DISCOVER INDIA WITH GOOD FOOD JOURNEYS, A KIWI COMPANY WITH A STRONG BASE IN INDIA
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Join Chand Sahrawat on a luxury culinary tour to India during the Diwali festival in October 2025. Chand is a well-known personality in the hospitality industry in NZ and a successful Restauranteur. Along with her husband, chef Sid Sahrawat they own 4 iconic restaurants in Auckland – Cassia, Kol, French Café and Anise.
This is the second time Chand will be hosting a group in India during Diwali for us. We had a great tour last year, celebrating the biggest festival in India, as well as indulging in some incredible culinary experiences. Diwali is certainly the best time to visit India where the entire country comes alive with lights, decorations and festivities. To take it a notch higher, the itinerary is planned in a way that for Diwali we will be in Udaipur, the city of lakes in the desert state of Rajasthan, where Diwali is celebrated with a lot of traditional festivities.
This itinerary offers a great contrast between the Rajput era forts and palaces of Rajasthan, modern and old Delhi and the Mughal influence in Agra. Followed by the hustle and bustle of Mumbai and an optional extension to serene Goa. We will stay in some of the best 5-star luxury hotels including a palace.
This will be a culinary adventure like no other. We will enjoy 5 different North Indian cuisines, each with its own subtle flavour and history. There is a cooking lesson in a palace, street food, learn about Indian spices, dine in a 16th century fort under the stars and long lazy lunches. The 10-course dinner at the No. 1 restaurant in India will be a memorable one.
For 11 days, you will experience Indian hospitality at its best. The accommodation, culinary experiences, vibrancy of Diwali and Chand’s knowledge of Indian cuisine and her enthusiasm to showcase Indian culture to Kiwi’s will make this a memorable tour. This is a small-group tour of no more than 15 like-minded foodies wanting to experience India through its cuisine. If you have been thinking about visiting India, then we invite you to join us in October. This would be a bucket-list kind of holiday to India.
The ‘Good’ in our name stands for doing Good for the community. For this tour we are supporting an NGO called “Phool” - they upscale discarded flowers from temples and turn them into incense sticks and other cool fragrance products. We also dine in restaurants that are a worthy cause helping local communities.
Destination | No of Nights | Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | 2 Nights | ITC Maurya |
| Agra | 1 Nights | ITC Mughal |
| Jaipur | 2 Nights | Narain Niwas Palace |
| Udaipur | 2 Nights | Fatehgarh |
| Mumbai | 3 Nights | ITC Grand Central |
On arrival at Delhi airport, we will be met by our local representative for transfer to our hotel. After checking in, take a few hours to rest and unwind from the long flight. That evening we will visit Old Delhi, to get a glimpse of hundreds of years of history.
The start of our culinary journey is our first dinner in a unique restaurant, where the interiors have been put together with India's finery and frivolity. It has a quirky ‘thieves’ market’ ambience with eclectic collection of handpicked furniture, tableware, and curios from across India. They proudly say that in our restaurant, "nothing matches" yet "everything gels".
After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the sites in New Delhi. go sightseeing. The contrast between Old Delhi and New Delhi, both with its distinct characteristics, history, and vibe, is fascinating. The rest of the day is at leisure – you can explore the local markets or head back to the hotel to book a spa or chill out by the poolside.
Dinner is at an are internationally acclaimed Indian restaurant in our hotel. Dum Pukht is famous for bringing the grandeur of the royal kitchens of Awadh, Bengal and Hyderabad to life through the food and the ambience.
After breakfast we will leave for Agra by train.
For lunch we will go to Sheros Café – an establishment run by victims of acid attacks. There is no price on the menu, but you can be as generous as you feel with your offering to them. After lunch explore some of the local markets shopping for marble artefacts or leather goods that Agra is famous for.
Dinner is a special experience themed around Mughal history and cuisine.
We have an early morning visit to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise. After breakfast we set off on a road trip to Jaipur. It is a 5-hour drive, but on the way, we will have a few stops to break the journey and take in some local sights such as one of the oldest stepwells that date to the 8th century and is 13 floors deep. And Fatehpur Sikri, a historical complex that was commissioned by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century and abandoned soon after.
Our hotel in Jaipur is a Palace, now a heritage hotel. It was built in 1928 for one of Rajasthan’s aristocratic families. They have retained the quirky royal touches and character. We will meet the owners and get a tour of the palace, as every corner tells a story of the yesteryears.
Our first dinner in Jaipur is at 1135 AD, one of the best restaurants in Jaipur. It is situated in the Amber Fort, which was built in 1592. We will enjoy authentic Rajasthani food in an open-air courtyard under the star-studded night sky.
After breakfast we will leave for a sightseeing tour of the Pink City of Jaipur. It was founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II in 1727 AD. Jaipur is famous for its rich cultural heritage and has today become the most popular tourist destination in India. One of the places we will visit is the City Palace, the royal residence for the Maharaja of Jaipur.
Today is one of the 4 auspicious days of Diwali where Hindus pray to Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth. They buy gold or silver items to symbolize inviting prosperity into their lives. If you are interested in buying pure gold, we can guide you to the best place in Jaipur for it.
We have a cooking class in our hotel today where we will learn about Indian spices and how to use them in cooking. The family that owns the Palace has preserved ancestral handwritten cookbooks with unique recipes that are incorporated into the menu in the restaurants. For dinner we will enjoy the delicacies that the chef will cook for us.
Today morning is at leisure to enjoy the hotel or step out to explore any of the local markets. This is a great opportunity to shop for some ethnic attire for our Diwali night. After a late checkout from the hotel, we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Udaipur.
Our accommodation in Udaipur is in a Heritage Palace style luxury hotel. Built on a hilltop, this magnificent hotel is the perfect mix of luxury and royalty in a resort style setting. Our dinner tonight is a feast of authentic Rajasthani cuisine.
After breakfast we will head for a sightseeing tour of Udaipur, also known as the "City of Lakes" because of its sophisticated lake system of seven lakes surrounding the city. Besides lakes, Udaipur is also known for its historic forts, magnificent palaces, museums, gardens and temples.
There is a lot of excitement in Udaipur before and during Diwali. The big palaces and smaller Havelis (mansions) are lit up and decorated for the festival. We will participate in the celebrations, join a family for Diwali prayers followed by dinner, and we may even get to meet someone from the royal family, if they are available.
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight to Mumbai. On arrival, the day is at leisure in the hotel to relax and unwind by the pool.
For dinner we will head to one of our favourite spots in Mumbai – Mirchi and Mime. It is a trendy dining restaurant serving modern-Indian cuisine, first of its kind in India, served exclusively by speech & hearing-impaired service staff. It is a lot of fun ordering your meals in sign language. This is one more way we give back to the community.
After breakfast we will head to South Mumbai to see the Gateway of India, Hanging Gardens, Marine Drive, etc.
We have an exquisite dinner planned for tonight. We don’t want to spoil the surprise but we can promise that this will be a sensory experience to remember for a long time.
The day is free for your own activities or shopping.
Dinner will be one of the highlights of this trip. We will dine at Masque - the recipient of many accolades and awards, one of them being the best restaurant in India for 3 years in a row, Asia’s top 50 and last year Masque made its debut on the world stage at the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. We will be treated to a sensory experience like no other with their 10-course fine dining degustation menu that marries tradition and innovation.
We understand that a 2-week leave from work and other commitments may not be possible for everyone.
However, if you want to use the public holiday in NZ on Oct 26 (labour weekend) and extend your holiday, we have an optional add-on to continue to Goa for 4 more days. Goa is a paradise for holidaymakers and food lovers. The Portuguese occupied Goa for 450 years, which resulted in a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures, evident in Goa's cuisine, music, dance, and architecture. Known for its laid-back lifestyle, we invite you to take this opportunity to relax and unwind at a beachside luxury 5-star resort. Indulge in spa treatments and cocktails by the pool before returning to the busy lives in NZ.
Or if you are heading back to NZ, after breakfast we will arrange a transfer to the airport.
| Per person (based on twin share) | NZD 9350 |
| Single Room Supplement | NZD 3250 |
Upon arrival at Delhi international airport, our company representative will meet & assist you with traditional welcome and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Rest of the day free & easy for own activities. Evening proceed for Dinner at Masala Library Restaurant ( www.masalalibrary.co.in) Masala library by Jiggs Kalra a magnum opus of the Czar of Indian Cuisine & tastemaker. The culinary offerings at Masala Library endevour’s to offer its patrons a never before under taken gastronomic voyage capturing the grandeur of centuries old traditions and the long last essence of one of the oldest known gastronomic tradition in the world. The main focus is to revive the traditional recipes specially KABAB & CURRIES. After dinner return to hotel(Meal Include – Dinner) Overnight at Delhi hotel
Post breakfast; proceed for a full day guided tour in Delhi starting from Old Delhi visiting drive pass Raj Ghat, visit Jama Maszid, drivepass through Red Fort & Chandni Chowk market and later enjoy an authentic old Delhi street food and taste (if guest like).
After old Delhi tour; procced for lunch at a famous Old Delhi Indian restaurant called "Chor Bizarre" (www.chorbizarre.com/del) Chor Bizarre is the complete eating out experience, great décor, distinct ambience, wonderous cocktails, superlative food, charming old world service. Every city in India have its own special ‘Chor Bazar’ which translate as ‘thieves market’. All kind of wares find their way here (with or without the consent of the owners). This brings an inspiration and to celebrate the eclecticism of India.
Later proceed to visit India Gate, drive pass through Parliament Street & President house and visit Qutab Minar.
After sightseeing; In evening, you will take a cooking class session at chef Harpal Singh Sokhi at home with dinner. He is celebrity chef from India. Also known as “Energy Chef of India” is now a “Dancing Chef Of India”. Hailing from North India, which, like the rest of India is rich in culture and cuisine, Chef Harpal is a music lover and is fluent in English and five Indian languages, namely Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Oriya and Telugu. He graduated from the catering school at Bhubaneshwar, a capital of Orissa. He spent his initial years in learning different international cuisines but later realised that his interest lay in unearthing the authentic regional Indian food.
(Meal Include – Breakfast & Lunch)
Overnight at Delhi hotel.
Early breakfast; check-out from the hotel and transfer to Delhi- Nizamuddin railway station to board the train to Agra; the city of Taj Mahal.
Upon arrival at Agra Railway station; Meet & assistance by company representative & transfer to hotel for check-in. After lunch proceed for a half day guided tour in Agra visiting Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Post tour; spend some time in shopping the world’s best Marble products and the famous James & Jewelry.
In night enjoy the dinner at Bellevue Restaurant in hotel Amar Vilas (www.oberoihotels.com/amarvilas) Bellevue offers an unforgettable dining experience. It is well known that Mughal Emperors were patrons of lavish foods. At here chef tried to capture Mughal’s passion for international flavours. You will find Italian Classics reinvented with an Asian twist that reflects the gout de terrior ot the spirit and nature of the South and South East Asian Regions.
(Meal Include – Breakfast & Dinner)
Overnight at Agra hotel
Post breakfast; drive to Jaipur; the capital city of Rajasthan State and known as the “Pink City. Upon arrival Jaipur; check-in to the hotel and relax.
In Evening procced to visit Chokhi Dhani Village; Chokhi Dhani is a popular and remarkable attraction of Jaipur. It is an ethnic village resort offering you all type of entertainment options including dance, music, food and accommodations in royal styles. We can enjoy the activities at Chokhi Dhani include magic shows, puppet shows, Rajasthani dance, Rajasthani folk music, future tellers, acrobatics on a bamboo and luck predicting parrots. There are also interesting activities and adventures that will keep you completely engaged, like camel ride, elephant ride and horse ride and boating. Later take the Rajasthani dinner at the most sumptuous at Royal Rajasthani dining hall where we can enjoy delicious Rajasthani cuisines with cultural performances by bhopa and bhopan (Rajasthani songs & Music)
(Meal Include – Breakfast & Dinner)
Remark: After visit Chokhi Dhani village; if guest not like Rajasthani food than we can arrange the dinner on finest restaurant in Jaipur (Restaurant Peshawar in hotel ITC Rajputana – On direct payment basis/ similar )
Overnight at Jaipur Hotel
Post breakfast; leave for an excursion to Amber Fort. Enjoy the Elephant ride to ascend the Amber fort. After visiting Amber fort, visit to a traditional Rajasthani Handicraft & handloom factory to see the craftsmen performing.
Afternoon enjoy the lunch at a famous Jaipur restaurant Swapna Bhawan in Hotel Raj Palace (www.rajpalace.com) Formal receptions remained the local activity of country life during the British period. Hence the Thakur Sahib made Swapna Mahal imitating the great houses of the British and French nability. This hall is completely titled out with European furniture, Chandliers, Mirrors and Crockery Collection. The Food is serve in Royal Thali (is a big plate made of silver , gold or other metal).
Later procced visit to City Palace and Jantar Mantar observatory. Before returning your hotel; a short stop in front Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace) for photo shoot.
After relaxing; In evening, we will proceed for dinner at Restaurant Rajput Room in hotel Taj Ram Bagh Palace; Here first we will explore Ram Bagh Palace and later enjoy the dinner. They special prepared the Rajasthani Thali and serve.
(Meal Include – Breakfast)
Overnight at Jaipur hotel
Early breakfast; on time transfer to Jaipur airport to board the flight to Udaipur; city of lakes. Upon arrived Udaipur; meet & assistance by company representative and transfer to hotel for check-in / or Proceed direct half day guided sightseeing tour of Udaipur. (Check-in time is 02 PM- Subject to early check-in facility if room are available)
visiting City Palace, an intriguing collection of buildings built in the year 1725. Also visit Sahelion ki Bari (Garden of Maids of Honour) and Jagdish Temple; the Indo-Aryan Temple and visit Old city of Udaipur.
Later in evening procced for a cooking class demo on Rajasthani cuisine at chef home and enjoy the dinner with variety of foods which is prepared by chef.
Chef : Mr. Vimal Dhar
One of India’s most renowned Young Chef, CHEF VIMAL DHAR is a highly experienced Chef with a passion for perfecting culinary specialties. With an impressive list of achievements to his credit, this astute and result oriented professional has been featured among INDIA’S TOP CHEF in the book MY LAST SUPPER by Melanie Dunea. The soft-spoken Chef Vimal Dhar also holds the distinction of having been featured in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, USA magazine by Mr. Stan Sessor and in the DISCOVERY CHANNEL by Anthony Bourdain. Also featured on TRAVEL & LIVING CHANNEL.
CHEF VIMAL DHAR is featured among 50 Chefs handpicked globally by celebrity photographer Melanie Dunea for her latest coffee table book MY LAST SUPPER. For this book, the Dunea travelled the world to short list (based on surveys and extensive research) the 50 best names in the culinary world and interviewed each one of them herself.
(Meal Include – Breakfast)
Overnight at Udaipur hotel
Post breakfast; On time transfer to Udaipur airport to board the flight to New Delhi. Upon arrival, New Delhi airport; meet & assistance by company representative and transfer to hotel for check-in. Rest of the time is free for leisure and relax. In evening proceed for dinner at Indian Accent Restaurant. After dinner return to hotel
(Meal Include – Breakfast & Dinner)
Overnight at Udaipur hotel
Post breakfast; On time transfer to Delhi International airport to board the flight to onward journey.
(Meal Include – Breakfast)
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Good Food Journeys is a New Zealand company with a strong base in India. We are a passionate team dedicated to culinary travel……..Read More
