Although Indian cuisine is not as famous as the top three world-renown cuisines, it has become more and more popular because of its rich flavors and the diverse vegetables in it. If you are planning your first trip to India and would like to have an authentic food adventure as well as visiting the must-see attractions, this 9-day India highlights and food tour will be your best choice.
In this tour, you will have rich food experiences, which include enjoying a special dinner in a fine restaurant, having a cooking class in a local person's home, and sampling some fresh street food.
Suggested Route for an Indian Highlights and Food Tour
Tour Highlights
Here are the awesome attractions, the most must-do activities selected by Asia Highlights (AH Hand-Picked), and exclusive cultural experiences offered by Asia Highlights (Only With AH) included in this tour:
Explore the Chandni Chowk by a rickshaw to discover ordinary people's life.
Admire the unbelievable ancient wonder, the Taj Mahal.
Explore the lovely 'Pink City', Jaipur, and enjoy a memorable dinner in the romantic Amber Fort.
Meet and interact with locals to learn about the Indian culture and food.
Witness an incredible ceremony and sample the fresh street food in Varanasi.
98.8% Positive Customer reviews among 10,000+
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Great Experience
WOW! I’ve traveled Asia some & I must say Sharon & Asia Highlights made this trip so much more enjoyable and easy More
Stephen Hollis,
Aug 2023
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Alisa has has been great to work with
Alisa with Asia Highlights has has been great to work with. Very friendly and responsive. More
Ana Rausch,
Aug 2023
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Using Sharon right now to book our…
Using Sharon right now to book our upcoming trip to Thailand. She has booked everything that we asked for. Has answered all of my inquiries, which has been many! Looking forward to having a great girls trip in Thailand More
Tracy,
Aug 2023
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Thailand, Singapore, Bali
In Thailand, Tanny and Nori(Suparp), were both incredible! They were both fun, funny, and full of knowledge and made sure we got the full experience. They went the extra mile and always made sure we had cold bottled water and towels to cleanse our hands. In Singapore, Nicole was an absolute gem. She was so kind and knowledgeable and guided us in the right direction to make our day as enjoyable as possible. She helped us choose a top notch local lunch and coffee spot in China Town and taught us so much about the country! In Bali, Emon was an absolute joy. He was very knowledgeable and kind and absolutely made sure we were feeling comfortable and was willing to be flexible with us. He was fun to converse with and made our time traveling between destinations so enjoyable! I cannot recommend Asia Highlights enough! Accommodations, travel arrangements and guided tours were all a breeze. More
Cassi Thunker,
Jul 2023
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Very supportive
Very supportive ! I have received eticket for Sky Lattern Festival very fast More
Chi?n Nguy?n Ng?c,
Jul 2023
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My experience in Chang Mai with Asia Highlights
I greatly enjoyed my experience with Asia Highlights for a trip I booked to Thailand.All of my interests were catered too. My guide in Chang Mai Gemma was excellent.I truly felt the soul of Thailand culture and Buddhism. More
Richard,
Jul 2023
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A pleasure to plan with
Well, this has been a painless and pleasurable process to find such a wonderful company. I had specific dates and places to be and Sharon worked with me diligently to refine the schedule and costs to suit my travel needs and budget. She informed me of a special tour on the dates I am to be in Thailand and I added that to my previous plans. More
Chris Williams,
Jul 2023
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Large multi-generational holiday in Thailand
The holiday was wonderful. Our guides, Mr Monchai (Bangkok), and Ms Tipagorn (Tippy) (Chiang Mai) were exceptional. Travelling in a large multigenerational group with many children requires patience and our guides truly understood that. Mr Monchai and Ms Tippy shared their extensive knowledge of the many wonderful places we visited, and were flexible to take us to additional places along the way based on discussions. While everyday was busy, having them greet us with patience and a smile truly made this a memorable holiday. The hotels we stayed at were equally wonderful and went above and beyond to celebrate not only my parents 50th anniversary but also celebrate 2 milestone birthdays that occurred. We will cherish this holiday for many years to come. We hope to use Asia Highlights again. More
CL,
Jul 2023
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I never used a travel agent in my life
I never used a travel agent in my life, but Sharon for Asia Highlights did a phenomenal job helping planning and coordination a family vacation. The best part of working with Sharon was that she maintained an open line of communication and provided answers to my question well within 12-24 hours. Additionally, Sharon was flexible and customized our vacation to my families needs. Overall great experience. More
Antione Barry,
Jul 2023
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Great company to plan a trip to Southeast Asia!
Sharon Haung has been wonderful to work with! Very patient and accommodating. Responds immediately given time change and is prepared, prompt, and professional. More
Debi Hinerfeld,
Jul 2023
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We took a 15 days trip (10 days Vietnam and 5 days Thailand …
It was an amazing experience the guides and drivers were there awaiting for us at each airoport for a transfer to the hotels also on time for all the tours all the guides were so lovely , very experienced and spoke very good English , one of the days on tour in Thailand I lost my phone in a temple in Bangkok mr chai went out of his way in a middle of thousands of visitors and managed to find an bring it back to me I found that amazing , also while on a trip I contacted Jason li out tour organizer few time via whatup and he replied and helped on the spot I recommend asiahilights 150% The quality of the service hotels the guides the drivers outstanding From start to finish ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT ???? More
SIMO el ghobar,
Jun 2023
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Wonderful Guides and Experience
Our large group arrived in Bangkok with Tanni as our guide. She was wonderful! An absolute joy to spend time with. She is knowledgeable, kind, and extremely funny. I don’t know what we would have done without her! After Bangkok, we traveled to Chang Mai, where Indy was our tour guide. She was a delight! She is kind, knowledgeable, and so patient. Our trip to Thailand was an adventure of a lifetime and these two women helped make it memorable. I would definitely use Asia Highlights for any future travel in Asia. More
Jessica Bennett,
Jun 2023
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Guide - Chai
We travelled from Vietnam to Bangkok and were blessed to have a guide named Chai. He was a superb guide and it is a pity we couldn't bottle him and take him home. He was very knowledgeable and an absolute gentleman. He could not have done enough to facilitate us and imparted so much knowledge about the Temples, Buddism and the History of Thailand in general. Not only did he give us a great overview of the past and current ways of living in Thailand but I also feel I came away a much better person having interacting with him. I will carry many of his teachings with me for the rest of my life and know that having met him was a very special blessing in my life. More
Customer,
Jun 2023
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Our guide Tanni was kind
Our guide Tanni was kind, knowledgeable, funny and beyond accommodating for our group. We felt like we'd made a friend and it enhanced our trip in the most positive way. Everything was coordinated perfectly which is not easy to do in a large traveling group. Excellent experience! More
Marissa Manson,
Jun 2023
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We are only on day 5 of our 15 day trip…
Our first stop so far was in Hanoi where our guide Trong was just so awesome! He shared about his culture and family life which showing us sites through a city tour. He was so funny making lots of jokes and always made sure we were having fun while learning about everything! He checked on us frequently even when we were no longer with him since we then went on a cruise in Halong Bay! Halong Bay and the cruise on Paradise Elegance went way above anything I expected. The scenery was breathtaking, the ship was so beautiful and clean with such fresh, good food! And I can’t sing enough praise for the staff who took care of us- especially Anna and Belle! They went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed every aspect from eating meals with Anna to every other detail with Belle! I highly recommend Asian Highlights to help plan these extraordinary trips! This already has been a trip of a lifetime and we still have so much more to see all thanks to Cathy!! More
Diane Creitz,
Jun 2023
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Tanni for the win!
14 of my closest friends and family descended upon Bangkok ready to see the town. Asia highlights and Tanni took us on a tour that changed our lives. We experienced so much everyday. Tanni was amazing! She did all the thinking for us, so we all could just be present and enjoy the moment. I can’t recommend this company, and especially Tanni enough. More
Megan McGlynn,
Jun 2023
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This isn't my first trip with Asia…
This isn't my first trip with Asia Highlights. They are great at helping me plan, working my requests into the itinerary, and booking it all. We travel with friends and just got back from a trip to Thailand and Vietnam. Albee did a great job with all the details and we had a wonderful time. We will use them for our next adventure! More
Katie Potesta,
Jun 2023
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Amazing service
Although we have not been our trip yet I wanted to still write a review based on customer service and the ease of booking. Alisa has been extremely prompt and responsive with planning our trip to Thailand. She has had great recommendations and guidance to add to our custom itinerary. Highly recommend using Asia highlights! -Alex More
Alex,
May 2023
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I have never hear of this company…
I have never hear of this company before , and after reading all these reviews ,I decided to give it a try . The professionalism and communicative skill received by one of the agent , Sharon of Asia Highlights , convince me that She was the right travel agent for my trip in Asia . Very quickly she communicated with me and got all the detail of my desire vacation . Sharon made me a great itinerary with great experiences that I am dreaming to experience and I am looking forward to it . Thanks Sharon for been so great and crafting me a dream vacation with great suggestions. More
orge alvarez,
May 2023
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Coco Yang worked tirelessly to…
From the moment I landed in Bangkok, Ms Noi Ying was there to welcome me and get me settled into my hotel. We enjoyed several days together touring Bangkok and Kanchanaburi. In Chiang Mai, Mr Ekachai took my son snd I on an amazing trip to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and to visit a community Lanna home, gardens and a hands-on cooking class preparing an authentic Thai meal. Lisa arranged a last-minute speedboat tour of 5 breathtaking islands in Phuket. From start to finish, the guides exceeded my expectations!! Thank you, Asia Highlight!! Debbie Woods More
Debbie Woods,
May 2023
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Itinerary in Detail
Your preferences design the real journey. We're ready to create a wonderful India tour for you.
Welcome to Delhi. Your guide and driver will meet you in the arrivals hall and take you to your hotel. Enjoy your free time for the rest of the day.
- Visit to the revered Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Admire the amalgamation of Islamic and Indian architectural styles.
- Hop on a rickshaw and venture into the bustling Chandni Chowk market in Old Delhi. This lively market provides a fascinating insight into the daily lives of local people.
- Uncover traditional Indian components, spices, and cooking techniques with the guidance of an experienced local guide, who is also a Chef.
- Experience the warmth and hospitality of a local family as you are invited into their home. Indulge in a home-cooked meal, prepared with love and care, and savor the authentic flavors of Delhi.
- Drive from Delhi to Agra in the morning.
- Enjoy an afternoon tea with the view of Taj Mahal at a rooftop cafe.
- Then, visit Mehtab Bagh, also known as the Moonlight Garden, in the late afternoon. Located behind the Taj Mahal, the garden is situated on the opposite bank of the Yamuna River. As you stand amidst the peaceful surroundings, witness the magical sight of the Taj Mahal as the sun begins to set.
- In the early morning, witness the epitome of architectural excellence as you visit the incomparable Taj Mahal. As you approach this ivory-white marble marvel, you will be overwhelmed by its stunning beauty.
- Your next stop is Itmad-ud-Daula's Tomb, known as the 'Baby Taj.' This impressive white marble tomb features colorful mosaics and intricate stone inlays, resembling a smaller version of the Taj Mahal.
- In the afternoon, you will visit Agra Fort, a magnificent fortress built during the 16th century. Bask in the sunlight that casts a vibrant glow upon the red sandstone, reflecting the glory of the bygone Mughal Empire.
- Bid farewell to Agra and embark on a scenic car journey towards the vibrant city of Jaipur, also known as the 'Pink City.'
- Make a stop at a village near Jaipur to marvel at the remarkable Chand Baori stepwell. As you gaze at its intricate design, you may wonder why Indians have a knack for making wells so romantic and intriguing. Be prepared for its mesmerizing sight, as it boasts an impressive 3,500 steps.
- Enjoy a delectable dinner at Amber Fort in an elegant dining room while being serenaded by live Indian music. As darkness falls, the fort transforms into a picturesque setting, as if pulled straight from a fairy tale. Stand on the fort's balcony and look down to witness a mesmerizing sight.
- Explore the majestic Amber Fort. The intricate patterns and vibrant colors on the walls, along with the shimmering mirrors in Sheesh Mahal, transport you back in time to the era of the great dynasty.
- Continue your journey to Jaipur's City Palace. This magnificent palace provides a glimpse into the lives of the Maharajas of Jaipur. The beautiful courtyard and the abundance of exhibits showcase the richness and sophistication of the royal lifestyle.
- Make a quick stop for a photo opportunity at the famous Hawa Mahal, or the Palace of Winds. Capture the intricate lattice work and the subtle hues of this stunning palace.
- Indulge in a cooking class at Ikaki Niwas and immerse yourself in the art of Indian cuisine. Learn the art of using various Indian spices and try your hand at cooking like the locals do. Enjoy the dinner you've prepared, savoring the flavors and aromas that define Indian cuisine.
- In the morning, board a flight from Jaipur to Varanasi.
- Embark on a serene boat ride along the Ganges River. Observe pilgrims engaging in sacred rituals, washing their bodies in the holy river, and offering prayers to cleanse their souls. This glimpse into the riverside activities provides a deep insight into the spiritual beliefs and practices of the locals.
- Make your way to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, also known as the Golden Temple, to witness the highly choreographed Ganga Aarti ceremony. The synchronized movements, devotion, and spiritual energy of the participants make this ceremony a truly captivating experience.
- Enjoy a boat ride at sunrise along the Ganges River bathed in the gentle morning light. Witness the daily activities that unfold along the riverbanks, showcasing the interdependence of the community.
- Embark on a culinary adventure through the bustling streets of Varanasi's old city. Indulge in the diverse range of local specialties, from savory chaats and crispy samosas to piping hot jalebis and refreshing lassis. This street food hunt will offer you a glimpse into the culinary heritage.
- Head to Sarnath, a sacred place for Buddhism. This serene location holds great significance as the place where Buddha, after attaining enlightenment in 528 BC, preached the first sermon to his five disciples. Afterward, explore the Archaeological Museum, where an impressive collection of Buddhist artifacts awaits.
Ideas for Making This Trip Uniquely Yours
Special experiences can be added to brighten a honeymoon trip, a family vacation, a birthday, or satisfy personal interests.
Enjoy a Memorable Sunset at the Nahargarh Fort
For couples |
Heena Painting on Hands and Feet
For culture fans |
Moonlights Tour of Taj Mahal
For couples |
Hand-Picked Hotels
We have selected hotels with different styles and for different budgets. Let us know your preferences and we will help you find the right one.
We recommend to experience palace hotels, heritage hotels, or nice resorts in order to get the high-quality service and to your experience.
Our Service Includes:
- Private transfers and English-speaking tour guide
- All guided sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
- 4-star accommodations for 8 nights
- Flights between cities mentioned in the itinerary
- Meals mentioned in the itinerary
- Governmental taxes
Tour code: ah-in-82
Start planning your tailor-made tour now. Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.
Why Travel with Asia Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+)
- Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
- Hassle-free travel and peace of mind: Every aspect of your trip will be carefully planned and organized by your 1:1 travel consultant.
- Experienced and knowledgeable guides: Your guides will be local and love to work for travelers' smiles.
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