North India Gastronomic Tours, Gastronomic Tour to India, India cuisine Tour : Famous India

North India Gastronomic Experience (FI-065)

Destinations : Delhi - Lucknow - Varanasi - Khajuraho - Jhansi - Gwalior -Agra - Jaipur - Delhi
Duration : 12 Days / 11 Nights

Any generalization of Indian cuisine as "curry" would be a grave mistake. The cuisine of each region is as diverse as is the culture, or the language and dialects spoken in the area. Each region has its unique style of cooking and favouring using the locally sourced ingredients. In this tour we present the traditional Tandoori, Mughlai and Awadhi food which is occasionally complemented by vegetarian cuisine and followed by irresistible desserts.

Day 01 : Arrive
Varanasi Temple

Delhi On arrival a warm welcome by our staff and transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 02 : Delhi
Full day city tour of Old and New Delhi. Visit the lanes and by lanes of Old Delhi and observe the wide range of street food options. Experience Kashmiri Wazwan cuisine at the Chor Bizarre restaurant in the old city area. In the evening experience North Indian cuisine especially Punjabi food at a city restaurant.

Day 03 : Delhi - Lucknow
Morning transfer to railway station to board the Shatabdi Express to Lucknow, the city of Nawabs. On arrival transfer to hotel. The afternoon city tour includes visits to Imambada, Bhool Bhulaiya and colourful shopping area of Hazratganj. Dinner will be at a restaurant specializing in Awadhi cuisine.

Day 04 : Lucknow - Varanasi
Morning is free at leisue. Later transfer to airport for flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. In the evening a boat ride on the Ganges followed by dinner at the Peshwa Ghat which is a spectacular experience. The food served is vegetarian Indian cuisine and the ambience of the place is further enhanced with thousands of oil lamps floating on the river .

Day 05 : Varanasi
Morning excursion to Sarnath, the place where Buddha achieved enlightenment. In the afternoon a city tour of Varanasi visiting the Ghats, Temples and the Benaras Hindu University.

Day 06 : Varanasi - Khajuraho
Morning free at leisure. Later transfer to airport for flight to Khajuraho. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Half day tour of the exotic temples of Khajuraho in the afternoon. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 07 : Khajuraho - Jhansi - Gwalior
Morning visit to the temples. Late morning depart for Jhansi visiting the majestic fort at Orchha en route. In the evening transfer to Jhansi railway Junction Shatabdi Express to Gwalior. Arrive at Gwalior at 7 pm and transfer to hotel.

Day 08 : Gwalior - Agra
Taj Mahal

Gwalior is the capital of the Scindia dynasty and the local ruling family has played an important role during the Imperial Rule as well as post independence India. Among the attractions of Gwalior the highlight is the Gwalior Fort which is located atop a hill and has a number of temples and buildings amidst its perimeter. Among these the most notable are the Teli-ka-Mandir, the Sas Bahu Mandir and the Mansingh's Palace. Also noteworthy is the Vijay Vilas Palace where the erstwhile royal family still lives and which offers an interesting insight into the days of the Royalty with world's second largest chandelier, the silver train on the dining table etc. In the evening transfer to the Gwalior station to board the Shatabdi Express to Agra at 7 pm. Arrive Agra at 8.30 pm and transfer to your hotel.

Day 09 : Agra
Full day city tour of Agra visiting the Red Fort, Itmad-uddaulah and one of the greatest monuments on the earth - the Taj Mahal. Built in the memory of his empress by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan the Taj stands as a mute testimony to the unmatched architectural skills of those thousands of workers who worked relentlessly to create this dream on the banks of the Yamuna. Dinner at a city restaurant and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 10 : Agra - Jaipur
Drive from Agra to Jaipur visiting the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri en route. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at Jaipur.

Day 11 : Jaipur
Morning excursion to the Amber fort located about 10 kms away. Optional elephant ride to the top of the fort. Return to the Jaipur city to visit the City Palace and Museum, Jantar mantar and Hawa mahal. Later also visit the colorful bazaars of the Pink City which offer among the widest shopping options for the traveler. In the evening dinner at the Chokhi Dhani - Indian Village Theme restaurant which serves select vegetarian cuisine in a rural ambience.

Day 12 : Jaipur - Delhi
After breakfast drive back to Delhi stopping en route at the Fort Palace Neemrana. The Fort which was in ruins for over 6 centuries has been painstakingly restored to its present form and is one of the most exclusive palace hotels in the country today. Lunch at The Neemrana Fort. Later drive back to Delhi. Upon arrival transfer to the Radisson Hotel for Dinner at the Great Kebab Factory. Late evening transfer to the airport for flight back home.

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