09 NIGHTS 10 KEBAB & CURRY WITH TAJ MAHAL

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.

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 Mansionin 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.

Overnight stay at hotel.

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 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. The excavation has revealed a huge octagonal tank on the southern periphery; Baradaris or pavilion on the East and West; a small octagonal tank at the center and a gateway at the Northern wall.

Overnight stay hotel.

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'. This monument was built as a relief measure for a devastating famine, in order to provide employment to the subjects of the state by Nawab Asif-ud-Daula'. This is the world’s biggest hall that is devoid of any pillar support, wood, iron beams or concrete walls. Salute the “Nawab” (Prince) lying in peace inside and proceed to see his noble work. 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 and in some ways superior to its counterpart, 'Big Ben'. Today the clock stands motionless but has witnessed all times, the good, the bad and the ugly. 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. The beautiful chandeliers, silver seat, sandalwood décor and calligraphy on the walls all are so creative. Admire each one and bow down to the Nawab and his Mother sleeping inside

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. Many dishes that were once extinct or were just a home-kitchen names or even were secret recipes from the royal kitchens of nobility, are revived here as a secret re-told by Coquina. Coquina is a small 160 sq ft, immaculately furnished and a well-equipped artisanal kitchen, booked privately by appointment, (not an open facility like a restaurant) that produces food from local produce, in small portions, for limited consumption of maximum four to maximum six guests at a time, but is rather happier with just two for a private session. It also offers a combination of traditional and modern cooking by knowledgeable individuals, who are cooks by passion and not by profession. Our guests get a chance to learn about this Awadhi Cuisine, cook for themselves under expert supervision and enjoy a meal as well.
Overnight stay at hotel

Morning: Drive to Periyar (100 kms/03 hrs). On arrival, check in at hotel. Afternoon: Breakfast at hotel

Post breakfast we will embark upon a city tour of Lucknow. We now visit Lucknow Residency. Lucknow Residency a place where speechless walls are known to speak the gruesome tale of the 1857 mutiny. The sprawling British campus witnessed nothing less than 3000 deaths to keep the Union Jack flying. Yet the British could not defend their domain and the buildings were lost to the high spirited and enthusiastic Indians who fought till their last breath. The trees, bullet sprinkled walls, unusable canons, worn out firearms all cry aloud with the burden of deaths that were witnessed here. We also visit the graveyard to pay our homage to named and unnamed soldiers who gave up their lives in the defence of The Residency
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. They have been delighting & entertaining the citizens of Lucknow with great food at highly affordable prices. 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 showcase the culture of this fabled city and take you into the bygone era. (Operates every day except Thursday and a few festival holidays).
When in Lucknow, how can the 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. You will experience the concept of food loyalty and the real taste of 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 take this tour, you need to be a foodie with closed eyes, so that your taste buds work to their best of abilities. Try all of these, while a culinary curator (Walk Leader) explains the history and the recipe (Operational Except Sunday and Thursday)
Overnight stay at the hotel.

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. After lunch proceed for half day sightseeing visiting Dalhousie Square, Flower Market, Howrah Bridge, Victoria Memorial, Mother Teresa’s House.

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. The Howrah Bridge is enumerated amongst the busiest cantilever bridge in the World. 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. The memorial was the inspiration of Lord Curzon, who in 1901, felt that his lately departed Queen Empress, required a suitable monument to her memory. 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 : Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic religious congregation, which in 2012 consisted of over 4,500 sisters and is active in 133 countries. They run hospices and homes for people with HIV/AIDS, leprosy and tuberculosis; soup kitchens; children's and family counseling programs, orphanages and schools. (Closed on Thursday, photography not allowed inside).

Later in the afternoon we will take you an experiential walk called “COOK AS THE BONGS DO”. It start at 1600 hrs approx.. Bengal is a foodie's paradise and more so Calcutta, where various adventurers have left their gastronomical imprints. We take you through an experience not easy to forget...especially because of the satiating burps afterwards. A walk through the market will familiarize you with the ingredients that go into the making of some of authentic Bengali food and we follow that up with cooking demonstration by either a regular housewife or by the owners of the finest restaurants of the city. Always followed by authentic Bengali sweets - a good enough reason to be on this tour. Special Instructions please do mention 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.

Overnight stay at hotel.

reakfast 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. Around 250 artists work to produce 40,000 idols a year, including 3500 images of Durga. With more than a thousand workers assisting the artisans, Kumartuli is a mini industry. 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, you can find of them every day spending hours browsing through the loads of new books or bargaining for buying a second hand one. Some of the Kolkata’s most renowned academic institutions like Kolkata University, Presidency College, Kolkata Medical College and Sanskrit College are also located in this street. (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 students 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, entire day you can find hundreds of Kolkatan's are busy discussing about their favorite issue over a cup of coffee.
(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 flavours 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”. One can bite into a myriad variety of dishes—chicken cutlet, fish fry, fish roll, mutton/chicken/vegetable stew, ghugni, chowmein, fried rice, chilly/schezwan/garlic chicken, luchi/puri sabzi, chola-bhatura, kulcha-chana, momo, biryani, a wide range of sweets, lassi, firni and lots more. For almost 200 years, Dacres Lane was the eating ground for sailors who came to Calcutta from various countries. Dacres Lane served as a platform where sailors used to hang around and exchanged tales of their voyages and heroics over generous platters of food. In the 19th century, after the British left India, the tradition has been since carried forward by the city’s fiercely food loving residents. Dacres Lane is a must visit for street food connoisseurs.

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. Join the experienced locals and take a food walk down the square which is known for the numerous vendors who flock to this place to sell their wares. Some of the best vendors here are located near Fairlie place, by the backside of Writer’s Building and Near the Bankshall Court. You can try the Luchi, Kochuri and Aloodom, Cholar Dal, Rice and Fish Curry and Lanchan when here.

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. There is a 4,000-year-old mummy here as well. Also on display is an urn said to contain the Buddha's ashes.

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

Overnight stay at hotel

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. Later it was fortified between 14th and 17th centuries by the BahmaniSultans and then the ruling Qutub Shahi dynasty.

The inner fort contains ruins of palaces, mosques and a hill top pavilion, which rises about 130 meters high and gives a bird’s eye view of other buildings.

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 Qutb Shahi dynasty. The galleries of the smaller tombs are of a single storey while the larger ones are two storied. In the centre of each tomb is a sarcophagus which overlies the actual burial vault in a crypt below. The domes were originally overlaid with blue and green tiles, of which only a few pieces now remain.

Evening cooking demonstration with Indian family.

Overnight stay at hotel.

reakfast 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. The museum's collection was sourced from the property of the Salar Jung family, after whom it is named. It is one of the largest museums in the world.

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 kilometre.

Enjoy local lunch food at local restaurant.

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. Completed by Nizam Afzar-ud - Dawla Bahadur in 1869 but initiated by Nizam Salabhat Jung, the Palace took over 100 years to complete. Renowned for its unique style, which is a synthesis of many architectural styles and influences, this elegant Palace Complex has today been meticulously restored.
(Closed on Friday )

Overnight stay at hotel

Breakfast at hotel

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

End of the tour