India Vegan Food Adventure
8 days
From
$ 1345
Duration8 days
Taste the flavours of India on a vegan-only adventure to Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. The sights in India’s famous Golden Triangle are one thing, but golden doesn’t even begin to describe the richness of epicurean experiences in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Join this special vegan-themed India food adventure and see why this corner of the subcontinent is one of the greatest places in the world for vegan travellers. With the input of not only the locals but also six knowledgeable vegan influencers from Canada, UK and Australia – who joined us on the road on a pilot trip to help us fine-tune this brand new adventure – this itinerary ventures far beyond the masala dosas and veggie samosas of the high street cafes. It’s a chance to discover a side of Indian cooking you never knew existed, and with vegan cuisine in its finest hour across the globe, now is the time to experience it.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 8 daysService level: Standard
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Physical Grading: Light
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Ages: 15+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Delhi
Namaste! Welcome to India. Delhi is an excitingly chaotic capital city, filled with enchanting historic sites, museums and galleries, shops and endless bazaars. There’s plenty to see, do, and of course eat. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm in the hotel lobby. Afterwards, head out for a welcome dinner with your fellow travellers. You'll enjoy a traditional vegan dinner in Suruchi Vegetarian Restaurant. Their menu spans Rajasthani, Punjai, South Indian and Gujurati cuisines, and is a great first taste of what India has to offer.
Meals: D
Day 2: Delhi
Head to the old city for a local breakfast. First you'll walk over to the Jama Mosque which towers over Old Delhi. The magnificent facade of Jama Masjid stands as the reminder of Mughal architecture. Built from red sandstone and white marble, the edifice dominates the skyline of the busy Chawri Bazar in central Delhi and is considered the largest mosque in India. Breakfast is at Parathewali Gali, a narrow street in the Chandni Chowk area of Delhi, noted for its series of shops selling paratha, a traditional baked and shallow-fried Indian flatbread. There will also be samples of vegan samosas along the way. We finish the walk with the visit to the Sikh temple where we can have a taste some of the delicious offerings at the local Langar (Community Kitchen). In the evening, we visit a local Indian home for first-hand insight into local ingredients and North Indian cooking traditions.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Jaipur
Today we will drive to the ‘Pink City’ – Jaipur. This town was designed by royalty and has delighted visitors for centuries, with its pink-hued buildings, lively bazaars, and a rainbow of bright colours dancing along the lively streets. Enjoy lunch at Rawat Kachori, a vegan-friendly local establishment. After lunch we will take a walking tour of this pulsing city, to check out the many different fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, pickles, tea and spices on display at the markets, and get an understanding of the nuances of the food we will be using tonight. This evening we partake in a cooking class and enjoy dinner in a haveli (mansion). Relax, sit back and enjoy your own authentic vegan Rajasthani fare.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Jaipur
A great option today is an early-morning hot air balloon experience – often a highlight of visiting Jaipur. Ballooning can be done over Jaipur between September and June. Otherwise, after breakfast we travel out to the old capital of Amber and explore the hilltop fort complex, Amber Fort. Set in stunning surroundings on a hilltop overlooking Maota Lake, this opulent palace is the legacy of a fallen empire and a superb example of Rajput architecture. We break for lunch in a local vegetarian and vegan restaurant. In the evening there will be the option of catching a Bollywood film at a local cinema. Your leader will take you out for a local meal for dinner tonight.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Kanota
After breakfast, drive to beautiful Castle Kanota and enjoy a local lunch here. Today is a day of leisure, and it's not a bad place for it, being one of the finest heritage hotels in the Jaipur area. It's also a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city, with beautiful and atmospheric grounds to explore. Perhaps run your own meditation or yoga session in the castle gardens, or find a spot of shade and relax with a book while taking in the ambience of the castle. There is a small pool here too, for those keen to cool off. Tonight's dinner will be a chance to taste Rajasthani delights such as vegan kair sangri (a combination of beans and berries), gatte ki curry (spiced gram flour dumplings in a fragrant turmeric gravy), sev tamatar (a tomato-based curry with cumin and ginger, topped with crispy chickpea noodles), baajre ki roti (pearl millet flatbread), fali ki sabzi (cluster beans and potatoes with caramelised onion) and more.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Agra
After breakfast we travel to Agra. Famed for the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal, Agra is a city with a fascinating history, rich in Mughal heritage, lush gardens and exquisite buildings and temples. Agra is also home to one of the finest looking forts in India, Agra Fort, which we will also visit. Enter the dark red sandstone stronghold – part fortress, part palace and part prison – and search through throne rooms and tiny but incredibly decorated mosques. We will have a packed lunch en route to Agra. In the evening we get a glimpse of the famed Mughlai cuisine and we learn to make the food of the kings, vegan-style of course.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Delhi
Early this morning, before the crowds gather, visit the iconic Taj Mahal. Best known as a monument to love and loss, this 17th century white marble masterpiece is a beautiful example of Mughal architecture, surrounded by trimmed English gardens. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz. For lunch we visit Sheroes Hangout, a vegetarian & vegan cafe. This beautiful cafe is a one of kind social enterprise providing employment and opportunities for women who were the victims of acid attacks. Tonight in Delhi is our final meal together as a group – a chance reminisce on the past week and dig into our farewell dinner.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Delhi
Your vegan food adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. There are no activities planned for the final day, and you are free to depart the accommodation at any time.
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Delhi - Old Delhi walking & rickshaw tour
- Delhi - Jama Masjid
- Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple)
- Delhi - Home-Cooked Experience Urban Adventure
- Jaipur - Walking & market tour
- Jaipur - Amber Fort
- Agra - Agra Fort
- Agra - Taj Mahal
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Transport
Private vehicle, Train, Shuttle bus, Cycle rickshaw, Auto rickshaw, Metro