A Taste of India
Trip Details
- Duration: 28 days
- Visited Areas: India
Travel in style as we journey into the markets and restaurants of India for a gastronomic adventure. From the fascinating and often dramatic sights of the north to the laidback charm of the south, this trip discovers the authentic flavours of India. Sample local cuisine at roadside eateries, peek inside a royal kitchen and perfect Rajasthani delicacies at a cooking school. Add the best of museums, monuments, backstreets and beaches - this truly is a grand adventure through India.
Itinerary
Days 1-2 Delhi
Dive head first into the colour and chaos of India. Soak up the sights, sounds and smells of the crowded bazaars and scented spice markets of Old Delhi.
Day 3 Agra
Wake early to see Agra's Taj Mahal glimmer in the morning light. It's easy to see why it is dubbed a 'teardrop on the face of eternity'. Afterwards, visit the impressive Red Fort.
Days 5-6 Jaipur
Travel to Jaipur, India's quirky 'pink city'. Check out the looming Amber Fort and Hawa Mahal before perhaps heading to Raj Mandir Cinema to experience the glitz and glamour of a Bollywood blockbuster.
Days 7-8 Bijaipur
Explore rural India in style from a base at the opulent Castle Bijaipur. Observe a traditional feast being prepared in the royal kitchen then dine by the pool, serenaded by local performers.
Days 9-10 Udaipur
Learn the secrets to buying fresh produce at a market then spend a day perfecting Rajasthani delicacies at a renowned cooking school. Explore the lavish City Palace, one of India's largest royal palaces. A breathtaking sunset over Lake Udaipur is the perfect finale to the day.
Days 11-12 Mumbai
Take a short flight to Mumbai. Explore the dhobi ghats, see the Gateway of India and take a sunset stroll with locals on Chowpatty Beach.
Days 13-15 Goa
Discover how the hot climate and colonial Portuguese past has influenced the cuisine in Goa. Visit a fragrant spice garden, feast on spicy dishes and enjoy some R and R on the beach.
Day 16 Udupi
While in Udupi, learn how to make delicious dosa (a crepe made of lentils and rice) and watch devotees perform rituals at the famous Sri Krishna Temple.
Day 17 Chikmagalur
Visit a coffee plantation and enjoy home-cooked food in the quaint hill station of Chikmagalur.
Days 18-19 Mysore
Swing by Shravanabelagola temple en route to Mysore. Admire the ornate detail of the Maharaja's Palace and savour aromatic spices in a Biryani cooking class.
Days 20-21 Mammallapuram/Pondicherry
Stop by the Shore Temple in Mamallapuram and then travel to Pondicherry. Revel in the seaside beauty of 'Pondy' and seek out some fine French cuisine.
Day 22 Thanjavur
See why the Brihadishwara Temple is one of India's most prized architectural sites.
Day 23 Karaikudi
Admire the architecture of Chettinad Palace before learning the secrets of local cuisine in Karaikudi.
Day 24 Madurai
Walk through a maze of lamp-lit corridors in Madurai's Sri Meenakshi Temple.
Day 25 Pollachi
Visit a coconut plantation, learn how coconut fibres are woven and get practical experience in Pollachi cooking techniques.
Day 26 Guruvayur
The tour continues to the beautiful landscapes of Kerala. While in Guruvayur, see the Guruvayur temple and visit an elephant sanctuary that houses more than 50 residents.
Days 27-28 Kochi
With Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and English influences, Kochi city is a delightful melting pot of cultures and traditions. Ride the ferry, browse antique shops, breathe in the aroma of spice bazaars and wander the Fort Kochi area to absorb the essence of this place. Perhaps dine out one final time as a group to reminisce about the Taste of India experience.
Day 4 Karauli
Wander the perfectly preserved palaces and pavilions of the fortified ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri. In Karauli, learn the secrets to old family recipes and spend the night in a beautiful, converted haveli.