is quite complete without a lavish feast. The hotel’s main restaurant, Aravalli, serves authentic dishes from the Kingdom of Mewar, known for its fine cuisine.
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Day 17:
Udaipur – Delhi (Flight 6E-747 Dep: 14:10 Arr: 15:35)
Later in the morning proceed to the airport to board the flight for Delhi.
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the airport hotel.Meals: Breakfast, DinnerAccommodation: Pride Plaza Hotel Aerocity, New DelhiPride Plaza Hotel Aerocity, New Delhi
Asset 5A, Hospitality District, Aerocity, Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, Delhi 110037, Indiahttp://www.pridehotel.com/delhi/new-delhi-aerocity/+91 11 6600 7700Located in close proximity to Delhi and Gurgaon, Pride Plaza Hotel Aerocity, New Delhi is the first luxury hotel in the capital by the Pride Group of Hotels.
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Day 18:
Leave Delhi
You will be transferred to the International airport to board your flight for home.
Select a gateway:
Prices include Roundtrip Airfare from - to India.
What’s included
- International airfare
- Accommodation as noted in the program
- Daily breakfast and other special meals as specified
- Bottled Water during Sightseeing Tours
- All sightseeing tours by air-conditioned Luxury Coach
- Entrance fees to all the monuments
- Knowledgeable and fully- licensed English-speaking guide and tour escort
- Heritage and Culinary walk with a local expert
- Curator Lunch experience at 600-year-old Royal House
- Exclusive Cooking class with family in Lucknow & Agra
- Local Market, Crafts & Cuisine Walk in Jaipur
- Jeep transportation to Amer Fort in Jaipur
- Visit Marwari Horse Farm
- Exclusive Kitchen set up in Bishnoi Village for the final cooking class
- Boat ride in Udaipur
- Internal flights
- Train tickets for the sector Lucknow to Varanasi in an air-conditioned chair car
What’s excluded
- Insurance of any kind / medical expenses
- Beverages – alcoholic on non-alcoholic beverages unless noted on the meal plan
- Expenses of personal nature such as tipping, laundry service, telephone, fax, camera or video fees etc.
Recent Reviews
Hi Nazir, We really enjoyed our trip to India that you arranged. The site selections were fantastic (as our travel MD commented), the hotels were comfortable, the drivers were highly skilled, and our tour guide Harry was brilliant and so well informed. He adapted to our interests with ad hoc additions that added much to our experience. Rajeev kept in touch with us as well along the way. So thanks again for this memorable experience.
Arnie Funk and Sharie Edwards
Vancouver, Canada
Good afternoon Nazir, We want to let you know that we thoroughly enjoyed our recent trip to Northern India. Everyone who dealt with us on this journey, being yourself with planning and booking, Rajeev the head of operations in Delhi, Yajur our tour guide and mentor during the tours and everyone else involved, deserve rave reviews. All were knowledgeable, professional, passionate in what they did and more than willing to do that little bit extra to make our trip an exceptional experience. I cannot praise these people enough. Along with your staff, the tour program, the places we visited and the local people with whom we interacted have made us appreciate and be amazed of a country, people and culture which apparently we really knew so little about. Our minds and eyes have been opened to a wonderful place which now we hope to see more of. Oh, and going by our tour group the shopping was great also. We want to thank you and everyone involved for creating a wonderful experience for us. Best regards,
Murray and Pat E.
Edmonton, Canada
We want to tell you how much we enjoyed our trip with your tour company. Right from the onset our business class flights to our guides, bus drivers and wonderful food and accommodation we felt really well taken care of. We had a very congenial group of new friends on our bus tour to Delhi, Agra, Rathambore Park, Jaipur and we left them reluctantly to go to Darjeeling. Our trip to Varanasi was likewise a wonderful adventure. Again, our guide and driver treated us like their parents! Our trips down the Ganges will be ever remembered. Your agent in Delhi, Rajeev was always in touch to make sure we were happy and well taken care of. The only negatives were things out of anyone's control- the pollution, the lack of wine stores and the basic need for more jobs for the poor! But that is India! Thank you again for making our trip so memorable. Sincerely,
Ralph and Margaret Franksen
Delta, Canada
Hi, Nazir. Sorry, I haven't written sooner but I have had a bad cold since returning from our amazing India trip. Both Stuart and I had a wonderful experience as it was much more than either of us expected. As our guide Yajure explained to us, India has been "cleaning itself up". What a wonderful surprise. Delhi being a bustling mega city, was a joy to experience in the few days we were there. Our bus rides, while exciting due to the different "vehicles, animals and people on the roads, made our journeys very colorful. Yajure was a wonderful, generous and knowledgeable guide. He is a walking encyclopedia. He was extremely accommodating and adaptable at a moments notice. Seeing the Taj Mahal, Buddha's birthplace, the Red Fort, the Ganges in Varanasi and of course the city of Jaipur brought the trip to life. It was all mesmerizing. Your colleague Rajeev in Delhi was very helpful and kind and protective of us. Although he was mourning the loss of his dear father, he made himself available to us. So that's it Nazir. We certainly will not hesitate to recommend your company to any of our friends and family. Yours truly,
Shelley Rosen and Stuart McPherson
Aurora, Canada
Namaste, and thanks for the email Nazir. My husband and I are still under the powerful influence of India – having thoroughly enjoyed the 2 weeks we had there. It’s really difficult to synthesize our experience but I will try to give some feedback. Both of us felt that we learned so much and really broadened our understanding of cultural and political issues in addition to seeing, tasting, smelling, and tasting some of India’s diversity. I really appreciated the diverse environments: urban, heritage sites, forest reserve, streets/river exposure in Varanasi, the roadside rural life viewed as we traveled between major sites. I’m especially glad that we added on the Varanasi trip which broadened our experience considerably. We were ever so fortunate in the timing (just after the monsoon season) and got to see a relatively ‘green’ India. Several local guides commented that we were a ‘lucky’ group in terms of being in the right places at the right times for certain things – such as seeing tigers, getting to the Taj Mahal just prior to its ‘mudding’. The tour itinerary was well planned and varied – given that any group of 22 people will have different preferences. We found our tour guide to be excellent: knowledgeable, flexible, and always anticipating when/where changes might be needed either for our comfort or safety. Many thanks for that. And he was ever so patient in spite of challenging situations. I’m a cautious traveller (in contrast to my husband) but even I felt very safe. Our guide was extremely good at keeping us together while also allowing plenty of photo ops, cooling down periods, and preparing us for the next point of interest. The tour guide was very good with history and cultural information that made the bus travel time both informative and seem shorter. All contacts were very friendly, courteous, and helpful. One hardly mentioned an issue and it was addressed; To summarize, the trip was amazing! We are so very glad we went and still bask in India’s glow. Fond memories, great photos, and a great appreciation for the country and its peoples! Please convey our thanks to all who made the trip possible. Regards,
Cynthia Toman (on behalf of Earl as well)
Toronto, Canada
Hi Nazir, The India tour was excellent. The accommodations and meals was great , spicy but you get used to it after a couple of days, The hotel staff making every effort to accommodate and attending to any request from the tour participants. The tour bus was quite satisfactory with the driver and assistant quite helpful, keeping the bus clean. The Tour guide was excellent and quite knowledgeable about the history of the Indian civilization. Also handling the tickets to the various sites so the was little delay getting in and experiencing the splendor that is India Pick up and drop off from the airport went without any incidence. Overall, a great experience that will not be forgotten.
Anirud and Hafeeza
Toronto, Canada
Hi Nazir, Greg and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip to India. We were impressed with the excellent service from all Explore India personnel. Your choice of hotels, points of interest and breakfasts were excellent. Our driver and bus helper were especially good. Thank you for a wonderful trip. Ram, ram
Elaine and Greg
Burnaby, Canada
The trip to India was much more than I expected. Often the expression....Go to India and change your Life....that is what I experienced! From weather, hotels, food, transportation to our guides...top grade!!!! Thanks you for putting this wonderful vacation together for us!!! It holds memories for a Lifetime!!! When I get some photos edited I will send you a link! Great Job!
Linda Swanson
Nelson, Canada
Just returned home and trying to get over the jet-lag. Thoroughly enjoyed the trip – would hardly recommend your tour company. (first time with your company). The itinerary was well planned, transportation and accommodations were excellent and so was our tour guide. Had planned on staying in China for an additional 10 days but did not realize it was a Chinese holiday and we were not able to book any additional trips. Had I known this, I probably would have booked an additional tour with your company.
Polly Gretchin
Hope, Canada
Apologies for the delay in regard to this reply. It has been 3 weeks since we got back but the first one was an adjustment to time and travel. There are just not enough good words to describe the trip but it was definitely spectacular and above expectations. Exceptionally well organized and highly professional personnel were involved in the tour. India is just so remarkable as there is so much history. We crammed and read 3 books about the country in advance but there is so very much more to learn. To be able to travel there and have professional tour guides with that depth of knowledge was fortunate indeed. Can’t say enough about the calibre of Sandeep Singh regarding his professionalism, knowledge, organizational skills and overall ability! Hilal Lone did a good job for us during the Kashmir part of it! Besides the 2 guides, there were a lot of people to acknowledge in regard to the success of the trip. Unfortunately we won’t be able to name everyone. However, we will start with yourself Nazir. Being patient, personable, and responsive in terms of direction up front made for easier planning. Those who headed up organization at the other end, such as Rajeev Sharma, went beyond the call of duty to get their part of the operation right. If only for our jetlag the day after we arrived, he would have got us to a cricket game! Rafiq Mohamed did his part as well for the Kashmir leg of the trip. Last but not least, people such as the driver, Dalit Singh Walia, and his assistant Anand Mishra, made the journey what it was. The wondrous architecture we saw was at times almost surreal. They were so advanced in this regard so very long ago! Because some were so spectacular and precise, pictures do not quite do it justice, one has to simply see it! Also so impressed with the people of India. Massive population but they have found a way to make it work. Seemingly caring to each other and respectful and friendly towards tourists. Maybe the “hawkers” not so much. To a certain extent, one even adjusts to the heat. After time spent at the sites the air-conditioned vehicles helped in this regard. Small detail maybe, but cold bottled water always being available was quite important. The tour offered a good mix and variation of experiences. The trip into the forest was definitely special. Viewing the wildlife, especially the Bengal tiger, will always be a memorable lifetime experience. The quality of accommodation was very high. The variety and selection for meals offered up something that I expect everyone could be satisfied with, as we were. Never knew anything about Explore India before the trip. Now that we do and experienced it, we would certainly highly recommend your company and the tour! Cheers,
Marilyn & Emil
Saskatoon, Canada
Check & Compare
You can read hundreds of online reviews of destinations and hotels, but with our up-to-date first-hand knowledge, we will be able to compare and contrast different options and ensure we find something that is just right for you.
You will travel to India like a member of our own family. Our deep love and passion for India and its people, we are a family owned and operated luxury travel company.
Planning a trip needs careful care and attention to detail and that is where Explore India comes in with the passion to make every tour a hassle-free and memorable one for each of our guests.
Be sure to take notice of our standard of accommodation, the specialized sightseeing trips, the seamless flow of the itinerary, the comfort of the coach you will travel in, the customized dining experiences, and much more.
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No company is big or small when you have 100% capability of exceeding guest expectations. A rating of 10 out of 10 does not adequately reflect the level of the experience and value of the tour that we provide to India especially for the first time visitors. Explore India’s success can be traced all the way back to those early days of learning what it means to be a host and to this day, our motto is to treat the guest like a member of the family. A sure testimonial to the business, given the fact that many Canadians have travelled not one, not twice, but three times with Explore India, the early teachings seem to have paid off, as touring to India with us is a sought-after experience in Canada and beyond.