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A delightful sensory overload in the best of the subcontinent.

Spend two fabulous weeks discovering the sights, sounds and flavours of India. From Delhi to Goa via the ethereal beauty of Rajasthan and to the bustling metropolis of Mumbai, experience the very best street food in Delhi, the beautiful sight of the Taj Mahal in Agra and the delightful taste of Rajasthan’s traditional cuisine in Jaipur and Udaipur. Relax on Goa’s beaches, see Jaipur’s breathtaking Palace of the Wind, explore the vibrant street food scene of Mumbai and spend time in rural Rajasthan living it up in a 17th-century fort. With a taste of India’s vibrant markets and the chance to cook up a storm yourself, this unforgettable journey will take you to the cultural and gastronomic heart of India.

$1 deposit on 2020 trips

Lock in your 2020 trip with a $1 deposit*. Don't wait. Just go! Offer ends 13 February 2020.

Terms & Conditions
Start
Delhi, India
Finish
Candolim, India
Destination
India
Style
Original
Theme
Food
Code
HHZM
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Get a true taste of some of India's finest culinary traditions – Mughal, Rajasthani, and the Portuguese-tinged flavours of Goa – while feasting in local restaurants, rural homes and heritage buildings.

  • Some of India’s best food is found at a street side stall. Get in touch with an amazing array of authentic food on eye-opening and adventurous cuisine crawls around Delhi, Udaipur and Mumbai.

  • Bask in the ivory glow of the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, followed by a Mughlai cooking demonstration and lunch in a local home with your small group.

  • Take a day to visit local farming communities in Rajasthan’s Mewar region, visiting working vegetable and spice farms to learning about these coveted building blocks of Indian cuisine.

  • See the rich tapestry of India’s culture and history on display, passing by the Hindu and Jain influences in Udaipur, chai wallahs in local markets, and staying at a heritage property in Bijaipur.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip aims to give you an exciting, diverse and well-rounded experience of India's cuisine. India is a great place to travel for vegetarians and vegans – offering lots of choice and great quality fare. If you have dietary requirements, simply contact your agent at the time of booking for further information on how this may impact on your ability to take part in included activities and meals. Come with an open mind and open mouth, and you won’t be disappointed!

  • India is a big country and there are some long travel days on this departure. Use these as an opportunity to relax, witness everyday life from the window of your vehicle and to get to know your fellow travellers.

  • This trip travels by overnight train from Udaipur to Mumbai. While the overnight train can seem a little daunting, it is a very efficient way to travel long distances and maximising time in each place. Note that long distance and overnight trains can often be delayed and occasionally cancelled due to heavy fog between December and February.

  • This trip stays in a mix of accommodation to experience a variety of Indian life. Standards can vary though – there will be hot water in most but not all hotels.

  • The climate in India can vary in the different states – be prepared for hot sticky days and cooler evenings. Layered clothing is the best way to tackle this disparity in weather.

  • Old Delhi can be very busy and crowded. While it’s an exciting place to see local life moving around you, be aware that on the walking tour you’ll need to navigate through people, tight spaces and walkways.

Map of India Real Food Adventure including India
India Real Food Adventure with Intrepid Travel
Traditional curries in India
India Real Food Adventure with Intrepid Travel
Local vendor mixing hot masala chai, India
Woman smiling in front of the Taj Mahal on an Intrepid Travel tour of Agra, India.
Street vendor selling vegetables in Delhi, India
Travellers standing in the elaborate doorways of Red Fort in Agra, India on an Intrepid Travel tour.
India Real Food Adventure with Intrepid Travel

Itinerary
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Namaste! Welcome to India. Delhi is an excitingly chaotic capital city – filled with historical sites from different eras, museums and galleries, shops and endless bazaars, there’s plenty to see, do, and eat. Your adventure begins with an important welcome meeting at 6 pm. Afterwards, celebrate the start of a memorable food adventure with a short stroll to a local restaurant. Here you'll enjoy your first taste of North Indian flavours over a delicious – and completely vegetarian – feast. Perhaps partake in a kulfi falooda (ice cream-style dessert) after dinner from a hole-in-the-wall place, considered one of the top-spots for kulfi in Delhi.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Real Food Adventure Welcome Dinner
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

This morning venture out to Old Delhi, wandering through alleyways for an authentic Delhi street food breakfast. Keep your eye out for the local chai wallah, renowned for his delicious milky tea. Next, jump on the city's metro system and head to Jama Masjid – Delhi's oldest mosque. While Hinduism is the dominant religion in Delhi, there is also a significant Sikh population, so continue the religious theme over a vegetarian lunch at a local Sikh temple. After lunch, tour Chandni Chowk – one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi. Visit the spice warehouses in the back alleys of Khari Baoli and meet a seller to hear them talk spice mixes for the market. Visit the Gali Paranthe Wali (lane of parathas), which has been in operation since the 1870s. Parathas are one of the most popular unleavened flat breads in Punjabi North Indian cuisine, so taste some delicious variations with fillings like potatoes, cauliflower and cottage cheese. Tonight, you’ve got the option to visit a local family for a home-cooked meal. This provides an insight into the day-to-day life of Delhites, so find out some secret recipes, get involved in the meal or just chat with your welcoming hosts.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Delhi - Old Delhi walking & rickshaw tour
  • Delhi - Street Food Breakfast
  • Delhi - Jama Masjid
  • Delhi - Lunch at a Sikh Temple
Optional Activities
  • Delhi - Dinner with local family - INR3000
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Get your first experience of Indian train with an air-conditioned ride to Agra (approximately 3 hours). Famed for the evocative Taj Mahal, Agra is a city of fascinating history, rich in Mughal heritage, lush gardens and exquisite structures. Agra is also home to one of the finest looking forts in India – Agra Fort. Enter the dark red sandstone stronghold and search through throne rooms and tiny but ornate mosques. For lunch, join a Mughlai cooking demonstration. Meet a passionate cook, who'll teach you how to prepare classics such as malai ki sabzi (vegetables cooked with cream) and onion paratha (flatbread stuffed with onions and potato) – obviously depending on the season. Afterwards, head to the Taj Mahal, wandering the grounds and taking in the changing vistas as day turns to evening – a truly unforgettable experience. For dinner, you could book in to a chaat crawl – a savoury snack, like fried potatoes or samosa broken into pieces with chutney, typically served from roadside stalls or carts. Fast food: Indian style.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Agra - Taj Mahal
  • Agra - Mughlai Cooking Demonstration
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Drive to the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur (approximately 5 hours). Jaipur was designed by royalty and has delighted visitors for centuries with its pink-hued buildings, wonderful bazaars, and rainbow of bright colours dancing along hectic streets. Stop at India's most photographed building after the Taj Mahal – the Hawa Mahal or 'Palace of the Winds’. Here, royal maidens once watched the streets below through the fabulous jali (lattice screens) which hid them from prying male eyes. Today, snake charmers and fortune-tellers ply their trade below the same hideaway. Visit the oldest chai wallah in the city along your way, cool down with a delicious kulfi and marvel at the sheer range of produce on display at the markets. In the evening, you may wish to check out the extravagance of a Bollywood blockbuster, with all the Hollywood-style elements of action, romance, drama and music (sometimes all rolled into one), at the spectacular Raj Mandir Cinema. Your leader will also have plenty of dinner suggestions.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Jaipur - Bollywood Movie at Raj Mandir Cinema - INR400
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Travel out to the old capital of Amber and explore the hilltop complex known as the Amber Fort. Set in stunning surroundings overlooking Maota Lake, this opulent palace is the legacy of a fallen empire and a superb example of Rajput architecture. One of its most spectacular buildings is the Sheesh Mahal. With its walls completely covered with tiny mirrors, the hall becomes a dazzling fantasy with the light of a single match. For lunch, try a local favourite – kachori. Kachoris are deep fried bread stuffed with vegetables and lentils and are one of the most sought-after snacks in north India. If sweets are your thing, try the mawa kachori – dried fruit and mawa (milk solids) stuffed kachori, deep-fried and coated in sugar syrup. Later on, you will learn the secrets of Rajasthani cuisine in a hands-on cooking class, sitting down to a sumptuous dinner of all you have prepared.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Jaipur - Amber Fort
  • Jaipur - traditional Kachori lunch
  • Jaipur - Rajasthani Cooking Class and Dinner
Optional Activities
  • Jaipur - Balloon Safari - USD260
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Leave the city behind and drive approximately 6 hours to a local heritage stay located in the Vindhyanchal Hills in the Mewar region of south-central Rajasthan – a great opportunity to learn about rural life and culinary customs. You’ll also stop en route to enjoy lunch with a local family. Your accommodation for the next two nights will be at 16th-century Castle Bijaipur – now a heritage hotel with domes, arched windows and doorways, all within the original fortified walls. Enjoy the palace’s blend of colonial and Mughal architecture as you relax by the pool or in the gardens, pampered by Mewar hospitality.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Today you’ll jump in a jeep and explore the surrounding farming communities. This is a major agricultural area and, depending on the season, you will pass through fields growing wheat, corn, maize, lentils, aubergine, spinach, fenugreek, okra, green chilies, tomatoes, potatoes, gourd, onion and garlic. Some of India’s known spices, such as turmeric and cumin, are also grown here. In the late afternoon, return to your heritage stay and join the estate's chef to discover how these ingredients are used in Rajhasthani cooking. Savour the results over a delicious dinner in the palace grounds with your small group – a truly special experience.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bijaipur - Village tour
  • Castle Bijaipur - Rajasthani Desert Cooking Demonstration and Dinner
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Travel to Udaipur (approximately 4 hours’ drive). Udaipur is known for its Hindu temples and palaces but there are also some small but renowned Jain temples in the city. Jainism is a minority religion in India and is considered among the most rigorous spiritually motivated diets in India. Once you’ve arrived, enjoy a street food snack tasting and lunch in the Old City. Tonight, you’ll have a free evening for dinner. Udaipur has several delicious rooftop restaurants, so climb some stairs, choose a restaurant and settle in to watch the sun set over one of the city’s shimmering central lakes.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Udaipur, also known as the 'City of Lakes', is built around the shores of Lake Pichola and full of fascinating temples, ornate palaces and impressive 'havelis' (merchant homes). Take some time to discover its winding streets and shops full of traditional Rajasthani wares. Visit the City Palace – one of the largest royal palaces in India – and check out the unbelievable treasures within, from vivid murals to antiques and royal utensils. The rest of the day is free for your own exploration.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Udaipur - City Palace
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Begin today at the local market to collect ingredients for a cooking class, where you will learn how to prepare a traditional north Indian thali meal. A thali comprises of several dishes served on one large plate, and vary depending on which region the thali is prepared in. As you’re in Udaipur, you will make a vegetarian thali. Typical dishes include rice, dahl, vegetables, roti, papad (deep-fried flat bread), curd (yoghurt), small amounts of chutney or pickle, and a sweet dish to top it off. After all that cooking, enjoy the fruits of your labour for lunch. Afterwards, transfer by private vehicle to the Abu Road train station (approximately 3 hours). Tonight, you’ll board an overnight train bound for one of India's great cities – captivating Mumbai (approximately 16 hours). The train will depart late evening and arrive after midday tomorrow.
Accommodation
  • Overnight sleeper train (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Udaipur - Thali Cooking Class
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Your sleeper train is clean and air-conditioned, and is a great way to travel long distances and still get maximum time in each place. Beds are padded berths with sheets, pillow and blanket provided but some people prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet. Please note you may be sharing with locals in a same gender or mixed gender situation. Most trains have a dining carriage where snacks and meals are available.

Arrive in Mumbai after your overnight train, reaching your hotel by mid-afternoon. Known as Bombay until its name change in 1995, Mumbai is India's commercial capital and largest city. Some would say that Mumbai is also the food capital of India. This is the heart of Marathi cuisine; however, you will also find huge culinary diversity that celebrates regional cuisines from across the country. In the late afternoon, wander down Marine Drive to Chowpatty Beach. Enjoy the sunset and snack on bhel puri (tangy puffed rice and vegetable chaat), pav bhaji (a thick vegetable curry served with bread) and other renowned Mumbai street foods.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mumbai - Chowpatty Beach
  • Mumbai - Chowpatti Beach Street Food Crawl
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Time for some sightseeing and soaking up the atmosphere of this incredible metropolis. Marvel at the remarkable Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat. At 140 years old, it's Mumbai's oldest laundry and, with over 1000 troughs, it is also the world’s largest open-air, human-powered one. Next, take in some of the key landmarks including the impressive World Heritage Site and historic railway station of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. For lunch, seek out a restaurant known for serving Parsi cuisine, whose community is largely concentrated in Mumbai. The Parsi peoples are descendants of Zoroastrians who are believed to have immigrated from Persia to India in the 10th century. Drop past Mumbai’s bustling Crawford Markets, and then the rest of the afternoon and the evening are free for your own food adventures. Perhaps take high tea at the iconic Taj Hotel, or stake out one of the myriad fabulous restaurants in this city which cater for all budgets – your group leader will have plenty of suggestions.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Take a flight from Mumbai to Goa (approximately 1 hour), arriving in the early afternoon. The locals say that time moves more slowly in Goa, so this is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a bit of tranquillity in an often-frenetic country. Tinged with a Portuguese flavour, the state of Goa is blessed with lovely beaches, rich traditions, World Heritage-listed buildings and mouth-watering food. Goa's dense forested areas and favourable climate also make it a perfect location to grow the spices liberally used in its cuisine. TIn the late afternoon, visit a local spice farm that uses organic methods of cultivation. For the daring, try a taste of feni – a spirit made from either coconut or the juice of the cashew apple, much-loved in this region. In the evening, perhaps enjoy a meal at one of the shacks that line the beach. Goa is renowned for its seafood, and variations of a fish curry with coconut and served with rice has become a regional classic.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Goa - Spice farm tour including lunch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Please note that the Goa fish markets are closed in the months of June, July and August due to it being the wet season.

In the morning, join a passionate cook who has lived in Goa all her life. Take a guided tour through the markets and get to know the building blocks of Portuguese-tinged Goan cuisine, followed by a final hands-on cooking class. Learn to prepare meals such as hot pork vindaloo or chicken xacuti and enjoy a laid-back Goan lunch. The afternoon is free for some shopping, perhaps a visit to Panaji, or simply some time to relax on the beach. Tonight, savour a group meal of seafood and spicy curry and reminisce on your Indian food finds.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Goa - Goan Market Tour and Cooking Class
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

With no activities planned for today, your Real Food Adventure comes to an end after departing the hotel. If you wish to continue your food escapade through India, check out the North & South India Real Food Adventure, which combines this trip with another trip (South India Real Food Adventure – HHZI), travelling from Kochi to Hyderabad. For more information, search the trip code HHZIC on the Intrepid website for details and to book.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

13 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

Plane, Private vehicle, Taxi, Train, Overnight Train

Accommodation

Hotel (11 nights), Heritage property (2 nights), Overnight Sleeper Train (1 night)

Included activities

  • Real Food Adventure Welcome Dinner
  • Delhi - Old Delhi walking & rickshaw tour
  • Delhi - Street Food Breakfast
  • Delhi - Jama Masjid
  • Delhi - Lunch at a Sikh Temple
  • Agra - Taj Mahal
  • Agra - Mughlai Cooking Demonstration
  • Jaipur - Amber Fort
  • Jaipur - traditional Kachori lunch
  • Jaipur - Rajasthani Cooking Class and Dinner
  • Bijaipur - Village tour
  • Castle Bijaipur - Rajasthani Desert Cooking Demonstration and Dinner
  • Udaipur - City Palace
  • Udaipur - Thali Cooking Class
  • Mumbai - Chowpatty Beach
  • Mumbai - Chowpatti Beach Street Food Crawl
  • Goa - Spice farm tour including lunch
  • Goa - Goan Market Tour and Cooking Class

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Important notes

LUGGAGE LIMITS
Please note, there is a strict luggage limit of 15kgs checked in plus 7kgs carry on for the flights on this trip. No exceptions can be made.

FESTIVALS IN INDIA:
Please note travelling during major festivals such as Holi and Diwali can, at times, cause disruption the the published itinerary. Please see the 'Safety' section for more details.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:
A single supplement is available on this trip with exception of Day 10 (Overnight train - Udaipur to Mumbai).

TAJ MAHAL:
Using mud pack therapy the Archaeological Survey of India is planning to clean the four small canopies around the main dome of the Taj Mahal from the start of April 2018. This will be followed by the cleaning of the main dome but that could take some time as ASI is yet to calculate its load bearing capacity. The ASI’s science branch officials have stated that cleaning the four canopies will take approximately 2 months while main dome cleaning will be completed in phases. We will continue to update as information becomes available.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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