Luxury India Culinary Tour

Luxury India Culinary Tour by Odin is a 12N/13D travel extravaganza that delivers rich cultural and culinary experiences from the Royal state of Rajasthan, India. This tour combines the best of hotels, heritage properties, exposure to Indian cooking techniques, a variety of foods, flavors and spices and colorful tales that will bring you back to India for more.

Destinations covered: Delhi – Jaipur – Delwara – Udaipur

Duration: 12N/13D

DETAILED PROGRAM (Subject to Change)

Day 0: DELHI, The Imperial

On arrival at Delhi International Airport, you will meet our driver who will take you to The Imperial Hotel. After settling in, guests will gather at 6:00 PM at The Imperial’s Spice Route Courtyard for an informal welcome.

Afterwards, we will share our first dinner together at Indian Accent Restaurant, the #1 Restaurant in India, and the only one to be featured on the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurant List. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable meal crafted by chef Manish Mehrota.

Day 02: DELHI, The Imperial

After breakfast, we will meet our food and culture expert and begin our program by immersing ourselves in Old Delhi’s Meena Bazaar and Chandni Chowk, a centenary souk-like bazaar with narrow crowded alleyways.

We can depend on Seema, who knows it well, to take us to her “back streets”. We’ll visit Asia’s largest wholesale spice market, Khari Baoli, to see where spices have been traded since the 17th century, and walk through Paranthe Wali Gali (“lane of paratha-makers”) for vegetarian stuffed and fried Indian breads.

Before lunch, we will visit an old Haveli (mansion) to meet a family of traditional perfume makers.

Return to the hotel and rest during the afternoon and evening, relax with an ayurvedic massage, enjoy the swimming pool or explore at your own leisure.

Dinner tonight will be at your discretion. This is your time to rest close in or venture out daringly to a place of your choice.

Day 03: DELHI, The Imperial

Today after a leisurely breakfast, we’ll go on a colonial walk in New Delhi. We will visit India Gate and see the Parliament and Secretariat. This is to give you a sense of place and history and not something you expected of India — wide avenues and historic perspective.

Afterwards, we will drive to an Indian home for a cooking demo of traditional Southern Indian home cooking, learning to use local spices and ingredients in an informal, everyday way. We will enjoy a large vegetarian lunch with our hosts and friends.

Return to the Imperial Hotel after lunch and enjoy the afternoon and evening for relaxing or optional spa treatment. Shopping opportunities at the nearby Santushti Complex, upon request.

Free evening to rest and get ready for an early departure the following day.

*We have found that is better not to plan too many big dinners after large lunches that last until 4pm. Time differences prevent good digestion and attention the first few days, and it is best to respect the need for rest and light eating in preparation for the following days to come.

Day 04: DELHI / JAIPUR, Samode Haveli

(Shatbadi Express Train, departure 6:05 am, arrival 10:30 am)

Very early morning transfer to the New Delhi Railway station to board our train for Jaipur.

On arrival in Jaipur, we will meet with Thakur and Mrs. Durga Singh, our wonderful hosts for an introduction to Rajasthan cuisine and spices, followed by lunch.

Thakur Durga Singh is an exceptional narrator and host. He is a scion of the erstwhile aristocratic family of Mandawa and brings his culture and country vibrantly alive. Durga sports not only a grand mustache but also a wonderful sense of humor.

Late afternoon transfer to our hotel. Dinner tonight at your discretion.

Day 05: JAIPUR, Samode Haveli

This morning we drive to the sprawling hilltop Amber Fort in the Aravali hills with its opulent royal apartments, halls, and dramatic views.

Afterward, we will visit the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing and the Brigitte Singh’s studio in a bougainvillea-covered haveli to learn about the art of woodblock printing. Her hand-printed textiles are legendary: her red poppy print is on view at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

Later on, we will visit an elephant sanctuary in the countryside. We will get to feed, wash and decorate the resident elephants, before sitting on their bare backs or simply strolling in the wilderness with them. Lunch al fresco.

Late afternoon drive back into the city. If you are up to it after a busy day, we will explore the colorful, chaotic bazaars known for their handicrafts, textiles, leather, antiques, and enamel and inlay jewelry. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 06: JAIPUR, Samode Haveli

After breakfast, we will have a guided visit to the Observatory, followed by lunch in the hotel. Free afternoon of bazaar shopping or relaxation.

In the evening, we’ll have the pleasure of cooking on the fire with Chef Rajiv of Samode learning from his wealth of knowledge and brilliant storytelling, followed by dinner in a private dining room of the Haveli.

Day 07: JAIPUR  to CHHATRASAGAR (5-hour drive), Chhatrasagar Luxury Tents

Drive to Chhatrasagar and check into our luxurious campsite on the dam. The luxury tents offer breathtaking views of the sunrise over the lake and sunsets on the Aravali hills.

Delicious Rajasthani lunch and dinner will be enjoyed overlooking the lake. Other than meals, guests will have the afternoon and evening free to explore, go birdwatching with a scope with a few others around the lake to enjoy the beautiful locale, and to soak in some fresh air.

Later, cocktails around the bonfire while we listen to folkloric tales of jaguars and princesses.

Day 08: CHHATRASAGAR, Chhatrasagar Luxury Tents

Chhatra Sagar was built as a hunting lodge of the Nimaj Estate, surrounded by lush green fields and a 100-year-old reservoir, built by Thakur Chhatra Singh, a powerful noble of Marwar in the 19th century to create a water source for his kingdom.

After breakfast, we will take a jeep safari to the fennel and cumin fields accompanied by one of our hosts from the family. We will walk on the farm to the local village, visiting the elementary school and greet the ladies at the well, visit the potter, the spinner, and see how they live in a simple village, exploding with color.

Lunch and free afternoon to enjoy the peace and quiet, and the lake views! Sunset hike to the nearby hillock for sundowners and amazing views. Dinner and all meals served by red-turbaned Rajasthani herdsmen.

Day 09: CHHATRASAGAR TO DELWARA (4.5-hour drive), The Raas Devigarh

After breakfast, we bid farewell to our friends at Chhatra Sagar, as we head to Delwara and check into Raas Devigarh. Overlooking the surrounding green hills, the hotel seems to float in the air and this is one of Peggy’s favorite spots to relax and reflect on the trips’ adventures so far. The hotel is known for their spa and the many terraces and patios where you can slow down and take it all in. Mystics still roam the ancient Aravali hills, and one can’t help but gaze at their splendor.

Late lunch at Devigarh. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure.

Day 10: DELWARA, The Raas Devigarh

Before lunch, we will wander through the local village to interact with the villagers and learn more about their crafts and lifestyle. Free for lunch and afternoon at leisure to enjoy the spa and pool.

Dinner tonight at The Raas Devigarh.

Day 11: UDAIPUR (1 HOUR DRIVE), The Lake Palace

After breakfast, we will drive to Udaipur and explore the City Palace, a blend of stern Rajput military architecture on the outside and lavish Mughal decorative art on the inside. This palace built between the 16th and 20th centuries is the largest in Rajasthan, with a maze of royal apartments and courtyards designed to confuse invaders.

Afterwards, we will check into the fabulous Taj Lake Palace, a dream of white marble and mosaic built in 1754 in the middle of Lake Pichola for the frolicking courtesans. Lunch at the Jharokha Restaurant at the hotel.

This evening, we are invited into the fabled kitchens of Neel Kamal restaurant to spend time with the beloved chefs of the Taj Lake Palace, followed by our farewell dinner.

Day 12: UDAIPUR / DELHI (1:50 PM flight) – The Trident

Free morning to relax and pack. In the afternoon, we will transfer to the Udaipur airport in time for our flight back to Delhi. On arrival at the Domestic Airport in Delhi at 3:20 PM, we will be met by a local guide, who will take us to The Trident Hotel in Gurgaon, located in close proximity to the International Airport.

Guests will be free for drinks and dinner, as we prepare for our final departures.

Day 13: DEPARTURE DELHI

Breakfast at the hotel. Guests will be transferred with assistance to the International Airport for their flights.

End of Tour

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