Kebab and Curry with Taj Mahal

Day 01- Arrive Delhi by international flight

On arrival at Delhi International airport after clearing immigration formalities, you will meet our representative in arrival hall holding paging of your name. He will further assist you to your vehicle and then hotel check-in formalities. (Standard check-in time is 1200 hours)

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 02- Delhi

Breakfast at hotel

Post breakfast you will be proceed for combined full day city tour of Old and New Delhi. We start the tour from Old Delhi, Chandni Chowk this part of Delhi will take you in Old Mughal era, while walking through old lanes you can see big wooden carved antique doors, big havelis (mansion), narrow lanes and busy bustling life. You must taste lip smacking street food in Old Delhi market area.

Enjoy Old Delhi food tour from Chawri Bazar Metro Station Outside Exit Gate – 3 ( Land Mark: near shop no. 3487-88 Chowk HauzQazi / Ashok Chat Corner. (Timing: in summer 08:00 hrs till 12:00 hrs/ Winter 08:30 hrs till 12:30 hrs)

• Old Delhi Local Breakfast / Local Lunch(in case of afternoon tour)/ Some Safe Street Food Tasting to try some local delicacies
• Heritage & Bazaar walk
• Participation in local activities and interaction with locals
• Cycle / Battery Rickshaw Rides
• Visiting -Few Hidden Treasures
• Spice Market visit ( Khari Baoli)
• Temple Visit
• Local Home for complimentary traditional meal at Masterji Kee Haveli (an Old Private Mansion in the old city in which single family is living from generations)
• Company of English Speaking Local Friend cum Story Teller cum Photographer
• Free online restricted photo album of the entire tour as a gift to your clients, for their memories!

What to wear: Because of little conservative society in Old Delhi – Ladies, please dress modestly (wear dress which cover your shoulders and your legs below the knees), Please ensure you are carrying cap for adequate protection against the sun. Usually you have to take off footwear to visit Indian houses, but check with your host as this rule may apply only to some areas of the house.

Post lunch visit New Delhi or Lutyens Delhi, beautifully designed by “Sir Edwin Lutyens”, drive pass India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan and Connaught Place. Later continue the sightseeing visiting, Humayun Tomb, the tomb was built in 1570 and was the first garden tomb made by Humayun’s son Akbar. It is Unesco world heritage site.

Conclude the sightseeing with the visit of “Qutub Minar”, the stunning red stone tower is 72.5 m high with 2.75m in diameter. It is also UNESCO site.

Evening will be at leisure to relax or to pursue independent activities.

(Dinner will be on direct payment basis at the hotel as today will be the first day we want the guests eat as their comfort level as it will take some time to adjust with new cuisine).

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 03- Delhi-Agra by train Gatiman Express

Breakfast at hotel

Morning transfer to railway station to board train to Agra.  On arrival in Agra assistance at the railway station and transfer to hotel.

The land of the Taj is not only famous for the biggest allure “Taj Mahal” but also legacy of Mughals which they had left behind. Their legacy can be seen in mausoleums, tombs and magnificent fort.

On arrival check in at hotel. Later proceed for lunch at your hotel OR local restaurant in Agra. After lunch proceed to visit Red Fort, it is an UNESCO heritage site. It is a major tourist attraction from all over the world. The fort is built in red stone to make it main residence of Mughals.

Evening arrive at Mehtab Bagh so that guests can enjoy sunset there. Mehtab Bagh is located on the left bank of Yamuna opposite Taj Mahal. The garden complex is approximately 300 square meters and is in straight alignment with the Taj Mahal.

Dinner & overnight stay hotel.

Day 04- Agra – Lucknow (approx.. 5.5 hours drive)

Breakfast at hotel

Early morning visit beautiful Taj Mahal, during sunrise the sunrays have a magical effect with marble surface. It changes its color which creates eternal beauty (Closed on Friday). After visiting Taj Mahal return to hotel for breakfast.

Post breakfast drive to Lucknow. On arrival check in at hotel. Post Lunch Later we visit Sadat Ali & Begum Tombs and the ‘Chatar Manzil’ (Outside view only), we reach the world’s most unique architecture, ‘Asifi Imambara’. Also see the ‘Rumi Darwaza’ or the Turkish Gate and the Asfi Mosque. Later we reach the Husainabad Complex – The Clock Tower is the highest Clock Tower in Asia Now enter the Babylon of East, The Husainabad Imambara – known for its beauty and pieces of décor. This was built in 1840 by Mohammad Ali Shah and is still considered to be a sacred address by the natives.

Later we back to hotel and in evening at 1930 Hrs we reach to Coquina. Dining always was and is a great artistic opportunity in Lucknow and more so it is at Coquina. It is a small 160 sq ft, immaculately furnished and a well-equipped artisanal kitchen serving four to maximum six guests at a time, but is rather happier with just two for a private session. It offers traditional & modern cooking by passionate and knowledgeable individual, who are not professionally cook. Our guest can learn about Awadhi cuisine cook by themselves under their supervision. We are sure it will be different experience for the guests.

Overnight stay at hotel

Day 05- Lucknow

Breakfast at hotel

Post breakfast we will embark upon a city tour of Lucknow. We now visit Lucknow Residency. Lucknow Residency a place where large collection of walls, building of British era speaks for themselves.

Lunch at The Royal Café: The royal cafe is a brand of Jagtiani hotels and properties with a rich legacy of forty years in the food & beverage industry in Lucknow. This chain of hotels is known for introducing several signature dishes including Basket Chaat, Potli Kabab among others. They have also brought about several innovations for preparing food in hygienic conditions.

Post lunch this evening, we leave for a Heritage Walk : we will reach ‘Chowk‘ the oldest market place of Lucknow to appreciate the unique crafts of this Nawabi City. We walk in the by-lane of Chowk called ‘Gol Darwaza’ – a place that was once a seat of numerous ‘Kothas’ (a small entertainment studios where nautch girls performed in the evenings) now is a market place that is known to house the best of handicrafts and Chikan work. A heritage walk here will take you into the bygone era.   (Operates every day except Thursday and a few festival holidays).

When in Lucknow, how cannot we talk about the food be left behind, continuing further we will walk down the lane adjacent to Akbari Gate. Tasting the best of meat dishes from the Awadhi menu from the places, where they actually originated from and have still been able to thrive on their own in the era of McDonald and KFC. Taste the original Tundey Kebabs, Raheem’s Nihari and Mobeen’s Pasanda Kebabs. Observe the chefs at work in these small and dingy shops that seldom look hygienic, but no one has ever fallen sick. To enjoy this tour you need to be foodie with closed eyes and let the taste buds do their job.

Our culinary curator guide will tell you the history behind this Kebab and Nawab legacy.

(Operational Except Sunday and Thursday).

(Dinner on direct payment basis as generally it is not required after a food walk).

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 06- Lucknow – Kolkata by flight

Early morning pick up from hotel with packed breakfast and transfer to airport to board the flight for

Kolkata.

Meeting and assistance on arrival at Kolkata airport and transfer to hotel. Lunch at local restaurant.

Later proceed for half day city sightseeing visiting Howarh Bridge & Victoria Memorial.

Howrah Bridge(View from Howrah bridge): It is popularly known as Rabindra Setu. Howrah Bridge in Kolkata spans over river Hooghly and is considered to be a marvelous engineering work by the British. It took nearly about 7 long years to construct the Howrah Bridge. The cantilever bridge of Howrah was completed in 1943.

Victoria Memorial: This is one of India’s most beautiful monuments built between 1906 and 1921 on the lines of white marble. It houses paintings, manuscripts, and other objects of historic value in its Museum and Art Gallery. (Closed on Monday & National Holidays. Photography not allowed inside).

Also visit Government buildings. Mother Teresa’s House (Closed on Thursday, photography not allowed inside).

Later in the afternoon we will take you an experiential food walk called It start at 1600 hrs approx.. Bengal is a foodie’s paradise, during the walk we taste the amazing streed food of Kolkata. Later cooking demonstration by either a regular housewife or by the owners of the finest restaurants of the city. Always followed by authentic Bengali sweets. Special Instructions please do inform to the cook if you have any sort of allergies. All the food is bought fresh and cooked in front of you, in case your stomach is super-sensitive we advise that you take your necessary pills. Return to hotel.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 07- Kolkata

Breakfast at hotel

Post breakfast proceed for sightseeing visiting Kumartuli, College Street Book Market, Indian Coffeee House, Old China Town, Dacres Lane, BBD Bagh and Dalhousie Square.

Kumartuli

This unique artisan village dates back 400 years, making it perhaps the oldest of its kind in the world. It is the lifeblood of Bengal’s biggest festival and keeps the Puja fervor alive among Bengali communities in other countries. It exports 50 Durga idols to virtually all corners of the world, including UK, USA, Canada, Germany and Switzerland.

College Street Book Market

Kolkatans are well-known for their passion for books and this area is a treasure for the book lovers of the city.  (Partially closed on Sunday & National Holidays).

Indian Coffee House

Also known as “Albert Hall”, this is the most favorite gathering place for the writers, intellectuals, artists and student for many decades. Casual chatting for hours about any issue is the most favorite social activity of any Bengali and here in this large historical and legendary café.

(Any consumption other than one cup of coffee will be on direct payment).

Old China Town Area (old international settlements of Chinese immigrants)

Later proceed for Street food walk tour exploring the famous street food joints of Kolkata, especially in the BBD Bagh area, Dalhousie Square area, Sudder Street, A.J.C Bose Road. The kiosks along Dacres Lane is the ultimate destination for foodies. This tour will give you an opportunity to learn how to cook without a kitchen and how to make the most out of not very much. You may experience the different flavors of Kolkata’s street food (at your own risk, of course).

Dacres Lane – This is one of the most famous street food places in Kolkata. From China to Punjab, the food map here charts all delicacies one can want. This is a safe place to try out Kolkata’s street food with family as WHO has rated the food here as one of the “Best Street Foods of the World”.

BBD Bagh – One of the prime business centres of the city, BBD Bagh sees a lot of businessmen flock to the street food stalls here for a quick lunch.

Indian Museum : One of the oldest museums in Asia, the Indian Museum was founded in 1814. One need an entire day, or more, to fully enjoy the fossils, coins, stones, Gandhara art, meteors and much more that go to make up this museum.

Photography allowed on charges. (Closed on Monday & National Holidays).

Overnight stay at hotel

Day 08- Kolkata – Hyderabad by flight Departure 09:00/Arrival 11:10 hrs

Breakfast at hotel

Post breakfast in time transfer to airport to board the flight for Hyderabad.

Meeting and assistance on arrival at Hyderabad airport and transfer to hotel. Post lunch visit Golkonda Fort and Qutub Shahi Tombs.

Golkonda Fort : Golconda fort is undoubtedly one of most magnificent fortress complexes in India. It is located in the western part of Hyderabad city and is about 9 km from the Hussain Sagar Lake .It was originally known as Mankal, and built on a hilltop in the year 1143. It was originally a mud fort under the reign of Rajah of Warangal.

The Qutb Shahi: Tombs are located in the Ibrahim Bagh (garden precinct), close to the famous Golconda Fort in Hyderabad, India. They contain the tombs and mosques built by the various kings of the Qutub Shahi dynasty.

Evening cooking demonstration with Indian family followed by dinner.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 09- Hyderabad

Breakfast at hotel

Post breakfast proceed for half day city sightseeing visiting Salarjung Museum, Charminar and Lad Bazaar.

Salarjung Museum: The SalarJung Museum is an art museum located at Dar-ul-Shifa, on the southern bank of the Musi River in the city of Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It is one of the three National Museums of India. It has a collection of sculptures, paintings, carvings, textiles, manuscripts, ceramics, metallic artifacts, carpets, clocks, and furniture from Japan, China, Burma, Nepal, India, Persia, Egypt, Europe, and North America.

Charminar: It is principal landmark of Hyderabad City. It was built by Mohammad Quli Qutub to celebrate the end of a deadly plague in 1591 AD. The Charminar lies near the bank of the river Musi. It is close to Laad Bazaar and Makkah Masjid. Charminar is taken from two words Char and Minar which translate as Four Towers in English.

Later visit Laad Bazaar, it is located quite close to the Charminar which is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist spots of Hyderabad. Adjacent to the monument, the Laad Bazaar is stretched on four roads starting from Charminar and is spread across an area of one kilometer. Also enjoy Irani tea and biscuits.

During lunch time enjoy Hyderabad super famous Biryani with ultimate soft Kebabs. Enjoy lunch at local restaurant. We believe actually the local delicacies are signature meal of the respective place or shows their food culture and habit.

Biryani (Rice cooked with meat with amazing seasoning enhance the taste and aroma of the food).

Also be the witness of Bidri art during Old city area. Bidriware is a renowned metal handicraft that derives its name from Bidar, presently in Karnataka. It was believed to have originated in 14th century AD during the reign of Bahamani Sultans. Bidriware is an eight-stage process. Those are moulding, smoothening by file and the process of designing by chisels. It is then followed by engraving using chisel and hammer where pure silver inlaying is done. It is subjected to smoothening again, followed by buffing and finally oxidising by making use of soil and ammonium chloride.

After lunch visit CHOWMOULLAH PALACE – The seat of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty, and once regarded as the centre of Hyderabad, the magnificent Chowmoullah Palace built over 200-years ago was the venue used by the Nizams when entertaining their official guests and royal visitors.

(Closed on Friday).

(Evening is free to relax, we deliberately did not include the dinner to relax your stomach before board an international flight. If guest would like to have some light dinner they can pay directly and have whatever he/she feel like to have.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 10- Depart Hyderabad by flight

Breakfast at hotel

Post breakfast in time transfer to airport to board the flight for onward destination.